Sermons on Close Encounter:

What Difference Does Church Attendance Make?

Contributed by James O. Davis on Jul 5, 2012

There are three times in Hebrews 10:19-25, that the Hebrew writer uses the phrase, “let us,” to appeal to the local congregation about being steadfast in their attendance to the local assembly or church.

One of the greatest tragedies of the 21st Century in America is the realism that millions of people who claim to know Jesus Christ rarely attend a local church or participate in the worship services. In so many of the American churches, a lot of people basically attend three times in their entire ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Discipleship Part 1 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Feb 26, 2011

This series focuses on becoming a true disciple. Part one focuses on our need to understand the costs involved in becoming a disciple.

Discipleship Part 1: Pupil and Followers Scriptures: Matthew 18:3; Luke 14:25-33 Introduction: This morning I will start a series I’ve titled “Discipleship.” In our adult bible study class, we have been discussing our simple church process. A large part of our discussions ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Altitude Of Our Attitude Series

Contributed by Jon Miller on Mar 1, 2011

This message looks at Naomi's attitude after returning from Moab. There is application from God's word to help believer in Christ not come bitter when life is rough.

The Altitude of our Attitude Ruth 1:19 -Book of Ruth written during the time of Judges in Israel before there were kings. The message of the book focuses on Gods redemption through Christ even though it was written 1000 years before the birth of Christ -The main character is Ruth who is a ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:19-22

Christian Commitment Series

Contributed by Jon Miller on Mar 1, 2011

This message comes from Ruth 1:6-18 and looks at Ruth's commitment to Naomi. This text shows believers how God has called us to be committed to Himself and to one another.

Christian Commitment Ruth 1:6-18 -Last week we started our study into the book of Ruth. Only two books named after women, Esther and Ruth. The message in the book of Ruth is the message of Gods redeeming mercy and Grace. -Last week we looked at the providence of God in the first 5 verses of Ruth. ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:6-18, Ruth 1:16-18

Believing In God’s Blessings Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jun 26, 2012

1. Trust God to bless you through His transformation (vs. 1). 2. Trust God to bless you through His truth (vs. 1). 3. Trust God to bless you through your trials (vs. 2-4).

Christianity Where the Rubber Meets the Road Part 1: Believing in God’s Blessings James 1:1-4 Sermon by: Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - Feb. 12, 2012 *One of my favorite Scriptures is Matthew 7:7-11, where Jesus told His followers: 7. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Measure Of Success

Contributed by Betty Johnson on Jun 28, 2012

This is the third in a three sermon series taken from Wayne Schmidt's book, "Ministry Velocity: The Power for Leadership Momentum" as it related to our church moving from a rented facility into a dedicated worship facility.

The Measure of Success Scripture: Joshua 4 What is success? When does it happen? When can we say we have been successful? Two weeks ago, we talked about momentum and how momentum is developed by creating a God-focused movement. And if we create among us, a God-focused movement, how do we ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 4:1-24

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Idol Of Superiority: Ephesus Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Oct 4, 2009

God’s greatest commandments are loved-based and reveal His priority on relationships.

AMERICAN IDOLS: LOOKING AT OURSELVES AND OUR LOYALTIES THROUGH THE EYES OF JESUS THE IDOL OF SUPERIORITY: EPHESUS REVELATION 2:1-7 Sermon Objective: God’s greatest commandments are loved-based and reveal His priority on relationships. Supporting Scripture: Mark 12:29-31, John 13:34-35; 1 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Nazarene

A Christ-Centered Faith

Contributed by Gerald Steffy on Oct 4, 2009

A Christ-centered faith means that God gives His children a full life in union with Christ, when His children let Him be supreme over all.

A CHRIST-CENTERED FAITH-Colossians 2:1-10 Proposition: A Christ-centered faith means that God gives His children a full life in union with Christ, when His children let Him be supreme over all. Objective: My purpose is to challenge all to make a full commitment to Christ as one experiences a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Focus Of A True Faith

Contributed by Gerald Steffy on Oct 4, 2009

The focus of a true faith is centered in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

THE FOCUS OF A TRUE FAITH—Colossians 2:16-23 Proposition: The focus of a true faith is centered in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Objective: My purpose is to challenge God’s people to put all their focus on Jesus Christ and to turn aside to other false teachings. INTRODUCTION: Here’s a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Baptist

Clean Heart Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 9, 2009

If we want to find life and joy in our relationship with Christ, we must focus on Scripture not tradition, and focus on a clean heart not clean hands.

Clean Hearts (Mark 7:1-23) Alan Kraft, in his book, Good News for Those Trying Harder, shares a story about a time when his wife borrowed his car and heard a CD he had loaded in the sound system. The song touched her. When she asked him about it, he was able to recite the lyrics, but was unable ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Mediocre Church Series

Contributed by David Welch on Oct 19, 2009

Sermon 10 in series dealing with Laodocia and the mediocrity.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ “The Mediocre Church” I. Prologue 1:1-20 The Prologue in chapter one records what John the aging Apostle saw (and heard) including a manifestation of Jesus far different that what John had known previously. The theme of the book describes the time of Jesus’ coming ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Full Of Faith And Power

Contributed by J. Allen Lucas on Mar 25, 2009

If the early church can be full of faith and power, so can the church today.

Full Of Faith And Power Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. If the early church can be full of faith and power so can the church of today. We are getting ready for growth. We are expecting to grow again. We are endeavoring to make ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Manifestation Of God's Grace Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Mar 27, 2009

Sermon 8 in Galatians series

The Manifestation of God’s Grace Galatians 6:1-18 Restore Brothers Gently Galatians 6:1 Carry Burdens Gladly Galatians 6:2-5 Share Blessings Generously Galatians 6:6-10 Let Boasting Give God Glory Galatians 6:11-18 Slide 1 School ended this week and I know there is a lot of rejoicing in my ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Ya Gonna Call? Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Mar 30, 2009

Life offers many answers, but only one Answer. Hosea calls God’s people out for their lack of faithfulness to God’s Answer, and by implication, challenges us to faithfulness.

If you’re a fan of comedy movies like I am, the title of today’s sermon will ring a bell. The theme song of “Ghostbusters” went something like, “When there’s something weird in your neighborhood, who ya’ gonna’ call? Ghostbusters!” There was something about the idea of a S.W.A.T. team ready to deal ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 7:11-16

Denomination: *other

Overrun Or Overwatch Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Mar 30, 2009

When Israel went "over the line," God had to pull back his protective "overwatch." We need to be certain that we are depending upon God instead of other answers.

Students of military tactics will have recognized the two terms in my title for today’s sermon. The first refers to a superior force finding a weak point in the enemy’s defenses and rolling right over and through the enemy without having to stop for a pitched engagement. The aggressor defeats the ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 8:1-14

Denomination: *other