Sermons on Close Encounter:

Give Up Hope

Contributed by John Covell on Oct 17, 2001

My goal is for you to become hopeless-give up hope of changing the past, give up hope of changing what others have done to us, and give up hope of changing ourselves.

Hopeless. Have you ever felt like that? Totally without hope? You tried everything you could think of, you’re at the end of your rope, with no more solutions in sight and you wonder—am I hopeless? Now, I hope that the video and the actors didn’t make you think we’re down on counseling—we’re not. I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:21-43

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Are We Dependent On The Spirit For Renewal

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 23, 2001

Why are we dependent on the Spirit for renewal? He renews with His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Only His renewal makes us sufficient for life’s challenges.

Titus 3:5 Theme - We are continually dependent on the Spirit’s ministry of renewal. Why are some believers lacking a fresh sense of cleansing, hope, and love? Freedom from sin’s oppression requires a continual application of the Spirit’s grace. Illustration: Sometime back the Associated Press ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Principles Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Jun 8, 2001

Do you obtain little or no results fron your prayers? This could be why!

THE PRINCIPLES OF PRAYER In the book of James, we read about a wonderful qualification on 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. The above passage says the ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Day Of Rememberance

Contributed by Leslie Trombly on Jun 22, 2001

The Story of Esther and the Day of Purim - Day of Rememberance.

From the Book of Esther: ------------------------- THE STORY OF PURIM - A Day of Rememberance THE MEGILAH BEGINS BY INFORMING US THAT ITS HISTORICAL CONTEXT IS THE PERSIA-MEDIA OF KING ACHASHVEROSH, WHO THEN RULED OVER THE EMPIRE. THAT EMPIRE ENCOMPASSED ONE HUNDRED TWENTY SEVEN STATES AND ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Perplexing Questions

Contributed by Larry Soblotne on Nov 28, 2001

When adversity strikes in our lives we usually have two questions: "why is this happening to me" and "why don’t the unsaved seem to have any problems"?

TWO PERPLEXING QUESTIONS TEXT: Job 1:6-22, 2:1-10 & Psalm 73:1-28 PROPOSITION: We need to trust the Lord in all of life’s circumstances. INTRODUCTION: This week I heard of a man from Jordan, a Christian who came to the United States, went through seminary, even got his doctor’s degree in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Plastic Surgery

Contributed by Kelvin Parks on Nov 29, 2001

The potter wants to put you back together again.

PLASTIC SURGERY Isaiah 64:4-8 Text: verse 8 Song: Amazing Grace (page 132) 1. Amazing grace - how sweet the sound - That saved a wretch like me! - I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see. 2. Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; - How precious ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:4-8

Denomination: Baptist

"Faithful In Temptation"

Contributed by Steve Malone on Dec 3, 2001

Joseph in this message teaches us how to overocme temptation.

Faithful In Temptation Joseph part three Many years ago, Indian youths would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley, green with trees, bright with flowers. There he fasted. But on the third day, as he looked up at the surrounding mountains, he ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When God Calls Us To Suffer Series

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 27, 2006

How does suffering fit into God’s good plan for my life?

When Life Gets Rough “Suffering” When God calls us to suffer 1 Peter 1:6-7 Life ought to come with a list of side effects. There should be a tag on every newborn baby saying life can be full of fun and adventure and excitement and joy, but there are side effects. There’s illness . . abuse . . . ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-7

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Faithful Mother Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 6, 2011

1) Authority (2 Timothy 1:1–2a), 2) Altruism (2 Timothy 1:2b), 3) Appreciation 2 Timothy 1:3a), 4) Appeal (2 Timothy 1:3b), 5) Affection (2 Timothy 1:4), and 6) Affirmation (2 Timothy 1:5).

You can tell a lot about a relationship by the way people address each other. One of the most ironic of addresses is the "dear sir/madam" form letter address. In no way can someone be described as "dear" if we do not even know their name. When we give mother’s day cards, one of the basic addresses ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-5

Denomination: Other

Honoring God’s Investment-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Nov 14, 2011

1 of 2. Paul reminded Timothy of the gravity behind God’s investment in us. We must recognize the significance/gravity of God’s investment. But When does this happen? When we are Thankful. We honor God’s investment thru Thankfulness for...

HONORING GOD’s INVESTMENT-I—1Timothy 1:12-17 Attention: Father Takes a Needle for His Fearful Son Recently I was sitting in a doctor's office with one of my young sons, & the nurse wanted to draw blood from him for a test. As you can imagine, he did not want to have his blood drawn. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

“mountain With The Best View” Series

Contributed by Grant Macdonald on Nov 17, 2011

Sometimes something happens that is so startling that it opens your eyes to what was there, but hidden, and it forever changes the world!

I remember it like it was just a few moments ago. It was a beautiful clear, sunny Tuesday morning and I had a meeting with Jay and Colette about their mission work in Poland. Jay came running into my office and told me to look on the internet because something big was happening in New York City. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Church Letter Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 19, 2011

Promoting the practise of exchanging church letters as a mark of respect for sister congregations.

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.” On one occasion during a pastorate in Coquitlam, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Matthew 5:31-32 What God Has Joined Together Series

Contributed by Thomas H on Nov 24, 2011

Matthew 5:31-32 What God has joined together

Matthew 5:31-32, 19:3-10 with 1 Corinthians 7:10-15 What God has joined together Manuscript Well today we have finally arrived, for some, the most anticipated sermon of the year, delayed by one week because of volcanic ash-cloud! Yes, today we have arrived at the famous verse in Matthew 5 about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

Tell It To The Church Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 26, 2011

The missing component of the contemporary church may well be discipline. The message explores the purpose and implementation of discipline in the church.

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Baptist

Practiced For God’s Visitation-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Nov 29, 2011

2 of 2. John’s audience sought & received practical application in preparing for God’s visitation. How can we be practiced for God’s visitation? Practicing for God’s visit requires...

PRACTICING For GOD’s VISITATION-II—Luke 3:10-14 Attention: People who are Practiced(experienced) at their job. Had done this before & were thus prepared. Need: If God were to come in absolute power, I don’t know that I’m ready for His arrival. I am unprepared for His ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:10-14

Denomination: Baptist