Sermons on Close Encounter:

The Song Of Solomon - Introduction - A Comprehensive And Contemplative Verse-By-Verse Study Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Sep 28, 2024

The Bible unveils the ultimate purpose of humanity's creation at the very end. It reveals the day when the Bride of Christ meets her heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus, and the marriage covenant is established.

Series/Class Objective The Song of Solomon is a passionate love song between Solomon and the Shulamite woman- representing Jesus and His Bride – Us! Christians serve the Beautiful God who is “altogether lovely” (V.5:16 KJV) and who desires to ravish them with passionate love. God is calling ...read more

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

The Servant Of Isaiah 49 In Luke-Acts Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 19, 2024

Part 2 of a rabbit trail exploring how the servant's calling is picked up not just by Jesus, but also by Ananias, Paul and Barnabas, in Acts. We are all to be lights, and "salvation," up to the ends of the earth.

Two weeks ago, we worked our way through Isaiah 49:1-6. When I taught on it, I said that these are the words of God's exilic prophet. The prophet feels like his ministry has been a waste of his time and energy. It's accomplished nothing. And God responds to him, not by arguing with him, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-6, Luke 2:25-34, Luke 9:28-36, Acts 22:6-16, Acts 13:44-50  (view more)  (view less)

What Are You Worried About? - Matthew 6:25-26 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 6, 2024

Your Father (not nature) feeds billions of birds every day and you are worth far more than the birds, therefore you have nothing to worry about.

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-26

The Assurance Of The Secret Place

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 9, 2024

Trouble comes into each life, even the life of the Christian. When trouble comes, the child or God will seek a refuge. The Psalmist points to the Lord God as the refuge for all who are redeemed.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? “When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Your Superpower - 2 Peter 1:3 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 10, 2024

It’s always a fun question to ask, “If you could have one superpower, what would you want it to be?” But the far more important question is this: “What would you do with it?” If God gave you unlimited access to divine power for the next 30 days, how would you use it?

Look at the first three words of 2 Peter 1:3 "His divine power …." That’s an awesome set of words—His divine power. They’re awesome words and their intriguing words, because so much of the frustration of life comes from not having the power we need. Wherever there’s failure in your ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3

Be A Son, Not A Dog - Matthew 7:7-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 15, 2024

For our relationship to God to be what it should be, it’s crucial to understand God’s generosity and eagerness to bless us. This is a whole sermon on the generosity of God. It’s an especially important message for folks who tend to think of God as reluctant to bless them or answer their prayers.

Matthew 7:7-12 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11

Hope In God! - 1 Peter 1:13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 29, 2024

Hope is when you turn your attention from some small bad news to some big good news. It is central to the Christian life and it is a Christian duty (with grace comes responsibility). But it is hard to do.

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13

Shalom

Contributed by Paulo Fernandes on Jun 8, 2025

We often translate this Hebrew word simply as "peace" in English. But if we reduce shalom to just "peace," we miss so much of its rich meaning.

The Profound Meaning of Shalom: God's Vision for Wholeness Introduction Brothers and sisters, today I want to talk about one of the most profound words in all of Scripture - shalom. We often translate this Hebrew word simply as "peace" in English. But if we reduce shalom to just ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 43:27, Deuteronomy 27:6, Psalm 38:3, 1 Kings 4:25

When You Feel Unclean - Psalm 51:1-7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 17, 2025

Learn how David tore his heart, not his garments over his sin.

Psalm 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-7

Unity Demands Theological Integrity

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 21, 2025

Christians are united through commitment to biblical truth, which is reflected in love for Christ and for His people. Professed love without theological integrity destroys unity.

“I have given [My disciples] your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify ...read more

Scripture: John 17:14-23

Denomination: Baptist

Three Dirty Words

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 12, 2025

A movement to adopt the philosophy of DEI (Diversity. Equity. Inclusion.) must be replaced by UET (Unity. Equality. Transformation) if we will honour Christ as Master of the church.

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Curse Of Answered Prayer - 1 Samuel 8-9,12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 1, 2025

Israel rejected God as their king in ch.8-9. But chapter 12 gives hope for all of us who have made similar bad decisions. We are not permanently separated from God’s plan for us.

Introduction We are in the midst of a very quick overview of the first half of 1 Samuel preparing ourselves for an in-depth study of the life of David. We left off last week at the end of chapter seven, where the Israelites have about the sweetest deal they ever had going. They came to God in ...read more

Spiritual Collapse - When You Don't Delight In God's Will - 1 Samuel 14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 12, 2025

Jonathan climbed cliffs by faith; Saul stumbled by pride. Witness the stark contrast between trust and self-reliance.

Introduction: Saul in Trouble If you were here last week you remember that Saul is in deep trouble in Gibeah. He sent almost his whole army home, just keeping a standing force of 3000. And Jonathan attacks the Philistines. The Philistines respond with absolutely staggering force - thousands of ...read more

All His Talents Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 28, 2025

We have talked about how everything we have belongs to the Father God – everything we possess and even our very lives belong to Him!

Series: All His! Thesis: We have talked about how everything we have belongs to the Father God – everything we possess and even our very lives belong to Him! Our Series Verses: Deuteronomy 10:14: "Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 10:14, Psalm 24:1, Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational