Sermons on Close Encounter:

Your Religion Will Not Save You

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jul 13, 2022

No amount of rule keeping or adherence to religious rituals will be able EVER to reconcile a sinner to the true and Holy God. Your Religion will not Save You – You Must Be Born Again.

Religion Will Not Save You By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - For quite a while now I have been dealing with leaving religion and entering into Kingdom. If you recall at the beginning of the year, I stated how God had been dealing with me about seeking the old paths and walking therein ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-7, Proverbs 14:12, 2 Corinthians 6:7, Acts 17:30

Denomination: Apostolic

Returning Home Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jul 14, 2022

This sermon focuses on the story of the Jewish people who have been released from Babylonian captivity to rebuild the Jerusalem temple, and the applications for believers today.

We are continuing our series called The Story. God’s story as told through the people, places, and events of the Bible. Last week, we talked about the story of a guy named Daniel and the Lion’s Den. This week we are going to continue the story about the Babylonian captivity. Specifically, we ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10, Ezra 4:1, Haggai 1:2

Denomination: Christian Church

Soloman Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jul 15, 2022

This sermon provides a brief overview of the rise and fall of King Solomon along with applications for believer's today.

Good morning. Today we are going to continue with our series called The Story. We are looking at the story of God that is told through the people, places, and events of the Bible. Last week we looked at the story of a king by the name of David. Today, we are going to look at the story of his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 1:1

Denomination: Christian Church

"Reliving The Days Of Noah."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jul 18, 2022

This message compares the state of the world before the flood and its current state of lawlessness. Daily news reports often highlight cases of murder, hatred, and violence prevailing all over the world, attempting to remove God from society. Hence, the question is, would you have assisted Noah?

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Genesis 6:5-7) (5) "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (6) "And it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:37-39, Genesis 6:9, Genesis 6:1-13, 2 Peter 3:3-6, Hebrews 11:7, 1 Peter 3:20, 2 Peter 2:5, Genesis 7:13-16, 2 Timothy 3:1-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Looking Up Or Nose To The Ground?

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Jul 19, 2022

Paul shares with us that as Christ followers as people who have been born again 1. We have a New DNA 2. We are called to live an Enlighten Life

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4; Psalm 121:1-8 Theme: Looking Up rather than Nose on the Ground Paul wants to help all of us be able to live a New Life – 1. In Christ we have New DNA 2. In Christ we have a New Perspective INTRO: Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 121:1-8, Ezekiel 36:26-27, 2 Corinthians 5:16-17, Galatians 3:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Reconciliation Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 23, 2022

We are ministers of the message of reconciliation.

Video Introduction: “Tell Me” You and I are literally surrounded by people who need the gospel. God has positioned each of us to proclaim His purposes and to tell them the good news because we have the greatest hope known to mankind. Next weekend we’ll wrap up this series by focusing on the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

Noice Speech Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jul 27, 2022

David's speech to Goliath shows his trust in God Almighty that He delivers and saves. We need that same faith and trust in God as we navigate life.

THE VERY RELATABLE LIFE OF KING DAVID NOICE SPEECH 1 Samuel 17:45-47 #kingdavid INTRODUCTION… Video of Fictional Pre-Battle Speeches (custom video) (4:56) It is one of the most cinematic forms of storytelling in war and action movies… the ‘pre-battle speech.’ It could be that morale is down and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:45-47

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Crucified King PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2025

God meets us in our deepest pain, offering hope and love through Christ, transforming our cries into praise and gathering us into His redeemed people.

Some of us walked in today with a quiet ache. You smiled at the door, shook a hand or two, found your seat, but there’s a knot that won’t untie. A prayer that feels unanswered. A hurt that won’t heal on a schedule. A memory that still stings. If that’s you, you are not alone. God sees you. He is ...read more

Topics: Prophecy, Crucifixion

God Wants Us To Strive Together For Our Savior Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jan 17, 2022

How can we strive together for Jesus? 1. We need godly desires (vs. 22-24). 2. We need godly dreams (vs. 24). 3. We need godly generosity (vs. 24-28). 4. We need the gospel (vs. 28-29). 5. We need faith in the power of prayer (vs. 30-33).

God Wants Us to Strive Together for Our Savior The Book of Romans Romans 15:17-33 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared January 17, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Romans 15. In these last two chapters of Paul's letter, he opened his heart to talk about his future plans and pour out ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:17-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Return Of The King (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jan 19, 2022

In part 2 of 'The Return Of The King' we will talk about the preparations for His Return.

The Return Of The King 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 Good morning Maple Grove! HEY – is anybody out there ready for some living and active WORD of God… NOW THIS MORNING – as we are going to finish our conversation, The Return Of The King’ that we began last week, as we unpacked 1 Thessalonians ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Live Carefully (Cities Of Refuge; Numbers 35:1-34; Joshua 20:1-9) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 22, 2022

In God's eyes, it's really hard to accidentally kill someone. He places a high value on human life-- do we?

Sometimes in life, one will person will kill another. Sometimes, this is deliberate-- it's murder. Other times, it's an accident. Two people are out cutting down trees, and one person accidentally drops a tree onto the other. You kill him. You're out driving, and someone steps out ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 20:1-9, Numbers 35:1-34

The One Appraising Us Is Christ (1 Corinthians 4:1-21) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 29, 2022

Don't boast; don't become proud. Be faithful servants, and don't pick apart Christians' motives. You can't see in their heads. Also, stop navel gazing.

Let's start today, by rereading 1 Corinthians 3:18-23: (18) No one must deceive himself: if anyone thinks wise to be among you this age, a fool he must become, in order he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world, foolishness with God it is. For it is written, "The One catching ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-21, 1 Corinthians 3:18-23

The Transcendent Beauty Of God

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jan 29, 2022

Beauty reveals God in the external manifestation of His presence and the quality of His greatness, authority, dignity, preeminence, power, perfection and majesty - A multi-part message.

Beauty is the possession and characteristic of God and is one of the qualities which are distinctive of Him. It emphasizes the form in which He reveals Himself in the external manifestation of His presence and the quality of His greatness, authority, dignity, preeminence, power, perfection, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:11-13, Psalm 113:4-6, Genesis 9:13, Song of Songs 5:16, Isaiah 42:5, Psalm 72:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Ready For The Wedding! Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 29, 2022

Valentine's Day: The relationship between Christ and the church is often expressed in terms of a wedding, from the proposal to the ceremony. While we wait for the bridegroom, we must set our heart on fulfilling His passions.

At Valentine’s Day we often think about love, romantic love that is; and one of the most beautiful images that come to mind is a wedding ceremony. Next to that might be the engagement, where a man gets down on one knee for the proposal, while the woman listens to his expression of undying love and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Joshua's Final Words, Part 2 (Joshua 24:1-33) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 29, 2022

Joshua calls them to make a deliberate choice-- for Yahweh, or other elohim. And he warns them, they will fail, and God's wrath will come. That said, he and his family will serve Yahweh.

Last week, in Joshua 23, we read what we thought were Joshua's last words. They were, really. Just, it was only first half of his farewell. And the focus of those words was on the warning. As a reminder, I'm going to reread verses 14-16: 14 “And now I am about to go the way of all the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:1-33, Galatians 5:16, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:22-32