Sermons on Close Encounter:

Buried Under The Oaks Of Shechem

Contributed by Fred Parker on Dec 15, 2007

As we peer into the subdued shadows of our pasts, it is often extremely difficult to discern those indiscriminate things that are disturbing our devotion to God in the present. ___ E. Fred Parker (November 6, 2004)

BURIED UNDER THE OAKS OF SHECHEM Written by Rev Fred Parker November 6, 2004 FOCUS As we peer into the subdued shadows of our pasts, it is often extremely difficult to discern those indiscriminate things that are disturbing our devotion to God in the present. ___ E. Fred Parker (November 6, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 35:1-4

Denomination: Apostolic

The Christ Clause Series

Contributed by Chris Kelly on Dec 18, 2007

Revelation seems like an unlikely place to see a Christmas story, but here it is!

“The Christ Clause” Series: Stories Hollywood Missed December 25, 2005 In the movie “The Santa Claus”, well kept secrets of the North Pole are revealed when Scott Calvin (played by Tim Allen) accidentally kills Santa, and suddenly finds himself stuck with the job of being Santa Claus because of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:1-17, Revelation 12:1-12

Denomination: Wesleyan

Make Me A Blessing Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 18, 2007

Abraham, Pt. 7

MAKE ME A BLESSING (GENESIS 20) A non-profit organization’s survey of 81,355 people 18 and older, reveals that Americans are a neighborly lot, says a national study that finds 76% trust most or some neighbors, 16% say they trust them all, 44% talk to them frequently and 65% exchange favors. The ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 20:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Launch Out Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 18, 2007

Apostles, Pt. 5

LAUNCH OUT (MARK 4:35-41) Schroeder was playing his piano oblivious to the watchful and adoring eyes of the feisty but unrequited Lucy before him. Lucy asked Schroeder, who was doing his own thing and ignoring her as usual, what love is. Schroeder than stood up and quoted: “Love: a noun referring ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 18, 2007

Apostles, Pt. 19

SAY WHAT YOU MEAN, MEAN WHAT YOU SAY (LUKE 22:54-62) What would it take for you to change or switch your long-distance telephone company service? Several years ago, telephone companies battle one another for the lucrative long-distance market, offers included 20% discount on calls to your 12 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:54-62

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Apple Of God's Eye Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 19, 2007

Moses, Pt. 5

THE APPLE OF GOD’S EYE (EXODUS 14:1-31) In a survey of four- to eight-year olds, kids share their views on love: “When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:1-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Point Of No Return Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 19, 2007

Joshua, Pt. 2

THE POINT OF NO RETURN (JOSHUA 2:1-24) Worldwide Challenge, the Campus Crusade magazine, published an inspiring and heartfelt testimony of a former monk named Yuttasak Nok Sirikul. Sirikul was a dutiful son who had been a monk four times even before entering college, a few months each time, in ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Who's In Charge? Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 19, 2007

Joshua, Pt. 3

WHO’S IN CHARGE? (JOSHUA 3:1-17) Famed Japanese director Akira Kurosawabest’s black and white movie “Ikiru” certainly makes one ponder about life’s meaning and purpose. The story is about the choices a dying man faced and made upon learning he had cancer. Kanji Watanabe, the Chief of the Citizens ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Two Halves Make A Whole Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 19, 2007

Couples, Pt. 10

TWO HALVES MAKE A WHOLE (ACTS 18:1-4, 18-26) A couple was celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. Their domestic tranquility had long been the talk of the town. A local newspaper reporter was inquiring as to the secret of their long and happy marriage. “Well, it dates back to our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Watch Out Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 19, 2007

Crisis and Choice, Pt. 10 (Final)

WATCH OUT (MARK 13) Christians are often confronted with apocalyptic, millennial and eschatological expectations whenever a disaster occurs. On the morning of 9/11, a relative called from overseas, asked if we were alright and eventually ended the call with a sigh and an exclamation: “This is the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Wash Basins

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Dec 20, 2007

This is a message about Pilate and his work at the wash basin.

WASH BASINS TEXT: Matthew 27:22-24 Matthew 27:22-24 -- Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:22-24

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Have More Power Than You Think Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 20, 2007

Judges, Pt. 2

YOU HAVE MORE POWER THAN YOU THINK (JUDGES 6:11-35) Dietrich Bonhoeffer, known for his opposition to Hitler, was imprisoned and executed in 1945. One of Bonhoeffer’s poems in prison is a masterpiece, revealing his fear, courage and faith in the face of unspeakable evil. “Who am I? Who am I? They ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Shape Up Or Ship Out Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 20, 2007

Samuel, Pt. 3

SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT (1 SAMUEL 3) As I was sitting in my van in a parking lot a month after my 42nd birthday, a strand of hair dropped onto my shirt before my very eyes. Instinctively I picked up the hair to see its color, length and texture. Negative questions immediately arose: Is it gray? Am I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You Cannot Win Them All Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 20, 2007

Saul, Pt. 1

YOU CANNOT WIN THEM ALL (1 SAMUEL 9:15-10:27) When Christian Herter was governor of Massachusetts, he was running hard for a second term in office. One day, after a busy morning chasing votes he arrived at a church barbecue. It was late afternoon and Herter was famished. As Herter moved down the ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Hurry Up And Wait Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 20, 2007

Saul, Pt. 2

HURRY UP AND WAIT (1 SAMUEL 11) It’s been said, “Rome is not built in a day.” When I was in elementary school I was in a big hurry to grow up. I was skinny and short. When my brother and I sat in the same car going to school every day, I could not help but compare his size to mine. My brother, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 11:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible