Sermons on Close Encounter:

Where Are The Pastors?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 22, 2001

So you think you want to be a pastor. or So you think you know how to call a pastor.

Where Are All The Pastors? 1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. (KJV) In a Dallas/Fort Worth Heritage article, Ron Rose asks, "Where are all the pastors? That is exactly the question I heard in 1977 when I surrendered to preach. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Trust Test - Part 1 Series

Contributed by John Maxwell on Nov 6, 2001

The third sermon in this four part series that assess your will to let God lead your life

THE TRUST TEST (PART 1) Proverbs 3:1-10 John Maxwell INTRODUCTION: Today I want to talk to you about managing the resources that God has given to us. Two Sundays ago we asked the question: Can I trust God? Last week we looked at another question: Am I trustworthy? Can God trust me with the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

Serious Business

Contributed by Michael Tnayrb on Nov 13, 2001

We are often serious about all of the wrong things in life. We are concerned, serious, and even consumed with things when it comes to work and play...but are we serious about our God? We can’t afford to be not ready.

To our Pastor, Reverend Brown, Officers of the Church, Members, Guest and friends….I thank you for this opportunity….to share the Good News with you. As I began to prepare for this sermon…..my first sermon….I naturally began to feel some nerves. I got right down scared….But It didn’t make any ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Run The Race -- Keep Your Eyes On The Prize

Contributed by Kelvin Parks on Nov 30, 2001

Stay focused -- God is going to run that last mile with God.

RUN THE RACE -- KEEP YOU EYES ON THE PRIZE I Corinthians 9:24-25 Let us pray -- Lord, the task of preaching your Gospel is once again in my keeping and I commit myself to do it the best that I can. Clear my mind of distractions, warm my heart with compassion, and fill my soul with faith in your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

Praying For Your Child Series

Contributed by Robert Barnett on Dec 17, 2001

This highlights the need for dependence on God in prayer and how to do it.

¡§PRAYING FOR YOUR CHILDREN¡¨ Luke 18:1 ¡§Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart¡K¡¨ What is your plan for succeeding as a parent?¡K as a family? First of all, I hope you have one¡K a plan that includes biblical goals for your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1, Psalm 50:15

Denomination: *other

Renewing Our Vision Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 7, 2002

Renewing our church’s vision for worship, prayer, service, outreach, and nurture.

I read a story recently about a little league coach who reminisced about his childhood years playing baseball in little league. He remember back how during his first year, his coach had called together the entire baseball team for a picnic, and he asked the team, "Who here wants to eventually play ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-10, 1 Timothy 1:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Commitment To Excellence

Contributed by Mike Hays on Oct 18, 2000

As followers of Jesus we are to be committed to excellence in every sense of the word.

Commitment To Excellence Luke 8:4-15 Commitment is key. No matter what it is that we are talking about there is no greater determining factor than our commitment. I'm not talking about commitment by coercion. I'm not talking about commitment by convenience. I'm not talking about commitment by ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

First Things First

Contributed by Mike Hays on Oct 18, 2000

Seek first the Kingdom of God.

"First Things First" Matthew 6:25-33 In the ancient Arabian folktale, Aladdin, Aladdin is the lazy son of a poor Chinese tailor. After his father's death, he meets a magician who says that he is Aladdin's uncle. The magician convinces Aladdin to go after a beautiful lamp that is hidden in a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who's In Charge Here?

Contributed by Mike Hays on Oct 18, 2000

Christ is the Head of the Church.

Who's In Charge Here? Colossians 1:16-18 At a meeting of the American Psychological Association, Jack Lipton, a psychologist at Union College, and R. Scott Builione, a graduate student at Columbia University, presented their findings on how members of the various sections of eleven major symphony ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Changed By Hope!

Contributed by Mike Hays on Oct 18, 2000

God's love can change us from people without hope to the most hopeful people on the planet.

Changed By Hope! 1 John 2:28-3:3 Hope and hopelessness are more than opposites. Their characteristics are more defined than night and day. Anyone who has ever experienced the depths of hopelessness can easily attest to how oppressive and soul-shattering hopelessness can be. On the other hand, ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Avoiding Deception

Contributed by Tommy Hames on Oct 18, 2000

How a Christian can avoid deception from the pulpit

AVOIDING DECEPTION INTRODUCTION There are indeed mockers of Jesus Christ living among us who continue to walk after their own ungodly lusts. Jude tells us that they do not have the Spirit of God living in them. Unfortunately, some of these mockers have infiltrated the pulpits of our churches. The ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Teaches His Disciples

Contributed by Stuart Uren on Oct 18, 2000

Good morning everyone, our topic today is "…Jesus teaching his disciples…" I believe this was one of the biggest challenges that Jesus faced.

Good morning everyone, our topic today is "…Jesus teaching his disciples…" I believe this was one of the biggest challenges that Jesus faced. At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus had the problem of how his message would be taken to the world in such a short timeframe of approximately 3½ years. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:7-56

The Six Kingdoms

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 14, 2000

People need to consider where they are spiritually.

THE SIX KINGDOMS INTRO.- Where are you? Where are you spiritually? ILL.- A young Bible college student was witnessing in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. As he approached one house, there was an elderly man sitting on the porch and he asked him, “Are you a Christian?” He replied, “No, I’m a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:13-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Divine Prescription

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 14, 2000

God gives us the prescription for a better life here and now.

THE DIVINE PRESCRIPTION Ps. 37:1-7 INTRO.- ILL.- A little boy went into a grocery store and asked the clerk for a box of Duz detergent. The clerk said, “What do you need the detergent for?” The little boy replied, “I want to wash my dog.” The clerk said, “Well, son, that Duz detergent is pretty ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

First John Chapter One

Contributed by Robert Kerr on Dec 21, 2000

Bible Study

F I R S T E P I S T L E O F J O H N - CHAPTER 1 INTRO: Scofield says that this First Epistle of John is a family letter from the Father to His "little children" who are in the world. A tender word is used for "children" (from Gk, teknia), a diminutive meaning "little children, born-ones" as ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist