Sermons on Divine Encounters:

Speechless (So You Had A Bad Day?)

Contributed by C Jordan on Apr 27, 2008

Even though the Christian life is primarily characterized by abundant life and joy, there are seasons where the Lord allows us to go through dark valleys. It is often during those wilderness times that we encounter God, and our faith is strengthened.

SPEECHLESS (SO YOU HAD A BAD DAY?) OPENING TEXT: “Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways, and how small a whisper we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26:14). INTRO: Personal story & search for God in the midst of suffering. • The sewer backup in our ...read more

Scripture: Job 26:14

Denomination: *other

A Supernatural Walk

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 13, 2010

Jesus commanded the disciples to go ahead in another ship while he prayed upon a mountain. The disciples encountered contrary winds in the midst of the sea. But the contrary wind was actually an opportunity for the Lord to reveal his great power. Jesus la

Intro: There was a feeling of victory by the apostles after the miraculous feeding of 5,000 men. After moments of spiritual blessings and victories, we are to take heed and be watchful. Jesus commanded the disciples to go ahead in another ship while he prayed upon a mountain. The disciples ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-32

Denomination: *other

God's Authority Always Wins Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jul 9, 2014

When Jesus encountered a man who needed compassion due to a demonic possession, He was there to provide it without asking for an offering or something, anything, in return. What has Jesus done for you and who've you told about it?

God’s Authority Always Wins Mark 5:1-20 Introduction - Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant” -- Key verse: Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Good News That You Can Be Born Again

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on May 1, 2013

Niccodemus, though a teacher of the law had found frustration in trying to please God, yet knowing he could never become what he wanted to be. In an encounter with Jesus revealed he could be born again into the kingdom of heaven.

THE GOOD NEWS THAT YOU CAN BE BORN AGAIN! John 3:1-3:18 INTRODUCTION: 1.) Today I want us to see some very good news from Scripture, that we can be born again. 2.) To be born again is a concept that is very strange sounding, and certainly one which brings questions into our minds, just ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Journey Through The O.t. #6: Pain And Suffering Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Jul 13, 2012

Even though the Christian life is primarily characterized by abundant life and joy, there are seasons where the Lord allows us to go through dark valleys. It is often during those seasons that we encounter God, and our faith is strengthened and deepened.

JOURNEY THROUGH THE OLD TESTAMENT #6: PAIN AND SUFFERING OPENING TEXT: “After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. And Job spoke, and said: "May the day perish on which I was born, And the night in which it was said, A male child is conceived.” (Job ...read more

Denomination: *other

The Questions Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 19, 2009

Christmas brought three questions which every person needed to deal with as they encountered the Christ child. Christmas isn’t so much about what God has done for us as it is about our response to the Christ child and to these questions.

The Questions of Christmas Luke 2:8-20 It’s tough to miss Christmas if you live in America today. We hear the ads on the radio and TV, see the lighted houses and buildings, the decorated yards in our neighborhoods, and the displays inside every store remind us Christmas is coming in case we’ve ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Methodist

The Camel The Eye And The Faith To Get Through

Contributed by Philip Gill on May 29, 2008

This rich man stands in stark contrast with the many whose lives were changed through their encounter with Jesus. From Andrew to Zacchaeus, men and women shared in the joy Jesus offered them through a renewed relationship with God. That joy is for those

The Camel the eye and the faith to get through A Sermon for the 22nd Sunday of Pentecost Luke 18.18-30 This story of the joylessly religious rich man is a setting for the most memorable of images - that of the camel trying to get through the eye of a needle. To our ears this is hyperbole of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:18-30

Denomination: Anglican

Revision: Winning Life Strategies, Part Ii

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 9, 2009

In our Scripture today, Nehemiah has left Persia (modern day Iran) and traveled for more than 2 months and 750 miles to Jerusalem. Today, we continue learning life strategies when encountering God-sized problems.

Revision: Winning Life Strategies, Part II Nehemiah 2: 10-20 In the middle of the 17th century, England was in turmoil. King Charles I was beheaded. Anglican churches were being closed; Presbyterians were being persecuted. In the midst of all this, Sir Robert Shirley built a church. The plaque on ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:10-20

Denomination: Methodist

Mission For Palm Sunday

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 1, 2009

Reflecting on the first Palm Sunday, we see that there is no better mission for our lives than to (a) Encounter Adverse Situations (b) Discover what God desires (c) Freedom from Bondage (d) Bring what God desires.

Opening illustration: There is a legend about an ancient village in Spain. The villagers learned that the king would pay a visit! In a thousand years, a king had never come to that village. Excitement grew! "We must throw a big celebration," The villagers all agreed. But, it was a poor village, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How’s Your Heart? Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Dec 9, 2009

It was the practice of Jewish teachers to try to sum up the hundreds of laws into great overarching principles that people could focus on. In Mark 12 we see an encounter a teacher of the law had with Jesus in this hope of discovering the great “one thing

WHAT THE BOOK SAYS ABOUT LOVE Part 1 HOW’S YOUR HEART? Mark 12:30 Ezekiel 36:26-27 Sunday, February 8, 2009 Pastor Brian Matherlee In the movie City Slickers 39th birthday of Mitch Robbins (Billy Crystal) and he is not happy about it. His two friends are having crises of their own and they buy a ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26-27

Denomination: Wesleyan

"The Rich Little Man"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 10, 2010

In Luke 19:1-10 Jesus’ willingness to be present to Zacchaeus ends up being an act of evangelism. His encounter with his Savior changes his life. Is there ever anyone beyond the reach of God’s grace. The answer is "No!"

Luke 19:1-10 “The Rich Little Man” By: Ken Sauer, pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN Poor Zacchaeus! He wants to see Jesus but he can’t. He’s a small man, and he can’t see through the crowd. So, he climbs a tree. Poor Zacchaeus!... …or is he? Luke tells us ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Redemption At Hand-2 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Dec 30, 2015

2 of 6. God initiated the redemption of His people thru John’s birth. Redemption is encountered/at hand thru God’s visitation. But when is that redemption realized? Redemption is at hand when God initiates...

REDEMPTION At HAND-II—Luke 1:67-80 or TOUCHING REDEMPTION Attention: REDEEM—To purchase or exchange in order to make something/someone what it should be continually with lasting results, from some point in time forward. God initiated the redemption of His people thru John’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:67-80

Denomination: Baptist

Redemption At Hand-4 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 9, 2016

4 of 6. God initiated the redemption of His people thru John’s birth. Redemption is encountered/at hand thru God’s visitation. But when is that redemption realized? Redemption is at hand when God initiates...

REDEMPTION At HAND-IV—Luke 1:67-80 TOUCHING REDEMPTION Attention: God wants the “site” & permission to build! Self-help is as useless as making repairs to a dilapidated building slated for demolition. REDEEM—To purchase or exchange in order to make something/someone what ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:67-80

Denomination: Baptist

A Dead Dog Image

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Feb 27, 2022

A dead dog is a very unpleasant image to think about. But, if any of us live in fear on a daily basis, the dead dog we see is ourselves. Mephibosheth had an encounter with fear; and thereafter, looked upon himself as a dead dog.

Back when I was in college, a friend and I used to go cave exploring as often as possible. Sometimes we went caving about twice a week. One evening we followed a lead for a new cave that we heard about, one that was in the top of a ridge and was supposed to be really huge. When someone tells you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 4:4, 2 Samuel 9:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Was It A Morning Like This? Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 4, 2022

Easter: This message shows how, through the resurrection, Jesus has brought light to our darkness and given us good news to share. Jesus seeks a personal encounter, and wants us to experience His resurrection power in our life.

Was It a Morning Like This? Luke 24:1-12 I have entitled our message, “Was It a Morning Like This?” Was it a morning like today when Jesus arose from the grave? I want to begin by reminding us how the resurrection is the event on which our faith is founded. In 1 Corinthians 15:16-17, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Baptist