Sermons on Divine Encounters:

Halloween: Is Evil A Red Herring?

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 19, 2021

The roots of Halloween have to do with pagan rituals but today, it’s more a night to celebrate. Not everything connected with the modern celebration is all fun and games. Any believer who is sensitive to the Holy Spirit will pull back on a number of elements associated with this celebration.

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend a projected $8.8 billion dollars on the holiday called Halloween in 2019. Almost 30 million will dress up and the average person will spend over $86 to celebrate. In fact, I have a neighbor who decorates more for Halloween than any ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Diety Of Christ

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 4, 2022

Something we Christians have always taken for granted as we witnessed to the lost is the deity of Christ. That is, as we talked to sinners we would take it for granted that they understood that Jesus was the son of Mary and Joseph, but more important, that He is the DIVINE SON OF GOD.

In past years very seldom have we come across anyone who did not believe this Biblical truth. However, this is something we can no longer take for granted. Why? At least two things have caused the general public to turn away from these eternal truths. MANY DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE DEITY OF CHRIST… ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

The Perfect Worship Experience Series

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Dec 6, 2006

Big Idea: I get the most out of worship when I bring together 3 distinct elements to form an exceptionally strong—or perfect—worship experience. 1. Private Preparation, 2. Divine Destination, 3. Public Proclamation

The Perfect Worship Experience The Perfect Storm: A “confluence” (bringing together) of three elements that together created an exceptionally strong storm. If any one element had been displaced in time or space the result would have been far less powerful • but because just the right things ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 26:6-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fig Trees And Phonies

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Apr 27, 2014

Is there more than merely an appearance of Christianity about us? Is there real substance to our lives as believers? Is there real fruitfulness for Jesus Christ?

Fig Trees And Phonies Mark 11:11-26 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late. 12 On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry. 13 Seeing at a distance a fig ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:11-26

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

God Is For Us!

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Feb 15, 2021

An expository sermon based on Romans 8:31-39

Title: “You are Loved” Big Idea: “God is for us” Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39, Philippians 3:10, 2 Corinthians 11:23-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Desire Spiritual Gifts

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Jul 31, 2002

In general the church has made little progress as pertains to spiritual gifts, This problem could be cured if we would once again allow the Holy Spirit to birth divine desire in our hearts.

1Co 14:1 “DESIRE SPIRITUAL GIFTS” Every thing Jesus did from a supernatural standpoint was an operation and manifestation of at least one, or a combination of the gifts of the spirit in his life. Why teach on the gifts of the spirit? (1) If there is to be any manifestation ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:1-12, 2 Timothy 1:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sailing Through The Storm Series

Contributed by Doug Johnston on Jan 2, 2002

David was able to sail through the storm arriving in the aftermath of his sin with Bathsheba because he didn’t fight it, he went with it so it could fulfill its divine purpose.

9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Dreaming A God Sized Dream Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on May 7, 2003

50-DAY SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE - PETER Don’t let yourself get penned in by the fences of your mind. Let God set you free to dream His divine daring dream!

In the movie, Chicken Run, dozens of chickens are held captive in the prisoner-of-war-like camp at Tweedy Farms. Ginger is the chicken mastermind who keeps devising new plans to help her fellow chickens escape. Ginger knows that when a chicken’s egg production is down they will face the chopping ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Peter 3:8-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Now Is The Time Of God's Favor

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Jan 26, 2006

Epiphany 3(C) - Now is the time of God’s favor and the day of salvation since the Lord provides his divine freedom so that our lives can proclaim God’s forgiveness.

ISAIAH 61:1-6 - Epiphany 3 - January 22, 2006 (Outline) INTRO: Today the Lord is going to try to teach us how to live in the present, the here and now. In our society the present is often overlooked. In our lives we may be too busy living to pay attention to the present, as we ought. At times ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

The Church And Its Mission

Contributed by Ronnie Smith on Jul 16, 2005

The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, w

The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are written in heaven. Ephesians 1 22 ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:22-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Are God's Precedents Often Accompanied With Demonstrations Of Great Power?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

The Pentecostal outpouring of power was a demonstration of God’s divine influence on an epic setting event - the inauguration of the Christian church. Whenever the Lord sets an important precedent He accompanies it with a demonstration of power to signal

1. The Pentecostal outpouring of power was a demonstration of God’s divine influence on an epic setting event - the inauguration of the Christian church. Whenever the Lord sets an important precedent He accompanies it with a demonstration of power to signal His Divine energetic approval. By the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Happens When God Comes To Us? Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Nov 16, 2002

God does come to us. He comes with divine retribution, meaning he comes to make things right for us and with us. I want to give you three good reasons to be ready.

What Happens When God Comes to Us? Isaiah 35:4-7 Pastor Jim Luthy "Be strong." "Don’t be afraid." "Your God will come." These were the encouraging words that the Lord instructed Isaiah to tell the people who were floundering in the wilderness of judgment and exile. James also encouraged us: ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:4-7, Luke 7:20-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Messenger Called Trouble

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 11, 2003

"Trouble Talk" It reminds us of our need for God. Sometimesit is a divine wake up call. Trouble calls us to 1- Talk with God 2- Turn to God 3- Trust God

A Messenger Called “TROUBLE” Jonah 2 4-28-02 1. Jonah 2:1-2 “Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish’s belly. 2And he said: "I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction,And He answered me. "Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice. In the next few ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13, Jonah 2:1-10

Denomination: Charismatic

A Kinsman Redeemer

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Oct 6, 2006

The journey of Ruth’s redemption gives us a glimps into how Jesus would come and redeem thousands so many years later. An outsider becomes part of God’s divine plan...

Often times in church we use words, but we never really know the true meaning. There is an old hymn that goes, “redeemed how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.” Now we claim that we are redeemed, which is worth getting excited about, but how do to share that with others? What ...read more

In Remembrance Of Me Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Aug 12, 2004

The focal point of our worship is to partake of "The Lord’s Supper." We partake of this divinely instituted meal lest we forget the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf and the ramifications of that sacrifice.

INTRODUCTION Priscilla Larson, of Lexington, MA, tells of the time her brother in law (a preacher) had been away from home one afternoon donating his blood at the Red Cross. The preacher’s son was concerned when his father didn’t come home at his usual time so he asked his mother, “Is dad going ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:17-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ