Encounter Church

Sermon Date: July 16, 2023 Series: The Most Excellent Way Title: The Necessity of Love Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 12-13:3 Speaker: Andy Sabaka Notes: Big Idea: Great spiritual gifts, without love, are worthless. To Consider: 1. Am I more focused on what I do, than who I am? 2. How do we decide who should be promoted into leadership in the church? 3. How do we evaluate our ministries?  

Sermon Date: July 9, 2023 Series: We Are Witnesses Scripture Focus: Acts 20 Speaker: Michael Boehm Notes: Big Idea: The church is valuable, care for her well. 1. Don't shrink back 2. Stand Guard 3. Live out  

Sermon Date: July 2, 2023 Series: We Are Witnesses Title: Wrestling the Beasts Scripture Focus: Acts 19 Speaker: Michael Boehm Notes: Big Idea: The certainty of resurrection emboldens our witness. 1. Commit to the hard work of evangelism. 2. Trust that God’s power will prevail. 3. Be willing to stand against the crowd.  

Sermon Date: June 25, 2023 Series: We Are Witnesses Title: Strengthen the Disciples Scripture Focus: Acts 18 Speaker: Michael Boehm Notes: Big Idea: Strengthened to strengthen. 1. The church strengthened Paul. 2. Paul strengthened Aquila and Priscilla. 3. Aquila and Priscilla strengthened Apollos. 4. Apollos strengthened the church.  

Sermon Date: June 18, 2023   Series: We Are Witnesses Title: Encouragement for the Weary Witness Scripture Focus: Acts 18   Speaker: Michael Boehm   Notes:   Big Idea: Don't give up, God is with you.   1. Wearied and Discouraged * Hard work * Busy schedule * Puzzling hindrances * Worldliness * Hurtful rejection * Persecution * Success     2. Means of Encouragement * Godly friends * Generosity of other believers * God’s promises * Divine favor  

Sermon Date: June 4, 2023 Series: We Are Witnesses Title: Evangelism Strategy Scripture Focus: Acts 17 Speaker: Michael Boehm Notes: Big Idea: Be strategic in your evangelism. 1. Purposeful in routine. Acts 17:1-4 2. Persuasive through words. Acts 17:1-4 3. Persistent amid threats. Acts 17:5-15 4. Provoked by culture.  Acts 17:16-21 5. Prepared with answers. Acts 17:22-31 6. Pointed to Jesus.  Acts 17:31-33    

Sermon Date: May 21, 2023 Series: We Are Witnesses Title: Bearing a Faithful Witness Scripture Focus: Acts 16 Speaker: Bill Reynolds Notes: Big Idea: Being a faithful witness requires putting God first in all things. 1. Appearance matters.  Acts 16:1-3 2. It’s God’s plan, not ours.  Acts 16:6-34 3. Take the stage when you have it.   Acts 16:35-40    

Sermon Date: May 14, 2023 Series: We Are Witnesses Title: Grace Scripture Focus: Acts 15:1-11 Speaker: Dan Horton Notes: Big Idea: Grace gives relief to the burdens in our lives. 1. Doing more is not the answer.  Acts 15:1-5 2. Don’t place a burden on yourself that is too hard to bear.  Acts 15:6-10 3. Receive God’s grace and believe.   Acts 15:11    

Sermon Date: May 7, 2023 Series: We Are Witnesses Title: Declaration of the Resurrection Scripture Focus: Acts 13 Speaker: Michael Boehm Notes: Big Idea: The Resurrection Declares That God is Faithful to His Promises.  

Sermon Date: April 30, 2023 Series: We Are Witnesses Title: Be Ready to be Sent Scripture Focus: Acts 13 Speaker: Michael Boehm Notes: Big Idea: Be ready to go when and where the Lord sends you. 1. Recognize the importance of regular and ordinary church practices. 2. Strive to be set apart from the world. 3. Seek to know God’s missionary heart. 4. Support those on the mission field.  

Sermon Date: April 23, 2023 Series: We Are Witnesses Title: God Is Greater Scripture Focus: Acts 12 Speaker: Michael Boehm Notes:  Big Idea: God is greater than all world powers. 1. Herod’s Pride and Power.  (Acts 12:1-3) 2. The Church’s Persistent Prayers.  (Acts 12:4-20) 3. God’s Sovereign Power and Plan.  (Acts 12:20-25)  

Sermon Date: April 16, 2023 Series:  Title: Lord of All Scripture Focus: Acts 10 Speaker: Michael Boehm Notes: Big Idea: The Gospel is for all because Jesus is Lord of all. 1. God orchestrates divine Gospel appointments. 2. God breaks down our prejudices to speak the Gospel through us. 3. All who believe the Gospel are saved.  

Big Idea: Those who believe in the risen Jesus will not be disappointed. 1. A Certain Salvation. 2. An Open Invitation. 3. A Rich Blessing.

Sermon Date: April 2, 2023 Series: We Are Witnesses Title: Hope for the Hard-hearted Scripture Focus: Acts 9 Speaker: Michael Boehm Notes: Big Idea: Don’t give up hope for the hard-hearted sinner. 1. Paul was a fierce enemy of Christ. 2. God sovereignly saved Paul by grace. 3. Paul became a faithful servant of Christ and the church.  

Sermon Date: March 26, 2023 Series: We Are Witnesses Title: Gospeling the Gospel Scripture Focus: Acts 8 Speaker: Michael Boehm Notes: Big Idea: We are called to gospelize the gospel as we go. 1. God uses ordinary people to tell the news of Jesus’ resurrection. 2. God puts us in unexpected places for Gospel purposes. 3. Don’t be surprised that some who claim to believe end up turning away. 4. Witness in a way that you care for the individual person. 5. Jesus is the answer we proclaim.  

Big Idea: The world will reject you, but Christ will receive you.   1. The people rejected Stephen. 2. The people rejected Jesus. 3. Jesus received Stephen

Series: We Are Witnesses Scripture Focus: Acts 6-7:10 Speaker: Jesse Priddy Notes: Big Idea: When the Spirit of God is in your life, there is inward change and outward evidence 1. God's Spirit will lead us to others as well 2. God's Spirit will guide us and give us confidence 3. God's Spirit will bring growth and flourishment  

Series: We Are Witnesses Scripture Focus: Acts 4:29-5:42 Speaker: Michael Boehm     Big Idea: Be determined in your witness because Christ’s resurrection is certain. 1. Our determination is strengthened by fellowship and unity. - Acts 4:29-5:11 2. Our determination is emboldened by the hope of our message. - Acts 5:12-18 3. Our determination is commanded by a higher authority. - Acts 5:19-39 4. Our determination is commended by suffering. - Acts 5:40-42  

Sermon Date: February 26, 2023 Series: We Are Witnesses Title: Courage to Tell Others About Jesus Scripture Focus: Acts 3-4 Speaker: Dan Horton and Zach Parsons   Notes: Big Idea: Since God is All Powerful, we can be courageous in speaking His name. 1. We are convinced of Christ's Power and Authority 2. We seek to consistently be with Jesus 3. He gives us the Courage to speak His Name

Sermon Date: February 19, 2023 Series: We Are Witnesses Title: A Unified Witness Scripture Focus: Acts 2:42-47 Speaker: Michael Boehm Notes: Big Idea: Our unified love is an undeniable witness to a watching world. 1. Love for God. Devoted to worship. Acts 2:42-43 2. Love for Believers. Caring for needs. Acts 2:44-45 3. Love for Neighbors. Practicing hospitality. Acts 2:46-47