Sermons on Close Encounter:

Easter: "God Will Make A Way”

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Mar 31, 2024

This Easter, see and hear the way God has made for you. As we enter this time celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, which the world calls Easter, we see this theme of God making a way for humanity to live in His presence for all eternity in heaven.

Easter: “God Will Make A Way” Watch on YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/IOxYxyTII2E As I was thinking about what to say on this day that we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I remembered what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. “For I delivered to you first of all that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:17, Genesis 22:8-14, Hebrews 11:7, Hebrews 7:25, Isaiah 48:16, Isaiah 53:11-12, Jeremiah 2:36, John 14:6, John 1:1-14, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9, Romans 8:2-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

Not My Favorite Christmas

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 7, 2024

Pause and imagine Joseph explaining everything to his parents. “Yes, mom, as I told you earlier. Mary is a good young lady, and we didn’t do anything. She is “with child” because of the Holy Spirit, and I didn’t lay a hand on her. I know it’s hard to believe, but I promise you it’s true.”

No one wants to miss the magic of Christmas. And no one wants to have anything less than a fantastic Christmas holiday experience. Christmas is this wonderful time of year, and we want to spread that unmitigated joy to everyone! But there are just some Christmases that we don’t have the joy that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

Luke 23:1-25 - Jesus Before Pilate

Contributed by Carl Willis on Apr 10, 2024

The Jewish leaders bring Jesus before Pilate. Pilate is already in hot water with Rome and his desire for self-preservation fulfills God's ultimate plan.

So we want to backtrack just a little bit into chapter 22 and pick up the last couple of verses because it's going to set the table for where we're going to be studying the last three trials that Jesus is going to go through on his way to the cross. Chapter 22 gave us the first three of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Does The Bible Teach Meditation And Guided Imagery

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Apr 12, 2024

There is a resurgence of the word 'meditate' being used in churches today about personal devotional prayer as a way to draw closer to God as a person contemplates His divine attributes.

Many 'techniques' have risen to help people along the path of daily sanctification by learning how to pray and worship, which has resulted in something called contemplative spirituality, also known as meditation, guided imagery, centering, or listening prayer, using imagination and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-3, Joshua 1:8, 1 Timothy 4:11-16, Romans 12:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

1 Samuel Part 2 (Nasb)

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Apr 24, 2024

A prophet and judge, God's choice; a king-the people's choice; location = The Promised Land; A barren wife asks God for a son; Saul's reign, disobedience, and rejection; book took place over 100 years; footnotes from Biblegateway.com

Purpose: Samuel writes a prophetically oriented history of Israel's early monarchy. Because the sinful nature found it easier to follow an earthly king the Israelites were reluctantly granted a monarch of their popular choice -but man's wisdom never exceeds God's wisdom, and this ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard

Grumble Or Grow Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 24, 2024

When life gets hard, don’t grumble; grow!

Several years ago (2009), Louis C.K. was on Conan O’Brien’s late-night talk show, where he described today’s entitlement culture. He said in our culture, “Everything's Amazing and Nobody's Happy.” Take a look (show Louis CK video). Louis talks about how he was on a plane that offered ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:22-27, Exodus 16:1-30, Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 8:28-29, James 1:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Lighting Up Hell On Earth Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 29, 2024

Unbelief is the one sin out of which all other sins grow. Unbelief is the one sin that will damn you and send you to hell. Not believing in the Son of God is self-condemnation.

Think with me about some of the most important conversations you have ever had for a moment, will you? For the married men, what’s your reaction when your wife says, “We need to talk”? Yeah, that’s my reaction, too. More seriously… What are some of the most important conversations you’ve had in ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

God Has A Great Concern For Christian Unity Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on May 3, 2024

That's why... 1. God gave us a preacher of unity (vs. 1). 2. God puts a priority on our unity (vs. 3). 3. God points us to His pattern of unity (vs. 4-6).

God Has A Great Concern for Christian Unity Ephesians 4:1-6 Sermon by Rick Crandall Series: The Book of Ephesians (Prepared May 3, 2024) BACKGROUND: *The Lord has always had a great concern for unity in His Church. Even the first Apostles had to overcome bitter jealousy and arguments. Mark ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham's Example Of Faith Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on May 6, 2024

Abraham did not waiver. He believed! We are called to do the same!

4:19 “And not being weak in faith…” How’s your faith today? Let’s test it. Do you really believe that millions of years from this night you will still be alive and well? Do you really believe that Jesus rose from a grave, and that your body is going to do the same? Do you believe that because of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:19-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Everyone Needs A Cave”

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 3, 2025

Adullam (Ad due lum) is about 5 miles south of Bethshemesh is Judah, near the place known as Gath. Hidden among the goat and sheep trails there are several caves.

“Everyone Needs A Cave” “I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. 2I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble. 3When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 142:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Encouragement

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 6, 2025

Your teenage son doesn’t complain about coming to church. He is not rebellious.

Encouragement “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But, I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31 Intro: Your teenage son doesn’t complain about coming to church. He is not rebellious. You ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Comfort (Nahum) Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 12, 2025

When you feel threatened, find comfort in a God who will avenge, abolish, and embarrass His enemies, causing His people to rejoice.

Several years ago, The Huffington Post ran a series of cartoons depicting the fears that both children and adults have. They titled the series “Childhood Fears vs. Adult Fears.” Here they are: • Childhood fear: Doctors. Adult fear: Doctor's bills. • Childhood fear: Bad dreams. Adult fear: ...read more

Scripture: Nahum 1:1-15, Nahum 2:1-13, Nahum 3:1-19, Romans 8:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Love God Above All Else Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 14, 2025

Commandment 1 - love God above all else

Ten Words to Live By: Put God First Exodus 20 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 07-13-2025 I Pledge Allegiance When I subbed at the junior high, we began every morning with The Pledge of Allegiance. Most schools still do the pledge in the morning. The Pledge of Allegiance ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Sticks, Stone, And Words Part 1 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 16, 2025

This is a Bible study lesson, not a sermon. The Bible studies teach foundational truth that are designed to challenge, encourage and, most importantly, flame the fire of hunger in the Christian who wants to learn more about who they have become in Christ Jesus.

Sticks, Stones And Words – Part 1 (Rev. Rodney Johnson and Rev. Barry Johnson) NOTE: New Light Faith Ministries and Barry Johnson Ministries, founded by Rodney V. Johnson and Barry O. Johnson, respectively, are partnering to offer Bible studies for Christians who are seeking to grow in their ...read more

Scripture: John 8:41-44, James 3:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Worship Gets Expensive: Mary’s Price And Judas’ Calculations Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jul 17, 2025

Don’t you imagine that Lazarus grew tired of the onlookers wanting to catch a glimpse of him? No doubt Lazarus would have loved his privacy away from prying eyes after being in the spotlight. How many times did he have to answer, “How do you feel?”

Find John 12 with me. Worship is the one activity believers will do for all of eternity. Worship offers us these incredible benefits of peace and joy in our lives. Listen and learn from a story of incredible worship. As you listen, refuse to be Judas while embracing Mary. Oh, that there would be ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11

Denomination: Baptist