Sermons on Fresh Encounter:

Holy Fisherman!

Contributed by Brett Thomasson on Feb 8, 2007

Peter meets the Holy, and wonders what he should do.

Welcome to round 637 of “Fights over stuff that’s not as important as everyone thinks it is.” Older translations have Jesus telling Simon he will now be a “fisher of men,” while newer ones say he will catch or fish for people. Folks who prefer the older version point to the rhythm of the words and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

God Wants A Church For Forgiven Sinners Who Get A Jesus Welcome

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Aug 22, 2007

Saul was formerly a ’Preacher of Hate’. He was once a Religious Terrorist! After his dramatic conversion Saul, like us, was a forgiven sinner. He received a Jesus welcome into the Church from Ananias and Barnabas. That’s the Church God wants!

He was once a religious fanatic and a religious terrorist at the same time. He was once a preacher of hate. There was a time when he was “breathing out murderous threats against followers of Jesus” (9:1). Saul! We heard last week that Saul’s conversion was as dramatic as the transformation which ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:19-31

Denomination: Anglican

Why Don't We Witness?

Contributed by Dr. Ronnie Grizzle on Aug 25, 2007

Using North American Mission Board (SBC) Statistics from 1998, this brief message challenges Christians to NOT be ashamed of the Gospel!

WHY DON’T WE WITNESS? ROMANS 1:14-16 1998 STATISTICS 40,870 SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCHES 15,729,000 SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH MEMBERSHIP 407,264 CONVERSIONS/BAPTISMS IN 1998 412,027 CONVERSIONS/BAPTISMS IN 1997 4,763 LESS THAN PREVIOUS YEAR AVERAGES OUT TO ONLY ONE CONVERSION PER 38.62 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Discovering Your Purpose

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 10, 2025

God has created everyone for a purpose, and discovering it is the key to living a fulfilled life. Many remain unfulfilled because they fail to seek and pursue God’s plan. True purpose is found in Christ, and those who submit to His will shall walk in divine destiny.

DISCOVERING YOUR PURPOSE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Jeremiah 1:4-10 Supporting Texts: Proverbs 19:21, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 2:10, Isaiah 46:10 INTRODUCTION: Many people go through life without a clear understanding of why they were created. Purpose is the original intent of God for a ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10, Proverbs 19:21, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 2:10, Isaiah 46:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Four Anchors That Hold

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Jun 12, 2011

Consider some of the “anchors” we can employ in the storms of life that we face.

FOUR ANCHORS THAT HOLD "Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come." Acts 27:29 This frightening event occurred on Paul's voyage to Rome to stand trial before Caesar Nero. There are several parallels we can draw ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:29

Denomination: Baptist

Repentance Will Get You Everywhere

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 8, 2001

The prophet Hosea gives some wonderful principles on repentance

REPENTACE WILL GET YOU EVERYWHERE HOSEA 14:1-9 INTRODUCTION I. THE PROPHET’S LIFE AND TIMES A. Hosea preached to the people of Israel about sin and about repentance. B. The entire Old Testament is filled with the cycle Israel went through. This cycle can especially be seen in the book of ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 14:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tips For Fund Raising

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Feb 26, 2008

God is able to make every grace overflow to you...

Tips for Fundraising: 2Cor. 9:8 1. Project your ministry, not yourself. - “For we are not proclaiming ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus.” 2Cor. 4:5 2. You are not alone in this endeavor. - “…I will never leave you or forsake you.” Heb. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:8

Denomination: Baptist

Glory In The Church Series

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Aug 10, 2010

Paul’s prayer (Ephesians 3:14-21) begins with “your glory” (v. 13b) and ends with “glory” (v. 21) This is a simple passage on how to pray for each other. These four things give God the glory He deserves/desires:

Paul’s prayer (Ephesians 3:14-21) begins with “your glory” (v. 13b) and ends with “glory” (v. 21) This is a simple passage on how to pray for each other. Reminder: The Church is not the building, nor the services, but the people (v. 15) These four things give God the glory He ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Loosed By The Donkey Series

Contributed by Diana Tyler on Sep 17, 2023

A jawbone takes down Samson's enemies

The men told Samson that they had come down arrest him and deliver him to the Philistines. Samson made them swear that they wouldn't kill him themselves and they agreed. Instead, they bound him with new ropes and brought him up from the rock. Judges 15:12-13 When he came to Lehi, the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 15:14-17

Without God You Are Nothing, With God You Are Everything Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Sep 22, 2025

The Bible emphasizes the importance of our profound relationship with God...

The Bible emphasizes the importance of our profound relationship with God, highlighting the dramatic contrast between life without Him and life with Him. Let's explore this concept through biblical verses. Without God, We Are Nothing Without God, we are incomplete and lacking in true purpose. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:12, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Roger, The Lost Sheep Series

Contributed by Bradley Hall on Jul 19, 2002

Roger the sheep is lost and found, and the flock doesn’t like it.

There was great distress among the sheep. Little Wally, the son of prominent flock members Drusilla and Arthur, was missing. The panic had begun in early afternoon, when he did not return from play. Soon, though, the shepherd found out that Wally was gone, and about nightfall he set out to search ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

More Than Enough!

Contributed by James Wilson on Nov 22, 2000

Jesus gives us more than enough.

More Than Enough! John 2:3-4 KJV "And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. [4] Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come." The Gospel of John includes 7 of Jesus' 35 recorded miracles, less than any other Gospel, ...read more

Scripture: John 2:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord's Supper

Contributed by James Wilson on Nov 22, 2000

The Lord's Supper is an opportunity to fellowship with Christ and other believers.

The Lord's Supper Matthew 26:17-30 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?" [18] And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is at hand; I am to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:17-30

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom

Contributed by James Wilson on Nov 22, 2000

Truth Sets you free!

FREEDOM John 8:31-32 KJV "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." On July 4th we celebrate the birth of a free nation. Our founding fathers recognized that ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

"The Little Problem” Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jan 16, 2004

This is the first in a series of messages dealing with the importance of our speech as followers of Christ.

KEEPING MY TONGUE ON THE CUTTING EDGE “The Little Problem” James 3:1-12 ILLUSTRATION: Perhaps you remember some of these ACTUAL descriptions of accidents that were written on insurance claim forms: § “I pulled form the side of the road, glanced at my Mother-In-Law, and headed for the ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist