Sermons on Close Encounter:

What's This Church Thing All About Anyway

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Feb 24, 2020

Some people come to church Sunday after Sunday, you sit here and listen to me preach sermon after sermon. Yet people wonder what church is all about? Why do we go to church? No doubt you may have heard this - Is church relevant in this day & age?

“What’s this Church thing all about Anyway” By Bishop M.L. Maughmer, Jr. WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? Some people come to church Sunday after Sunday, you sit here and listen to me preach sermon after sermon. You hear me stress how important it is to come to Bible Class and Sunday school, the Bible says ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:24, Ephesians 1:22-23

Denomination: Apostolic

Ic3a]: Israel In The Wilderness Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 26, 2020

Today's lesson concerns the exodus from Egypt and the Israelites’ unbelief. Because of their neglect to hear God’s message they delayed at the border. Because the people went backward in unbelief, instead of foreword in faith, they missed their inheritance and died in the wilderness.

6/30/19 Tom Lowe Lesson #12 [IC3a]: Israel in the Wilderness (HEBREWS 3:6b-11) Context: The context is the exodus from Egypt and the Israelites’ experience of unbelief in the wilderness. Because of their neglect to hear God’s message they delayed at the border. Because the people went ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson #14 [ic3c]: Warning Against Not Entering God’s Rest Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Oct 15, 2020

What determines whether someone who hears the gospel actually enters God’s rest? We do not have to ponder this question because He gives us the answer in John 3:16. [“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”]

11/6/19 Tom Lowe Lesson #14 [IC3c]: Warning Against Not Entering God’s Rest (HEBREWS 4:3-13) Scripture: Hebrews 4:3-4:13 (NIV) 3. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’?” And yet his works have been ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:3-13

Denomination: Baptist

Strong In The Lord Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 30, 2020

Five things believers must be ready for in order to be “Strong in the Lord”.

Ephesians 6:10-13 [10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-13

Denomination: Other

Mission Opposition Series

Contributed by Troy Walliser on Nov 5, 2020

As we SURRENDER our will to the Spirit of God, He will EMBOLDEN us to faithful testimony for Christ, even in the face of opposition.

Mission Opposition Acts 4:1-22 As we continue our study this morning through the book of Acts we have seen the fledgling congregation in Jerusalem experience tremendous gains. The Holy Spirit descended upon them in power on Pentecost Sunday which resulted in the mighty wonders of God being ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

A Holiday For Fools

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 31, 2018

Who is a fool? The one who worships a living Saviour? Or the one who says he needs no god? The message is a presentation of the reasonable position of worshipping Christ who conquered death.

“Fools say to themselves, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt and commit evil deeds; not one of them practices what is good. “The LORD looks down from the heavens upon humanity to see if anyone shows discernment as he searches for God. All have turned away, together they have become corrupt; ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Risen

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 31, 2018

The significance of the “Risen” Christ is clearly proclaimed in Luke 24:1-12 as seen by: 1) The Empty Tomb (Luke 24:1–3), 2) The Angelic Messengers (Luke 24:4–7), 3) The Witness of the Women (Luke 24:8–10), and 4) The Unbelieving Disciples (Luke 24:11–12)

The pyramids of Egypt are famous because they contain the mummified bodies of ancient Egyptian kings. Westminster Abbey in London is renowned, because in it rest the bodies of English nobles and notables. Mohammed’s tomb is noted for the stone coffin and the bones which it contains. Arlington ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Other

Number 3 The Faithfulness God Series

Contributed by Thomas Leach on Mar 20, 2019

The God we worship… Is not only Holy…… but he’s FAITHFUL as well…………… Even in some of the absolute worst times in your life….. GOD is faithful……..

Last week we covered the holiness of God and what it should mean to us……. for GOD to be HOLY………. And so…. This morning I want to introduce you to a man named …. Jeremiah…….. We’ve all heard of him…… Im sure that some of you have possibly even read his book……. But do we really know that much ...read more

What You Looking At? Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Mar 27, 2019

In this message we will talk about how to overcome discouragement

Hey, What Are You Looking At? GOOD MORNING MGCC Stuff from worship songs… OKAY – last week we wrapped up a 4 week series called, The last 4 weeks have been awesome as we have talked about… • Reversing Anxiety (C.A.L.M.S.) • Moving Beyond Insecurity (R.U.N.) • Getting Over Our Hurt ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:12-13, Psalm 42:5-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hosea And The Atonement

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Apr 1, 2019

The picture of the atonement in Hosea 3:4.

Hosea and the atonement. Hosea 3:4 The excesses of the carnival of Christmas and New Year are over and now the period of abstinence has begun. This period is leading up to Christianity’s most holy day, Easter, is the 40-day period called Lent, when pledges are made to give up everything from ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 3:4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Love Is Not Easily Angered Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jan 28, 2020

In this conversation we unpack 6 keys that will help us live out, love is not easily angered.

Love Is Not Easily Angered OKAY - Thursday morning as I was sitting at my desk working on today’s message (our 7th in our series, LoveIs)… HEY – quick question, is anyone out there being challenged like I have been, during these conversations? Wow, this LoveIs thing is LIKE, the real deal, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:5, Ephesians 4:26, Proverbs 29:22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In The Name Of God Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 1, 2015

God's name is not to be taken lightly

Series: Big 10 (based on a series by James Merritt) “IN THE NAME OF GOD” EXODUS 20:7 OPEN We’re continuing on today in our series: Big 10. Today’s message is “In the Name of God.” Names are used for identification. How hard would it be to have a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

One Way

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 19, 2020

A study in the book of 1 Corinthians 1: 18 – 31

1 Corinthians 1: 18 – 31 One Way 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 20 Where is the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:27

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

A Mother's Love

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Aug 31, 2020

It takes a special kind of woman to be what the Bible defines as a mother.

There is a common myth among women that says “having children makes one a mother.” This notion is as silly as believing that having a piano makes one a musician. That’s because it takes a special kind of woman to be what the Bible defines as a mother. The biblical word translated “mother” is the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Bigger Is Better

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Aug 31, 2020

The needs of the body of Christ are abundant but God has taken care of that by strategically positioning the members in the body in order to meet the needs.

Have you ever done any renovation? I remember a friend of mine who was good at renovating--sometimes too good. He and his wife bought an old house in Catonsville and began to renovate it. He was the kind of guy that would go into a job with a sledgehammer, smashing all the old stuff, making way ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:20-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible