Sermons on Close Encounter:

The Way Of Joy - Faithfulness Series

Contributed by Thomas Bartlett on Apr 17, 2020

If there’s one thing that plagues Americans it’s anxiety. We worry about so many things. We worry about things that the rest of the world aren’t even aware of. Have you heard the term, “first world problems”?

OUTLINE The Way of Joy Philippians Chapter 1 Steele Creek Church, Eastfield – Dr. Tom Bartlett March 1, 2020 Biblical joy: a deep sense of satisfaction, given by the Holy Spirit that settles the heart and mind because of what God has promised. Biblical faith: understanding what God has said and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-30, Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Other

Who Is Christ?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 19, 2020

Let’s look at a number of common questions about Jesus Christ. Is He real history? Can we have faith in Him? What is Christ’s Work? Who was He really? Was He really God in the flesh?

Let’s look at a number of common questions about Jesus Christ. Is He real history? Can we have faith in Him? What is Christ’s Work? Who was He really? Was He really God in the flesh? Christ is from Greek, meaning the same as Messiah from Hebrew, the Savior of all humanity. Studying Christ is ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-3, John 1:14

Denomination: Baptist

Restoring Grace Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Apr 28, 2020

How does God's grace help us when we turn away from Him?

RESTORING GRACE Many of us can remember when we were in elementary school of what would happen as soon as the teacher left the room. She would have to go out for some reason and would always tell the class, “Be quiet while I am gone and study!” However, as soon as the cat was away the mice would ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:27-31

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Easter Sermon

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Apr 28, 2020

A sermon I had intended to give on Easter Sunday 2020 but was prevented by stay-at-home order from the Governor because of the COVID19 pandemic. It addresses Jesus' resurrection in connection with the "first resurrection" of Revelation 20 and the universal resurrection.

Note: I have developed a set of PowerPoint slides for use with this sermon. If you are interested in the slides I will send them to you by Email. Email your request to me at sam@srmccormick.net and be sure to enter "Easter Slides" in the subject line (otherwise I am likely to overlook ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, Romans 6:8-11, Ephesians 2:1-6, 1 Peter 1:3, Acts 24:14-15, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 20:13-14, Matthew 27:54, Matthew 28:2, Matthew 27:52, Matthew 28:11, Revelation 4:1, Genesis 2:16-17, Revelation 21:6-8, Revelation 12:7-11, Revelation 12:8-11, Luke 10:18, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, Romans 6:3-5, John 5:24-29, Revelation 20:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Perfectly Positioned... For A Reset Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Mar 31, 2020

In this message (the final message in my Coronavirus series) is about how the Coronavirus has perfectly positioned us for a RESET in 4 key areas of our lives.

Perfectly Position…For A Rest #CoronavirusWeek3 OKAY – this morning we are wrapping up our 3 week series on the Coronavirus. AND LISTEN – I got to be honest, back in December of 2019 when I began thinking about what conversations I needed to have in the year 2020… A series on a Coronavirus ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-17, Isaiah 40:11-31, Psalm 61:1-2, Genesis 1:27, Luke 11:17, 1 John 2:15-17, Matthew 22:34-40  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tools For Healing Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 27, 2021

We have no example of a disease that Jesus refused to heal. He did not pick and chose, or discriminate against anyone on the basis of their disease.

One of the great wars of all time was a war where all men were on the same side. The enemy was the small pox virus. It made all other foes seem puny in comparison. One of the greatest dangers for the Pilgrims and Puritans in coming to America, was this dreaded pox. They died in large numbers from ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Our Jesus Is Yes Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 30, 2021

The world of salvation begins with our own yes to the Gospel. Yes we say to God, I will receive your gift of eternal life in Christ. From then on every stage of growth is a stage we advance to by saying yes to God.

Yes is only a three letter word, but its utterance can change your life. It happened to the poet Robert Robinson one Sunday morning in London. People everywhere were hurrying to church, but he was not. He had left the church, and he had lost the once passionate faith that made him a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:15-22

Shining Like Stars Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Feb 24, 2025

It’s time to work out what God has worked in you.

Shining Like Stars Philippians 2:12-18 Rev. Brian Bill February 22-23, 2025 Last Saturday night, I gathered here to give God praise through the music and the message by Pastor Kyle. On Sunday, I traveled to an underground church where I witnessed winsome workers caring for newborns, and trained ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

Old Testament Law To New Testament Love

Contributed by Jeremy Long on Mar 3, 2025

A brief walk through the scripture to prove God's Law ultimately showed us God's Love.

Old Testament Law to New Testament Love Well, how about we cover the entire bible today? You know, … cover to cover. We’ve got the time don’t we? We have the attention span for that right?? Genesis to Revelation. “In the beginning” to “Amen”. How about it. No? Ok. But we are gonna get to that, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20, Genesis 1:1, Revelation 22:20

Denomination: *other

How To Stand Firm In Your Faith

Contributed by Alex Umole on Mar 4, 2025

Rollo May, the distinguished psychiatrist, wrote a book called: Man's Search for Himself, and in this book, he says: “The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice; it is conformity.”

We are going to consider that in a world that often values comfort over courage, convenience over conviction, we’re faced with a tough question: Culture’s Greatest Challenge: What would you stand for? When faced with difficulties, what will you choose? Will you bow to the pressures around you, or ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33, Daniel 6:10

Peter A Fisherman's Tale Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 4, 2025

Peter reveals through his rollercoaster life of mountain top experiences with Jesus to the valleys of denial and rebuke from the Lord that there is hope beyond our failures and mistakes.

Series – Come Alive in 2025 Thesis: We can come back to life – with a breath from heaven – nothing is too dead for God to bring back to life! The Bible says nothing is too lifeless for God! He is the Creator who took nothing and made it something and He can bring back to life anything! Can you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9, 1 Peter 1:13-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Surprise! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 30, 2023

If you’ve lost all hope, trust Jesus with your life, and don’t be surprised by His delays His devotion, and His deliverance when it finally does come.

Surprise! (John 11:1-44) John Ortberg, pastor of the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in California, talks about a friend of his, who used to work as a denominational official in Minnesota. One of his jobs was to travel to little rural communities where they didn't have churches to do funerals. ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Darkness To Light Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 21, 2023

If you want to move from darkness into light, just walk in the light of the cross, walk in the light of Christ, and walk in the light of His commands.

Several years ago (1995), a middle-aged man robbed two Pittsburgh banks in broad daylight. He didn’t wear a mask or any sort of disguise. And he smiled at surveillance cameras before walking out of each bank. Later that night, police arrested a surprised McArthur Wheeler. When they showed him the ...read more

Scripture: John 12:27-50, Isaiah 6:1-3, Isaiah 6:10, Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 2:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Final Preparations Series

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 13, 2023

Preparation is so important. In Mark 14, in Jesus' final days before His crucifixion, we see Him making final preparations for Himself and His disciples. If we haven't made spiritual preparation in advance, then i will be too late when the storm arrives, or the battle begins.

Introduction A. The story is told about a football game that took place between the big animals and the little animals. 1. As you might expect, the large animals had a big lead going into halftime. 2. With a big lead, at the start of the second half, on first down, the big animals called a running ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:11-13, Mark 14:12-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Sermon The Apostle Paul Would Preach (A Sermon On Encouragement)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Nov 22, 2023

A retired carpenter had a very large workshop full of tools. He thought to himself what he was going to do with these tools.

He decided to have an auction. He hired a auctioneer to come into his shop to take an inventory of all his valuable tools. He told the auctioneer everything is up for auction except one tool. He walked over to his work table and picked up a hammer he had since he was a young man. He said ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:21-42

Denomination: Baptist