Sermons on Encounters:

Shift, Part 5: Shift Your Paradigm Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Nov 4, 2020

When you see God as He really is, it helps you deal with the way the world really is.

Note: I am indebted to Sermon Central contributor David Ward for much of this sermon. I made some modifications to fit better with the SHIFT series, and to talk about our current crises with the Covid19 pandemic, but otherwise this is David’s work, and I am very thankful for it. Good morning! ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Traits Of An Effective Church Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 27, 2024

Acts 13:1-12 shows us some traits of an effective church.

Introduction When you think of an effective church, what comes to mind? What are the traits of an effective church? I typed the following statement into my Google search bar: “Traits of an effective church.” Some of the responses included the following: “Nine habits of highly effective ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Spiritual Discipline Of Worship

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Jul 19, 2023

This sermon is based heavily on ch. 11 of Richard Foster's classic book "Celebration of Discipline."

John 4:1-26 (NIV) 1 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. 4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Shepherd's Perspective On Christmas

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Nov 29, 2023

An angel appeared to the shepherds out in the field

A Shepherd’s Perspective on Christmas Luke 2:1-20 Good morning. I read an attorney’s website about eyewitnesses to an auto accident that said… “Eyewitness testimony is valuable evidence in a car accident case. It can provide critical insights into the circumstances surrounding the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Divine Appointments

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Nov 4, 2025

Saul meets Jesus on the Road to Damascus

Divine Appointments Acts 9:1-16 Many have heard the term “divine appointment,” which refers to an encounter that the LORD arranges, sometimes with another person, to use that interaction to affect both people’s lives. Sometimes, divine appointments can be when you run into a neighbor who has a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Called To Serve SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Oct 19, 2023

Pastors have been called to serve.

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. What a joy it is to see each one of you here today, gathered in the house of the Lord, ready to receive His word. We are here today, not by accident, but by divine appointment. We are here because God has a message for us, a message that is as ...read more

Topics: Called To Serve

God As Shepherd

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Apr 26, 2001

Year C Fourth Sunday of Easter May 6th, 2001 Psalm 23

Psalm 23 This has been called the “pearl” of the Psalter, one of just about everyone’s favorites. The beauty of its imagery has survived many translations down through the ages. Ironically, it is the translation of a verb in the last verse which makes it difficult to classify this psalm. In verse ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Grasping The Handle Of The Door God Has Put Before You.

Contributed by John Gullick on Feb 13, 2001

A sermon that encourages us to walk through the doors that God has for us to enter.

The distinctive call of God. Grasping the handle on the door that God wants you to open. tHERE ARE CERTAIN DOORWAYS THAT YOU WALK THROUGH THAT CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOR EVER. There is the doorway of your playcentre or Kindergarten where you enter the world of education and socialisation with your ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Building To Burn

Contributed by Ken Alford on Jan 5, 2003

ETERNAL LEGACIES AREN’T BUILT FROM COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS.

May 28, 2000 -- AM BUILDING TO BURN? 1Corinthians 3:9-17 INTRODUCTION: (1) USA TODAY, May 22, 2000 cites a recent survey from the Impulse Research Corporation that summarizes those things people most regret wasting time on. Cindy Hall records the top five "regrettable time wasters:" 5. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:9-17

Denomination: Baptist

Holy Water

Contributed by Mike Dubose on Mar 3, 2002

Thirsty? How about a taste of Holy Water? One drink and you’ll never thirst again. Guaranteed for eternal life!

Holy Water John 4: 1-15 March 3, 2002 Have you ever been working in the yard on a hot summer day and find yourself almost dying of thirst… I have… I’ll never forget the day I put down sod in my front yard… It must have been 90 plus degrees that day – I had bought 3 pallets ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-15

Denomination: Methodist

Press On In Christ Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jul 14, 2004

Spiritual maturity is a growth process, so we need to be willing to press on. Are you willing to press on? Are you willing to be single minded in becoming like Christ? You must press on in Christ.

Illustration: Christian Pilgrimage One of the greatest Christian classics, maybe the greatest of all is John Bunyan’s Pilgrims Progress. It is an allegory written by a Baptist Pastor who wrote while he was imprisoned for his faith. It gives us an analogy of the Christian life. Pilgrims Progress ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Does Jesus Reveal Himself To You?

Contributed by Joel Santos on Nov 24, 2004

Jesus reveals Himself to people who seek for Him earnestly.

Does Jesus Reveal Himself to You? Matthew 2:1-2:12 Main Idea : Jesus reveals Himself to people who seek for Him earnestly. Historical background The Magi were men who were skilled in philosophy, medicine and natural science. They were soothsayers and interpreters of dreams. In later times the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Easter

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Sep 22, 2006

It is an event ROOTED IN TIME AND HISTORY, AND YET TIMELESS IN ITS IMPACT. This week you may have seen cover stories in magazines noting the most recent archeological findings related to some of the very details of this event, and reminding us just how r

We are celebrating an event that over a billion people around the world are gathering this day to celebrate An event more people will bet on than the Super Bowl An event more people will cheer than the Oscars An event more people will partake of then the O.J. trial. (Now that’s a miracle in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Woman Of Faith - Hannah

Contributed by Christian Cheong on May 11, 2012

Hannah faces a problem but she prays and experienced God's provision. When in hardships, watch how you respond. Hannah believes in prayer and eventually saw the miraculous work of God in her life.

1 Samuel 1:3-20 A Woman of Faith ES 13 May 12, 2095 Today is Mother’s Day, so I thought we would take a look at Prophet Samuel’s mother Hannah. • She is a woman of faith. Despite her very difficult situation, she did not lose faith in God. • She frequented the house of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:3-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Challenges Of Worship Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Jul 1, 2012

True worship presents a challenge to everyone who comes in the presence of God. Our Scripture today is one of the most difficult to understand in the entire Bible because the insinuations of the story can be unsettling. It presents a view of God which mak

The Challenge of Worship Genesis 22:1-19 Camp Leach tells the story of some friends who took their 5 year-old grandson to church one Sunday. Bettie took her place with the choir while Christopher, their grandson sat in the congregation with his grandfather. During the service, Bettie motioned to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19

Denomination: Methodist