Sermons on Close Encounter:

Prayer - Releasing The Burden Series

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Aug 10, 2014

A message about the importance of prayer and how it helps us to release our burdens.

Prayer - Releasing to the Lord Theme: To show how prayer takes the burden off of us and places it in God's hands. Text: Matthew 11:28 - 30 Introduction This past Wednesday I opened the message by sharing my experience that morning. For those of you who were not there let me just share with you a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Church Of God

Character Tansformation Through Waiting

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on Aug 11, 2014

One of the most important investment that we could make in our lifetime is through developing our godly Christian character which is accomplished by patiently waiting upon the Lord to transform our hearts.

CHARACTER TRANSFORMATION THROUGH WAITING Everyone has to go through the anxiety of waiting. We wait in line to pay our grocery bills. We wait in line to see the doctor.We wait in line to transact business at DMV. We wait in line to board an airplane. We wait in line to get our food during our ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 40:6-7

Denomination: Nazarene

A Study Of The Book Of Romans Lesson #12 Series

Contributed by James May on Aug 15, 2014

Expository teaching on Romans chapter 5

Book of Romans Lesson # 12 Romans 5:1- 5:8 By Rev. James May Over the past several weeks we have learned through Paul’s letter to the saints at Rome, that we are all equal in the eyes of the Lord; that his love is the same for each of us, whether Jew or Gentile; and that the new covenant of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus Can Heal Our Broken Hearts

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Aug 18, 2014

How does He do it? 1. By setting us free from our past. 2. By giving us a new perspective on life. 3. By His presence in our lives.

Jesus Can Heal Our Broken Hearts Luke 4:14-21 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - August 17, 2014 *One of the biggest news stories this past week was the tragic death of actor Robin Williams. Millions of Americans were stunned and saddened by his unexpected death. *Part of that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

A Study Of The Book Of Romans Lesson #13 Series

Contributed by James May on Aug 19, 2014

This study covers Romans Chapter 5:9-21

Book of Romans Lesson # 13 Romans 5:9 - 21 By Rev. James May What a Great God we serve. He is a God that loved us even while we were lost in sin and living in rebellion against his love. We had spurned his love as he tried to reach us so many times, but he never gave up on us. The heart of God ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:9-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Where Are You In The Strip Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Mar 3, 2013

This is the first week of our "Peanuts" series and this week we are looking at the attitudes of some of the Peanuts characters, the apostles and us.

How many of you grew up with “Peanuts”? Not the ground nuts that people are allergic to but Charlie Brown and his crew? From as far back as I can remember Charlie Brown has been a part of my life, when I was a kid a part of our Christmas traditions was to watch A Charlie Brown ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

Conflict In Galilee: The Controversial Christ Series

Contributed by Kevin O'brien on Mar 4, 2013

Explains why Jesus' initial ministry in Galilee as riddled with conflict & controversy. Explains the "Messianic Ministry"-&-Mission then (and NOW!).

“Conflict in Galilee: A Controversial Christ” Mark 2:1-3:6 OPENING VIDEO: “Jesus Intro” The church of today has tried everything imaginable to try to portray Jesus in a positive light; to present her Lord as a gentle and nice-kind-of-guy, who is accessible and accepting of ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

How Can I Forgive When It Hurts So Much? Series

Contributed by Tim White on Mar 9, 2013

Forgiveness is important to Christians, but do we teach how to forgive, especially when we hurt so bad?

How can I forgive when it hurts so much? Ephesians 4:30-32 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:30-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Truth About The Tomb Series

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Mar 10, 2013

What happened to Jesus after His body was placed in the Tomb?

Easter Series Pt 2 “The Truth about the Tomb” John 19:31-42 John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: First: Did Jesus die? Was he really dead? I. The Body of Jesus A. The recognition of His death v. 33 How did the soldiers ...read more

Scripture: John 19:31-42

Denomination: Baptist

Worth Fighting For Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 18, 2013

In this sermon, we see that Paul believed that the truth of the Gospel and the care of the poor were worth fighting for.

Introduction: A. The story is told of a young boy who arrived home from school with two black eyes. 1. His mother said to him, “Have you been fighting again? Didn’t I tell you that when you were angry you should count to 100 before you did anything?” 2. The young boy replied, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lord Teach Us To Pray - Praying With Excellence Series

Contributed by Mark Nichols on Mar 18, 2013

LORD TEACH US TO PRAY. Each of these 4 key phrases holds immeasurable meaning! May we be encouraged by each of these words.

TEXT: Luke 11:1 TITLE: “Teach us to Pray with EXCELLENCE -- Part 1” TOPIC: PRAYER OCCASION: Burnside Christian Church, January 6th 2008 PROP.: LORD TEACH US TO PRAY. Each of these 4 key words holds immeasurable meaning! May we be encouraged by each of these ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Wonder Of Jesus’ Crucifixion Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 24, 2013

Jesus shed His blood several times during the last 24 hours of His life. And there is a powerful story to be found in blood and water that came from Jesus’ side. Do you know what that story is? And do you know what it can mean to your life?

In Oklahoma, someone saw this poster promoting a Red Cross blood drive: "I gave my blood. Christ gave his. I give a pint. He gave all. The needle is small, sharp. The nails were large, dull. The table soft, restful. The cross rough, painful. The nurses ...read more

Scripture: John 19:31-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Cross In My Belly

Contributed by Steve Wilson on Apr 2, 2013

What must it have been like to have actually carried the cross Jesus died on, for Him, up to Calvary's hill?

A CROSS IN MY BELLY A Monologue of Simon of Cyrene Introduction There are several Simons in the New Testament. Two of them were called by Jesus to be His disciples. One was Simon Peter and the other one was Simon the Zealot. One of Jesus’ half-brothers, son of both Mary and Joseph, was named ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:21-24

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Your Empty This Easter? Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Apr 3, 2013

This Easter message is an opportunity to present the gospel by asking the question concerning what is your "empty" the Easter -- an empty heart, an empty cross, or an empty tomb.

WHAT IS YOUR EMPTY THIS EASTER? OPENING ILLUSTRATION: AFTER THE SERVICE, WHEN WE GET HOME, WE WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE AN EASTER EGG HUT FOR MY GRANDSON. NOW, PREVIOUS TO THIS EVENT, I TOOK GREAT JOY IN HIDING THE EASTER BASKETS FOR OUR KIDS. I HAD A SIMPLE RULE; AS THEY GOT OLDER THE HIDING PLACES ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Bigger The Giant The Greater The Victory

Contributed by Spencer Miller on Apr 20, 2013

A giant is anything in your life that stands between you and where God wants you to be.

15-17 War broke out again between the Philistines and Israel. David and his men went down to fight. David became exhausted. Ishbi-Benob, a warrior descended from Rapha, with a spear weighing nearly eight pounds and outfitted in brand-new armor, announced that he’d kill David. But Abishai son ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 21:15-22

Denomination: Baptist