Sermons on Close Encounter:

Suppose You Were The Devil

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 30, 2022

One of the alarming things that is taking place today in America is the amount of businesses that are closing down daily.

Some are closing: (1) Due to Covid 19 (2) Some due to the shipping of jobs to other countries (3) Some due to inflation (4) Some due to supply If this trend continues some fear there will not be enough businesses for the citizens of this country to find a place of employment to feed their ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25, 2 Corinthians 9:7

Denomination: Baptist

Focus On The Finish Line Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jul 8, 2022

I imagine that all of us have at some time run out of gas - or come close!

Introduction I imagine that all of us have at some time run out of gas - or came close! Ezra Dyer writes for Car and Driver. He wrote about the time he was driving a Lamborghini Huracan. “The first time I fired up the Huracán, the gauge cluster flashed a warning to fill up. But the fuel ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Questions Churches Must Ask Themselves

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Nov 6, 2023

Do not be a Sardis. If the glory has departed, close the doors and merge with a church where God is moving.

Rev 3:1  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.  I am afraid that there are many churches in this situation. Growing up ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

All The Way To The End Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 23, 2023

Today’s readings from the NT close out both the book of Acts and the Gospel of John.

Saturday of 7th Week in Easter 2023 Today’s readings from the NT close out both the book of Acts and the Gospel of John. The apostle John was almost certainly the disciple who lay against Christ’s breast at the Last Supper, and here, right at the last paragraph of his Gospel, he repeats what can ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:16-31, John 21:20-25

Denomination: Catholic

Provoking Thoughts From 1 John (10 Of 16)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 10, 2022

In this passage of scripture, John deals with something we want to look at very closely and consider in this message.

He deals with the topic of how we are supposed to love one another. Of course much of the Bible deals with this subject, yet it seems to be something we Christians know very little about and those who are not Christians know even less. As we look at our text we want to learn from what it says to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Jehoiakim Series

Contributed by John Oscar on Oct 2, 2022

Showing the church that the spiritual conditions in Judah closely match those of today's America

The Last 3 Kings of Judah- Jehoiakim CCCAG, Sept 18th, 2022 Scripture: 2 Kings 23:36-24:4 Have you ever trusted in the wrong person? (Feelings of betrayal) We had a discussion recently at work about trusting people. The opinions varied from “I don’t trust anyone” to “I’m by nature a trusting ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Set Free From Shame PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 22, 2024

Explores the transformative power of encountering Jesus, using the story of the Samaritan woman at the well as a guide for personal redemption.

Dear brothers and sisters, I stand before you today with a heart full of joy and a spirit brimming with anticipation. We gather in this sacred space, not by chance, but by divine design. Our Heavenly Father, in His infinite wisdom, has orchestrated this moment for us to come together, to share in ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-42

Topics: Jesus, Shame And Guilt

Meeting The Enemy

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jan 23, 2019

Meeting the Enemy Series: Encountering Jesus (through the Gospel of Luke) Brad Bailey – January 30, 2019

Meeting the Enemy Series: Encountering Jesus (through the Gospel of Luke) Brad Bailey – January 30, 2019 Text: Luke 3:20-23; 4:1-14 Intro: At the start of a new year…many of the trends that are growing get special attention. And one of those is the growing tragedy of identity theft. Unlike the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:20-23, Luke 4:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Yemptation Of Asceticism

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Sep 14, 2015

This is a Bible Study on some of the different ways the Church can withdraw from a missional focus and develop into a closed group of believers.

THE TEMPTATION TO ASCETICISM MATTHEW 17:1-9 LET’S BEGIN BY A DEFINITION OF WHAT ASCETICISM IS. NOUN 1. THE MANNER OF LIFE, PRACTICES, OR PRINCIPLES OF AN ASCETIC. 2. THE DOCTRINE THAT A PERSON CAN ATTAIN A HIGH SPIRITUAL AND MORAL STATE BY PRACTICING SELF-DENIAL, SELF-MORTIFICATION, AND ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Believing Is Seeing

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 7, 2011

A skeptical reporter talks to the once-blind Bartimaeus about his encounter with the itinerant preacher Yeshua of Nazareth.

Good morning. This is The News Hour with Gaius Petronius, bringing you a special report from the Imperial Province of Judea in Palestine on Tuesday, April 9th, in the 16th year of the reign of the Emperor Tiberius. Today we have a newsmaker interview from Jericho, where the notorious Galilean ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-48

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Grace, Live & In Person Series

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Jul 13, 2010

Today we meet grace…live & in person. Literally the person who is grace. Not just a person named grace; a gracious person; a person with much grace…but grace Himself.

Today we meet grace…live & in person. Literally the person who is grace. Not just a person named grace; a gracious person; a person with much grace…but grace Himself. John 1:14-17 the Word, Jesus Christ Why is grace important? What will grace do for you? 1. Help you appreciate God’s gifts to ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Cost Assessment

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Aug 16, 2006

Discipleship is not a casual affair. In a series of three encounters, Jesus shows the high priority he places on discipleship.

“Let’s cut to the chase. After nearly two decades of studying Christian churches in America, I’m convinced that the typical church as we know it today has a rapidly expiring shelf life.” This dire assessment of the state of the church begins George Barna’s 1998 book, The Second Coming of The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Marriage On The Edge Of Eternity Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Apr 14, 2020

Marriage on the Edge of Eternity Series: Encountering Jesus (through the Gospel of Luke) February 9, 2020 – Brad Bailey

Marriage on the Edge of Eternity Series: Encountering Jesus (through the Gospel of Luke) February 9, 2020 – Brad Bailey Series #57 / Luke 20:27-40 Intro: When you know the end it puts the present in perspective. I was thinking about this in relationship to the Super Bowl last Sunday. Football is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Bethel And Peniel Experience

Contributed by Derrick White Sr on Apr 9, 2025

In the texts that is before us We have 2 spiritual encounters of Jacob's life. The 1st encounter was at a place called Bethel. In Genesis chapter 28, Jacob met God at Bethel. It was At Bethel, Jacob saw a ladder. But at Peniel he saw the Lord.

Genesis 28: 11 -19 Genesis 32: 24 -30 28:11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:11-19, Genesis 32:24-30

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus And A Touch Of Faith Series

Contributed by David Hughes on Mar 14, 2008

In this sermon I looked at the account of the haemorrhaging woman’s encounter with Jesus and considered its significance for the Church today.

JESUS AND A TOUCH OF FAITH (Luke 8:40-56) INTRODUCTION _ KEITH I had just started preaching one Sunday morning when I saw someone come into the church through the doors at the back. The man sat down in the back pew, right next to one of our most welcoming ladies, so I knew he’d be well looked ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:40-56

Denomination: Baptist