Sermons on Close Encounter:

I Thirst/It Is Finished - Palm Sunday 2022 Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 10, 2022

What if you spent thirty minutes in solitary thought about one of these seven statements? What if you spent thirty minutes in conversation about one or two of these seven statements? Do a wide sweep in your mind just now and see all those witnessing His crucifixion. Take it all in.

Today is Palm Sunday, the day Jesus Christ enters into the city of Jerusalem to make this memorable last week before His crucifixion. This week means so much as it culminates in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The cross of Jesus means so much even all these years later. Mary George was martyred ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-50, John 19:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

God Brings Down The Proud Series

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Apr 10, 2022

In the church's fear and struggle, feeling hard-pressed and helpless, she can be encouraged. We know that the proud of the earth will not endure forever. The violent will not prevail. God is on his throne: He is the great judge and our faithful Saviour.

The world has seen many cruel tyrants and dictators. Sometimes these powerful men live out their days to the fullest, enjoying all the glories of their position right to the end, then dying in comfort. But many end in humiliation and defeat. The great Napoleon spent his last years in exile on a ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Saturday - The Day Of Darkness And Hopelessness Series

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 11, 2022

The biblical record of what took place on that Saturday between crucifixion Friday and resurrection Sunday is very brief. It was the Sabbath, and the disciples kept the Sabbath. There are important lessons for us to learn from what the disciples were surely going through on that dark Saturday.

A. There’s an old saying that goes “It’s always darkest before the dawn.” 1. The saying is meant to suggest that things always seem to get worse before they get better. 2. And the saying also suggests that the dawn will come, that we need to persevere through hard times, because things will get ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:55-56, Matthew 27:3-10, Matthew 27:62-66

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mission Accomplished Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 11, 2022

Our mission will be accomplished when we stay spiritually sharp.

Many years ago, when we lived in central Illinois, our daughter Megan and I spent a day running errands. Our first stop was to a lawnmower repair shop to drop off our lawnmower blade for its annual sharpening. When we walked in, I held up the blade over my head and my mechanic friend Rob ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:11-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Age Of The Spirit

Contributed by Victor Yap on Apr 15, 2022

The Trinity

THE AGE OF THE SPIRIT (JOHN 3:1-21) https://bible.ryl.hk/web_en Grammar Bible (English) https://bible.ryl.hk/web_Bah Tatabahasa Alkitab (Indonesian) https://bible.ryl.hk/web_Esp Biblia de Gramática (Spanish) https://bible.ryl.hk/web_Tag Gramatika Bibliya (Filipino) https://bible.ryl.hk ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

2nd Sunday Of Easter, Year C. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 18, 2022

April 27th, 2025.

Acts 5:27-32, Psalm 118:14-29, Psalm 150, Revelation 1:4-8, John 20:19-31. A). PETER’S DEFENSE. Acts 5:27-32. The first time that Peter and John had been arrested was after the healing of a lame man when they were asked, ‘By what power or by what name have you done this?’ (Acts 4:7). ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:27-32, Psalm 118:14-29, Revelation 1:4-8, John 20:19-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"It Is A Good Thing To Give Thanks Unto The Lord!”

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 19, 2022

As we approach Thanksgiving I would like to talk to you about what the scripture says about thanksgiving.

The scriptures say, “IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD!” Notice, the Psalmist not only says it is good thing to give thanks but he also tells us who we are to give thanks to…UNTO THE LORD!!! You would think everyone knew this but in the world in which we live there is ample proof ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 92:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Josiah Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 22, 2022

When he became king, Josiah was eight years old, and he reigned for 37 years. Josiah was the last king before the exile. He destroyed all pagan idols and altars and insisted his people worship the one God.

Josiah When he became king, Josiah was eight years old, and he reigned for 37 years. Josiah was the last king before the exile. He destroyed all pagan idols and altars and insisted his people worship the one God. Josiah was the 16th king of Judah. According to the Hebrew Bible, he instituted major ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 22:2

Denomination: Baptist

Rolling Stone Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Apr 23, 2022

There are lots and lots of ways that we can put Jesus in a tomb and roll a stone over it, but there is no tomb strong enough, my friend, no stone too heavy that Jesus can’t smash it to pieces.

[Remember ... the members have been placing stones at the foot of the cross for the past seven weeks of Lent and the pile of stones around the bases has gotten pretty impressive ... powerful visual. But when they come in on Easter morning, the stones are all gone.] [Read Luke 15:11-24.] You’ve ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-16, Luke 15:11-24, John 19:41, Matthew 27:51, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Church Anniversary Sunday

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 26, 2022

A man was reading his newspaper early one morning at the breakfast table. His wife came over to him, gave him a hug, smiled, and said, “I bet you don’t know what today is, do you?”

• He looked at her and said, “Of course I know what day it is!” and went back to reading his newspaper. He didn't have a clue. • He thought to himself later, “Is it her birthday? That must be it.” So after he got to work he called the florist and had a bouquet of white roses sent to his wife. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Created As Humans Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on May 8, 2022

This is a follow up to the message about being created in God's image and looks at the question: What does it mean to be human?

If you were to visit the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. you could visit an exhibit called The Hall of Human Origins, and you could spend the better part of a day visiting the various displays that make up the exhibit. Now if DC isn’t on your vacation list for this year, you could ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7, Genesis 1:26-31

Denomination: Wesleyan

What We Believe About The Bible Series

Contributed by Todd Blair on May 9, 2022

How do we know scripture is truth?

Okay, it's sure good to be back! I took a couple of Sundays off and that was very nice but I'm glad to be back up here. I want to start by asking you some questions. Think of it sort of like an IQ test. I have a range of topics to ask about; just general knowledge stuff. Sort of like a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:7-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Be Steadfast In The Lord-Part 2 Series

Contributed by Kiruba Stephen on May 9, 2022

Complacency is the poison that begins the downfall of those who have been given freely the gift of life.

That fruit will last contrary to the charity work that comes from lives that are philanthropic in nature, they want to do something as good citizens for others but they don’t have the living union with Christ, therefore their works will eventually perish. But when you have the living faith, it says ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:20, Revelation 3:21, Galatians 2:20

Fools For Christ Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 12, 2022

To change the world, go to the back of the line, imitate people like Paul, and get something done.

Evan Almighty is the story of freshman congressman Evan Baxter, whose main campaign slogan was “change the world.” When he asks for God's help to achieve his goal, God responds in an unusual way—He commands Evan to build an ark in order to rescue a multitude of wild animals. As Evan ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:8-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Scriptures That Are Greatly Abused By…

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on May 19, 2022

We all want justice, but we do not always get justice.

Illus: Makes me think of a young lady who occasionally walked through the park after work, stopped to have her picture taken by a photographer on this particular day. She was very excited about her picture being taken. As she walked out of the park, she looked at the Polaroid picture in total ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Baptist