Sermons on Fresh Encounter With God:

Cosmas, Damian And Lorenzo Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 24, 2011

"Mere" laymen can have a long-lasting impact by doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.

26 September 2011 Cosmas, Damian, and Lorenzo Ruiz The eighth chapter of the book of Zechariah is the last chapter that scholars attribute to the prophet, rather than one of his disciples. It was written after the Babylonian exiles, when the people of Judah had returned to Jerusalem and were in ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 8:1-8

Denomination: Catholic

Keep Awake!

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Nov 26, 2011

First Sunday in Advent, Year B

Mark 13: 24 – 37 / Keep Awake! Intro: My cousin Leonard and his wife, Wanda live within 20 ft. of a set of railroad tracks. When visiting them one evening for dinner, a train rushed by shaking the whole house. I was ready to lung for cover under the table; but, Leonard and Wanda just sat ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:27-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Wise Men Sought Jesus And They Still Do

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Dec 18, 2011

A short talk for our all-age Nativity service, a week before Christmas. This year I focused on the phrase WISE MEN SOUGHT JESUS - THEY STILL DO. I remember seeing that on a car sticker 30 years ago.

Wise men sought Jesus and they still do. Although the Bible never calls them Wise men, the Magi (2:1) were non-Jewish, religious men from the east who studied the stars. The Bible doesn’t tell us how many Magi came to worship Jesus, but they were Magi plural, not single; and they were indeed wise. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

Resurrection Power

Contributed by Bala Samson on Mar 30, 2013

The angel looked at Mary Magdalene and her team who were full of angst and worry and said: ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here.

I am the resurrection said Jesus! John 11:25”Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” I just want to ask each one of you a question this morning; do you understand the ‘resurrection power’ of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:25

Denomination: Pentecostal

There Is Always A Bright Side But, Where Do I Look?

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Jan 19, 2012

How did we get so depended on the internet? It was easy wasn't it? It seems more of a reality to depend on the things we see. What does the Bible say about that?

There is always a bright side but, where do I look? As I'm setting here waiting for Doctors to release Brenda from the hospital I was reading the Winston Salem Journal. There is a story on the front page about a few web sites in protest against government rules and regulations and one of the web ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

If You Choose

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Feb 9, 2012

Sixth Sunday After Epiphany Year B

Mark 1: 40 – 45 & 2 Kings 5: 1 - 14 / If You Choose Intro: One day a lion decided to make sure all the other animals knew he was the king of the jungle. He by-passed the smaller animals and went to the bear – “Why you are, of course!” tiger – “Everyone ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Slightly Soiled - Greatly Reduced

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Nov 5, 2012

This sermon explains how slight soiling (not gross sin) is actually very dangerous

Slightly Soiled-Greatly Reduced. PS. 24:3-4, 2 Chr. 24:17-22 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart. . . .-Psalm 24:34 “On the bargain counter of the department store we some¬times find merchandise of the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Epaphroditus

Contributed by Bala Samson on Nov 25, 2012

Apostle Paul called Epaphroditus ‘my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier!’

Epaphroditus Philippians 2:25”Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need..” Apostle Paul called Epaphroditus ‘my brother, fellow worker, and fellow ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:25

Denomination: Pentecostal

Will You Be Changed By Christmas?

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Dec 20, 2012

Sermon for Christmas Eve, 2012, Year C

Luke 2: 18 - 19 / Will You Be Changed By Christmas? Intro: A middle-aged woman posted her Christmas wish list on the refrigerator for her husband to read. Rather than list certain items, she simply requested something that would make her look sexy and beautiful. When Christmas rolled around, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:18-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Matthew 13:20-21 – Part 5 – Swimming At The Shallow End Of The Pool? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 28, 2011

No matter how hardhitting and inspiring and deep the message is on Sunday, many stay at the shallow end and won’t continue with the faith that they profess.

Matthew 13:20-21 – Part 5 – SWIMMING AT THE SHALLOW END OF THE POOL? He stays at the shallow end of the pool for a long time, refusing invitations to come out into the deeper water, even with his dad. But after a long time considering it, my grandson Zion Brave Bennett thrusts himself ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Excuses Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 2, 2010

We all have excuses for not responding to Jesus' call to follow him. Life is hectic, complicated and filled with items that claim our attention. We have one reason, though, to respond to Jesus' challenge--his love and grace.

Luke 9:51-62 “Excuses” INTRODUCTION One of the most memorable illustrations that I’ve ever seen involved a glass container similar to what I have here and rocks of various sizes. Using the rocks the demonstrator underscored and important lesson in life. Just when we thought ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Lutheran

Ready

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Nov 23, 2010

We should strive to be ready for the coming of Christ Jesus by repenting of our sins daily.

Matthew 24: 36 – 44 / Ready Intro: David Peterson, former pastor of the 1st Presbyterian Church in Spokane, WA told about a time when he was preparing his sermon. His daughter came in and said, “Daddy, can we play?” He answered that he was very busy and in about an hour they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Redemption And Salvation In The Book Of Tobit

Contributed by John A. Peck on Nov 3, 2009

A short sermon on how the Septuagint Old Testament book of Tobit tells of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Tobit is an astonishing book. It is a part of the Septuagint Old Testament, and therefore only in Orthodox and Roman Catholic Bibles. Until 1929, it was included in Protestant Bibles (in the section called "apocrypha" or "hidden things." I don’t know why they thought it was hidden.) It ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:25-28

Denomination: Orthodox

The Night Time Ain't So Bad Series

Contributed by Ken Hubbard on Feb 11, 2010

A message about how the tough "night times" of our lives make us stronger and deepen our faith

INTRO VIDEO Rocky III Clip EXPLAIN Video Clip - If you're going to survive the battles - If you're going to survive what the enemy throws at you - If you're going to survive... 1. You Need a Tribe You Won't Get Voted Off 2. Can't Go Over the Hedge 3. You Can't Curse Your Crisis 4. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 17:3-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Baby Unrecognized

Contributed by Jim Kane on Feb 27, 2010

Final 2009 Sermon/Communion Meditation

(Slide 1) This morning, we move from the manger backwards to the prophet Isaiah, and ironically, forward to the cross and the tomb. Our text for this morning is longer than normal for two specific purposes. One is to have us focus on the baby in the manger unrecognized as the suffering servant. ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God