Sermons on Close Encounter:

Can The Contemporary Church Be Salvaged?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 22, 2014

We shall either live as followers of Christ or as enemies of the cross of Christ. There is no in between.

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Disposition For Position-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 8, 2014

1 of 2. Jesus characterized the disposition needed for holding position & power in Jesus’ disciples. But what is the proper disposition? Position & power in Jesus’ disciples is tied to our...

The DISPOSITION For POSITION-I—Mark 10:35-45 Attention: A Better Solution When NASA first started sending up astronauts, they quickly discovered that ballpoint pens would not work in 0 gravity. To combat this problem, NASA scientists spent a decade & billions of dollars developing a pen that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Baptist

When The Elder Sins Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 16, 2014

Elders are to be honoured for their labour. However, elders are to be held accountable before the congregation to discharge their appointment in a faithful manner.

“Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

Take Your Time Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 7, 2014

To avoid appointing unqualified people to the eldership, the elders must take time to know these candidates.

“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Day Of Reckoning Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jun 18, 2014

We’re continuing in our series entitled “AfterLife”… where we’ve looked at the reality of life after death… of eternity with God.

The Day of Reckoning Series: AfterLife Brad Bailey – May 18, 2014 We’re continuing in our series entitled “AfterLife”… where we’ve looked at the reality of life after death… of eternity with God. Over the past two weeks we heard what God reveals about a ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:11-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lake Of Fire Series

Contributed by Rob Ketterling on Jun 30, 2014

The lake of fire in REV 20

Fire – Part 4, The Lake of Fire by Pastor Rob Ketterling All right. We are continuing our series on fire, and I really enjoyed preaching about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the fiery furnace. And today we are continuing the series, and I'm preaching on the lake of fire. I want you to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:10-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Works Tried By Fire Series

Contributed by Rob Ketterling on Jun 30, 2014

There is a day that we are going to face judgment as followers of Jesus Christ, so we should pay attention to this and make sure that we make that a good day.

Fire Series Part 5 by Pastor Rob Ketterling We are continuing our Fire series, and I want to let you know that this week is a continuation of last week. And if you missed last week, you're still fine; this sermon will entirely make sense. But I would encourage you to go back and listen to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Fighting Fundamentalist Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 13, 2014

Labels are applied easily--some are undeserved, and some should be embraced. If we stand with Christ and His Word, we can anticipate vilification. Paul obviously expected elders to stand firming on some truths.

“Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:2-5

Denomination: Baptist

Betrayal Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 17, 2013

How we respond when we fail God reveals who we are.

“Jesus … went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Multiethnic Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 19, 2013

God is no respecter of persons and He desires His House (His Church) to be a place for all nations – all people. A church is to be a place where there is no favoritism and all are treated fairly and equally.

Series: We are Here! Sermon 6: Multiethnic (or multicultural, or diversity) Introduction: Show pictures of our changing world in this area of South Chicago: The Orland Mosque, the Lemont Hindu Temple, and the Chicago Buddhist Temple all represent how diverse our community is becoming. Our society ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mission Minded Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 19, 2013

To be mission minded means I understand who has given me the permission and the authority to go share the Good News to those around me. It also realizes that once a person accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior then I should be willing to disciple them as well.

Series: We are here! Quick Summary of series. Sermon 7: Mission minded Video Illustration: Life in Sudan by Blue fish tv. Question: What does it mean to be mission minded? I asked this question to our missionaries this week seeking their wisdom an insight from the field where they are ministering. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Serve Like Jesus Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 8, 2013

In the account of the expression of Christ’s love, the washing of the disciples’ feet, we see 1) Service Stated (John 13:1), 2) Service Spurned (John 13:2), 3) Service Shown (John 13:3–11), and 4) Service Shared (John 13:12-17).

If there is one reaction that people are having to the recent Roman Catholic pope it is his history and focus on service. Many questions are arising on his Maundy Thursday washing of feet. Some are welcoming the efforts with a sense of new found enthusiasm. Others see the new pope as abandoning the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Other

Who Is Jesus Really? Part 6 Series

Contributed by Miles Mc Pherson on Dec 12, 2013

Christ’s critics did more to validate the fact that He was God than to disprove the fact that He was God.

Let’s see your bibles, let’s see our bibles, word. Let’s see your pens, bring out your pens and your lesson plan, lesson plan. Let’s turn to Matthew 26, Matthew 26. Someone comes up with an idea and they go – Well I don’t know and they have 20 reasons why it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:57

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dedicate Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 11, 2013

The sermon is focused on following God - following the leading of the Holy Spirit into the spiritual world around us. It's about listening to His lead.

4 Month Theme: Immerse - yourself into the spiritual realm of life and grow! Show Handout and highlight: This series is designed to encourage you to grow in your spiritual dimension of life. We should be as Christians viewing things from the realm of the spirit. This realm is very different than ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Is God When Life Is Hard? Series

Contributed by Gerry Cheney on Jul 22, 2014

When you get blindsided by life, when things get overwhelming, and you find yourself surrounded by pain or terrifying circumstances, how do you handle it? This message seeks to begin to answer those questions.

Where is God When Life is Hard? Part I: Where is God? INTRODUCTION: When you get blindsided by life… how do you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-26

Denomination: Vineyard