Sermons on Close Encounter:

6 Elements To Warfare Prayer Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 1, 2022

Daniel prayed with resolve—he set his face. He prayed with tremendous reflection—he looked upon God. I hate to say, and so much of my prayer is casual prayer, prayer that comes with almost a take-it-or-leave-it attitude. God is calling us at this late hour to pray with serious concentration.

Americans are riddled with anxiety. Many of you are full of anxious thoughts throughout the night. Many of us feel an impending sense of danger just around the corner. For some, this apprehension is about their jobs, their marriage and their children. Most of us think if we had a little more money, ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 9:3-19

Denomination: Baptist

Overcoming The Thieves Of Joy

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Jun 15, 2022

It’s through the peace of God that our hearts and minds are guarded from anxiety and worry. When we pursue a conscious rejection of all that is not consistent with the mind of Christ, we begin to experience more exalted thoughts.

A Desire for Unity "Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ezra Part 2 (Nasb)

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Jun 24, 2022

Chapters 6-10

Darius Finds Cyrus’ Decree 6:1 Then King Darius issued a decree, and a search was conducted in the [a]archives, where the treasures were stored in Babylon. (IRAQ - I SPENT 2 MONTHS AT ABU GHRAIB, 4 MONTHS AT CROPPER / BUCCA PRISONS.) 2 And in [b]Ecbatana, in the fortress which is in the province ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard

Can You Be Righteous, And Look Down On People? (Luke 18:1-14) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Apr 3, 2022

Also, don't get discouraged, or stop praying. A look at two parables, with a trick to reading them better.

When it comes to the Bible, most of us have favorite parts. For some of you, it's maybe a book-- Psalms, or Matthew. For others, it's maybe a type of literature-- prophecy. We know the whole Bible is inspired. We know it's useful. We read it all. But some parts, we enjoy more than ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-14, Luke 5:27-32

Jesus And The Black Sheep (John 21:1-25) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Apr 23, 2022

Jesus knows what Peter did, and restores him, and commissions him. Jesus leaves no sheep behind. Also, the two words for love don't matter at all-- Peter isn't trying to trick Jesus.

Let's start today by rereading our passage from two weeks ago, John 20:19-23: (19) Then, when it was evening on that day-- the first day of the week, and the doors having been shut where the disciples were because of fear of the Judeans-- Jesus came, and he stood in their midst, and he says to ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-25

1 John Overview

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Jan 14, 2022

An introduction and overview of the most common concepts of 1 John.

1st John Introduction and Overview I. The Penman – Apostle John – The Beloved A. Writings: 1. Gospel of John (Saint John) 2. 1st John 3. 2nd John 4. 3rd John 5. Revelations -- Written around 95 AD B. John – from Hebrew Johanan – Yahweh has been gracious C. History: 1. Son ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Unrepentant Sin Can't Be Tolerated Among Us (1 Corinthians 5:1-13) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 1, 2022

We must live in purity and truth, as a people dedicated to God, who celebrate Jesus as our Passover lamb. We live unleavened lives.

Starting in chapter 5, Paul begins addressing specific issues in the Corinthian church. Some of these issues have been reported to him by members of the church. Other issues are questions that the church has brought to him. And so Paul works his way through the questions, one at a time. In ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

The Wonder Of Christmas – Philippians 2:5-11 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Feb 2, 2022

What God wants to do in our lives is something that's just, well, it's wondrous. Now when we do get this idea, we get the wonder of Christmas, when we realize that God came down to earth, we recognize that God was 100% God and 100% man in Jesus Christ

Philippians 2:5-11 Series: Choosing Joy in a Post-Traumatic World I think that there's a lot of confusion associated around Christmas in the lives of people. You've got this very, very significant event of Christmas, while at the same time almost a carnival atmosphere going on in society. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Paul’s Charge Concerning The Offender Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 1, 2018

After explaining in general terms why he had delayed his trip to Corinth (see 1:12-2:2), Paul addressed the specific confrontation that most likely had led to his decision to cancel his visit.

April 4, 2014 Tom Lowe The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians Lesson II.A.2: Paul’s Charge Concerning the Offender. (2:5–11) 2nd Corinthians 2:5-11 (NKJV) 5 But if anyone has caused grief, he has not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Commitment

Contributed by Peter Toy on Apr 17, 2018

The introductory sermon on a series on the book of Ruth. The outline is: 1. Follow God, not food. 2. Don’t blame God for our bad choices. 3. Our life can change lives. 4. When we commit ourselves to God, He commits Himself to us.

The Beauty of Commitment - Ruth 1:1-22 BTBC - April 21, 2013 There is power in commitment. Let me show you a short video clip from the movie, “The Fellowship of the Rings” (show video). What did you think of Sam when you saw that video clip? Weren’t you impressed? Didn’t you wish you had a friend ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Do We Really Want God To Forgive Our Debts As We Forgive Our Debtors?

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 29, 2018

If we want to be forgiven, we must forgive the sins of others against us.

This morning, we will be hiking through some challenging spiritual terrain, but I promise that the destination will be worth the journey. I’d like to talk about one thing, one critical thing, that if done or not done can make or break a marriage, make or break a family, make or break a friendship, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35, Matthew 6:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Dangers Of Self-Indulgence Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 1, 2019

How I steward my wealth reveals my spiritual health.

The Dangers of Self-Indulgence James 5:1-6 Rev. Brian Bill March 30-31, 2019 When I was about 12 years old I was asked if I would be interested in cleaning out the house of a woman who had passed away. I eagerly agreed, thinking this would be an easy way to make some shekels. I wasn’t prepared ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

What The Bible Teaches About Gambling

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Oct 28, 2021

The purpose of this course is to make today’s Christians think about some of the things we are facing in our society as Christians. Christian people should be “thinking” people when it comes to the issues we face in our society.

For example, as Christians: • We can not allow others to do our thinking for us when it comes to deciding what is RIGHT and what is WRONG. • We can not just ignore these issues we face and hope they will go away. Through the ages of time, God’s people have had to face difficult situations in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 13:11

Denomination: Baptist

Give Thanks Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 9, 2020

1) When (Ephesians 5:20a), 2) For what (Ephesians 5:20b), 4) To whom (Ephesians 5:20c), and finally 3) How the Spirit–filled believer is to be thankful (Ephesians 5:20d),.

Ephesians 5:20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (ESV) People may have one of three possible attitudes about thanksgiving. 1) The first is that it is Unnecessary. Some people are not thankful simply because they think they deserve ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:20

Denomination: Other

The Greatness Of Melchizedek’s Order In Relation To The Levitical Priesthood Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Oct 25, 2020

In this section, the writer took his argument one step further. Not only is Melchizedek greater than Aaron, but Melchizedek has replaced Aaron! It is no longer “the order of Aaron” or “the order of Levi.” It is forever “the order of Melchizedek.”

3/13/20 Tom Lowe The Levitical Priesthood The Levitical Priesthood traces through the three sons of Levi, through the Sadducees until it went extinct at the death of Christ, when it was replaced with the Priesthood of Christians which endures until the second coming. Lesson #23 [ID5b] The ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 7:11-28

Denomination: Baptist