Sermons on Fresh Encounter:

Reluctant Recruits

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jan 1, 2018

Jesus did not present a rosy, unrealistic picture of the Christian life. In Luke 9 we encounter 3 potential recruits. Jesus appraises their resolve, exposes their excuses, and urges them to consider the cost of discipleship

It’s Career Day at the high school and a small crowd is gathered at the Army’s booth. A Recruiter tells the students about field duty in the winter, eating MRE’s, family separations, grueling physical exercise, frequent moves, and the likelihood of war…and pretty soon he’s standing alone. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Congregational

There Is One Baptism Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jun 6, 2025

The Apostle Paul was once a persecutor of Christians known as Saul of Tarsus. It was only during an encounter with the Risen Savior that he experienced a turnaround and began to tell everyone about Jesus. (Acts 22:6-16)

There Is One Baptism Ephesians 4:4 Introduction The Apostle Paul was once a persecutor of Christians known as Saul of Tarsus. It was only during an encounter with the Risen Savior that he experienced a turnaround and began to tell everyone about Jesus. (Acts 22:6-16) In our series on Seven ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Want Proof!

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Apr 21, 2025

Thomas finally met the risen Savior. This encounter shows us what it means to trust Jesus with our doubts. The story of Thomas gives hope to doubters, to those who say, “I want proof!”.

Alba 4-20-2025 I WANT PROOF! John 20:24-31 Have you ever been in a situation where someone told you something, but you just couldn't believe it? You wanted proof? Then you are like Thomas. Thomas is one of the better known disciples of Jesus, even though not much is said about him. ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

One Thing I Know

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Oct 14, 2024

Can you imagine being thrown out of the Church because you encountered Jesus? Can you imagine being put out of the Church because you received a touch, a miracle from Jesus?

TITLE: ONE THING I KNOW SCRIPTURE: ST. JOHN 9:1-25 As this 9th Chapter of John opens, we see a man born blind. He has – • Never seen his mother’s face • Never seen children playing at the park • Never played video games • Never seen the beauty of the sunrise or sunset • Never seen OU vs. Texas ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Healing At The Pool Of Bethesda Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jan 19, 2025

John 5:1-8 tells the story of a paralysed man who encountered Jesus at the Pool of Bethesda. This event highlights God's compassion, the futility of misplaced trust, and the power of divine intervention.

Title: THE HEALING AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: John 5:1-8 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 103:2-3, Matthew 11:28 INTRODUCTION: John 5:1-8 tells the story of a paralysed man who encountered Jesus at the Pool of Bethesda. This event highlights God's ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-8, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 103:2-3, Matthew 11:28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Twelve Years Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on May 27, 2025

A lot can happen in twelve years. In Luke 8:40-56 we learn of two different groups of people who had completely different experiences and yet encountered Jesus in profound ways.

Solomon Northrup was born around 1808 in New York to a former slave. His father, who eventually married a woman of mixed ethnicities, had been emancipated in the will of his deceased owner. They had two sons who were born free. Solomon took after his father in learning how to work the land, but ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:40-56

Denomination: Baptist

The God Of The Do Over

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 24, 2002

NOW – I don’t know where you are right now in your life. BUT – maybe you need a do over, maybe you need a fresh start. If so I want you to know that God can handle that…(he’s been doing it for 1,000 of years).

The God Of The Do Over… This morning what I want to talk how we serve a God who is the God of the do over… NOW - THIS truth that our God, is the God of the do over; is the God of the fresh start – is important in understanding what Central Christian Church is all about. YOU SEE – our motto ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 8:23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Was The Stone Rolled Away?

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 5, 2012

The stone was rolled away for you. Are you curious? The stone speaks. It speaks to us of death, victory over death, and hope for the future through Christ. The stone was rolled away so we could encounter the risen Lord. He is risen! He is alive today. He

Opening illustration: Around the year 1930, a Communist leader named Nikolai Bukharin journeyed from Moscow to Kiev, Ukraine. His mission was to address a huge assembly with the aim of advancing communism. His subject for the evening was atheism. For a solid hour he aimed his heavy artillery at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Loving The Brethren-3 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 6, 2016

3 of 8. Peter exhorted the aliens to love their brothers & sisters in Christ as they were also loved by God. Christians are to love as they are loved by God. But how are they to live out that love? God’s love is lived out thru an encounter with...

LOVING THE BRETHREN-III—1Peter 1:22—2:12 Attention: It’s Contagious! Two young brothers called the pastor of a local "corner" church to ask the pastor to come by to pray for his mother who had been very ill with the flu. The pastor knew the family & was aware they had been ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 5) Isaiah: Destroyed Dreams

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Isaiah put his dreams in a king who died, then he saw the Lord. That encounter changed him forever, and he became God’s prophet who wrote one of the most beautiful books in the Bible.

A. INTRODUCTION: ISAIAH 6:1-13 1. Spiritual prosperity. Uzziah was one of the great kings of Judah that restored the glory and power of David. "He did right in the sight of the Lord" (II Chron. 26:4). 2. Healthy prosperity. "Sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Wonder, The Celebration, The Joy Of Resurrection!

Contributed by Michael B. Perrott on Apr 8, 2009

A SERMON FOR EASTER: We experience with Mary, Peter and the beloved disciple disbelief, then the belief and joy in the reality of the resurrection! And, with Mary, we encounter the Risen Christ, and can exclaim “I have seen the Risen Lord!”

John 20:1-18 THE WONDER, THE CELEBRATION, THE JOY OF RESURRECTION! A SERMON FOR EASTER SUNDAY: We experience with Mary, Peter and the beloved disciple the disbelief, then the belief and joy in the reality of the resurrection! And, with Mary, we encounter the Risen Christ, and can exclaim ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Discovering Your Destiny Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Apr 14, 2008

God desires that every one of His children would discover their destiny – the good plans that He has for their lives. The starting point for this is a God encounter where we hear His call, and respond with faith and obedience.

DISCOVERING YOUR DESTINY ILLUSTRATION: ON DESTINY There was a frog that absolutely knew his destiny was to turn in to a handsome young prince. But for confirmation, he decided to visit a fortuneteller. The fortuneteller brought the frog in and gazed into her crystal ball. She said, “Oh, I see ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: *other

Living Water

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Feb 4, 2013

We see within Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well a lesson on how to present the gospel. Let’s look at how Jesus interacted with her and what we can learn from it.

LIVING WATER John 4:1-26 We see within Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well a lesson on how to present the gospel. Let’s look at how Jesus interacted with her and what we can learn from it. 1) Be willing (vs. 1-9). • Be willing to be inconvenienced (vs.6). “Jesus, ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Youth Guidance (We Are All Youth)

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Mar 29, 2012

We are all youth. As youth, we encounter the culture of society that continues to redefine sin as something more acceptable to secular eyes. We need to keep God's Word close to remain true to His wisdom.

Introduction When Oliver Wendell Holmes was still on the U.S. Supreme Court, he and Justice Louis Brandeis took walks every afternoon. On one of these occasions Holmes, then ninety-two, paused to gaze in frank admiration at a beautiful young girl who passed them. He even turned to look at her ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:9-16, Psalm 119:9

Denomination: Lutheran

Is Anyone Of You In Trouble? Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jul 23, 2012

James gives us the solution to trouble and several other things that we encounter in life. 1- Are you in trouble? Pray 2- Are you happy? Sing 3- Are you sick? Call (make a phone call)

INTRO.- Trouble. Can life be lived without any trouble? No, it’s an impossibility. ILL.- Mark Twain said, “My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.” I think all parents have some trouble with their kids, but I doubt seriously that they ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-18, James 5:13-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ