Sermons on Close Encounter:

Sowing & Reaping Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 8, 2019

1) The Precept: (Galatians 6:6) 2) The Principle behind the Precept: (Galatians 6:7-8), 3) The Promise: (Galatians 6:9 and finally, 4) The Procedure (Galations 6:10) of Sowing & Reaping.

We have just experienced Daylight Saving Time. Although we may have lost an hour of sleep, the extra sunlight can make a big difference. For many people, the ever increasing amount of daylight in the average day, impacts their moods and their productivity. For the farmers, the sunlight makes a big ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:6-10

Denomination: Other

Well-Known, And Yet Unknown

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 14, 2019

The life of Patrick, evangelist to the Irish, exemplifies the impact of obedience to Christ's call to evangelise. Christians are charged to carry the message of life to all mankind.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [1] Cities dye their rivers green in his honour; ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon Prudently Pacifies The Offended Ephramites Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 20, 2019

They were angry with Gideon because they were left out and did not share in the glory. Gideon tactfully gave them the “soft answer” that healed the wounds and prevented division. Better to do that than to start another war.

Chapter 27 Gideon Prudently Pacifies the Offended Ephramites [Judges 8.1-8.4] Scripture 1 And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply. 2 And he said unto them, ...read more

Scripture: Judges 8:1

Denomination: Baptist

There Is No Sin In The Cemetery [*]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 20, 2019

Baptism pictures the transformation that has taken place in the life of the child of God. How can we, then, continue to live as thought we were dead? To live as the world lives is to attempt to dig up the corpse we buried!

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Weaponised Narratives

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 6, 2019

We must guard against creating a narrative as a mask of the truth of God's Word.

“If our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world? But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

If The Foundations Are Destroyed...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 10, 2021

In tumultuous times, how shall the righteous live? The Psalmist has given us godly counsel that must be applied to our lives.

“In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? “The LORD is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 11:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Prison Of God's Promotion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 25, 2020

Your restriction, though onerous, may be God's means of bringing glory to His Name through promoting you. This becomes obvious through a study of Joseph's trials and promotion as God worked in his life.

“Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

God's Plan For Growth Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 21, 2020

The 1) Prayer (Eph. 1:15-16), 2) Person (Eph. 1:17), 3) Promise (Ephesians 1:18), 4) Power (Eph. 1:19-20) & 5) Position (Eph. 1:21-23) that believers have in Christ.

Ephesians 1:15-23 [15]For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, [16]I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, [17]that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Denomination: Other

How Big Is Your God?

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 23, 2020

Is your God big enough to do whatever He wants? For many of us who follow the Lord, we are not certain that God is big enough to do what is needed for us to succeed.

“Then Job answered the LORD and said: ‘I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. “Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?” Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. “Hear, and I will ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Unwise Remark

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jun 23, 2019

A study in the Gospel of Matthew 27: 1 – 26

Matthew 27: 1 – 26 Unwise remark 1 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. 2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:25

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Jesus: "I Am The Bread”.

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 2, 2019

1) Our souls are hungry (John 6:41–44), 2) God sent us food (John 6:45–47), and in His words: 3) I am that food (John 6:48–51).

John 6:41-51 [41] So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." [42] They said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" [43] Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 6:41-51

Denomination: Other

Jacob’s Trouble

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jul 26, 2019

A study in the book of Jeremiah 30: 1 – 24

Jeremiah 30: 1 – 24 Jacob’s Trouble 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2 “Thus speaks the LORD God of Israel, saying: ‘Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you. 3 For behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘that I will bring back from ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 30:7

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Propose, Dispose, Re-Compose

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 23, 2019

A study in the book of Jeremiah 46: 1 – 28

Jeremiah 46: 1 – 28 God proposes, Man disposes then God re-composes 1 The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the nations. 2 Against Egypt. Concerning the army of Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt, which was by the River Euphrates in Carchemish, and which Nebuchadnezzar king of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 46:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

God's Crybaby

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 27, 2020

The wickedness witnessed in contemporary society breaks the heart of the follower of Christ, just as such evil breaks the heart of the Saviour.

“‘The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.’ For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded; I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me. “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Through The Word Pt 3 - Sermon 11 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 16, 2019

God’s written Word (The Bible) when followed and obeyed gives joy to our hearts and revives our souls from the ravages of sin.

Introduction Video Illustration: Skit Guys Christian and Un-Christian Series: Find Joy in the Journey Thesis: Joy needs to be experienced in the journey of life! But Joy, like any other attitude, can come and go. It is not guaranteed simply because we are born again believers. We must put ourselves ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:13, Psalm 19:7-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational