Sermons on Close Encounter:

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

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

Let The Lord Fight Your Battles--While You Fight His - 2 Samuel 4:1-12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 31, 2025

God’s plan rolls like a tank over an anthill of chaos. Assassinations, betrayals, and civil war couldn’t slow it down. Watch it crush every obstacle to David’s crown—and learn why nothing in your life can derail God’s promises either.

For free audio or video download of this message, visit https://www.treasuringgod.com/sermons-by-scripture or my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson. Introduction The heart and soul of this chapter is verse 9. 9 David answered …"As surely as the LORD lives, who has ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 4:1-12

Our Civic Duty

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 7, 2025

Christians must serve as salt and light in our world. As part of our responsibility in the world, we must be good citizens, fulfilling the will of the Lord by wise exercise of our participation in the civic process.

“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 16:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Badmouthing God's Man!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 15, 2025

Presumptuous sin leads to unimaginable judgement.

“To Shemaiah of Nehelam you shall say: ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: You have sent letters in your name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying, “The LORD has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:24-32

Denomination: Baptist

Part 35: Why God Says To Sing A New Song Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Nov 21, 2025

God tells us to sing new songs... 1. Because we have new hearers (vs. 1-4). 2. Because we have new harmonies (vs. 4-6). 3. Because we have new hearts (vs. 1-3, 9-13). [1] Having new hearts means having new hope. [2] Having new hearts means having new holiness.

Great Prayers of the Old Testament Part 35: Why God Says to Sing a New Song Psalm 96:1-13 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared November 21, 2025) BACKGROUND: *Today our focus is again on worship. And nothing is more important in Christian life than heartfelt worship of the LORD! God the Father, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 96:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Awake To The Hope Of Advent: The Coming Light Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 27, 2025

In Mark 13:24-37 through Jesus we are encouraged in three ways to 1) Anticipate an Awesome Arrival (Mark 13:24–27), be 2) Attune to the Assurance (Mark 13:28–31), and 3) Awaken to Active Anticipation (Mark 13:32–37).

Mark 13:24–37. 24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Other

Bold Prayer: When To Yeild And When To Insist - 2 Samuel 7:21-29 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 3, 2025

Why pray God's promises if He'll keep them anyway? David's secret in 2 Samuel 7:25: Bold prayer activates the "now" fulfillment—for His name's sake. Yield and insist simultaneously.

Introduction When Tracy and I went to Mexico we rode a shuttle bus to where we were going, and after a couple minutes we recognized the song that was playing on the radio. The lyrics were in Spanish, but we knew the tune. It was one of my favorite worship choruses. I tried to talk to the bus ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:21-29

The Peace Of Christ: A Light In The Darkness Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 19, 2025

Isaiah 9:2-7, in four ways shows us the Peace of Christ: A Light in the Darkness through: 1) Proclaiming the Light of Peace (Isaiah 9:2), 2) Promising Peace from Joy (Isaiah 9:3-4), 3) Preparing for Lasting Peace (Isaiah 9:5), and finally: 4) Presenting the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Isaiah 9:2-7. [2] The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. [3] You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

Denomination: Other

How To Love God With Your Soul - 1 John 2:15-17 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 20, 2025

What does it mean to love God specifically with your soul? What is the soul, exactly, and how does one love with it?

For free audio or video download of this message, visit https://www.treasuringgod.com/sermons-by-scripture or my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson. Required Desire Man-Centered? It is fairly rare that Tracy will make a comment about my sermons, but last week when we ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17, Mark 12:30