Sermons on Close Encounter:

The Gift That Started It All Series

Contributed by Mike Gilbert on Nov 21, 2007

Gift giving at Christmas started with God the Father’s gift to us of His Son.

--*ILL>A ten year old girl named Jenny went with her family and friends to see the Christmas light displays around the city. At one church they stopped and got out to look more closely at a beautiful nativity scene. Her grandma said to her, “Isn’t that beautiful! Look, Jenny, at all the animals, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

24.21 His Healing Touch Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Nov 21, 2007

Jesus healed 2000 years ago but does he still heal today?

It had been a full day. Jesus had spent the morning teaching the group that followed him to the hill overlooking the sea of Galilee then had healed a leper on his way back to town, then there was the entire incident with the Roman Centurion that we looked at last week, that ended with the healing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:8-13

Denomination: Wesleyan

Making A Commitment - Part Two Of Four In Series "Firstfruits" Series

Contributed by Wade Leonard on Nov 23, 2007

The scriptures teach us that another critical part of our giving to God involves making a commitment

A young man went into a jewelry store. He poured out all the money he had and said “I’m looking to buy something special for my girlfriend for Valentine’s Day.” So they searched the store and then he saw a necklace with a heart-shaped pendant and said “That’s the one!” The clerk asked if he ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 10:30-38

Denomination: Baptist

What Will Jesus Do For You? Series

Contributed by Patrick Mead on Nov 24, 2007

Jesus can make a difference in your life

What Will Jesus Do for You? Galatians 1:11-24 In his 1961 inaugural address, President John F. Kennedy, made the infamous statement, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” This statement was by no means original. Some say Kennedy’s speech writer got it ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

To Fear Or Follow, Part 3

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Nov 25, 2007

Life is short. Make every day count.

Numbers 14:40-45 To Fear or Follow Woodlawn Baptist Church November 25, 2007 James said that “life is like a vapor. It’s here today and gone tomorrow. It appears for just a brief time, and then it’s gone.” The psalmist said that life is like grass. It rises in the morning, grows tall in the ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:39-45

Denomination: Baptist

What Does God Want?

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Nov 25, 2007

We struggle over knowing what God wants. We ask for signs. Some in scripture have an advangage, sort of, they get to speak to God or atleast hear God’s voice. What about us today?

What does God want? Hebrews 11:8-19 You know, I have a pretty hard time knowing what I want some times. I can get caught up in all kinds of simple dilemmas; it can be a simple as choosing something for lunch when there are lots of interesting to try. In more important situations perhaps some ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-19

Denomination: Congregational

What To Do When Someone Sins Against You

Contributed by David Henderson on Nov 25, 2007

This was written as a Wednesday night Bible study where I was dealing with some hot topics that I felt our church needed to address. All of us need help forgiving others and dealing with difficult people. This message speaks to that topic.

“What to Do When Someone Sins Against You” Matthew 18:15-17 David Henderson, Pastor/Teacher One Sunday morning a wife tried to wake her husband up for church. He kept his eyes closed and said, “I don’t want to go to church; they don’t like me there.” She tried again, this time pleading with him to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

1 Samuel 1 & The Institution Of Marriage

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 28, 2007

Who was it who came up with the idea that the purpose of marriage was to make two people happy? Marriage is an institution designed for a very specific purpose! ... ...

’Love and marriage, love and marriage, go together like horse and carriage’. So we’re told, but not in my book they don’t, and by ’my book’ I mean the Bible. That’s a warm and inviting way to start a sermon, isn’t it? But the tone is set for us today by our reading from the Old Testament - the ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Through The Eyes Of The Father Series

Contributed by Mike Rexroat on Dec 2, 2007

First of a four part series looking at the birth of Christ through different eyes.

I think that if you talk to any married couple with children...they will tell you that when their kids came along that there were some major changes in their lives. Some of us are getting ready to find that out for the very first time and others are getting ready to be reminded....and I have to ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Samuel: The Partner Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Travis Markes on Dec 4, 2007

Series on men and women’s prayers in the Bible that made a difference and how prayer truly is the difference maker in our lives. I borrowed the outlines from SermonCentral Pro Contributor Tim Byrd.

Samuel: The Partner in Prayer 1 Samuel 3: 1-10; 12:16-25 Readers’ Digest has a section called All in a Day’s Work where people write in humorous things that happen at work. Confiding in a co-worker, I told her about a problem in our office and my fear that I would lose my job. She was concerned ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 12:16-25

Denomination: Baptist

Being And Making Disciples

Contributed by Michael Durst on Dec 6, 2007

A biblical explanation of why being a follower is not enough. We need to first be disciples of Christ, and then make disciples.

By a show of hands this morning, how many of you have ever played golf? That includes on a course, at the driving range, or even putt putt. Now, how many of you like golf? Trust me, playing golf and enjoying golf do not always go together. I seem to enjoy golf much more when I in my office ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Holiness

What Are Your Commitments?

Contributed by Michael Durst on Dec 6, 2007

A look at the extreme commitment of Ruth, and how we should do likewise.

I have had the privilege of officiated two weddings this summer. Since being ordained last May, I have officiated a total of four weddings, and two of the four have been relatives of my wife. Jen has a big family, and by family I am not referring to brothers and sisters. She only has one ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:16-17

Denomination: Holiness

Reliable Evidences Of Saving Faith Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 7, 2007

In this sermon we examine some reliable evidences of saving faith.

Scripture In our study of Romans we have observed that Paul has emphatically insisted that we come into a right relationship with God only by his grace and not through our own effort. We deserve God’s wrath. We deserve God’s condemnation. We deserve God’s sentence of hell. But, God extends ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:27-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Advent: Joy

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Dec 9, 2007

The good news of great joy for all people is shocking news that we dare not get used to.

Humans are complex creatures, aren’t we? Those we love we tend to hurt. We love God and yet we sin against God. We have goals and aspirations that are noble and strong , and yet we get tripped up by our own weakness along the way to fulfilling our goals. We can never seem to outrun the allure of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Separational Season

Contributed by Maria Saunders on Dec 14, 2007

God isn’t a God of normalcy. He doesn’t perform according to the standards of the world. Therefore, we at times will endure the Separational Season (a season of the wilderness).

The Separational Season (Matthew 1:18-25) At a Friday Night Prayer Service, I received confirmation that the message this morning is truly not only for me, but also for the House of Transformation. This year we’ve experienced some wonderful times and some low times. There’s some stuff that many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist