Sermons on Strange Encounter:

Pentecost: Experience The Rest

Contributed by Brad Froese on Jun 28, 2006

Inspiration for those who want a life changing encounter/experience with the Almighty.

ILLUSTRATION: My grandfather Ken is sitting with us in the church today. For years, he’s been involved in one form of ministry or another at several churches. One day, he waited at the altar in a church to pray with anyone who needed prayer when a little boy came forward. The young man asked for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:4-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Two Ways To Reclaim The Season Series

Contributed by Joseph Hughes on Dec 7, 2002

Jesus’ words in Mark 13 sound strange this time of year, but they remind us that the season is about the redemption of the world not the resurrection of the "bottom line."

First Sunday in Advent -December 1, 2002 The Holy Gospel - Mark 13:24-37 13:24 "But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 13:25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 13:26 Then they ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Living Together To Advance The Gospel Series

Contributed by Kenneth Henes on Jun 22, 2004

God often uses strange tools to help us advance the Gospel as pioneers. From Paul, we see two of those tools.

LIVING TOGETHER TO ADVANCE THE GOSPEL Philippians 1:12-18 INTRODUCTION A. Three German Christian preachers who stood out as preachers in WWII Germany: 1. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who joined a movement to overthrow Hitler, lectured in the US during a period of time in which his life was threatened in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Mission Of Division

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Aug 27, 2004

Jesus talks about a mission that seems foreign to his character as the Prince of Peace - that of causing divisions. Come and explore this strange text with me.

August 29, 2004 Luke 12:49-53 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-53

Denomination: Lutheran

When Nothing Changes Or Turning Despair Into Delight

Contributed by Louis Bartet on May 16, 2018

It may seem a strange place to find encouragement, but the man after God's own heart goes form despair to delight in six verses.

WHEN NOTHING CHANGES Psalms 13 This was probably written by David during the years when King Saul was pursuing him for the purpose of taking his life. During that time David confessed, “There is but a step between me and death” (1 Samuel 20:3). I. HIS DESPAIR (13;1-2) 1. With The Lord ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Ghost Or Messiah? Series

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Oct 15, 2023

This sermon follows the Feeding of the 5,000 (another strange story). It is a story that further reveals the true identity of Jesus as Messiah, Savior and LORD.

Scripture: Mark 6:45-52; Isaiah 43:1-2 Theme: Ghost or Messiah? Sermon – This sermon is about Jesus revealing Himself to His Disciples as the Son of God/Messiah. INTRO: Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Have you ever had a day that seemed like nothing went ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:45-52, Isaiah 43:1-2

Denomination: Nazarene

Twelfth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year B: "I Climb Fences When I Got Fences To Climb."

Contributed by Paul Andrew on May 17, 2024

“Our biggest challenge is to recognize those invisible fences “that ain’t ever strang up yet” and to ignore them."

John Steinbeck wrote about Jim Casy and Tom Joad traveling to California looking for a better life in a land they’ve never seen. When their ragged old car breaks down, Casy begins to pour out his doubts to Tom about this seemingly jinxed rush to California. Tom resists Casy’s pessimistic ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Catholic

Is Jesus An Alien From Another Planet? (Luke 9:28-36)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 2, 2007

Transfiguration: we struggle. We are weary. There is much we do not understand. And yet every now and then we catch a glimpse of the strange and glorious nature of Jesus, an...

Yes, it’s the story of the transfiguration - my least favourite Gospel story. When I realised the transfiguration was scheduled for this week, I tried to get out of it. I thought about other people I could ask to preach ... but I couldn’t come up with anybody. Then I remembered that the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Of Utmost Concern Sermon Iii: What It Means To Follow Jesus Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 12, 2020

Mature believers in Christ concern themselves with being and doing "good" not for the praise of man but for the Lord because of that "moment of truth" which occurred during their personal encounter with Jesus.

OF CONCERN TO JESUS: HIS DISCIPLES’ PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT IT MEANS TO FOLLOW HIM A brief glance at the Lazarus story: Yes! Sometime after Jesus raised him from the dead - “for God’s glory that God’s Son may be glorified - Lazarus died again, and his body was buried, as with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-26

Outstanding Testimonies

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on May 31, 2025

God is not finished with your story. No matter what has happened in the past, He is able to give you a testimony so outstanding that it will make your mouth fill with laughter and your eyes with tears of joy.

OUTSTANDING TESTIMONIES By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 126:1-3 Supporting Texts: Revelation 12:11, Isaiah 43:18-19, Mark 5:25-34, John 11:40, Hebrews 11:1 INTRODUCTION: Testimonies are more than personal stories—they are divine evidence of God's power at work in the lives of His ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"where Is Your Vision?"

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Apr 2, 2023

Saints, your vision is the idea constantly flashing in your mind, the dream that doesn’t seem to go away, all driven by our purpose. This works together to keep us focused on what we want to accomplish for the Kingdom of God.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Proverbs 29:18) "Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." (Proverbs 19:21) “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18, Habakkuk 2:3, Joel 2:28, Jeremiah 29:11, John 15:16, Philippians 3:14, Proverbs 19:21, Psalm 32:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Experiencing God In Times Of Silence

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 3, 2025

There are moments in every believer's journey when it seems as though God is silent. During such times, we may question whether He hears us, whether He is present, or whether He is working in our lives. However, silence does not mean absence.

EXPERIENCING GOD IN TIMES OF SILENCE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Kings 19:11-13 “And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” Supporting Texts: Psalm 46:10 Habakkuk 2:20 Isaiah 30:15 Lamentations 3:25-26 Psalm 62:1-2 Exodus ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:11-13, Psalm 46:10, Habakkuk 2:20, Isaiah 30:15, Lamentations 3:25-26, Psalm 62:1-2, Exodus 14:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Understanding Divine Visitation Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 14, 2025

Divine visitation refers to a moment when God steps into the affairs of men in a personal and supernatural way.

UNDERSTANDING DIVINE VISITATION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 21:1-2 Supporting Texts: Exodus 3:1-12,  Luke 19:41-44, Genesis 28:12-15, Acts 9:1-6 INTRODUCTION: Divine visitation refers to a moment when God steps into the affairs of men in a personal and supernatural way. It is ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Sudden Visitation Of Mercy

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 1, 2025

Divine mercy is the expression of God’s love that moves Him to help, heal, and rescue us when we least deserve it. Mercy is not earned—it is received.

SUDDEN VISITATION OF MERCY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Luke 1:68-69 Supporting Texts: Psalm 102:13, Romans 9:15-16, Isaiah 60:10, John 5:1-9, Lamentations 3:22-23 INTRODUCTION: Divine mercy is the expression of God’s love that moves Him to help, heal, and rescue us when we least deserve ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:68-69

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Heaven Touched The Earth

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 2, 2025

When John says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” he is describing a moment in history when heaven literally touched the earth. God stepped into time, wrapped Himself in humanity, and lived among us.

HEAVEN TOUCHED THE EARTH By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: John 1:14 Supporting Texts: Philippians 2:6-11, Isaiah 7:14, Luke 2:8-14, Matthew 1:23, Colossians 1:15-20 INTRODUCTION: The mystery of the Incarnation is one of the most powerful demonstrations of divine love. When John says, “The Word ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14

Denomination: Assembly Of God