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

Can Music Heal?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on May 23, 2019

There has been a growing interest in the healing ability of music within the church. That has led some to explore ancient religious music traditions and practices as people seek supernatural encounters and deeper intimacy with God.

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn — shout for joy before the LORD, the King.” (Ps 98:4-6 NIV) Music has always been an ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 14:11, Ezekiel 28:13-15, Psalm 98:4-6, Isaiah 53:5, Revelation 5:10, Ephesians 5:19-20, Colossians 3:16-17, Revelation 15:3-4, Acts 16:25-26, Isaiah 24:16, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 2:16, Romans 8:26, Jeremiah 2:13, Matthew 8:7, Exodus 15:26, Psalm 103:3, Psalm 33:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Worry About The Lions Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Jul 29, 2012

We live in a world that can be a scary place sometimes. How can we live a life that is pleasing to God when we encounter circumstances and real problems that will come solely as a result of following God?

Don’t worry about the Lions Daniel 6 Intro Slide Good Morning. This morning we are going to talking about Daniel and the Lion’s Den. Now when I mention Lions, you either think about the Lions’ you have seen at the zoo or at a circus Slide Lions that look like this and are ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Last Hours Of Jesus' Life - Free From Passivity

Contributed by Joanne Chan on May 18, 2018

In this sermon, we look at how the people mocked Jesus as he walked toward the hill of Golgotha, and contrast that with his encounter with Simon from Cyrene to see what it really means to carry the cross for Jesus.

Central theme: Jesus denied himself and took the punishment for us with total dedication. We should take up the cross and follow Jesus, which means denying our old self (our comfort, your desires) and live for God because God is leading us to an even better place. Opening: Think of a place ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:15-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wrestling With God Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

This morning, I invite you to consider with me, “How do people actually have a life-changing encounter?” Is it near death experience that causes us to change? What would cause you to change?

We continue our series, My Crazy Family, the story of Jacob. Jacob is a complex character – we would say in our day, “He’s a piece of work.” Jacob’s life is a Russian nesting doll with one conflict inside conflict inside yet another, conflict. What begins as a conflict with his twin brother Esau, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Ascension Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 8, 2021

It was reported by official Soviet channels upon their entry into space in 1961 that the Russian Cosmonaut who first traveled into space said these words: “I went up to space, but I didn’t encounter God.”

Jesus stayed on the earth for forty days after His resurrection. Now, forty days is a long time. If Jesus rose on March 27, this would place His ascension from earth on May 5 (Cinco de Mayo). America has holidays that mark the birth of Jesus (Christmas), the death of Jesus (Good Friday), and the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:35-53

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

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

Faithfulness In Hidden Places Series

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Jan 21, 2026

There's a moment in Scripture that most people overlook, but it's one of the most powerful pictures of faithfulness I've ever encountered. King David is getting old

INTRODUCTION There's a moment in Scripture that most people overlook, but it's one of the most powerful pictures of faithfulness I've ever encountered. King David is getting old. His days are numbered. He knows he's not going to live to see his greatest dream fulfilled. God told ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 28:11-19

Denomination: Methodist

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

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