Sermons on Fresh Encounter:

The Gentle Whisper - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 15, 2016

Elijah! What a story! What a life! Talk about a ministry with ups and downs; Elijah had them! This sermon takes us from Elijah's first encounter with Ahab to the Lord's first question to him in the cave on Mount Moriah. "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Elijah - a fascinating story Explain who Elijah was and where he fell in the history of Israel. Explain the spiritual state of Israel at the time of Elijah. (This is a different kind of sermon intended to be part one of two. In order to deliver this message I will read 1 Kings 17:1 - 1 Kings ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

You Had To Act

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jan 21, 2015

Many who encountered Jesus found it impossible to remain neutral about Him. Today everyone has their own idea about Jesus. Some of these ideas are based on what others have said and some of them are their own thoughts. What is your public stand on Jesus?

Opening illustration: A US congressman, John Lewis, was 23 years old when he participated in the historic 1963 civil rights “March on Washington” led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Half a century later, journalist Bill Moyers asked Lewis how he was affected by Dr. King’s ‘I ...read more

Scripture: John 7:40-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Disciple's Life: A Tale Of Two Jews Series

Contributed by Dan Boyce on Aug 26, 2011

In this sermon we will compare and contrast two Jews we encounter in the Gospels. One is a wealthy young ruler and the other is a widow. One has much and gives little. The other has little and gives much. Instead of the “balanced” life we often are ex

The Disciple's Life: A Tale of Two Jews Mark 12:41-42 (Luke 21:1-4); Mark 10:17-30 (Luke 18:18-29) Today is Pentecost! Pentecost is the Jewish feast that celebrated the early grain harvest. It is on this day that the church was born in Jerusalem when a group of 120 disciples of Jesus were ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-44

Denomination: *other

God's Grace In The Ups And Downs Of Life Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 26, 2012

Throughout our lives, we encounter both triumphs and tragedies. Victories and struggles. In all of them, God’s grace is constant, as we will see through the child God gives Sarah, the comfort God gives Abraham, the water God gives Hagar, and the Salvatio

Events can change IN A MOMENT. Our emotions can go from the top of the world to the bottom of the barrel in flash of time. The year was 1986. By now, the launch of the Space Shuttle was news but not like it was during the first few launches. This launch was different because for the first time ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Is Unpredictable Series

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jun 19, 2010

This story illustrates three of the possible attitudes of people that encounter Christ. 1. There are those who run from him 2. There are those who tell him to go away and 3. There are those who embrace him, those whom Jesus heals and who then go ou

Rotherby 20-06-2010 I wonder, when you heard our Gospel reading read this morning if you like me focussed initially on the destruction of the pigs in this story. I wonder if you asked the question Why did Jesus allow the demons to enter into the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39

Denomination: Anglican

What Are You Missing?

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 20, 2018

Today I want to look at an encounter between Jesus and a “Rich Young Ruler”. Kind of like Jesus meets Mark Zuckerberg. The rich seem to have everything yet this very, very rich young man knew he was missing something. What are you missing?

What one thing do you lack? Mark 10:17-34 The Rich Young Ruler We are now just four weeks away from Easter Sunday 2018. Easter happens to be on April 1st, April Fool’s Day. I kind of think that God the Father enjoys the irony in that one. Satan really was a fool to think he could kill Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"a Typical Day In The Life Of Our Lord" (Mark 1:21-34) Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 1, 2021

Mark presents what Jesus did on one particular Sabbath Day, showing through His preaching, encounters with demonic forces, and healing the sick that He was God in the flesh, Having power and authority over all creation, and to show His love and mercy for HIs people.

Mark 1:21-34 presents a series of events in the life of the Lord Jesus that occurred on one particular Sabbath day. On this day of rest, He would teach the Scriptures as no one else had ever done, show that He had power and authority over the demons, and bring healing to the sick. He ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-34

Denomination: Baptist

Helmet Of Salvation: We Are Not Good Enough Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 9, 2023

When we encounter the completely true thought that “we are not good enough” our society and our need for self-esteem creep up and we take our helmet of salvation off because we are disillusioned with God and we open ourselves up for temptation and doubt.

THE ARMOR OF GOD AND THE LIES OF THE ENEMY Helmet of Salvation: We Are Not Good Enough Ephesians 6:10-18 #armorofGod INTRODUCTION… Start with the End in Mind This morning I want to share with you where we will end up in our time looking at God’s Word and then I want to rewind and get us there. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Reserved For God

Contributed by Samuel M on Jan 9, 2024

Elijah was at the forefront of the Mount Carmel victory and the revival.The nation, and even Elijah, thought he was the last prophet left alive. But his perspective changed after he had an encounter with God on the mountain. He discovered that God had reserved 7000 people for himself.

“Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” 1 Kings 19:18 When there was a severe famine in Israel, everyone might have talked about Prophet Elijah. Elijah was at the forefront of the Mount Carmel victory and the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:18

Quarreled & Tested: For The Long Haul

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Sep 30, 2023

Exodus 17:1-7 is a story of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, which mirrors our struggles and tests. This passage reveals how the Israelites quarreled with God and faced a profound test of faith, a test that we, too, may encounter on our spiritual journey

1 October 2023 EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR A Quarreled & Tested: For the Long Haul The Message 17 1-2 Directed by God, the whole company of Israel moved on by stages from the Wilderness of Sin. They set camp at Rephidim. And there wasn’t a drop of water for the people to drink. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7

Denomination: United Methodist

"i'm On An Unsinkable Ship."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Apr 2, 2024

This message compares a figurative ship called "The Ole Ship of Zion" with the power of the gospel. The gospel encounters opposition from worldly forces as the ship sails on treacherous waters. However, the gospel message continues to thrive and change hearts and lives even today.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Acts 27:27) "But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;" (Acts 27:28-29) [28] ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:7-10, Acts 27:27-29, Acts 27:30-34, Acts 27:27

Denomination: Pentecostal

Character Study Of The Samaritan Woman Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 26, 2025

The Samaritan woman’s story is one of redemption and transformation. She moved from a sinful past to becoming a bold witness for Christ. Her life teaches that no one is too lost for Jesus to save, and that a true encounter with Him leads to a transformed life and a desire to share the gospel.

CHARACTER STUDY OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN – WOMAN AT THE WELL By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: John 4:1-30 "But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." – ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Mountain Climbing Without A Veil Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Feb 22, 2020

My friend Nigel (who is not a Christian) once said that that when Christians speak about God, he can feel like a primitive tribesman who suddenly encounters New York City - he just can’t get his head around it. If we want to begin to get our head around God, what one thing should we do more of?

Moses climbs up Mount Sinai - up THAT mountain- and disappears into the cloud at the top, the cloud that somehow represents the presence of God. There he stays for forty days in that haze, time apart in the presence of God receiving from God the ten commandments and other laws and teachings for ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 34:29-30, Luke 9:28-43, 1 Kings 19:1-13, Luke 17:11-19, 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, Matthew 17:1-9, Exodus 24:12-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The God Who Knows You Series

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Dec 11, 2007

Your next encounter with God may reveal His purposes in you. Apart from Him, you will never discover or fulfill your purpose. God knew you before you were even in your mother’s womb. He has a plan for your life.

Encountering God 17 The God Who Knows You Overview – We have spent over 4 months looking at the subject of Encountering God. We have looked at it from the angle of worship encounters…which I believe has changed our worship experience of God. How do I know that? Your Enthusiasm during worship: ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Joyful Transition From Law To Grace Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Apr 30, 2013

The man Saul of Tarsus had lived much of his life under the law. After a miraculous encounter with Jesus Christ, He came to have faith in Christ. Ananias was sent to tell Saul his need for salvation. The joy Paul experienced in going from life under the

THE JOYFUL TRANSITION FROM LAW TO GRACE 1 Timothy 1:8-17 http://chirb.it/c97Hmn INTRODUCTION: 1.) With the greatest of joy and excitement, one of the old Sunday School choruses proclaims: “It’s bubbling, it’s bubbling, it’s bubbling in my soul; there’s singing, and laughing, since Jesus ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:8-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ