Sermons on Close Encounter:

Rebirth Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 29, 2022

You're not in, until you are born again.

Being a father today is not easy because there’s a lot of pressure on dads to be in the delivery room. I’m not discounting the importance of being involved in this way because I certainly wanted to be there…I just wasn’t sure if I could handle it. I think my dad had it easier in the 60s when he ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Restore Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 29, 2022

God can restore what has been ruined.

In 1915, a plague of locusts covered Palestine and Syria from the border of Egypt to the Taurus Mountains. The first swarms appeared in March. These were adult locusts that came from the northeast and moved toward the southwest in clouds so thick they obscured the sun. The females immediately began ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:25-26

Denomination: Baptist

Truth: How Do You Know When You Hear It? Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 2, 2022

1) The Gift of Revelation (Romans 1:19), 2) The Content of Revelation (Romans 1:20), 3) The Rejection of God’s Revelation (Romans 1:21).

Romans 1:19-21. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:19-21

Denomination: Other

Living In The Kingdom 21 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jun 8, 2022

This is part two of my message on Matthew 7:13-14 which looks at what Jesus said about entering the narrow gate. In this messahe we look at what it takes to enter that narrow gate.

Living in the Kingdom 21 Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14; 15:18-19; Romans 6:1-7; 12-18 This is part two of the message I started last week. If you recall from last Sunday, Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 15:18-19, Romans 6:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Harlot Who Pleased God: The Story Of Rahab Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 19, 2022

According to the Book of Joshua, Rahab was a harlot who lived in Jericho. In its day, Jericho was the most important Canaanite fortress city in the Jordan Valley. It was a stronghold directly in the path of the advancing Israelites, who had just crossed the Jordan River (Joshua 3:1-17).

The Harlot Who Pleased God: the Story of Rahab A Canaanite woman living in Jericho, Rahab is a prostitute who is also a biblical heroine. According to the narrative in Joshua 2, before the conquest of Canaan, Joshua sends two men as spies to see the land. They come to Rahab's house for ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:9, Joshua 2:11

Denomination: Baptist

Fasting Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jun 22, 2022

This sermon addresses the reality that Jesus fasted so we should fast. Jesus understood the importance of fasting when it came to spiritual warfare, and he also understood the importance of fasting when it came to intimacy with God. It is a spiritual practice that still has validity for today.

Good morning. We are continuing our series called Learning to Live Like Jesus. A series that is based on the extended passage known as the Sermon on the Mount. The past few weeks, we have been looking at chapter 6 that really speaks of the obstacles to living life in the kingdom. A few weeks ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Christian Church

Lying Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jun 24, 2022

This sermon is about the trait of "Honesty." The primary focus is how unlike the world, Christians should see themselves as not living in this world, but living in a kingdom reality that is characterized by honesty, rather than dishonesty.

I would like to start off with a few questions that require an honest answer. The first question is how many of you have told a lie in the last five years? I am not talking about the white lies when your wife asks you if her jeans make her butt look big. I am talking about honest to goodness ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37

Denomination: Christian Church

Training Vs Trying Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jun 28, 2022

This sermon focuses on the importance of training to be like Christ rather than simply trying to be a Christ, and what it looks like in practical terms.

Good morning. We are continuing to look at this theme of discipleship. Discipleship at Bellevue Christian Church has been defined as ordinary people learning to live everyday life like Jesus. We decided that there are three ways that we become a disciple at Bellevue Christian Church. We gather, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-8, Matthew 11:28, Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Christian Church

The Kingdom Of God Is Near Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jun 29, 2022

In this sermon I introduce and expand on the concept of the Kingdom of God and how it explains the "Why" of discipleship and spiritual formation.

If you want to follow along today, we are going to be looking at two verses. It is out of the gospel of Mark 1:14-15. We have been going through this series on the theme of discipleship. If you were here last week, you know that we have defined discipleship as ordinary people learning to live ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-15, Luke 11:20, John 3:3

Denomination: Christian Church

Make The Most Of God's Compassion! Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jun 29, 2022

How can we make the most of God's compassion? 1. Believe in Jesus Christ (Matt 14:13-14; John 6:25-41). 2. Be a channel of the Lord's compassion (Matt 14:15-16). 3. Put everything under the Lord's control (Matt 14:17-18). 4. Follow the Lord's commands (Matt 14:19-21).

Make the Most of God's Compassion! The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 14:13-21; John 6:25-41 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared June 29, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Today in Matthew 14, we will focus on some of the Lord's amazing miracles. But first, think about how many miracles Jesus worked. In John ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21, John 6:25-41

Denomination: Baptist

Giving Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Dec 17, 2021

Giving Series: Spiritual Practices: Developing Life with God October 31, 2021

Giving Series: Spiritual Practices: Developing Life with God October 31, 2021 Welcome...each of you here...and online... so thankful for this time. We don’t go to church... we are the church... what we do is gather...and grow...and go. Not just to gather together... but to grow together. Grow ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stubbornness: A Virtue, And A Vice (Exodus 7:8-24) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 22, 2021

Being stubborn can be a good or bad thing, depending on: (1) if you're right, and (2) if you are stubborn in the right way, with love, and gentleness.

Let's start today by simply rereading Exodus 7:1-7: (7:1) And Yahweh said to Moses, "Look! I have made you God to Pharaoh, while Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. (2) You shall speak all that I command you, while Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh, and he will ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 7:8-24

The Joy And Privilege Of Serving Jesus (John 3:22-36; 4:1-3) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 15, 2022

Whatever ministry we "have," is God's gift to us. If I decrease, it's okay. I point people to Jesus. Also, bonus discussion: part of "faith" is obedience (John 3:36)

Today's passage is a little tricky. I'll try to talk slowly. I'll try to not lose you. But if you get lost about parts, I'd be happy to give you my manuscript, or answer any questions afterward. Let's start this morning by rereading John 3:1-5 (NRSV, lightly modified): 3 ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-36, John 4:1-3

Who Is God Seeking? (John 4:16-24) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 15, 2022

The answer: People who worship, in the Spirit (not "spirit") and in the truth.

Let's start this morning by rereading last week's passage, starting from John 4:1: (4:1) Then, when Jesus knew that the Pharisees heard that Jesus, many more disciples he is making and baptizing than John-- although Jesus himself was not baptizing, but his disciples-- (3) he left ...read more

Scripture: John 4:16-24, Ephesians 5:17-21

The Obligation Of The Gospel (Romans 1:8-16) Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Jan 16, 2022

The gospel isn't just a gift we are given. It is a gift we are entrusted with.

The Obligation of the Gospel Romans 1:8-17 Good morning. Please open your Bibles to Romans, chapter 1. I’d like you to imagine two scenarios with me as we start off this morning. First scenario: someone gives you a blender. Let’s say it’s a wedding shower, you’re about to get married, you’ve put ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:8-16

Denomination: Baptist