Sermons on Close Encounter:

Everyone Growing Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2023

Spiritual growth is intentional, not automatic.

EVERYONE Growing 2 Peter 3:17-18 Rev. Brian Bill April 22-23, 2023 Dr. Charles Stanley graduated to glory this week at the age of 90. He served as pastor of First Baptist in Atlanta for 51 years, authored over 60 books. His sermons have aired daily on the internet, television, and radio for many ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

His Broken Jars

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Apr 25, 2023

Rick and Kari Burdette's story

His Broken Jars 2 Corinthians 4:1-7 (Kari) Introduction: Our entire married life has been one of ministry, for the last 42 years Rick and I have had the privilege to share our lives with others who have been through things in this life that have broken them, and in our lives, we’ve been broken as ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Week Three Bible Study And Prayer Series

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 28, 2023

The way you and God talk to each other.

BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER I. INTRODUCTION Everyone raised in church has repeatedly heard about Bible study and prayer. Sadly, repetition is required because we tend to forget to do them even if we have been Christians for thirty years. If you are a new convert, please listen closely to this lesson ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:8, 2 Timothy 2:15, Matthew 6:7

Denomination: Baptist

Have A Blast While You Last Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 28, 2023

As you face a terminal diagnosis, rest in God’s perfect plan for you, find hope in this life and the next, and enjoy the time you have left.

Several years ago, The Onion, a satirical magazine, ran a humorous article with a biting truth. They titled the article, “World Death Rate Holding Steady at 100 Percent.” The article reported: World Health Organization officials expressed disappointment Monday at the group's finding that, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 8:16-17, Ecclesiastes 9:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What To Look For In A Leader Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Apr 30, 2023

Message 13 in an expositional series through Paul's "second" letter to the church in the ancient Greek city of Corinth where he defends his apostleship and corrects serious doctrinal errors within this young church.

This past week Dr. Charles Stanley passed away. There is no denying that he had a tremendous influence in American Christianity over the past few decades, and ultimately, that’s what leadership is—influence. Dr. Stanley became well-known for teaching through a series of 30 Life Principles built on ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Nature Of Christian Fellowship

Contributed by Christopher Arch on May 6, 2023

This is a series in the book of Philippians. .

Title: The Nature of Christian Fellowship Scripture: Phil. 1:3-8 Type: Expository Where: GNBC Intro: “A family went to the movies. On the way in, the young man of the family stopped at the refreshment stand to pick up some popcorn. By the time he got into the theater, the lights were already ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Reality Of The Resurrection Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on May 8, 2023

Just as the heart pumps life-giving blood to every part of the body, so the truth of the resurrection gives life to every other area of gospel truth. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pivot on which all of Christianity turns & without which none of the other truths would much matter.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-7 [RESURRECTION REALITIES SERIES] THE REALITY OF THE RESURRECTION [Psalm 16:8–11; Psalm 22; Luke 24:25-27] 1st Corinthians, chapter 15 is devoted entirely to doctrine, to a single doctrine, the Resurrection. In these 58 verses Paul gives the most extensive treatment of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

A Great Mother (Mother’s Day)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on May 11, 2023

One of the most difficult sermons a pastor has to preach is a “Mother’s Day” sermon.

Why? For the same reason you spend a great deal of time searching through the Hallmark Cards trying to find the perfect card that will begin to convey how deeply you feel about your mother. If that is a strain on us consider the strain that puts on us preachers trying to preach a message ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Unity Of Love

Contributed by Denn Guptill on May 13, 2023

Paul's desire was that the Church would be unified, but what does that look like? We live in a time when the church seems fragmented and divided, and that is affecting who we reach and don't reach people.

The Unity of Love If nothing else, you need to love the sixties and seventies for their awesome sense of style. The band was “The Brotherhood of Man,” the year was 1970, and the message of the song was spelled out in its title “United we stand, divided we fall.” Interesting tidbit about the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

Flour Power

Contributed by Henry A Roso on May 15, 2023

Growing from Fear to Faith

I’d like to speak this morning about faith. We are people of faith, amen? However, there are times when some of us struggle with not having enough faith. A broken relationship, news of a life-threatening illness, loss of a job, or your house burns to the ground, a normal response is to feel ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Death And The Christian - Set Your House In Order For You Shall Die And Not Live – Was Hezekiah’s Time Up? Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 21, 2023

News of impending death comes more of a shock the younger we are. What is our attitude to all this? How do we digest it mentally and emotionally? Here we look at death for a Christian, setting one’s house in order, and specifically at King Hezekiah who was about to die.

DEATH AND THE CHRISTIAN - SET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER FOR YOU SHALL DIE AND NOT LIVE – WAS HEZEKIAH’S TIME UP? [A]. INTRODUCTION {{Isaiah 38 v 1 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘SET YOUR HOUSE IN ...read more

Scripture: John 3:3, Isaiah 38:21, Amos 4:12, Psalm 91:5, Psalm 91:4, 1 John 1:8-9, Revelation 1:17-18, Psalm 31:15, Isaiah 38:2-3, Isaiah 38:5-6, Isaiah 38:7-8, Isaiah 38:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fear-Full Or Faith-Full Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 22, 2023

In the incident of the furious storm on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples learn something about dealing with fear through faith. Who is Jesus? He is God and is Lord of the storm.

Introduction: A. Let’s begin with two questions: Have you ever been really afraid of something? What is the scariest situation you have ever experienced? B. Let me share a terrifying experience that took place when I was very young, probably 14 or 15. 1. It wasn’t funny at the time, but our ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41, Psalm 89:9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Inspired By The Burial Of Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on May 22, 2023

Be inspired... 1. By the women's commitment to Jesus (vs. 55-56; 61). 2. By the rich man's courage (vs. 57-58). 3. By the rich men's contributions (Matt 27:58-60; John 19:38-42). 4. By our Savior Jesus Christ (vs. 62-66).

Be Inspired by the Burial of Jesus Christ The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 27:55-66; John 19:38-42 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared May 22, 2023) MESSAGE: *In today's Scripture God's Word tells us about the burial of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Usually when we think about Jesus, we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:55-66, John 19:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

Miracles Still Happen

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on May 26, 2023

Lazarus Resurrection

Miracles Still Happen John 11:1-27 Good Morning Like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, many people want the Lord to perform a super natural miracle, to prove He exists. In the Gospels, as the Lord performed miracles; but they usually did not produce belief in people, even though miracles are ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

King Saul Dies In Battle With The Philistines Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on May 27, 2023

He keeps saying, "Who am I to harm the Lord's anointed?" But finally, it comes to its final point here. It says that the Philistines, this enemy nation, right near Israel, they are attacking Israel. There's there's a huge battle going on. And many were slaughtered.

Have you ever had a loved one in your family pass away? Can anyone relate? I think we've all probably had someone pass. And for some of us, it was someone we loved dearly. That's so incredibly hard. Then again maybe we don't have a good relationship with our parents or with our moms. ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army