Sermons on Close Encounter:

Seasons Series

Contributed by Ken Ritz on Mar 1, 2016

Part one of a 3 part series leading up to Christmas. Ecclesiastes talks about the seasons of our lives.

Times And Seasons part 1 One of the questions I get most often is, Why can’t I understand what God is doing in my life? It seemed like God was blessing me before, but now he isn't. It seems like my prayers were being answered before, now they aren't. Things used to be easy, now its ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Remnant Of Israel Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 21, 2017

God is glorified in His: 1) Sovereignty (Romans 11:25–26a), in 2) Integrity Romans 11:26b–29), and in His 3) Generosity (Romans 11:30–32).

This week, the United States and Israel decided to pull out of UNESCO over its perceived anti-Israel bias. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization was founded in 1945 following World War II to promote world peace through culture. Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:25-32

Denomination: Other

Parables Of The Unjust Steward, Rich Man And Lazarus Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Oct 25, 2017

Some people think that anyone Jesus mentions in a parable is a hero or an example of a noble character. If that’s what you think, then be prepared for a shock, because two of these men are really bad characters.

Perea Parables of the Unjust Steward, Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:1-31 Parable of the Unjust Stewart This parable has been greatly misunderstood, and one of the reasons is because it looks as though our Lord is commending a crook. The steward is a full-blown crook. Some people think that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

Called To Service

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 4, 2017

This message examines Isaiah's call to ministry and his response, then applies principles to God's call on each of our lives. Isaiah's experience with the Lord, recorded in chapter 6, had a lasting effect on his life and ministry.

Called into Service (10-25-15 www.LifeChurchSpringfield.org) Our text this morning is in Isaiah chapter 6. Please turn there in your Bibles. I want to talk about the call of God on your life. God’s calling on your life is more important than your career. Your career may have something to do with ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-13, John 12:41, Isaiah 30:10-11

Denomination: Charismatic

Does The Virgin Birth Matter? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 2, 2017

The virgin birth is necessary if prophecy is to be fulfilled. Satan sought to usurp the place of God, appropriating worship to himself. Though he did deceive our first mother, God intervened to ensure that he could not destroy mankind.

“The LORD God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

A Biblical Framework For Wealth

Contributed by Dave Ramsey on May 13, 2014

We are called to be a blessing with our finances.

Introduction: How do I keep wealth from ruining my family? A weird thing happened to me. I did very well starting from nothing. I graduated from college with nothing, got married with nothing, and got rich-at least by a kid from Antioch, Tennessee, standards. I had about $4 million worth of real ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God: Is Israel Still Special To You Today? Series

Contributed by Philip Martin on Apr 12, 2016

Does the nation of Israel have a special place in God's heart, does it play an important part of the end times?

God: Is Israel still special to you today? Jer. 31:10 1. If you pick up a Bible or a newspaper on any given day, and read it long enough, you can rest assured that you will read something about the Nation of Israel. Contrary to what politicians and pundits may say, Israel, not the United ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:1-34

Denomination: Baptist

Pentecost.

Contributed by Claude Alexander on May 31, 2017

The Day of Pentecost. The birth of the Church where the Jew and the Gentile worship God as one body.

Day of Pentecost. Leviticus 23 Verses 15-21 Introduction The Bible is a remarkable book made up of 66 books in two major divisions. Both Old and New Testaments are equally and totally inspired by God. The apostle Paul wrote " For whatever was written in the past was written for our ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 23:15-22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Where Do We Turn In Troubled Times? Series

Contributed by E. True Neilson on Dec 15, 2014

At first glance the book of Numbers reads a bit like an operations manual. It’s got numbers of soldiers, lists of names, and a bit of repetition. Tucked between those lists and numbers are some stories of real people, dealing with real issues of faith!

WHERE DO WE TURN IN TROUBLED TIMES? Numbers 22 ***This message tagteam preached with Doug (layperson in our church) -In 2006 there were two movies made about the Battle of Iwo Jima. WW2 -Both movies were directed by Clint Eastwood. -The first movie was called Flags of Our Fathers and was released ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Half Hearted And Hating It Series

Contributed by Chris Kelly on May 29, 2014

Many times we're not overcoming the weaknesses in our lives and inhabiting the land God has given us because of the same excuses Israel made for not overcoming the land God gave them. Learn how to inhabit your inheritance!

Turn to bibles…Judges 1-2:5 Started a new series in the book of Judges. The Book of Judges begins with a series of victories and defeats that took place “After the death of Joshua”. The boundary lines for the twelve tribes had been determined years before (Josh. 13–22), ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

Out With The Old – In With The New Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Oct 4, 2015

A study of the book of Hebrews 8: 1 – 13

Hebrews 8: 1 – 13 Out With The Old – In With The New 1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, Who Is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 8:1-13

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Caiaphas

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Apr 23, 2017

The High Priest who compared Jesus to the Scapegoat.

Who was Caiaphas? First, let me introduce you to the central player in this drama – a man named Caiaphas. According to Josephus (Antiquities, XVIII, iv, 3), Caiaphas was appointed High-Priest of the Jews by the Roman procurator Valerius Gratus, the predecessor of Pontius Pilate, about A.D. 18 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-5, Matthew 26:57-68

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Healing In The Old Testament

Contributed by Dr. William D. Poovey on Apr 29, 2017

HEALING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:1-11 we learn that God can heal terminal illness and add years to life (see also 2 Chronicles 32:24-26 and Isaiah 38:1-12,16) Chronicles 6:26-31. II Chronicles 20:9 promises that God hears when we cry in affliction. In 2 Chronicles 16, you can read the story of Asa who died ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 20:1

Denomination: Foursquare

Does Prayer Even Work

Contributed by Jeff Poor on May 11, 2017

Prayer isn't a wish list. Prayer isn't a formal conversation. Pray is a vulnerable, honest, and raw conversation with God. God doesn't want the information, He wants the conversation.

Title: Does Prayer Even Work? Text: Matthew 6:5-13 Bottom Line: Prayer isn’t a wish list, it’s the foundation to a relationship. Intro A couple years ago I was asked to be in a wedding in Iowa. An other buddy of mine was also in the wedding and we decided we would fly out a day or two early and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13, Psalm 22:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Am The Light Of The World Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Sep 27, 2020

Jesus declares that He is the light of the World - He is God, Messiah, Leader, and Guide.

I AM: The Light of the World John 8:12-21 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 9-30-2020 Darkness that can be felt When I was a kid, my parents took me to Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. On the tour, we stopped and the guide told us that they were going to turn out of the lights. He ...read more

Scripture: John 7:35-37, John 8:12

Denomination: Baptist