Sermons on Close Encounter:

Evangelizing Our Community

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Dec 31, 2020

As we begin a new year I customarily preach one or two messages that help to give us direction for the coming months. This year will be no different.

As we begin a new year I customarily preach one or two messages that help to give us direction for the coming months. This year will be no different. Last year God began to sharpen our focus on evangelism and we ended the year in a big way— By the grace of God we began to lay the foundations for ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Revival Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 31, 2020

How God uses 1) The Preaching of the Word (Ezekiel 37:1-6), 2) The Prayer of God’s Servant (Ezekiel 37:7-9), and 3) The Power of the Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 37:5-14) to accomplish Revival.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Other

Our Times Are In God’s Hands! Series

Contributed by Thomas Fortini on Jan 11, 2021

A study of the concept that “Your Times are In His Hands,” that is set forth in Psalm 31:15, can provide you with a comfort, and a confidence that will help you to face the new year!

Topic: Sunday Sermon Series - Palms for the New Year Title: Our Times are in God’s Hands! (Part 1) Text: Psalm 31:14-15 - Begin message by reading Psalm 31:1-15 Intro: Since the beginning of the new year, we have been considering the topic of time. The bible has much to say about it. One of the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 31:1-15

Renew Pt. 3 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 17, 2021

We need to be renewed by connecting or re-connecting with the Lord this year in 2021. To do this requires a renewed mind, a renewed soul and a renewed passion for Jesus.

Series: Renew 2021 Thesis: We need to be renewed by connecting or re-connecting with the Lord this year in 2021. To do this requires a renewed mind, a renewed soul and a renewed passion for Jesus. Key theme Scriptures Verse for the year: “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:30-31, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The God Who Gives - James 1:5-8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 28, 2021

Why are there so many times when we pray for wisdom and then end up making unwise choices?

Introduction Review I hope these last few weeks that we have spent together in James 1 have been as helpful to you as they have for me. God has really spoken to me in some powerful ways through this text. I was gone last week so I’ll just refresh your memory a bit. When you face hardship in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5-8

Finding Freedom From Yourself Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Feb 3, 2021

One of the greatest obstacles to you finding freedom in a world that seeks to bind you…. IS YOU!

Finding Freedom From Yourself One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. AND BTW MGCC - that is a really good thing to do at times. To leave the noise and the crowd (yeah, they’ll be fine without you) and to get alone with God. IN FACT – for some in this room that is exactly what you need to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Moving Toward Spiritual Discernment-10

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 9, 2021

10 of ? The apostle John sheds light on the need for Spiritual Discernment in the Church. Spiritual Discernment is a necessity in the Church. But How is it to be achieved/accomplished? Moving(yourself, the Church, & others) toward spiritual discernment recognizes...

MOVING TOWARD SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT-X —1John 3:23-24(3:19-24) of(3:10--4:21) Attention: A woman rushes to see her doctor, looking very worried & frantic. On the verge of tears, she rattles off, “Doctor, take a look at me. When I woke up this morning, I looked at myself in the mirror & saw ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Thankful Prayer - Philippians 4:5-7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 16, 2022

Three strategies for fighting the bad kind of anxiety

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:5-7

The Book Of Revelation (Revelation 3)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 22, 2022

In Revelation chapter one we saw the Lord walking among the seven golden candlesticks (Seven Churches).

In Chapter two we saw Him inspecting four of these churches. These were the church of: 1) Church of Ephesus 2) Church of Smyrna 3) Church of Pergamos 4) Church of Thyatira Today in chapter three we again want to walk with the Lord as He walks among these churches. He will be walking among the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Rabbit Trail Week #1: The Burnt Offering (Leviticus 1:1-9) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Apr 24, 2022

Unpacking what the burnt offering is, how to do it, why, and what we can learn as Christians from it. Using Exodus 20:4 as a launch point, as part of my Exodus series.

Today, I want to start a two week rabbit trail on the topic of OT sacrifice. I should warn you, up front, that this is the most complicated thing I've ever tried to work through in biblical studies. I'll do my best to explain it as simply as possible, and hide as much of the hard stuff as ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 1:1-9, 2 Chronicles 29:20-36, Numbers 15:1-4

The Full Course Of Repentacillin - James 4:8-10 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 30, 2022

What happens when repentance is not thorough? The same thing that happens when you take only a half course of penicillin

James 4:5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he caused to live in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will ...read more

Scripture: James 4:8-10

Sarah Laughed

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 7, 2022

Sarah Laughed in unbelief, but God transformed her unbelief, changing her laughter to the expression of joy. God longs to transform the one who is honest before Him.

“[The angels charged with the destruction of Sodom] said to [Abraham], ‘Where is Sarah your wife?’ And he said, ‘She is in the tent.’ The LORD said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:9-15

Denomination: Baptist