Sermons on Close Encounter:

Call To Commitment Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 30, 2007

Why would God ask the Israelites to make a verbal commitment to Him? Hadn’t they already shown their intention by following Moses out of slavery and to the foot of this mountain? Consider the power of "vows" and how God uses them in every aspect of our li

OPEN: One of our country’s most beloved Presidents was Abraham Lincoln. He had the great misfortune of being at the helm of our nation during one of it’s most troubled times. The once united States had split in two, and the armies of the North and South were waging an incessant war that claimed the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Does He Fuel Your Fire? Series

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Oct 1, 2007

This is the 3rd of 8 "Health Signs" of a Growing church, "Passionate Spirituality." Our Pursuit of him makes all other pursuits pale in comparison. This series adapts the theology and theory of the work "Natural Church Development" by Christian Schwarz,

Does He Fuel Your Fire? Philippians 3:7-11 Healthy Condition #3: Passionate Spirituality (Had this listed on a power point) If you’ve been calling yourself a Christian, you should stop. If you have ever encouraged someone to become a Christian, you should never do that again. WHY? "85% of the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Shake The Devil Off

Contributed by Levi Wright on Oct 6, 2007

We must learn to "Shake the Devil Off" just because we are go through adversities, storms of life and the attacks of the principalities’ and evil deeds of Satan this do not mean that we are not in God’s perfect will. In fact, many times, it’s exactl

Banner Of Praise Ministries Reverend Dr. Levi Howard Wright, Pastor & Founder Shake The Devil Off Acts 28:1-5 The Powerful Work Of Paul 1 After we were safe on the island, we knew that it was Malta. 2 The people on the island were very kind to us. It was raining and cold. They made a fire so we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can I Be Sure

Contributed by Ron Murphy on Oct 6, 2007

A basic Romans Road message, as our church begins a concentrated outreach into our community.

Introduction I. Over the past two weeks, I have had three conversations that have caused me a degree of concern. II. All three conversations involved people that had been either raised in the church, or involved in a church that I know was a good, solid, bible teaching, salvation believing ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Forcing Ourselves On God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 14, 2007

There’s only one way to get to heaven... but people always seem to be trying to force God to do things their way. What types of things do people do to force their will on God’s Word?

OPEN: A school teacher injured his back and had to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. It fit under his shirt and was not noticeable at all. On the first day of the term, still with the cast under his shirt, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in school. Walking ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:16-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Accepting People Into The Church

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Oct 16, 2007

When new people come into the church they need attention just as Saul needed it. Let’s think about specific needs they have. 1- They need acceptance 2- They need protection 3- They need patience 4- They need instruction

INTRO.- How were you treated the first time you ever came to church? Obviously, if you were raised in the church as a child, more than likely, you were treated well. Of course, if a certain little child comes to the preacher, looks up at him and says, "You have a big belly." That child WILL NOT ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:19-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pulling Against God Part 3 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Oct 19, 2007

Part 3 of this series focuses on what Jesus says about Marriage, Swearing and Revenge/Longsuffering in His Sermon on the Mount.

Pulling Against God Part 3 Scriptures: Matthew 5: 31-42 Introduction In my message last week I focused on the first two areas that Jesus dealt with in His sermon on the mount. This week we will continue from where we left off. Before I get into the heart of this message, I want you to ask ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:31-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Never Give Up! Ever!

Contributed by Monty Newton on Oct 20, 2007

If you care deeply about somethng, keep praying and trusting.

Title: Never give up! Ever! Text: Luke 18:1-8 Thesis: If you care deeply about something, keep praying and trusting. Introduction Larry Crabb, writing in the November/December issue of Pray! Magazine told this story. When he was ten years old, he first heard Matthew 21:22, where Jesus said, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Becoming Like Christ : The Purpose Of God In Our Lives

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Oct 21, 2007

THIS SERMON IS ABOUT BECOMING LIKE CHRIST WHICH IS THE PURPOSE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES AND HIGHLIGHTS THE FOLLOWING 1. TRANSFORMATION 2. VICTORY 3. CONFIDENCE 4. PRAISE 5. HOLINESS 6. JOY 7. LOVE

BECOMING LIKE CHRIST : THE PURPOSE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES ************************************************************************ OUTLINE 1. TRANSFORMATION 2. VICTORY 3. CONFIDENCE 4. PRAISE 5. HOLINESS 6. JOY 7. LOVE THE MESSAGE BECOMING LIKE CHRIST : THE PURPOSE OF GOD IN OUR ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

One Faith: Putting All Our Eggs In One Basket

Contributed by Chris Willis on Oct 23, 2007

Faith means both belief and trust. We believe something to be true, and because we belive it to be true we are willing to invest ourselves into it. This sermon reminds us of what our faith is as Christians, that the Christian faith in our pluralistic worl

One Faith . . . Putting All Our Eggs In One Basket Ephesians 4:5 Language is amazing . . . how we use words to describe ideas or thoughts. Do you know what an idiom is? It’s a phrase or expression, a group of words that has a meaning different from the literal meaning of its parts taken together? ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Wedding At Cana?

Contributed by J C Prince on Oct 26, 2007

Why did Yashua choose the Wedding at Cana as his first miracle?

Why the Wedding at Canaan? Why did Jesus choose the Wedding at Cana to be the beginning of his ministry? John 2:1-11 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: *other

"The C Team: Peter" Series

Contributed by Mike Rexroat on Oct 27, 2007

First sermon in a four part series on the apostles.

Ok, once again there are no birthdays or anniversaries to tell you about but I do have one important reminder...revival starts next Sunday and will run through Friday the 21st. Also, don’t forget we will have small "finger" foods....hopefully not made of real fingers on Sunday and a full out ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Making My Friendships More Enjoyable Through Teamwork Series

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Oct 29, 2007

Spiritual truths that teach me how to make my relationships more enjoyable.

We’re continuing our series entitled “Together We Make a Difference.” One person can certainly make a difference, and every individual is important, but TOGETHER we can have even greater influence. One bee can pollinate a flower and that’s cool - but it takes a whole hive of bees to make ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Temptation Of Jesus Series

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 2, 2007

In this sermon we look at the temptations of Jesus and learn how to overcome our own.

Introduction: A. The story is told of a minister who parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn’t find a space with a meter. 1. So he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: “I have circled the block 100 times. If I don’t park here, I’ll ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Test 5: The Wisdom Test, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 2, 2007

There are two types of wisdom—man’s wisdom and the kind of wisdom that only comes from God. The kind of true wisdom that only comes from God is evidence of real faith.

1. Introduction (13) 2. Roots of test-failing wisdom (14) 3. Attributes of test-failing wisdom (15) 4. Fruits of test-failing wisdom (16) JAMES 3:13 Have you ever flown on one of those little puddle-jumper airplanes? I have and let me tell you, they’re not very much fun. If you’re in one of ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-16

Denomination: Baptist