Sermons on Close Encounter:

Our Prayers Have Been Answered Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Apr 11, 2019

Throughout the Hebrew scriptures, the promise of a messiah is clearly given. These messianic prophecies were made hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years before Jesus Christ was born … and clearly Jesus Christ is the only person who has ever walked this earth who could fulfill them.

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem … the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!” (Matthew 23: 37). Prophetic and chilling words given the one who spoke them. They are the last words that the Lord Jesus Christ would address to His beloved city, Jerusalem … the city that hailed Him ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:37-39, Micah 5:2, Isaiah 7:14, Psalm 22:17, Isaiah 53:5-9, Luke 19:41-44  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Be An Agent Of Change, Not A Victim-Part -5 Series

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Jan 9, 2014

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.”Romans 12:2

The Change we need and we’re called to change. St Paul said in Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” We often ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Amazing Grace

Contributed by Roger Roark on Mar 14, 2016

A sermon on the grace of God

Matthew 20:1-16 give ills. of a grazing mace There was a mechanic who owned a dog named Mace. Mace loved to eat grass, so the mechanic kept him inside so he wouldn't ruin the lawn. One day the mechanic decided to finish his work at home, so he took some tools home with him. When he got home he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Base Of Operations - Capernaum Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 14, 2016

Although Jerusalem was the center of worship for Israel, Capernaum was the center of Jesus' ministry. This 4th of my talks on my trip to Israel focuses on the contrast between what Jesus did in Jerusalem and what He did in Capernaum for His 1st two yrs

(Opened with a video of me singing “Amazing Grace” at St. Anne Cathedral in Jerusalem) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3adHtDj6tA4 What we’re going to do tonight is visit two cities in Israel – Jerusalem and Capernaum. What you just saw was my singing “Amazing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem Part 2 Standing On The Promises Series

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 14, 2016

The promises of God pertaining to us and Israel will never pass away. Just as the promises of Israel are coming to pass, so will every promise God makes over your life. He has a promises to cover every situation you will ever go through - just trust Him.

Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem (2): Standing On The Promises Of God 1. Genesis 12: 1 The Lord had said to Abram, Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3

Denomination: Charismatic

Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 17, 2016

As we think about this event, it makes sense to me that there are four groups of people present at the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem and each of them have a different motivation for being there and sheds light on their hearts.

WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? JOHN 12:12-19 [Palm Sunday 2016] INTRODUCTION… cnn.com/2016/03/13/politics/thomas-dimassimo-donald-trump-protester-interview/ It is election season so there is much going on in the news about the candidates and the rallies that they hold. I heard about a rally that ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Fact Or Fiction Series

Contributed by Rick Thiessen on Mar 17, 2016

Are there good reasons to believe that Christian Theism is the most plausibly true religion? If so, Jesus demands our attention, our faith, our love and our total devotion.

SE051814 HOW I MET MY SAVIOR 4. Jesus: Fact or Fiction? (SLIDE) INTRO: We’ve been building a Christian worldview from scratch this month, and here’s what that looks like from the GROUND UP: - (SLIDE) First, we have to believe Truth exists. - (SLIDE) Second, we looked at the competing Truth claims ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:13-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Palm Sunday - What Jesus Saw

Contributed by Steven Kellett on Mar 18, 2016

What Jesus saw on Palm Sunday were people whose worship was "fruitless, fraudulent and faithless"

You know, Palm Sunday is kind of a strange day to me. It’s hard to explain, but today is kind of an enigma: - We call it “Palm Sunday.” - It seems like it should be a special day – a “holiday.” And in some ways it is - It is marked every year on the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-21

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Renewed By The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 1, 2014

Christians need to interact with the world to reach the world with the gospel. They need to be good citizens of a generally hostile system without compromising their faith.

TITUS 3: 1-7 RENEWED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT [Romans 13:1-7] Christians have been changed and are different than we once were, yet we still need to be reminded of who we are and what has been done to us and how it was done. Christians are to be in the world but not of the world. Christians need ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Jesus Built Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 6, 2014

The church is the people of God and we should strive to simply be the church that Jesus built.

A. Introductory comments. B. Today’s sermon begins a series of lessons that I plan to deliver in the coming weeks. 1. I’ve titled the series UR Church – Be the church of Christ. C. The story is told of a young girl was sitting with her grandmother, who had presented her with ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Demands Of A Disciple (Follower)

Contributed by Steve Taylor on Jan 9, 2017

Demands of a Disciple (follower)

We are blessed, each and every one of us. We are here, we breathe, we walk, we talk, we see, we think, and we live. God created man and woman with much thought and love. God created us to prosper as human beings in a relationship with him. That relationship is exclusive and unconditional. Many ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:26, Luke 14:26

James 5:13-20 Series

Contributed by Michael Larsen on Oct 21, 2020

The Cheerful, the Sick, the Weak, and the Wondering.

Open your bibles to James Chapter 5. As we wrap up our series in the Book of James entitled Faith That Works. We have been quoting R. Kent Hughes who says “one thing is clear about the book of James—the dominant theme is; “Faith that is real works practically in one's life. Faith that is ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Daniel-The Lions Didn’t Hurt Him!

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 23, 2020

Daniel and the lions' den is a familiar and fantastic story. I've loved this story ever since on of the first times my aunt and grandmother read it to me, and I'm grateful for their love. This one is dedicated to you, Aunt V!

Daniel-the lions didn’t hurt him! Introduction: After Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians, Daniel’s life was spared and he was given a position under the new rulers. Eventually some of the other officials became jealous and conspired to have Daniel put to death—by being thrown into a den of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Wept - Part Two(Covid) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Oct 30, 2020

As Jesus approached Jerusalem, crowds of adoring fans shouted his praises. Yet, Jesus paused and wept before entering the city. What prompted his tears and how are they relevant to our emotional struggles today?

Jesus Wept (2) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 9/20/2020 In Lou Holtz's second season as head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, his team experienced a humiliating loss against Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. Holtz was utterly dejected as he walked into the locker ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:41-44

Denomination: Christian Church

If You Want To Walk On Water You Have To Get Out Of The Boat

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Nov 14, 2020

In recent days, our Government has been locking down Churches in order to contain the spread of the CoVid -19m Virus. Instead of despair, I see a revolution in our missioning

Sermon: If you want to walk on water, you better get out of the boat! Mt 14: 22-33: 1. Introduction: I would like to focus on two particular verses from our Gospel reading today. They occur in the middle of the story of Jesus walking on the water. The disciples have run into a storm on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Anglican