Sermons on Close Encounter:

Love Your Loserness - James 1:9-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 12, 2021

We all have those areas in our lives where we feel like … losers. Most people respond by trying to feel good about themselves, but there’s a better way.

James 1:9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-11

How Can Anything That Feels So Right Be So Wrong?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 12, 2021

A Valentine's Day message emphasising the sacred nature of marriage.

“God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in his own image, in the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-28

Denomination: Baptist

Chose The Right Friend

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 15, 2019

A study in the book of James 5: 1 – 20

James 5: 1 – 20 Chose the right friend 1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like ...read more

Scripture: James 5:5

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

She Can't Eat The Cake

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 21, 2019

A study in the book of Jeremiah 44: 1 – 30

Jeremiah 44: 1 – 30 She can’t have her cake and eat it too 1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews who dwell in the land of Egypt, who dwell at Migdol, at Tahpanhes, at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying, 2 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘You have seen ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 44:18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Prayer Warriors

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 25, 2019

A study in the book of 2 Chronicles 20: 1 – 37

2 Chronicles 20: 1 – 37 The prayer warriors 20 It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Living At The Centre Of The Universe

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 26, 2019

Christians are secure in Christ. Because this is true, it behooves us to know Him--really know Who He is. The message explores Paul's revelation of Jesus as very God in his letter to the congregation in Colossae.

[1] “[Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Good Counselor

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 31, 2019

A study in the book of 2 Chronicles 24: 1 – 27

2 Chronicles 24: 1 – 27 A good counselor 24 Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. 2 Joash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. 3 And Jehoiada took two wives for ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 24:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How Gideon Formed His Attack On The Enemy Camp Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 9, 2019

Gideon’s battle plan appears to have been carefully worked out, but whether it was beholden to his spiritual illumination we cannot say. But what we can say is that his methods were a type of psychological warfare.

Chapter 25 How Gideon Formed His Attack on the Enemy Camp [Judges 7.16-7.20] Scripture 16 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. 17 And he said unto them, Look on me, and do ...read more

Scripture: Judges 7:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

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

If I Can Catch Covid-19, Can I Catch Health?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 5, 2020

Holiness defines the life of that one who walks with the Lord. Holiness is not caught, it is cultivated. Unrighteousness, however, is contagious.

“On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask the priests about the law: “If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:10-19

Denomination: Baptist

Breakthrough In The Mind Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 12, 2020

We are in a war and for the most part that war is within – in our minds – it’s also in our thoughts and what we set our minds on becomes our reality – our minds dictate how we respond to life, situations and people.

Sermon 2: Breakthrough in the mind! Thesis: We are in a war and for the most part that war is within – in our minds – it’s also in our thoughts and what we set our minds on becomes our reality – our minds dictate how we respond to life, situations and people. We need to have a renewed mind to win ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:2-3, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Colossians 3:1-2, Romans 8:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Fellowship Of The Church Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Jun 16, 2020

We are all called to use our gifts to evangelize the lost

Acts 2:40-47 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:40-47

Denomination: Baptist

Divide And Conquer Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Dec 8, 2017

A study of the book of Acts 22: 30 – 23: 35

Acts 22: 30 – 23: 35 Divide and Conquer 30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them. 23 Then Paul, looking ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

That Form Of Doctrine

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Jul 31, 2015

To establish salvation can only be obtained after a person has obeyed from the heart: “That form of doctrine, which makes them free from their sin.” This lesson establishes that: “That form of doctrine;” includes our death to sin, our burial with Christ; in order to rise, in newness of life.”

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. The Form – Must be Obeyed from the Heart 2. The Form – Makes One Free from Sin 3. The Form – Makes Servants of Righteousness Remarks. 1. In our lesson today we will be discussing: “That form of doctrine.” Paul writes the Romans regarding: “That form of doctrine;” or, Gr., ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:17-18, John 8:31-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prepare His Kingdom Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 14, 2018

To "Prepare His Kingdom" John the Baptist inquiries about Jesus' Kingship through 1) The Request (Matthew 11:2-3), 2) The Reply (Matthew 11:4-6), and 3) The Recognition (Matthew 11:7-11)

Matthew 11:2-11 [2] Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples [3]and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" [4] And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: [5] the blind ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Other