Sermons on Encounters:

What Does Our Hope Consist In? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 4, 2021

Without God in the world we have no hope. When we come to know God as a true and present and living reality in our lives, we receive the gift of hope.

Monday of 2nd week in Advent What was the hope of the man with the paralyzed limbs? What was the hope of the men who in their faith and love let him down into the room where Jesus was? At first glance, the only thing they seemed to want was a healing touch, a friend once more able to walk. But ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10, Luke 5:17-26, Psalm 85:9-13

Denomination: Catholic

Growing In Christ Beyond Church Attendance Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 26, 2025

church attendance is essential for spiritual nourishment and community, it's possible to group up in church without truly growing in Christ.

As Christians, it's easy to get caught up in the routine of attending church services, participating in fellowship events, and engaging in spiritual discussions. However, attending church and growing in Christ are two distinct concepts. While church attendance is essential for spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 12:31

Gratitude And Salvation: A Tale Of Ten Lepers SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 9, 2023

Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one, a Samaritan, returned to express his gratitude. Jesus, moved by his thankfulness, not only healed him but also forgave his sins. The other nine lepers, although healed, were not saved. This story emphasizes the importance of gratitude and the profound impact it can have on our spiritual well-being.

In this story, Jesus encounters ten lepers who are suffering from a dreadful disease called leprosy. Leprosy was considered a punishment from God for sin, and those afflicted with it were deemed unclean and untouchable. These ten lepers, from different nationalities, cry out to Jesus for mercy, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:12-19

Topics: Gratitude, Salvation

God's Power To Revive And Restore SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

Have you ever faced a situation that seemed impossible to fix? In this sermon, we explore how God guided Ezekiel to respond to the seemingly hopeless condition of his nation. We delve into how God can stir our faith into action, and how He can direct us to respond to our impossible situations.

Have you ever faced a situation where you wondered if anything could be done to fix it? God tells Ezekiel what to do about the condition of his nation. God stirs his faith for action, and Ezekiel responds. How would God direct us to respond to our impossible circumstances? In Ezekiel 37:3, God asks ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Topics: Faith, Restoration

Cleansing The Temple

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Mar 26, 2024

Cleansing the Temple

Cleansing the Temple Scripture: John 2:13-25 Reflection Jesus cleanses the temple in Jerusalem, driving out the merchants and money changers. This event holds profound significance, revealing aspects of Jesus' character and mission. Here, we delve into the rich layers of this passage, ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-25

Denomination: Other

Obstacles Or Closed Doors

Contributed by Rakesh Sharma on Oct 25, 2024

In moments of chaos and uncertainty, we often find ourselves standing before seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Just as the Israelites faced the Red Sea with fear and doubt, we are called to trust in God’s power to create new paths for our deliverance.

>> Bible Reading: Exodus 14:10-18 10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:10-18, Acts 7:22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Shutting Down The Hypocrites, Especially Ourselves

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 30, 2024

Jesus, here in Mark’s Gospel, gives us a start on our understanding the proper response to hypocrisy.

Thirty-first Sunday in Course 2024 How could you get a hypocrite to shut up? They are called “Karens” these days, which to me is an disrespectful misuse of a woman’s name. Nonetheless, no matter what you call that kind of behavior, pharisaical people are just about as irritating as one can be. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34, Hebrews 7:23-28, Deuteronomy 6:2-6, Psalm 18:46

Denomination: Catholic

An Unlikely Hero

Contributed by Kevin Taylor on Oct 28, 2001

Gideon was considered by others as the least and the last. But to God, he was considered to be a mighty man of valor.

I. Out of Sight, Out of Mind A. Text: Judges 6:1-25 B. So make the situation clear, I want you to notice that, at the beginning of our story, we find Gideon threshing wheat in a winepress! C. Now, why would he thresh wheat in a winepress? Shouldn’t he just thresh wheat on a threshing floor? The ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-25

What's In A Name Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Jun 13, 2005

God calls us by name.

Abraham: What’s In a Name? Genesis 17:1-8, 15-16 Reader’s Digest is full of interesting little tid-bits of information—some enlightening, some challenging, but most always, funny. They appear at the end of articles as little slices of life that readers have submitted in hopes of being ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

Love Rejected

Contributed by Robert Kerr on Aug 13, 2001

Israel rejects God, but in His love He still pleads with them to return by asking them to turn from their own ways as Jacob did at the brook Jabbok

LOVE REJECTED INTRODUCTION: Today we will focus on the tragedy of rejecting God’s love. The Israelites of Hosea’s day rejected God’s love by turning to idolatry and attributing the blessings God had given them to the fertility gods. I/ ISRAEL REJECTS GOD Hosea 12:1 Ephraim feedeth on wind, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

From Barrenness To Blessedness

Contributed by Paul Johnson on Nov 19, 2006

This sermon encourages the listener to trust in the LORD and do good and to wait patiently upon the LORD until He turns your barrenness into blessedness.

I remember it like it was yesterday … Thanksgiving 2004 was one of the happiest holidays of my life. We spent Thanksgiving with Selena’s aunt Dorothy and a lot of her family members. It was so nice to be apart of a large family gathering in which I truly felt felt loved. Selena was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 1 Samuel 1:26

Denomination: Methodist

Bring Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 28, 2015

In our scripture today, God calls us Christ’s ambassadors. What exactly does that mean? An ambassador is someone who represents the interests of their homeland in a foreign country. Spiritually speaking, we are to represent Jesus and invite others

Bring 2 Corinthians 5:18 I think it’s safe to say that the majority of us are here today because of someone else. Maybe you were invited by someone or maybe you grew up in this church and you’re here because of your family. Even those of you who came here on your own, more than likely ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18

Denomination: Methodist

When Jesus Passes By

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Jun 13, 2015

A sermon examining the miracles that happen when Jesus comes on the scene!

When Jesus Passes By Luke 17:11-19 George Jones' career began in the 1950's and for decades he enjoyed great success professionally. But it is well documented that he had great struggles personally. He suffered from alcoholism and a cocaine addiction. By February 1979 he was homeless, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

A Mary's Story Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Jul 25, 2016

Mary of Bethany displays the extravagant nature of worship as she anoints Jesus, and in so doing gives us all the model of the life of a disciple.

Mary is a popular biblical name. As a matter of fact, it was the single most popular name in first century Palestinian culture. One in every five girls born carried the name Mary. Wow! 20% of the women named Mary! Contrast that to the Social Security Administration’s latest “most ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

In Pursuit - The Transformation Of Nebuchadnezzar

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Aug 15, 2021

The greatest Old Testament story of a Transformed Life

March 12, 2016 Today, I want to talk to you about transformation. I believe transformation is the necessary result of an active and engaged relationship with Jesus and there is no better story in the Old Testament that demonstrates the power of a transformed life than that of Nebuchadnezzar. ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:20, Daniel 3:28-29, Daniel 4:34-37

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist