In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 45

An Envious Heart

Contributed by Alan Smith on Apr 20, 2006

It’s been said that there are two kinds of people in the world -- those who are millionaires and those who would like to be. And that’s one example of jealousy, but it’s only a piece of it.

Introduction: Those of you who are Muppet fans will know that one of Kermit the Frog’s most famous lines is, “It’s not easy being green.” But I beg to differ. Shakespeare called jealousy “the green sickness”, and we often speak of people being “green with envy”. And, in that regard, it’s all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Scarifice Of Thanksgiving

Contributed by Alan Smith on Apr 20, 2006

Psalm 116 points very eloquently to the fact that thanksgiving to God is a concern of every Christian. Day by day, may we remember how richly God has blessed each of us, may we daily express our thanks to him for his goodness, and may we in response dedi

Introduction: I recently read a list of seven things that mothers should be thankful for. It said you should be thankful for… • automatic dishwashers. They make it possible to get out of the kitchen before the family comes in for their after-dinner snacks. • husbands who attack small repair ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Will This Be The Year?

Contributed by Alan Smith on Apr 20, 2006

As this year begins, I can’t help but wonder, “Could this be the year that Jesus Christ returns?”

I want to begin the lesson this morning by wishing a “Happy New Year” to each and every one of you! I sincerely hope the year we have just started will be the best ever in your life. And my particular wish for each of you is that this will be the year in which you are more open to God’s presence, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

Psalm 23 is probably the best known passage in all the Bible.

Introduction: Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the best-known passages in all the Bible. Most of us learned it as children and it continues to be a comfort to those who are dying, or those who have lost loved ones. Maybe it’s so well-loved because it is so personal and individual. When we read ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Himself He Could Not Save

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

His opponents said that Jesus could not save himself and, in a sense, they were right.

Introduction: What would you do if you were a high school football player and your coach sent in a play which called for you to run backward to your opponent’s goal line? It has happened! At the end of the 1988 football season, Tishimingo High was playing Faulkner High. The outcome of that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

If Christ Was Not Raised

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

If Christ was not raised, then there are some drastic consequences.

Introduction: I want to share with you a story about a little boy named Philip. Philip was born with Down’s Syndrome. He was a happy child, but there was a lot of difference between him and other children his age. Philip went to Sunday School faithfully every week. He was in the third grade ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Two Battles With Different Results

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

The battle of Jericho was successful but sin kept the battle of Ai from being a victory.

Introduction: When it comes to contests of any sort, we like to be on the winning side. If we’re on a ball team or if we have favorite ball team, we don’t like for them to be defeated. But defeats will come from time to time. And I think it’s a great coach who can gather his team around him ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Judge Not That You Be Not Judged

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

Jesus’ words condemn a certain type of judgment, but there are limits to our tolerance.

Introduction: A few years ago, a congregation of the Lord’s church in Oklahoma disfellowshiped a woman for immorality. When she filed a lawsuit against the church, the story made all the national news media. One of the shows to give the lawsuit coverage was Phil Donahue and on that show, I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6, Matthew 7:7-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith That Doesn't Have To Touch

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

Can reasonable people believe the things that are crucial to Christian faith? The answer is yes.

Introduction: I want to begin the lesson by reading a passage from John 20 that will introduce the topic I want us to explore this morning, namely this: Can reasonable people believe the things that are crucial to Christian faith? “Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christianity In The Workplace

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

Christians have responsibilities in the workplaces, both as employers and employees.

Introduction: In the passage that was read a few moments ago from the book of Colossians, Paul’s teaching was accompanied by a great deal of tension. It’s hard for us to even imagine today the vast extent of slavery in the first century and just how cruel it was. Ancient historians estimate ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Built Up A Spiritual House

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

The church is compared to a house, and we are the individual building blocks.

Introduction: This morning, I want to talk about a church building. Not the physical building that surrounds us here which is composed of wood and stone, but the building of God, the church of our Lord that is composed of living stones. The New Testament uses a number of different descriptive ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-10, 1 Peter 2:8-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Approaching Mount Zion

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

We need to be reminded that we come into the presence of God every time we worship.

Introduction: In a scene out of the book Tom Sawyer, Tom had gone to Sunday school and church at the demand of Aunt Polly. After Sunday school, Tom and his brother Sid went to the auditorium to sit under the watchful eye of Aunt Polly. Next we read Tom’s description of public worship. He says ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An All-Seeing Eye

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

God knows all that we are doing, but that can be comforting as well as frightening.

Introduction: One of the key thoughts in all the Old Testament is the idea of knowing God. God said through Jeremiah, "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Two Ways Of Life

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

How we approach God’s Word will determine which path we take.

Introduction: The Old Testament book of Psalms is perhaps the best-known and best loved book in all the Bible. The various psalms describe so many emotions from joy and enthusiasm to depression and discouragement. G. Campbell Morgan once raised the question, "Why is it that this book has been ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Responding To The Word

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

Josiah teaches us the proper response to God’s Word

Introduction: I heard a story recently about a young preacher who was very gifted with the ability to speak. But as the congregation began to grow and he received more and more compliments, his head began to swell as well. After delivering one of his sermons, a member of the congregation shook ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 23:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ