Sermons on Close Encounter:

Receiving Our Reward Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 28, 2022

This message looks at the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. All of us are going to be rewarded according to our deeds with either heaven or hell. Heaven and hell are real, and this passage shows a detailed description of each place.

This morning’s sermon is entitled “Receiving Our Reward,” and it’s taken from what is commonly called “The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.” All of us are going to be rewarded according to our deeds when this life is over. Some will enter into heaven and others will enter into hell. In his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Messiah Is David's Son

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Sep 7, 2023

A Scibe asked Jesus about the most important commandment

The Messiah is David’s Son Mark 12:28-37 Good morning. September 25th, 2023 is Yom Kippur, which is known as the ‘Day of Atonement' and it is the holiest day in Judaism. The Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, is when the High Priest performed rituals to atone for the sins of the people, which the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finding The Faith Of Our Heroes - Part 4: Abraham And Sarah Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 9, 2023

Why do we need faith in God? 1. Faith motivates us to move for God (vs. 8-9). 2. Faith wins the fight against our fears (vs. 8-9). 3. Faith puts us in touch with God's power (vs. 11-12). 4. Faith makes us willing to wait on the Lord (vs. 9-10, 13-16).

Finding the Faith of Our Heroes Part 4: Abraham and Sarah Hebrews 11:8-16; James 2:23; Genesis 17:4-8; Genesis 17:15-22; Genesis 18:9-15 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared September 9, 2023) MESSAGE: *James Merritt once said, "Everybody has faith in something. An atheist drinks water out of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-16, James 2:23, Genesis 17:4-8, Genesis 17:15-22, Genesis 18:9-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Stop And Thank

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 13, 2023

The cure for spiritual complacency is gratitude.

Imagine what it might have been like, back in Jesus’ day, to be a leper. Leprosy is basically just a bacterial skin infection, and nowadays it can be treated quite easily. But not back then. Back in those days it was incurable. And it was the most feared disease imaginable. First of all, it was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19, Leviticus 13:43-46

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Parable Of The Soils Supplementary Notes - Mark 4:1-25 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 16, 2023

These are the footnotes from the studies on the parable of the soils in Mark 4.

Mark 4:14 The sower sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. Immediately Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-25

What God Wants

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Sep 24, 2023

Living the Christian life is so much more than what you do, it literally has nothing to do with the amount of money you sow, how many religious books you buy, which ministries you support it’s more than reading the bible, praying, and going to church.

“What God Wants” By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - I am sure you have seen TBN and the Word Network all the popular televangelists who preach to millions of people around the world. You see how they are living a lifestyle few could imagine. They drive fancy cars and live inside lavish ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:8, Matthew 9:13

Denomination: Apostolic

The Signs Of The Times Pt. 1 (God’s Timing)

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Sep 27, 2023

Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple

The Signs of the Times Pt. 1 (God’s Timing) Mark 13:1-8 Hebrews 11:1 Now faith (trust in what the Lord has said and promised) is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. NKJV Hebrews 11:6 says, without faith it is impossible to please God, but that doesn’t mean we don’t ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Not Afraid Of Their Faces

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Sep 30, 2023

Has God ever told you to deliver a message to someone but when you saw their face you became nervous about what you were supposed to say? This message is about how God directed Jeremiah to move beyond his fear of those he would be prophesying to.

Be Not Afraid Of Their Faces Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-8; 17-19; John 5:19, 30; 7:16 When I reflect on the messages that the Spirit has given me over the last few weeks, I can’t help but wonder what is He preparing us for? We have been told that we are watchmen – meaning that we are supposed to ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-8, Jeremiah 1:17-19, John 5:19, John 7:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finding The Faith Of Our Heroes - Part 7: Great Lessons From Moses' Godly Parents Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Oct 2, 2023

1. Follow God over government (Heb 11:23; Exo 1:6-22; Exo 2:1-2). 2. Follow the heroes of our faith (Exo 2:3). 3. Depend on God's divine care (Exo 2:3-9). 4. Pass your faith on to future generations (Exo 2:9-11).

Finding the Faith of Our Heroes Part 7: Great Lessons from Moses' Godly Parents Hebrews 11:23; Exodus 1:6-22; Exodus 2:1-11 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared October 2, 2023) BACKGROUND: *We have been studying Old Testament heroes of our faith, and today we will focus on some great lessons ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:23, Exodus 1:6-22, Exodus 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Therefore: Do Good Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 7, 2023

This is the first in the series where we look at the old adage, whenever you see a Therefore, you need to go back and see what it's there for.

It’s one of those things that preachers say. It is kind of like, “After the but comes the truth,” or “I’m almost finished.” I’m pretty sure if you’ve been in church for any length of time that you’ve heard this particular phrase, perhaps you’ve even said it yourself from time to time, and it is ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:10, Galatians 6:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

Elijah Learns Lesson In Faith

Contributed by Christopher Arch on Oct 14, 2023

This is from a series on Elijah.

Title: “Elijah Learns to Grow in his Faith” Scripture: I Ki. 17:8-16 Type: Expository Where: GNBC 10-15-23 Intro: Often our personal testing in the Christian life is used by the Lord to help meet the needs of others. I don’t think there’s a better example then that of Joni Erickson Tada. Over ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Cardinal Rule Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 16, 2023

In this section of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus clarifies what the most important command is. It is to love God and to love others. Wholeheartedly loving God means that we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. That kind of love is illustrated in the widow's gift.

A. Knowing what the most important rules are in any given context is very helpful. 1. What are the most important rules for the classroom? a. Listen carefully. d. Raise your hand if you have something to say. b. Keep your hands and feet to yourself. e. Show respect and kindness to your ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Therefore, Run The Race Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 21, 2023

As we continue our therefore series, we take a look at Hebrews 12, and how we are the run our race.

Part of my misspent youth was spent hanging around Racehorses and those who bet on horse races. I’ve mentioned before that my sister and I both had horses when we were teenagers, and when we lived in Hammond River, just outside of Saint John, New Brunswick, we boarded them at a farm that provided ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-7

Denomination: Wesleyan

Evangelism And Football Series

Contributed by William Jones on Oct 21, 2023

This morning we continue our study in Acts and we will be looking at Acts 17:16-31. In Our passage we see Paul and his band of missionaries and evangelist continue to share God’s Good News with the lost and continue to be persecuted for it

Evangelism and Football By Paul Dietz Evangelism and Football We are now in the midst of one the hottest seasons of the year. No, I'm not talking about the weather and its accompanying temperatures. After all we have just finished having our two weeks of “summer” this past week and autumn is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-31

Denomination: Baptist

Being Comfortable In The Dark

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Oct 27, 2023

This message is about walking in faith which requires us to be comfortable in beinbg in the dark - not always knowing what God is doing - as we walk with Him.

Being Comfortable In The Dark Scriptures: Hebrews 11:1; John 20:24-29; First Corinthians 2:14 The title of my message this morning is “Being Comfortable in the Dark.” The writer of the book of Hebrews wrote, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1, John 20:24-29, 1 Corinthians 2:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational