Sermons on Close Encounter:

God Don't Make No Junk

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

You were created in teh image of God, and that makes you very special.

Introduction: We sometimes call someone who is in love with himself a narcissist. What you may not know, though, is the story from Greek mythology from which we get that word. There are actually two Greek characters in the myth -- Narcissus and Echo. As the story goes, the goddess Hera got ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

If Children, Then Heirs

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

Because Christians are children of God, we have an inheritance to look forward to.

Introduction: The story is told of a young man who was in a movie theater. As the lights dimmed, and he was loaded down with popcorn, cokes and candy, he began to pace up and down the aisle, scanning all the darkened rows. It was obvious he was looking for the people with whom he had come. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:14-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Knowing, Doing, Becoming

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

Christianity involves learning facts, doing good deeds and becoming like Christ.

Introduction: I heard about a story about a man whose wife wanted to buy a pet monkey. The husband protested strongly. He said, "Where will the monkey eat?" She said, "He’ll eat at the table with us." He said, "But what will he eat?" And she said, "He’ll eat the same thing we do." He said, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Need For Self-Discipline

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

Self-discipline is an important aspect of our running teh Christian race.

Introduction: Any of you remember what it was like to get your driver’s license? The lessons, the practice, the look of terror on the face of the driving instructor, the look of regret on the face of your parents when you proudly waved that newly-obtained license under their noses? But, finally ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Best Seat In The House

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

We should be willing to take a back seat so that God will lift us up.

Introduction: It’s only human nature for us to want to sit in the best seat in the house. At sporting events it’s the skybox seat, or the seat on the 50-yard line or the seat directly behind home plate, or a ringside seat at a boxing match. Those are the places that have the best view and carry ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Courage To Go Home

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

Sometimes it’s difficult to go home, but it is essential that we do so.

Introduction: I want you to imagine for a moment that you have one chance to travel back in time and go back to relive part of your life. And suppose that when you go back, you know everything that you know now. You have all the understanding and the wisdom that you have developed over the years ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Create In Me

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

We need the cleansing that God offers.

Introduction: Psalm 51 is one of the few psalms where we are given the historical background. The inscription reads, "A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba." That identifies clearly for us the incident out of which this psalm arose. It was the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

If Christ Was Not Raised

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

If Christ was not raised, then there are some drastic consequences.

Introduction: I want to share with you a story about a little boy named Philip. Philip was born with Down’s Syndrome. He was a happy child, but there was a lot of difference between him and other children his age. Philip went to Sunday School faithfully every week. He was in the third grade ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are We Really Healing As A Nation? A Response To The 911 Anniversary

Contributed by William Yates on Aug 18, 2002

As people reflect on 911, my question is: Are we really healing as a nation? In this message we look at Jeremiah 8 and see some astonishing parallels between Judah and America today.

Are We Really Healed? Aug 11, 2002 They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. "Peace, peace," they say, when there is no peace. Jeremiah 8:11 One month from today will mark the one-year anniversary of 911. This day will be commemorated by numerous memorial services, many ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 8:4-22

Life Is Like A Baseball Game

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 19, 2002

The Cal Ripken Jr. World Series of baseball has invaded Mattoon, IL, and life is somewhat similar to a baseball game.

LIFE IS LIKE A BASEBALL GAME I Cor. 9:25 "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." INTRO.- ILL.- In the popular 1994 movie "Forrest Gump," Forrest with an IQ of 74 said, "Mama ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Great Commission

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 17, 2001

Go! Fight! Win!

The Great Commission I am in this pulpit today as a result of an ole boy from Moncks Corner, South Carolina being obedient to the Great Commission. I would have never stepped into this church on my own because I had no interest in church. If I would have developed an interest in church or felt ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Who's The Boss?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 17, 2001

A study on roles.

When this old hippie went into the military I had a crash course in discipline and authority. I bucked authority and laughed at discipline from my widowed mother and school officials. I felt there was little they could do and after all it was the sixties. Their tired old mantras and silly rules ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:15-16, Genesis 1:16-18, Micah 5:2, 1 Corinthians 11:3, Romans 5:12, Ephesians 5:25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Peter's Biggest Fish Story

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Apr 3, 2001

How to pay the IRS when U R broke.

Paying the IRS, When U R Broke Matthew 17:24-27 I. Tax Exemption vs. 26, 27 A. Jesus was Exempt B. Jesus made an Exception II. Filing Jointly vs. 27 “. . . give unto them for me and thee.” III. What to do in case of Audit, vs. 27 Records, This is the record From Reader’s Digest: It’s time ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

From Egypt To Heaven - Part I Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Apr 6, 2001

A study of the exodus

THE BIRTH AND CALLING OF MOSES The fuller impact of these chapters can best be gained by reading chapters 37 through 50 of Genesis. The account of Joseph is a rich type of Christ, from his going down into Egypt, to the scene of his brothers, who represent the tribes of Israel, finally bowing ...read more

Denomination: Orthodox

Which Lord Is My Lord Part 1

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Apr 9, 2001

This sermon is part one of a sermon which deals with stewardship from the point of view of whether Jesus is really Lord of our lives.

Which Lord Is My Lord 10/22/95 Stewardship Joshua 24:14-27 Luke 9:57-62 , 14:25-35 In every period of the people of God’s history, you will find that God’s people have secretly served gods other than the Lord God. We saw it in our Old Testament reading when Joshua told the people, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed