Sermons on Close Encounter:

Dealing Decisively With Sin Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 7, 2014

This sermon covers chapters 9 and 10, where Ezra deals with the sin of intermarriage that he discovers among the exiles in Jerusalem. It is a good example of the right reaction to any kind of sin.

Introduction: A. There is a story told of four preachers who were good friends, who lived in a small town many years ago, during a more simple and conservative time. 1. They often met for lunch at the local diner to talk about their lives and ministries. 2. During one of those gatherings, one ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Marriage Makeover Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 24, 2014

In this sermon, we explore how to "jump-start" your marriage.

Introduction: A. Let’s start with a question: Do you know which are the most difficult years of marriage? 1. Answer: The ones following the wedding! 2. I want to speak realistically today – marriage isn’t easy. 3. Even the very best marriages take a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Watch Your Mouth Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 18, 2021

When we see God as weighty, we won’t want to take His name lightly.

People get mixed up on my name all the time. Some people call me “Bill” and I’ve even been called “Brain,” though I’m not sure where that one comes from. When I’m called “Mr. Bill” people around my age think of his sidekick “Sluggo” and start laughing. I like to joke having three first names ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:7

Denomination: Baptist

Is Marriage Forever?

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 5, 2021

The answer of Jesus, to the trick question of the Sadducees, does not, in any way, rob heaven of one of the great hopes of Christian lovers through the ages.

One of the greatest romance stories of all history is that of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning. Elizabeth was a normal active girl up to age 15, but then life ceiling tumbled in for her. She became an invalid, who for the next 20 years was confined to bed in a darkened room. She was a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:23-33

How To Live As A Christian In A Crazy World Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Mar 7, 2021

Paul gives Titus instructions about what to teach different groups in the church in how to live our their faith

Titus: Building a Healthy Church How to Live as a Christian in an Ungodly World Titus 2:1-10 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 3-07-2021 WWJD I had a friend in Mississippi that we will call Larry. Larry was in my Sunday school class and was on fire for Jesus. In his mid ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Seven Causes Of Suffering Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

We need to look at suffering from the point of view of the great Christian thinkers of the centuries, and not lock ourselves into any one simple theory that ends up making God the culprit.

Someone has said that half truths are whole lies. One of the greatest causes for conflicts and misunderstanding among Christians through the ages has been over enthusiasm for a half truth. People will take an idea that has a portion of the truth and wrap it up in a box and say it is The Truth. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-17

Grace, Mercy & Peace

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Mar 12, 2021

This message is about grace, mercy and peace. When we give or receive grace and mercy, peace will always follow. Likewise, we will never truly have peace without the giving and receiving of grace and mercy.

Grace, Mercy and Peace Scripture: Ephesians 4:32; Romans 1:7; First Corinthians 1:2-3; Philippians 1:2 Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.” The words kind, tenderhearted (compassionate) ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:32, Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:2-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Greatest Joy Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 15, 2021

Jesus was the happiest man in history, and the happiest being in all the universe, because he had the very joy of God.

My wife and I sometimes debate as to which of us loves the other the most, and we each make the claim that “I love you more.” The other responds, “No, I love you more.” It is one of those debates that can never have a winner because there is no love measuring device by which we can measure our ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:9

The Greatest Focus Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 15, 2021

The best sermons, the best books, the best Sunday School lessons, the best Bible studies, the best articles and the best of everything you can hear or read are those things that help you fix your thoughts on Jesus.

There are no end to the things we can think of and focus our attention upon, but the greatest focus of all is to focus our thoughts on Jesus. That is the focus of the Bible from beginning to end. That is to be the focus of all that we do in church, and in all the meetings and activities of the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:1

Rejecting Rejection Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 22, 2021

Jesus was despised and rejected of men, but he was only rejected by the leaders of Israel, and the mob they got to support them. Paul had all this plus. He was rejected all over the world, and not just in Jerusalem and by Jews.

Paul is the most traveled man in the New Testament. He covered much of the known world of his day, and his ambition was to go to the end of the world. The furthest point West that man could then go was Spain. Spain is only mentioned twice in the New Testament, and both times by Paul in Romans 15. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:27-40

Bearing With One Another Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 29, 2021

Because Jesus bears with us, we can bear with one another.

Several weeks ago, Edgewood hosted a simulcast event from Voice of the Martyrs called, “Imprisoned for Christ,” featuring three men who were jailed for Jesus. We were urged to pray for persecuted believers to remain firm and faithful. During this event, I learned of a brand-new book by Todd ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-6, Ephesians 4:2

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of A Missional Church Series

Contributed by Troy Walliser on Nov 5, 2020

We NEED each other to fulfill Christ’s mission. Therefore, our community of faith must be a PRIORITY in our lives.

Marks Of A Missional Church Acts 2:42-47 When Amy and I were first married she worked at Brandon Hospital in Brandon, FL as a Unit Secretary on the Labor/Delivery floor. One of the things she and the other staff observed is what has been called the “lunar effect.” Every month when there was a full ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Baptist

Purpose Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Nov 22, 2020

You can either accept your trials and they will become heavenly blessings or you can fight your trials and they will become heavy burdens.

Over the past three weeks, we’ve been taking a Biblical look at hardship … what the Bible says it is … why we experience hardship … and how we should respond to the trials and challenges of life from a Biblical perspective. God uses the trials and hardships of life to teach us … to help us grow ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Denomination: United Methodist

Psalm 46 Title: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Also Called "A Song Upon Alamoth.”) Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Dec 8, 2020

The next three psalms (Psalm 46, 47, and 48) form a little cluster of prophetic pictures of the kingdom that is coming on this earth. Psalm 46 extols the adequacy of God in facing threats from nature and the nations.

May 29, 2015 Tom Lowe PSALM 46 Title: A Mighty Fortress is Our God (also called “A Song upon Alamoth.”) (To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah) Theme: God is our refuge, a song of the Millennium Psalm 46 (KJV) 1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Evangelism 101 - Part 5 - A Tale Of Two Mountains: Mt. Sinai And Mt. Zion Series

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Dec 17, 2020

In Hebrews chapter 12 there is a particularly encouraging contrast presented.

In Hebrews chapter 12 there is a particularly encouraging contrast presented. * It is a contrast with God as He manifested Himself to people under the Old Covenant and His manifestation under the New Covenant. * It is the contrast of the awesome power, majesty, holiness and wrath of God with ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-19, Revelation 21:2-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible