Sermons on Close Encounter:

Where On Earth Did Marriage Come From?

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Mar 13, 2004

This sermon attempts to provide a biblical basis for why God created marriage and rebuts the idea of the acceptance of homosexual marriages in our culture today.

Where On Earth Did Marriage Come From? 3/11/2004 Genesis 2:18-25 Ephesians 5:22-33 Suppose you brought you a shiny gold brand new Lexus. You’re looking real good going down the highway. But when you get home, you notice this funny sound when you stop. The next day you notice this ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Was Crucifixion The Passion Of The Romans Series

Contributed by Dale Harlow on Mar 23, 2004

The Romans seemed to enjoy the crucifixion. This message explains why, while answering the question, "who really did crucify Jesus?" The answer might surprise you!

Title: Why was Crucifixion the Passion of the Romans? Text: Galatians 2:20 Three men participating in army war games were hit with paint pellets, which were fired at them by their opponents. According to the rules of the war games they were legally dead and no longer permitted to participate. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6, Galatians 2:20-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Benefits Of Showing Mercy Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 24, 2004

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

The Benefits of Showing Mercy One day, a woman who occasionally walked through the park after work, stopped to have her picture taken by a photographer. She was very excited to get the Polaroid print but when she looked at it, her face dropped. She turned to the photographer and stated rather ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Denomination: Baptist

Making Peace In The Midst Of Conflict Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 24, 2004

“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.”

Making Peace in the Midst of Conflict Conflict is everywhere, isn’t it? In a classic Winston Churchill comeback, Lady Astor once said, “If you were my husband, I’d put poison in your coffee.” Churchill responded with his cutting wit: “If you were my wife, I’d drink it.” We laugh at this sarcasm, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Baptist

The Blessing No One Wants Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 24, 2004

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is y

The Blessing No One Wants How many of you have seen The Passion of the Christ movie? As the “national conversation” continues, I hope you’re taking advantage of the opportunity to tell people why Jesus died. I’ve had a number of discussions this week about the topic with people I don’t even know. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

My Life Is Not For Sale

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Jun 22, 2004

God’s grace is immeasurable,His mercy inexhaustible and His peace inexpressible so take a stand for Christ or you may fall for anything.

The Bible makes us to understand that the spiritual existed first before the physical.Once you understand this principle, many things become clear. The Bible also makes us to understand that things like bondage, freedom, power, anointing, etc. are spiritual items and if they are not sorted out in ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 13:18-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Garden: A Place Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 9, 2004

Lets look at why Jesus was drawn to this garden. As we better understand why He came to this place of prayer, well see a pattern that we can follow in our own prayers.

Have you noticed how the Passion movie has generated an unprecedented amount of TV specials, magazine cover stories, and a continuous cultural conversation about Christ? Im thankful for that. I do want to give a word of warning, however. Much of what has been published or broadcast in response ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-56

Denomination: Baptist

Separation Of Church And State? A July 4th Look At Our Heritage In America

Contributed by Ken Kersten on Jul 14, 2004

This sermon examines our Christian heritage, the separation of Church and state and its effects on American Society since 1962.

The 4th of July is a special day in our country but not just for the signing of the declaration. Many special things have happened on this day. Three American presidents died on the Fourth of July, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe. And if you want to get down to it, Monroe ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 44:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Affair Proofing Your Marriage Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Aug 2, 2004

4th in a 5 part series of applying Biblical answers to family issues. (Using the 10 commandments as the Biblical basis.)

"AFFAIR-PROOFING YOUR MARRIAGE" Exodus 20:14, Matthew 5:27-28, Hebrews 13:4 INTRODUCTION: As you drive and see signs (common road signs)like these do you resent it or appreciate it? If you understand that D.O.T. puts those signs there for your protection due to certain road conditions you ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:14

Denomination: Christian Church

The Paradox Of God's Kingdom Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 16, 2003

Four paradoxes of God’s kingdom from the parables of Jesus.

Life is filled with paradoxes. Now a paradox is simply a statement or idea that appears to be contradictory. One of the most famous ancient paradoxes was described by a Greek author named Epimenides. Epimenides tells us of a Cretan who utters the words, "All Cretans are liars." Can you see the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Forgive..."

Contributed by Chris Talton on Jan 27, 2003

This is the 2nd in a two-part message on our responsibility to forgive based on God’s forgiveness of us. This part focuses on our forgiveness to others.

January 19, 2003 Matthew 18:28-35 ¡§Forgive¡K¡¨ INTRODUCTION Every now and then, Tammy will surprise me by using a new word that I would not expect her to use. She calls it her ¡§word for the day¡¨, and she¡¦ll find every situation possible to use it as often as she can for that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:28-35

Denomination: Baptist

Stewardship-It's All About Ownership

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Feb 3, 2003

Being a good steward means that we transfer ownership of our lives to God and then properly manage what He has entrusted to our care.

1 Corinthians 3:23-4:4 Stewardship – It’s All About Ownership Introduction The book of Genesis tells us that in the garden before the fall, God gave Adam the responsibility of tending the earth. He was to fill it, subdue it and have dominion over it. Adam was going to be responsible to care for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:20

Denomination: Baptist

New Wine In Old Skins Series

Contributed by Eric Carey-Holt on Feb 12, 2003

Jesus prayed and relied on the Holy Spirit for every change. Even at the times of Christ’s greatest popularity He knew that only the Spirit produces lasting change.

NEW CLOTHES ON OLD COAT__ MATT 9:16-17 NEW WINE IN OLD SKIN__LUKE 5: 36-39 TEXT. Luke 5:36 “He told them this parable: "No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. 37 And no one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:16-17, Luke 5:36-39

Denomination: Methodist

Laying The Foundation

Contributed by Kelvin Parks on Feb 16, 2003

A good sermon before Installation of New Leaders Sunday

LAYING THE FOUNDATION Hebrews 5:12-14; 6:1-3 Matthew 7:21-24 For our scriptures this morning let us consider Hebrews 5:12-14. We will also consider this morning a few background passages or should I say supportive scriptures from Hebrews ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:12-14, Hebrews 6:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Mind Blowing Questions Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Feb 27, 2003

This sermon asks the question: Don’t you know that we have a totally different worldview?

1 Corinthians Mind-Blowing Questions 1 Corinthians 6 March 2, 2003 Intro: A. [Transformed by an Elevator, Citation: Owen Bourgaize, Castel, Guernsey, United Kingdom] A family from a remote area was making their first visit to a big city. They checked in to a grand hotel and stood in amazement at ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational