Sermons on Close Encounter:

Transfiguration Pt.2: Proof—listen Confidently - Mark 9:2-7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 24, 2023

If you struggle with doubt or skepticism when you read Scripture, this message is for you. And even if you don’t have doubts, anything that increases our faith and confidence in his Word will improve our listening ear when Christ speaks to us. This message will fortify your faith.

Mark 9:1 And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." 2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-7, Matthew 17:1-6, Luke 9:28-35

Living With The Love Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 30, 2023

1. Godly love shines the light on our salvation (vs. 10-13). 2. Godly love strengthens the assurance of our salvation (vs. 14-15). 3. Godly love spurs us into action (vs. 16-18).

Living with the Love of the Lord 1 John 3:10-18 Sermon by Rick Crandall Series: The First Epistle of John (Prepared December 30, 2023) MESSAGE: *God's kind of agape love is one of the greatest themes in this very short letter from the Apostle John. We know this because the original words for ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Who's On Trial? Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 4, 2024

You can avoid making a fool of yourself if you submit to Jesus as your Lord, admit your weakness before Him, and embrace the truth He offers.

One evening, while waiting for a bus, a young man was standing with a crowd of people looking in the widow of a taxidermist shop. In the center of the window was a large owl that attracted the attention of all who passed by. The self-appointed expert began to criticize the job done on it. “If I ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-38, John 13:37-38

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Blessed With Every Blessing Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jan 9, 2024

God blesses us so we will bless Him with our lives.

Blessed with Every Blessing Ephesians 1:1-14 Rev. Brian Bill January 6-7, 2024 Last week, we were blessed to be with our entire family in Virginia. It was a blast to be with our four daughters and their husbands, along with our seven grandchildren. Each morning, I got up early and went for a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Wall Will Fall-Wwf

Contributed by Sajayan Chacko on Jan 24, 2024

How we face the challenges of life will determine whether we are overcome or become overcome-ers

How we face the challenges of life will determine whether we are overcome or become overcome-ers. • Book of Joshua is the sixth book of the Old Testament and it records the entry of the Jews into the Promised Land . . . the land they still occupy to some extent. • We are going to look at this ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Ransom - Mark 10:45 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 28, 2024

In the entire book of Mark, only one word reveals the reason for Jesus’ death: ransom.

Mark 10:41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:45, Matthew 20:28

Failures Flourish Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 31, 2024

If you have failed the Lord, come back to Him. Come for fellowship with the Lord and let Him feed you. Confess your failure to the Lord and let Him affirm you. Commit to following the Lord and let Him restore you.

When Elon Musk started SpaceX in California, he had a dream of safely returning used rocket boosters so they could be used again. This would greatly reduce the cost of space flight. To date, they have been very successful. However, initially there was a lot of failure. Take a look at this YouTube ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical Free

God Wants Everyone To Know His Great Love Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jan 31, 2024

God wants everyone to know: 1. How His love was given (vs. 14). 2. How His love can be received (vs. 15-16). 3. How His love can be perfected in us (vs. 17-19). 4. How to prove that His love is in us (vs. 20-21).

God Wants Everyone to Know His Great Love 1 John 4:14-21 Sermon by Rick Crandall Series: The First Epistle of John (Prepared January 31, 2024) MESSAGE: *The other day an old Gaither song came to mind. Part of the lyrics say, "Everybody ought to know, Everybody ought to know, Everybody ought ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Start Them Right Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Feb 7, 2024

Discover practical insights on building a strong foundation for your family, starting small and focusing on the little things that make a big difference, creating a Christ-centered home, starting our children on the right path!

Introduction Video Ill.: Teaching Moment 6 Train a child in the way he should go,     and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22, NIV) We are continuing our study, focusing on the very real truth that Jesus is coming soon. The gospel and sharing of the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6, Joshua 24:14-15, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Proverbs 19:18, Proverbs 29:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Has A Loving Heart For Humanity Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Feb 7, 2024

We can see it... 1. In His witnesses (vs. 5-11). 2. In His way to eternal life (vs. 9-12). 3. In His assuring words (vs. 13).

God Has a Loving Heart for Humanity 1 John 5:5-13 Sermon by Rick Crandall Series: The First Epistle of John (Prepared February 7, 2024) MESSAGE: *Christians: Our God, the only true and living God, -- God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a caring God. He has a compassionate, loving heart for ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

Keys To Effectual Fervent Prayer Series

Contributed by Dr. Tom Badia on Feb 12, 2024

The words “effectual” and “fervent” are the translation of one Greek word energeo meaning to be operative, be at work, put forth power, to effect, show one's self operative. It has the prefix en which means “In” “inside” or “within” so the emphasis is what is going on within our own soul.

LESSON 5; KEYS TO EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER Keys To Effectual Fervent Prayer. James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” A. Introduction The words “effectual” and ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16

God's Parting Priorities In 1 John Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Feb 16, 2024

God wants us... 1.To call on Him with confidence (vs. 13-15). 2. To learn the limits of His patience (vs. 16-17). 3. To live in obedience to Him (vs. 18-21).

God's Parting Priorities in 1 John 1 John 5:13-21 Sermon by Rick Crandall Series: The First Epistle of John (Prepared February 16, 2024) BACKGROUND: *This is the last message in our series on the first epistle of John. Most of you know that one of God's biggest priorities here is for ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

How To Align Your Life Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Feb 19, 2024

How to Align Your Life Series: Fan the Flame (2 Timothy) Brad Bailey – February 11, 2024

How to Align Your Life Series: Fan the Flame (2 Timothy) Brad Bailey – February 11, 2024 Intro We are continuing is a series… allowing God to speak to us from the Biblical Book called 2 Timothy… chapter 3… verses 10-17. As we begin…I’m reminded of a particular type of scenario that has been a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-4, 2 Timothy 3:10-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No More Excuses Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 6, 2024

If we want to be all that God has called us to be as a church and as individual believers, we must stop making excuses and take that step of faith in obedience to God. Like Moses, trust in His power, plan, provision, precepts.

In his book, Something Else to Smile About, Zig Ziglar writes about his brother, the late Judge Ziglar, who loved to tell the story of a man who went next door to borrow his neighbor’s lawnmower. The neighbor explained that he could not let him use the mower because all the flights had been ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:1-31

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Jude Part 4 - Danger Danger Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Mar 10, 2024

Jude gives five words pictures and five characteristics of false teachers and a prophecy of doom.

Jude 1:12-16 (Part 4) Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 3-10-2024 Danger I was playing basketball at the rec center in Pontiac on Friday afternoon back when I was a youth pastor. As we were playing, students would walk around the court to go to another class and several would ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:12-16

Denomination: Baptist