Sermons on how to be close to god:

Close Encounters Of The Third Kind

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Dec 10, 2008

Luke, chapter 2 contains the three kinds of encounters associated with alien visitation: sighting, communication, and making it public. Spinning off from the film, "Close Encounter of the Third Kind", this is an examination of the birth announcement and

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND Luke 2:8-20 ONE OF THE GREAT EVENTS OF THE 20TH CENTURY took place on July 20th, 1969, at exactly 4:17 P.M., EDT, when the Lunar Module “Eagle” landed on the surface of the moon. The Apollo 11 mission was the first ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

Standing Fast And Following Close

Contributed by Ken Pell on Sep 13, 2010

With a constant barrage of attacks and pressure comes a danger of compromise and to surrender to the enemy which can be avoided by staying close (following) to the Savior.

STANDING FAST AND FOLLOWING CLOSE Rev. 7:13-17 Sermon Objective: With a constant barrage of attacks and pressure comes a danger of compromise and to surrender to the enemy which can be avoided by staying close (following) to the Savior. Supporting Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:6-8; 1 Corinthians ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:13-17

Denomination: Nazarene

Has Hell Closed Down

Contributed by Dennis Nolan on Feb 29, 2004

Has hell closed down?

Has hell closed down ? A gallop poll in 1995 found that only 24% of British people believe in hell as an objective reality whereas around 50% believe in heaven. Is the whole notion of hell bad for Christianity- an embarrassing religious fossil from the middle ages or even as some have argued - ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Close Enough To Feel The Scars Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on May 8, 2006

Final in the Series "Near to His Heart: The Gospel of John." Easter Sermon, Jesus invites us to draw near in spite of our doubts and questions.

Birthday invitations—the kids start on them months before the party because they want people to come. For the last several months I’ve been sharing stories from the Gospel of John about Jesus invitation to us—the invitation to come near to Him. This morning we both celebrate His resurrection and ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How’s Your Heart? Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Dec 9, 2009

It was the practice of Jewish teachers to try to sum up the hundreds of laws into great overarching principles that people could focus on. In Mark 12 we see an encounter a teacher of the law had with Jesus in this hope of discovering the great “one thing

WHAT THE BOOK SAYS ABOUT LOVE Part 1 HOW’S YOUR HEART? Mark 12:30 Ezekiel 36:26-27 Sunday, February 8, 2009 Pastor Brian Matherlee In the movie City Slickers 39th birthday of Mitch Robbins (Billy Crystal) and he is not happy about it. His two friends are having crises of their own and they buy a ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26-27

Denomination: Wesleyan

Doing Close Up Work Series

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Dec 7, 2011

I. No Soul Is So Lost But The Lord Can Find It II. No Situation Is So Small But The Lord Can Use It. III. No Strength Is So Feeble But The Lord Can Increase It. IV. No Start Is So Small But The Lord Can Magnify It

- You need another lens to do close-up work - Macro lens on water + Without water, you can’t have life! - Water covers about 70% of the Earth’s surface - Mayo Clinic Guideline 8x8 (8 oz x 8 glasses) - An American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than a typical person in a ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-42

Denomination: Baptist

Close Don't Count

Contributed by Robert Tallent on Jul 19, 2008

To Draw nigh to Christ is our Choice

Close Don’t Count James 4:8. The story is told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever ...read more

Scripture: James 4:8

Denomination: Baptist

Communion - Open, Closed, Or Cracked? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 7, 2020

Is the Communion Meal Open to all who profess Christ? Or is it overseen by the congregation hosting the meal and thus restricted to those who are in open fellowship with the assembly? The message is a study of this controversial question.

“In the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

Close Encounters Of The Jesus Kind

Contributed by Carl Greene on May 10, 2008

A sermon challenging each member of the congregation to answer Jesus’ question... "But what about you? Who do you say I am?"

A Close Encounter of the Jesus Kind Matthew 16: 13-16 —William Willimon, “Who do you say that I am?” August 22, 1999, Duke Chapel Web Site, chapel.duke.edu. A student came to me and asked me to explain to her the difference between Christianity and Judaism. She is in love with a student who is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-16

Denomination: Methodist

Visionary View: Are Your Eyes Closed To The Truth Of God? Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 13, 2023

Today, let us embark on a journey together, seeking to open our eyes to the profound truths that God has laid out for us in His Word. God desires us to have open eyes, open ears, and open hearts to receive His truth.

Visionary View: Are Your Eyes Closed to the Truth of God? Today, let us embark on a journey together, seeking to open our eyes to the profound truths that God has laid out for us in His Word. Opening Prayer: Let us begin with a word of prayer. Heavenly Father, we come before you with open hearts ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:10, Proverbs 20:12, Matthew 13:13-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Open Handed Blessings, Closed Handed Consequences

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Jul 30, 2006

When we look back on all of the gifts that have freely been bestowed upon us by God we clearly see richness, yet how freely are we giving it away? I believe that Jesus desires that we not hoard these gifts, but give them away...

How many of you know what it is like to have a kid coming up to you asking for candy? I had Pastor Adam and Emi’s kids Harry and Jordan in my office the other day wanting a lolly. How do you look into the faces of those cute kids and say, ‘no’? You can’t. I opened up my drawer and gave them each a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:7-8

Huddled Behind Closed Doors

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Apr 14, 2020

Today, many are huddled behind closed doors, fearing the dreadful disease - Coronavirus.

Message/Devotion April 19, 2020 John 20:19-31 Huddled Behind Closed Doors As I read today’s gospel message, it was abundantly clear to me that today masses of people are huddled behind closed doors due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Some are in a self-imposed lockdown. Some are in a lockdown ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Behind The Closed Doors Of Easter

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Mar 25, 2008

There isn’t a locked door strong enough to keep Jesus out.

Behind Closed Doors of Easter John 20:19-29 Mar. 23, 2008 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor Introduction A A Muslim said to a Christian, "WE Muslims have one thing you Christians do not have. When we go to Medina (Saudi Arabia), we find a coffin and know ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Of The Closed Door - Laodicea Series

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Dec 19, 2017

Laodicea was the second of the seven churches of Asia to receive no commendation from the Lord. Such a state requires us to look very carefully at this church, which lived within an affluent society whose attitudes clearly rubbed off on the church.

THE CHURCH OF THE CLOSED DOOR READING Rev 3:14-22 1. INTRODUCTION Laodicea was the second of the seven churches of Asia to receive no commendation from the Lord. Such a state requires us to look very carefully at this church. Can it teach something to us today? We shall see as we move through ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Church Of God

From Behind Closed Doors

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 9, 2011

Sermon for Ascension Sunday, 2011

Luke 24: 44 – 53 / From Behind Closed Doors Intro: The following item appeared in the Lewiston, Idaho Tribune – “The crossword puzzle which should have appeared in today’s Tribune appeared instead in yesterday’s together with the answer to the puzzle that should ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-53

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed