Sermons on Close Encounter:

Holy, Not "Holier Than Thou” Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Feb 14, 2022

To reach people for Jesus, we must be holy, not “holier than thou”

NOTE: This is a manuscript, and not a transcript of this message. The actual presentation of the message differed from the manuscript through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is possible, and even likely that there is material in this manuscript that was not included in the live ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Legacy Of Jabez

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 18, 2022

It is interesting to listen to people pray. Each person has his own unique way of expressing himself to God.

Illus: For example, a man in Columbia, South Carolina, was led to the Lord late in life. He was a slow talking southerner. When he prayed publicly, everyone enjoyed listening to him because of his slow southern drawl, and because he was sincere. When he prayed it sounded like he was having a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Bitter Turned Sweet

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Feb 20, 2022

In our story of Israel’s first steps towards the Promised Land we find truths about what Jesus did for us coming to this earth, dying upon the cross, and His resurrection, but also some examples we need to navigate our own journey and how God guides, provides, and corrects.

Bitter Turned Sweet Exodus 15:23-25 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Living-Waters-Fellowship-Mesquite-Foursquare-Church-323286096181/?ref=pages_you_manage If you’ve been following over these last weeks since the start of the New Year, you’ve seen how I’ve been led to share with you teachings ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:23-27

Denomination: Foursquare

From The Pit To The Palace

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 2, 2022

Joseph was thrown into a pit on two separate occasions. However, as a result of his faithfulness during those circumstances, he was delivered from the pain and drudgery of his pit experiences to go on and live in a palace!

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. - King David(1) Do you ever feel like you’re in a deep, dark pit with no way out? Maybe God spoke to you about doing a particular task or ministry and you’ve been faithful to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:5-20, Genesis 39:1-20, Genesis 41:38-41

Denomination: Baptist

"On Your Way To The End Zone!” Pt.4 Series

Contributed by Sean Dees on Mar 3, 2022

We have to share and write the vision in clear and simple ways so that the believers can see it and run with it. We have to get them to see what we are seeing from the Lord.

Intro: 1.Larry lived and breathed golf. As a teenager he was ranked in the top 16 teen golfers in the nation. In his senior year he was in car accident and his left arm was amputated just below the elbow. He would be fitted with a prosthetic hand, with some practice he got his swing back, ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:2-3

When God Says "No”!

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 16, 2022

One of the many things we take for granted each day is our God-given ability to be able to communicate with each other. But sometimes the words we use get us in a lot of trouble.

Illus: This reminds us of the young male clerk who was working at a department store's fabric counter. A very pretty girl said to the young male clerk, "I want to buy this material for a new dress. How much will this fabric cost?" He smilingly said, "Only a kiss a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Proof Is In The Tithing!

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 17, 2022

All of us have heard the saying, "The proof is in the pudding." This is an expression that is used when we want to prove something.

Illus: For example, one of you ladies could make some chocolate pudding, and when you got through it looked good! But just because it looked good does not mean it was good. You never would know that until you tasted it. That is where we get the expression, THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING! Not only ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

When We Make A Mess Of Our Lives…

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 17, 2022

An extraordinary thing has happened in this passage of Scripture concerning Jacob.

Sometimes when we get together with others and they tell us of some unusual thing that has happened to them, we feel almost compelled to share some unusual thing that has happened to us. Illus: For example, little Johnny was talking to a couple of boys in the school yard. Each was bragging about ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of A Servant

Contributed by Gene Gregory on May 2, 2021

Next in series on John

John 13 (1) The spirit of a Servant Yesterday was a full day. We spent a good portion of the day, fixing things for Christmas in the Country. After slipping home for a late lunch, we retuned to the church and started working getting ready for last night. After we got back down here, Gladys told ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Great American Culture War: Religious Liberty, Gay Rights, Naturalism & The Christian Faith

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on May 3, 2021

The United States once again finds herself at a crossroads. The lines have been drawn. The shots have been fired. The culture war seems to rage on endlessly. Left vs. right. Liberal vs. Conservative. Secular vs. Christian.

The United States once again finds herself at a crossroads. The lines have been drawn. The shots have been fired. The culture war seems to rage on endlessly. Left vs. right. Liberal vs. Conservative. Secular vs. Christian. These are some of the most difficult and muddy issues to delve into. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:24-28, Ephesians 6:11

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Dead Hear His Voice And Live

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on May 9, 2021

The day will come when all the graveyards and all the cemeteries in the world will be emptied out. They will give up their dead, who will live again. And those who have believed in Christ will live forever with him.

The apostle John records seven miracles (or signs) from Jesus’s public ministry. Today we come to the seventh sign, and it is without question the greatest sign. For in John 11, the Lord Jesus powerfully restores the life of Lazarus. And it’s actually a miracle that we can relate to, in the sense ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Faith Looks Like Series

Contributed by James Wallace on May 11, 2021

This is a reality check. When you're surprised by the challenges of the Christian life and even tempted to quit, consider how the people who are part of Faith's Hall of Fame lived.

This past week we all heard about another horrific tragedy on the border. Three people died and 25 were injured as smugglers attempted to bring dozens of illegal immigrants into the U.S. via boat along the California Coast. The 40-foot boat broke up on a reef just west of Point Loma off the San ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-16, Romans 1:18-20, Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Bible Church

Jesus - The True Shepherd

Contributed by Gbemisola Fafowora on May 17, 2021

The Lord is the True Shepherd.

There is a very popular chapter in the word of God that everyone knows and recites every now and then, we always hear this chapter and most of us know this powerful chapter from our youth. We recite this chapter that is so known that we are used to it. But do we really believe it in our lives and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:11, Acts 20:28

Denomination: Pentecostal

Isaiah And The Coal Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Whenever you see an awakening taking place, you see people crying out to God in confession of sin. Sometimes this can be gradual, where God’s people really listen to the preaching of the Word. And at other times, there’s a sudden change as if an invisible thunderbolt from heaven comes down.

Introduction A revival is a time when sleepy Christians wake up, when nominal Christians convert to Christ, and when non-Christians come to faith in Christ. This is accompanied by an increase in the conviction of sin, an increase in the consciousness of God’s mercy and our unworthiness. You see, a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

How Do I Support Others In A Time Of Need? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Today, I want to speak to you on this topic, “How Do I Support Others in a Time of Need.” What can you do to do support your friends and loved-ones during their time of need. You can pray, really pray for your friends, family, and church family when they are down.

Today, we begin a short study on the first half of the New Testament book of Colossians. Having introduced this book a few weeks before Easter, we’ll explore the first part of the book and get back to the second half of the book later this year. I love it when something has me “charged up!” When ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14

Denomination: Baptist