Sermons on Close Encounter:

Externally Focused: Unleashing The Church Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on May 29, 2007

We need to move our focus out of the walls of the church building and onto others. If we do that then the church can be unleashed to do what the church was called to do.

Externally Focused: Unleashing the Church Introduction: I believe God wants us as the Church to impact the world in which we live in. I believe that God wants all people to come to a saving knowledge of Him. I believe He has commissioned us with the responsibility to carry that message into the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Destruction Comes Like A Whirlwind

Contributed by Todd Leupold on May 31, 2007

Our response to Wisdom will determine whether our lives are marked by a whirlwind of destruction and death or the tranquility of peace, safety and eternal life.

WHEN DESTRUCTION COMES LIKE A WHIRLWIND. . . Proverbs 1:20ff. INTRODUCTION: A Storm is on the horizon - behind us & before us. “When destruction comes like a whirlwind…” Ever witnessed a tornado or even a hurricane? Or maybe you at least see the movie with the flowing cows moo-ing as they ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:20-33

Denomination: Baptist

Facing Up To Our Giants Series

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Jun 1, 2007

This is a look at the people of Isreal on the verge of the promise land and calls us to face up to the giants which are all around us with faith in God.

Facing up to our giants Ex 34:10-14 – Num 13: 1-3, 16 -14:9. –Jos: 1-11 Background: God’s promises are being fulfilled after 400 years in bondage Israel has been delivered out of Egypt, God protected them through the parted waters, God had provided with manna and water , leading them ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How Big Is Your God?

Contributed by Brandon Hatfield on Jun 1, 2007

This sermon will help your congregation begin to grasp the enormity of God by discussing a few of His characteristics

WGCC How Big Is Your God? Isn’t it amazing to see how things can change so drastically in a short amount of time? I mean you hear people talk about the good ‘ol days. A time when things were supposedly better than they are now, I assume people here in Illinois ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Finding The Lost World Of Wonder

Contributed by Christopher Enix on Jun 6, 2007

What did Jesus really mean when He said we must become like little children?

Finding the Lost World of Wonder Matthew 18:1-6 and Matthew 19:13-15 The past few months have been very interesting for me. As many of you know, Charity and I have been student teaching this past semester. It was the last hoorah before we were able to graduate. At the onset of the semester, we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Unity In Diversity

Contributed by Ryan Akers on Jun 22, 2009

The church is made of completely different people and if we don’t embrace our diversity we will not survive. We must focus on living worthy of the Gospel instead of living for ourselves.

Unity in Diversity Pastor Ryan Akers Good morning Sand Lake! Happy Father’s Day! I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here this morning to have the opportunity to share God’s Word with you. It’s been a really fun weekend getting to meet and know a bunch of you and then this morning trying to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Wesleyan

Be Ye Holy Series

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jun 24, 2009

Holiness without no man shall see the Lord. In games directions tell us what to do to be victorious the Bible tells us how to be victorious if we just follow the directions.

“Be Ye Holy” “Follow the Directions” By District Elder M.L. Maughmer, Jr. Scriptures: - Leviticus 11:44-45, 1st Peter 1:15-16, Deuteronomy 12:28, Hebrews 12:14. Lev. 11:44-45 – “For I [am] the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I [am] holy: neither ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 11:44-45, 1 Peter 1:16

Denomination: Apostolic

Painting God's Masterpiece Part 5 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jun 27, 2009

This message focuses on us seeing ourselves being seated with Christ.

Painting God’s Masterpiece Part 5 Scriptures: Ephesians 2:4-6, 10; 5:1; Luke 14:8-11; Matthew 15:24-28; Introduction: This is part 5 of my series “Painting God’s Masterpiece”. In order for us to operate in and become the image that God has established for us we must first begin to see that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Freedom's Restoration Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 27, 2009

The church can become a place of healing for broken people if we seek to restore them spiritually, gently, humbly, and lovingly.

Freedom’s Restoration (Galatians 6:1-5) Tell me: If you were caught for drunken driving, and the headlines in the Advocate or the Observer said, “So-and-so Arrested for Drunken Driving,” would you go to church the next Sunday? Most people would say, “No,” because they’d be too embarrassed to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical Free

How To Live In The Face Of Uncertainty Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jun 30, 2009

19th in a series from Ecclesiastes. How Christians are to respond to uncertainty in the world.

There was once an elderly gentleman who loved playing golf. But he was almost eighty, and his vision was not very good anymore. He always had partners with him when he went out to play so they could watch his ball and tell him where it went. One day his buddies did not show up. It was a beautiful ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Risen Christ Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Jul 3, 2009

Part 1 in series Waking the Dead. This message communicates three thoughts abou the resurrection. 1) We do not believe it was not metaphorical. 2) Resurrection is not against the laws of physics. 3) Ultimately, this is still your choice.

The Risen Christ Waking the Dead, part 1 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers April 11, 2009 Hey, Happy Easter everybody. I imagine that those of you who observed Lent this season have experienced blessing as a result. Some of you, too, are probably really looking forward to going back to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Few Life Lessons Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jul 6, 2009

19th in a series from Ecclesiastes. A few life lessons for us to apply in the face of the certainty of death.

Over the past two weeks, it seems like we’ve been barraged with a multitude of celebrity deaths – Farrah Fawcett, Karl Malden, Billy Mays, and, of course, Michael Jackson. In a sense, I’m really tired of all the coverage that has been given to the deaths of these people, just because they are well ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Fan Or Follower?

Contributed by Ryan Akers on Jul 8, 2009

There is a big difference between a fan of God and someone who is a true follower. Which are you?

Fan or follower? Mark 10:17-22 Last week a tragedy struck Washington D.C. when one of the metro rail trains crashed into another train. That accident really struck me in an emotional way because I was just on those trains one month ago. While reading about the accident the thought, “that could ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-22

Denomination: Wesleyan

"The Great Forgiver"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jul 11, 2009

Jesus has the power to heal and the authority to forgive. But why did He forgive first?

"One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing. And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Orthodox

Pleading For God’s Presence

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jul 17, 2009

With longing in his heart, Isaiah remembers the time in Israel’s history when God dwelt among His people, and expresses his strong desire for its return, as well as the remedy for its absence.

PLEADING FOR GOD’S PRESENCE Text: Isaiah 64 Intro: Isaiah the prophet was a highly esteemed citizen of Jerusalem, who enjoyed access to the royal court; and who later became the trusted advisor to king Hezekiah. His ministry basically involved the preaching of judgment against Judah. This was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-12

Denomination: Baptist