Sermons on Close Encounter:

Unpacking The Fear Of God Series

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 1, 2025

Working through 1 Peter using consecutive expository preaching. Teaching sheet included at end of text.

Series: 1 Peter Sermon: “Unpacking the Fear of God” 1 Peter 1:17-21 A sermon for October 20, 2024 Pastor John Bright 1 Peter 1 “17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-21, Luke 12:5, Hebrews 10:31, Hebrews 12:28-29, Genesis 18:25, Psalm 75:2-7, Matthew 25:31-46, James 2:15-17, Exodus 30:14-16, Matthew 25:30, Matthew 13:49-50, Luke 16:22-24, Romans 3:21-25, Revelation 20:11-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Ecclesiastes Chapter Seven Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Feb 10, 2025

What if there was no God - what would life be like? It would be meaningless - Meaningless.... The book of Ecclesiastes looks at life from the view that there in no God. This is a verse by verse look into chapter seven of Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Seven Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than a good ointment, And the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth. This verse is tied closely with Ecclesiastes 6:12. Is it in this life that we find that our life has been productive? We may think so ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:1-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Songs We Sing: "what A Beautful Name" Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Feb 11, 2025

The song “A Beautiful Name” emphasizes that God made us, but sin carried us away. Yet, He didn’t leave us lost. He came, paid the price with His own life, and redeemed us. He redeemed us by the Name of Jesus Christ.

SONGS WE SING: ‘WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NAME’ Hebrews 1:1-4, Colossians 1:15-27 #NameofJesus SING ‘WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NAME’ INTRODUCTION This morning we are continuing a sermon series called: “The Songs We Sing.” Part of worshipping God is singing. FOCUS ON “WORSHIP” I realized this past week that I am ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4, Colossians 1:15-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Grace Of Giving Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 13, 2025

By God’s grace, give generously, give eagerly, and give responsibly.

June Spivey in Christian Reader writes about how the elementary school in her town collects lunch money from the new kindergartners at the beginning of each year. This solves the problem of lost money during the year, but for nervous 5-year-olds, it can take a few days to understand the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-24, Philippians 2:7, Matthew 8:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Famine, Fear And Faith Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Feb 17, 2025

When the famine, (speaking in the spiritual sense) hits we are all tempted to run but…the safest place in the world is to be in the will of God,

If you have your Bibles, please turn with me to Genesis 26 - we’ll be reading from vv. 1-25. 1 Now there was a famine in the land, besides the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham. So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines. 2 And the LORD appeared to him and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 26:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Some Truths About Temptation Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Feb 18, 2025

Jesus' temptation in the wilderness gives us some insights that we should keep in mind as we face temptation.

Luke 4:1–13 ESV And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Songs We Sing: "this Is Amazing Grace" Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Feb 18, 2025

Worship is a complete attitude and direction of our hearts and minds towards God.

SONGS WE SING: ‘THIS IS AMAZING GRACE’ PSALM 24:1-10 #AmazingGrace SING ‘THIS IS AMAZING GRACE’ INTRODUCTION This morning we are continuing a sermon series called: “The Songs We Sing.” Part of worshipping God is singing. FOCUS ON “WORSHIP” I realize I am using that word… “worship”… and you may ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Beginning Of The Church

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Feb 18, 2025

All things in common

The Beginning of the Church Acts 2:40-47 As we have studied Acts, we have learned some basics of the Gospel message. Jesus left heaven and came as a baby, taught about the kingdom of God, and died on the Cross for our sins. Jesus then rose again and is currently seated at the right hand of God ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:40-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

06 Joy In Pressing On Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 19, 2025

Bottomline: Joy flourishes when we press on for heaven’s hope, not earthly glory.

We’ve been walking through Paul’s letter to the Philippians, exploring what it means to have defiant joy—a joy that flourishes regardless of circumstances because it is anchored in Christ. Each week, we’ve uncovered different aspects of this joy: Week 1: Joy flourishes when we share in God’s ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Wisdom Of God

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Feb 24, 2025

There are a lot of things that we don't know. And for years, people did not know the plan God had to make possible our salvation. Throughout the Old Testament, God kept giving hints, but now it has been made known.

Alba 2-16-2025 THE WISDOM OF GOD I Corinthians 2:6-16 A father and his small son were out walking one day when the boy asked him a question. “Dad, how does electricity could go through the wires stretched between the telephone poles?” “I don't know,” said his father. “I never knew much about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Divine Jealousy Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 6, 2025

If you want to keep from being deceived, follow only a leader, who, like a father, jealously guards your pure devotion to Christ, generously cares for you, and genuinely shows you his true self.

Pastor John Ortberg asks us to imagine picking your car up from the shop after a routine tune-up, and the technician says, “This car is in great shape. Clearly you have an automotive genius to take great care of your car.” Later that day, your brakes fail. You find out you were out of brake fluid. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Start Thinking And Don’t Worry Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Mar 10, 2025

Jesus calls us to stop worrying by not bringing the falsehoods of tomorrow into today, and by being thinking Christians who look to our heavenly Father.

You can listen to this sermon at https://npbc.org.au/podcasts/media Matthew 6:25-34 “Start Thinking and Don’t Worry” If you were old enough you will remember the powerful impact of the 1975 movie called “Jaws”. Even now, if you know the movie, you have the tune in your head. Durnut … durnut ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel Goes To Prison Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Mar 15, 2025

Acts 16:16-40 teaches us that the gospel transforms lives and communities, breaks down barriers, and offers hope even in the darkest situations.

Introduction Jason was locked up in prison in the early 1990s to serve a life sentence. Gang life in prison was so bloody that his unit was nicknamed the “Terror Dome,” and the only way to survive was to stick to your race. The motto was “kill or be killed,” and Jason quickly climbed the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Heart For His House

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Mar 16, 2025

This message was a part of a stewardship series that looked the cost and sacrifices associated with Solomon's Temple.

A Heart for His Building He walked across the dusty, stony ground, kicked a rock and bent and drew in the dirt. He looked around at the desolate land scape and down at the city below and wondered if his dream would ever be a reality. Would it really happen, someday would the people of God worship ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:11

Denomination: Wesleyan

Sermon: Enduring The Storms Of Life

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Mar 18, 2025

What are you supposed to do when awful things happen that you can’t change? When life beats you up, God still has a plan and a purpose for every minute of your day. He hasn’t left you. He will lift you up if you let him. You can endure and be victorious!

Sermon: Enduring the Storms of Life Text: Acts 27:20-44 “The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone. No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:20-44, Romans 10:17, Psalm 107:17-21, Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Methodist