Sermons on Close Encounter:

The Importance Of Personal Evangelism

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 14, 2021

I want you to adopt 3 attitudes to make you a difference-maker and a life-changer. I want you to see three “I am” statements right here: I am under obligation," “I am eager," and I am not ashamed.”

What you have just seen is incredible. This is a public baptism in a nation in SE Asia where other believers have been run out of their village and their homes burned to the ground. This husband and father have recently come to know the Lord after someone personally shared the gospel with him many ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:8-17

Denomination: Baptist

Trouble In My Way

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jun 24, 2021

Many Christians believe that if they are walking in obedience to God then they will be blessed. They define being blessed as a life without troubles. This message is about being blessed despite the troubles we experience.

Trouble In My Way Scripture: Job 14:1; Mark 4:35-41; John 14:1-6; Deut. 28:1-13 I am sure many of you know this….there are Christians who believe that because they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior they will not have troubles in this life. As a matter of fact, they believe that ...read more

Scripture: Job 14:1, John 14:1-6, Deuteronomy 28:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Expectations

Contributed by Bobby Brewer on Jun 27, 2021

Having warned the elders of the Ephesian church about false teachers Paul also provides some final words of encouragement not the least of which is our everlasting inheritance.

OLActs20-Great Expectations Series: Acts: We’re on a Mission from God Message: Great Expectations Text: Acts 20:32-38 Date: June 27, 2021 Big Idea: The Bible talks about there being an inheritance for believers but what exactly does that mean? It was Dr. Seuss who said, “Don’t cry because it’s ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:30-38, Ephesians 1:11, Matthew 25:14-30

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

Kenosis

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Apr 9, 2021

A sermon about becoming nothing in the context of community, specifically how Christ become nothing for our sake and how we should become nothing for the sake of others.

OUTLINE 1. INTRODUCTION: 2. THE HIGHER CALLING – TO BE NOTHING 3. BACKGROUND ON PHILIPPIANS 4. PAUL ADDRESSES POSSIBLE CONFLICT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY 5. PAUL’S APPROACH – HAVE THE ATTITUDE OF CHRIST 6. BECOME NOTHING – KENOSIS EXPLAINED 7. COMMUNITY APPLICATION – HUMILITY, SUBMISSION, AND ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Jesus Mom

Contributed by Steve Malone on May 4, 2021

God chose Mary to be Jesus' mom for some very specific reasons, and this reasons are a great guide and example for mothers today.

Jesus’ Mom NOW - we’ve come together this morning for 2 primary reasons. ONE - is to honor our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ with our worship (and HE so deserves or praise and worship)... AND THE OTHER - is to honor our mothers. YOU KNOW – moms are amazing… I MEAN – when you really think ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-56

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

"He Who Has An Ear, Let Him Hear What The Spirit Says To The Churches.” Part 2

Contributed by Pastor Sam Georgis on Jan 15, 2023

Some opportunities will not be presented for the second time in our lives, so is this opportunity when the lord speak to us might not be repeated again, so I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity

Revelations 3:6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’ Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. I’m sorry ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Christmas That Won’t Disappoint Series

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Dec 26, 2025

No matter how much we enjoy the gifts we receive at Christmas, they will eventually disappoint us, as will everything in this world - possessions, achievements, experiences, and relationships. But when Christ returns, we will find that what God has planned for us will never disappoint us.

All right. Good morning. Did everyone get what they wanted for Christmas? Any surprises? I read an article a while back in which various celebrities were asked to name their most memorable Christmas presents, and the answers might surprise you. These were A-list celebrities; people with money and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:9, Revelation 21:10-21, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Psalm 16:11

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph The Dreamer Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Sep 20, 2021

Joseph was favored by his father, hated by his brothers, but his dreams would lead to his destiny.

No Ordinary Joe: Dreamer Genesis 37:1-11 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 9-19-202 Why Study Joseph? I’m excited to begin a new sermon series on the life of Joseph entitled, “No Ordinary Joe.” Those of you who grew up in church may think you know the story of Joseph but there ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:12-28

Denomination: Baptist

Heaven Exists

Contributed by Dennis King on Sep 22, 2021

Yes, heaven exists but the description of the three (or more) levels of heaven are illusive. Also, do we have bodies there? Are we conscious? Do we have tactile feelings similar to what we experience now?

Heaven Exists Before we get into the existence of heaven, let's consider exactly when do we go? As with numerous Biblical topics, many churches, under Christianity's umbrella, have different beliefs on these topics. The following are my thoughts as reinforced by the specified verses from ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:43, Genesis 1:14-18, Revelation 22:1-2, Hebrews 12:1-29

Denomination: Baptist

Ready. Set. Go! Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Sep 26, 2021

Suppose that the Lord Jesus chose this very moment to return. Would you be ready? Our objective as Christians is not merely to be included in the Rapture but to bring as many people with us as we can. My eternal hope and my ongoing prayer is that neither you nor I get “left behind.”

One day a pastor was flying home from a speaking engagement. During the flight he observed one of the pilots flirting and chatting it up with one of the women flight attendants. He also noticed that the pilot was wearing a wedding ring and the flight attendant was not. As he watched the couple ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, John 14:2-4, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, Matthew 24:38-42, Matthew 24:6-8, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Revelation 3:10, Matthew 26:31-33, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist