Sermons on Close Encounter:

Unanswered Prayer Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

Jesus tells it like it is in the world of prayer, and in so doing He complicates things, and forces us to wrestle with the conditions for answered prayer.

The story is told of a Russian scientist who was found guilty of a crime against the state. He was sentenced to a prison in the middle of a desert. His cell mate was another scientist. He was determined to escape, and he urged his cell mate to join him, but he refused. After much planning he did ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-14

Hidden Talents

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Mar 30, 2021

This sermon unpacks the parable of the talents and how our God-given talents are to be creatively used in various ways to advance his Kingdom building agenda.

OUTLINE 1.INTRODUCTION - OUTREACH DEFINED 2. THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS – OVERVIEW 3. APPLICATION – LESSONS REGARDING USING OUR “TALENTS” A) God owns everything so everything we have is on loan from Him B) God gives talents according to our ability C) God expects you to use them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Christian Church

Real Faith Grows In Hard Times Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Mar 31, 2021

Real Faith Grows in Hard Times Series: Real Faith (in the Book of James) Brad Bailey – Sept. 13, 2020

Real Faith Grows in Hard Times Series: Real Faith (in the Book of James) Brad Bailey – Sept. 13, 2020 Intro Hey everybody. I’m so glad you’re a part of this gathering. I’m excited to launch our new Fall series and focus today. As I shared last week...I believe this season of changes and ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fratricide Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 18, 2020

Anger against fellow Christians destroys the Faithful, and especially does it destroy the one harbouring the hatred.

“Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, ‘I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.’ And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Pain, Perseverance, And Pure Joy - James 1:2-4 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 13, 2020

When James commands us to consider it pure joy when we suffer, does that mean we are to pretend we are happy when we aren’t?

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Introduction: Perseverance Years ago ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

The Glorious Church Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 25, 2020

1) The Manner of Christ's Love (Ephesians 5:25–31) and 2) The Motive of Christ's Love (Ephesians 5:32-33) for His "Glorious Church".

Ephesians 5:25-33 [25] Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-33

Denomination: Other

The Passions Of Christ Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Oct 29, 2020

When you uncover the things that people are passionate about… and see the things that they ‘willingly’ give their – time, energy, resources and efforts too, you will learn a lot about that person. Same is true of Jesus.

The PassionS Of Christ I Want To Know Christ!!! – week three THIS MORNING – I want to start off our time together by reading a several New Testament passages that are basically doxologies… NOW - the word doxology comes from a combination of the two Greek words, doxa meaning glory, honor or ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:9-18, John 2:14-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Cheating The Labourer Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 31, 2020

James cautions us against cheating those to whom we are indebted. The message explores some of the parameters of this admonition.

“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Friend Of God’s People - James 2:25-26 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 6, 2021

This sermon shows how differently God sees people than we do. By our standards, Abraham and Rahab couldn’t be more different. For God, they are the same.

James 2:20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by ...read more

Scripture: James 2:25-26

The World’s Most Dangerous Profession - James 3:1-2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 23, 2021

This passage stands out because teaching is so highly valued throughout the New Testament. Why is it discouraged here? James considered himself a teacher and was teaching even as he penned these words about not many should be teachers.

James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. Introduction: We Talk a ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-2

We Need 50/20 Vision - Genesis 50 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Sep 24, 2021

Every one of us has past events that have the potential to rob us of vibrant life.

Every one of us has past events that have the potential to rob us of vibrant life. Now I'm going to say that again. Every one of us has past events in our lives that have the potential to rob us of vitality in our lives. I'll just give you some examples. You can put in what you need for ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Do We Believe Him? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 1, 2021

If we take responsibility for ourselves at the Lord's Table, it will not be necessary for Him to discipline us. Let us approach Him with reverence and awe as we worship.

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

Hostile Desires - James 4:1-3 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 3, 2021

If you struggle with anger or are having conflicts with people, this is an important message for you. It shows how good desires become hostile desires and how to fix the problem.

James 4:1 What causes wars and battles among you? Don’t they come from your desires that wage war within you? 2 You covet something but don’t get it – you murder. And you envy, but you cannot have [what you want] - you battle and war. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 When you ask, you do ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-3

Grace For The Humble - James 4:6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 3, 2021

What could be more important than gaining the one quality that determines whether God gives you grace or fights against you?

James 4: 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Introduction Listen very carefully to these words I am about to read because Jesus said your eternal destiny depends on whether you understand them. Matthew 18:1 At that time ...read more

Scripture: James 4:6

This Kind...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 15, 2021

Christians are at war with an unseen, though extremely powerful, enemy. We are, however, not defenseless. We are given authority over the enemy, if we will invoke our rights given in Christ.

“When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. And he asked them, ‘What are you arguing about with them?’ And someone from the crowd ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Baptist