Sermons on Fresh Encounter:

Fresh Starts And Living Hope

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on May 19, 2008

Using Peter as an example of how the Resurrection of Jesus gives us fresh starts and living hope

It had been the worst two and a half days of their lives. First the Master had brought them to the Garden of Gethsemane just outside of Jerusalem to pray, but instead they fell asleep, after all it was late. Perhaps if they had been awake and watchful they would have noticed the torches of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9, 1 Peter 1:1-9

Denomination: Methodist

Pentecost: The Price For Fresh Fire

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 6, 2025

This message is a call to spiritual hunger, personal consecration, and relentless pursuit of God. The fire of the Holy Spirit is not reserved for a select few; it is available to all who are willing to seek God wholeheartedly.

PENTECOST: THE PRICE FOR FRESH FIRE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Acts 2:1-4 Supporting Texts: Joel 2:28-29, Luke 24:49, Romans 12:11, Leviticus 6:12-13, Matthew 3:11 INTRODUCTION: Pentecost marks a significant moment in the life of the Church—the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that ignited ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A New Heart For A Fresh Start

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 22, 2022

Jesus’ teaching and ministry was a way of reframing the use of Scripture. The Scribes had made notes that were superimposed on Scripture. Jesus holds before us a new way of living life. One based on mercy, grace, and love. Jesus modeled the heart and intent of God.

As a child we would attempt to salvage anything and everything. The house I remember from early childhood was an interesting building. When my mother wanted to clean the floor, she would pour water on the floor, scrub it with a broom, and the water would drain through the floor. The first home ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-28, Matthew 5:17-20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 11:6, Matthew 11:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Encounters: Abraham Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jun 14, 2004

This is about God’s call on Abraham.

Intro to “God Encounters” series. We can have our own encounter with God. Abraham is a hero to Christians, Jews and Muslims. He is a giant man on the stage of history. The old saying is “the faith of Abraham.” Read Genesis 12:1-9. God later changed Abram’s name to Abraham. For the sake of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: Jacob Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jun 20, 2004

This is about Jacob’s wrestling match with God and the significance for us.

Jacob was the grandson of Abe. Give brief background of Jacob’s life. Sneaky, underhanded, trickster, etc. Jacob had tricked his father, Isaac, and his father-in-law, Laban. He was a marked man by Esau. He is older now, and he is headed to meet his brother. Read Genesis 32:22-32. What we ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: Moses Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jun 28, 2004

This is on Moses’ God encounter.

Don’t you love excuses? Nine GI’s were late for morning roll call. The first arrived at 7 PM. He had a date missed the bus, hired a cab then it broke down. He went to a farmhouse and bought a horse. Ten miles from camp it fell over dead. “I walked the last ten miles.” The CO wasn’t happy but ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: Gideon Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 3, 2004

This is about Gideon’s God encounter.

Have you ever felt inadequate for the task at hand? When I was a kid, a professional carpenter helped us re-roof our house. I took ten swings of the hammer to the nail in, but he only took two. Once my boss asked me to take a look at her care engine. Then there was the time that our kids were ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-27

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: Isaiah Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 10, 2004

This is about Isaiah’s God encounter.

What comes to mind when I say, “In the year 2001”? 2001 was a year that changed the way we look at security. The WTC attack rocked our world. It had been 60 years. OKC was domestic. WTC ’93 failed. We were hit at home. Life is not the same. Threat level codes. Air marshals. Dep. of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: Jeremiah Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 17, 2004

This is about Jeremiah’s God encounter.

Too Young the Hero is a movie about 12 year old Calvin Graham who managed to enlist in the Navy during WWII. Read Jeremiah 1:4-10. Jeremiah was young. How young? We don’t know. The word translated “youth, child, boy” could mean an infant to a young man. I. God’s CALL. We typically think of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: Nathanael Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Aug 8, 2004

This is about Nathanael’s encounter with Jesus.

Jesus is beginning his ministry. John the Baptist had baptized him. He has just called Andrew and Peter. He had been a carpenter. Read John 1:43-51. I. Proposal. Jesus makes a proposal to Philip: “Follow me.” He was from the same town as Andrew and Peter. It was a simple and direct proposal. ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: Zacchaeus Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Aug 21, 2004

This is about Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus.

Sing “Zacchaeus was a Wee Little Man.” Share recollections of Zach from Sunday school: short, tree, etc. Read Luke 19:1-10. Who was Zacchaeus? What happened to Zacchaeus? Who was Zacchaeus? The only biographical info is right here: “a tax collector and rich.” * He was DESPISED. To say that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Encounters: Paul Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Sep 13, 2004

This is about Paul’s conversion.

Turning points are those things that happen, where after it life is never the same. Inventions are often turning points. The automobile altered life forever. The PC altered life forever. Cell phones (the electronic leash) altered life forever. It took almost a week for the assassination of A. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-9

Denomination: Wesleyan

An Encounter With The Risen Lord

Contributed by Stephan Brown on Oct 3, 2002

Demonstrates how religious ritual, even good religious ritual cannot bring the spiritual satisfaction that we crave. Only an intimate encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ can bring what our souls desire.

An Encounter with the Risen Lord Christianity and the Bible make a lot of promises. When we tell people about Christ we promise them fulfillment: peace, and joy, and happiness. We promise them that Christianity is a relationship with Christ that will bring meaning to their life. And we offer all ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-8, Luke 24:13-33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

An Encounter With The Risen Lord

Contributed by Stephan Brown on Oct 3, 2002

Demonstrates how religious ritual, even good religious ritual cannot bring the spiritual satisfaction that we crave. Only an intimate encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ can bring what our souls desire.

An Encounter with the Risen Lord Christianity and the Bible make a lot of promises. When we tell people about Christ we promise them fulfillment: peace, and joy, and happiness. We promise them that Christianity is a relationship with Christ that will bring meaning to their life. And we offer all ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-8, Luke 24:13-33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

An Uncomfortable Encounter With Christ Series

Contributed by Joseph Marshall on Jun 24, 2006

Now these issues will destroy your life if you do not have one necessary component. That necessary component is a rock solid assurance in the character of God. When you can not understand what He is doing, the only thing you have left is your certainty

As Christians we think that when we come to Christ everything will be a bed of roses. At times, we have to wrestle with things that seem the exact opposite of what we know of God. At times, I get questions as a pastor to try to explain the Tsunamis, earthquakes, illness, and such. Quite ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Baptist