Sermons on Close Encounter:

When Bad Things Happen To Good People

Contributed by Doug Humphrey on Nov 18, 2009

The purpose of this sermon is to help people trust God in the midst of life’s suffering and trials. Rather than focus on the "Why" question, I encourage them to focus on the "Who" question. For behind life’s trials stands a God who is good, loving and sov

When Bad Things Happen to Good People Acts 9:32-43 Introduction: The Bible teaches that we live in a fallen world. This is not the world as God originally created it. It is not the world as it will be one day. But when Adam and Eve sinned everything changed. The Bible says that creation itself ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:32-43

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Pray For One Another Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 1, 2009

Praying for one another fervently and faithfully is our privilege and responsibility.

A. The story is told about three men were hiking one day and unexpectedly came upon a large, raging, violent river. 1. They needed to get to the other side, but had no idea of how to do so. 2. The first man prayed to God, saying, “Please God, give me the strength to cross this river.” a. Poof! ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Truths About The Virgin Birth

Contributed by Bradley Kellum on Dec 2, 2009

Can a person be a Christian and not believe in Christ’s virgin birth? How important is this doctrine to the rest of our belief system as Christians? Answers these questions and more by utilizing this Christmas message.

TRUTHS ABOUT THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF CHRIST I want to talk with you tonight on the subject: Truths About the Virgin Birth of Christ. Why is it important for us to talk about Christ’s Virgin Birth? The Virgin Birth is what I call a DOMINO DOCTRINE. Have you guys every played dominos? You know, you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Many Are Afraid- Herod’s Fear Series

Contributed by Ryan Akers on Dec 3, 2009

You never seem to hear about people saying they are afraid of Jesus but truth is not only were people afraid of Jesus when he was born but millions are still afraid of him today.

Jesus. What Child is This? Part 1- Many Are Afraid- Herod’s Fear Matthew 2:1-18 One of the most interesting emotions I think humans experience is fear. It’s an emotion that goes up and down all the time. Sometimes we love it and look for it (movies, roller coasters, extreme sports) and sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Fruit Of The Spirit "Love" Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Dec 4, 2009

Love is the preeminent fruit of the Spirit. Without it there are no others.

The entire Bible is a love story. Not like a Harlequin romance, thankfully for us guys. We get to read about war, fishing and death too. But from the creation of the world, through love, for the protection of the Israelites because of love, to the sending of a Saviour out of love, for Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 5, 2009

Herod was the original Grinch. Let’s examine his heart so we can examine our own.

SERIES: CHRISTMAS CLASSICS (adapted from a series from Southeast Christian Church) “HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS” MATTHEW 2:1-23 OPEN Song – “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” Most of us are familiar with Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It’s a Christmas Classic that has been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Messiah Of Heritage Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Dec 10, 2009

The coming of Jesus was the fulfillment of the promises of God.

A Messiah of Heritage Text: Matt. 1:1-17 Introduction 1. Illustration: A Jewish father was concerned about his son. He had not truly raised him to be grounded in the faith of Judaism… So, hoping to remedy this he sent his son to Israel so the boy could experience his heritage. A year later the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

Love All Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Dec 20, 2009

Talks about the way God loves us and how we should love others

Love All Advent Conspiracy Series Final Week (3) 12/20/2009 Introduction Slide Love. Love is a word we use a lot to describe our affection for things and in America, we love a lot of things. We love our kids We love our spouses We love our freedom We love our sports teams We love chocolate We ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lessons From Failure Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 26, 2009

When we fail in ministry, our failure need not be fatal. Rather, if our failure teaches us to depend on Christ and care for people, we can move on from failure to impact our world like Jesus’ original disciples did.

A CEO has taken on a new job, and the outgoing CEO says to him, “Sometimes you’ll make wrong choices. You will. You’ll mess up. When that happens, I have prepared three envelopes for you. I left them in the top drawer of the desk. The first time it happens, open #1. The second time you mess ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Favor With God And Man Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 27, 2009

This sermon shows that the human Jesus grew in the ways that all children do, each step of growth preparing him to fulfill his Father’s eternal mission.

Scripture Today is the First Sunday After Christmas. Each Sunday during Advent and Christmas we looked at one of the readings read during this season. Today, I would like to examine Luke 2:39-52. Luke the historian has given us a marvelous account leading up to our text today regarding the advent ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:39-52

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Lights Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 28, 2009

What if you missed the lights of Christmas? What would you miss? You would miss Jesus!

Christmas Eve Service: The lights of Christmas Texts: Isaiah 9:1-7 1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Trusting Moment Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Aug 13, 2009

It is not until we can come to a place in our life like that Samaritan woman at the well when we fully trust Christ, that we will ever experience his grace.

Moments with the Master Series A TRUSTING MOMENT John 4:1-30 Intro Did you know that people will pretty much believe anything? For instance, the percentage of Americans who believe: That Elvis Presley is still alive: 10%; In reincarnation: 30%; In ghosts: 39%; That aliens have visited earth in the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Keep It Fresh: God's Vision For Us!

Contributed by Rickey Bennett on Aug 16, 2009

God’s provision for fresh faith is fresh gospel therefore, we exist to glorify God by knowing, apllying, and proclaiming the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ.

INTRODUCTION We have begun a new phase of our Christian journey together as was evident in last week’s worship service in which many of us witnessed the culmination of one ministry and the inception of another. We received a word of encouragement that challenged us to remember where we have been; ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:2-3

Denomination: *other

The Obvious Choice

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Aug 23, 2009

Text: Year A, 12th Sunday after Pentecost (Josh 24:14-18, John 6:58 – 69) FCF: We must focus on the grateful words of life or else will miss out on the obvious goodness of God. MP: The Gospel is an obvious choice, but there are things that prevent us

The Obvious Choice Text: Year A, 12th Sunday after Pentecost (Josh 24:14-18, John 6:58 – 69) FCF: We must focus on the grateful words of life or else will miss out on the obvious goodness of God. MP: The Gospel is an obvious choice, but there are things that prevent us from making it ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

Crossbearers Needed

Contributed by Richard Cook on Aug 25, 2009

A sermon admonishing believers to deny themselves and take up their cross daily, as our Lord instructed us to do.

Matt 16:24-17:1 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal