In Sermons:

Mothers, Graduates, & Bath Water

Contributed by Michael Stover on May 13, 2008

A Mother’s Day Sermon that also focuses on Graduates . Lessons that Jesus’ Mother can teach us.

Opening: Remember the words of our mothers today: Play fair. Don’t follow the crowd. Listen to your father. Stop whining. Don’t cross your eyes, they may stick. Don’t do that! You may poke your eye out. Wash your hands before eating. Take a bath. Remember to wash behind your ears! ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Dare 2 B Different In Missions/Evangelism Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Oct 2, 2007

How can we be different (more effective) in the area of missions/evangelism? Follows the Dare 2 B Different outline: Embody His Name, Embrace His Mission, Emulate His Word.

DARE 2 B DIFFERENT: In Missions/Evangelism Matthew 28:18-20 I. Embody His Name – Reflect His Character in Missions A. Go with Authority: His was a Sure Character B. Go with Purity: His was a Sinless Character C. Go with Compassion: His was a Sacrificial Character Shift from Self-centered Thinking ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Dare 2 B Different In Your Ministry Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Oct 2, 2007

How can we imitate Christ in our ministry? Follows the Dare 2 B Different outline: Embody His Name, Embrace His Mission, Emulate His Word.

DARE 2 B DIFFERENT: In Your Ministry 1 Corinthians 3:5-4:6 “Ministry” – the act of serving. Use of a person’s gifts, talents, time, and energy in the service of others. (See 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 for lists of spiritual gifts.) I. Embody His Name – Reflect His Character in Your ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Dare 2 B Different In Your Discipleship Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Oct 2, 2007

A disciple is an apprentice. How can we be REAL disciples of Jesus? follows the Dare 2 B Different outline: Embody His Name, Embrace His Mission, Emulate His Word.

DARE 2 B DIFFERENT: In Your Discipleship Luke 9:23-24 Disciple – “apprentice” – learns by living and working with his teacher in a daily ‘hands-on’ experience. I. Embody His Name – Reflect His Character in Your Discipleship A. “Deny Himself” 1. God’s character is a selfless character as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

Dare 2 B Different In Your Fellowship Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Oct 2, 2007

As Christ-followers, our fellowship should be different. Follows the outline of Dare 2 B Different series: Embody His name, Embrace His Mission, Emulate His Word.

DARE 2 B DIFFERENT – In Your Fellowship Acts 2:41-42 Fellowship Defined – Greek ‘koinonia’ – “Joint participation”; common, as in “in common”. “Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about our common salvation…” Jude 1:3 (HCSB) With the thought of ‘Joint Participation’ in mind, lets see ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-42

Denomination: Baptist

Dare 2 B Different In Your Worship Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Oct 2, 2007

Worship is the believer’s response with all that he is - mind, emotions, will, and body - to all that God is and says and does. How can we follow Christ’s mandate to be different in our worship? Follows Dare 2 B Different outline of: Embody His Name, Embr

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT: In Your Worship John 4:23-24; Mark 12:30 “Worship is the believer’s response with all that he is – mind, emotions, will, and body – to all that God is and says and does.” Warren Wiersbe I. Embody His Name in Your Worship (Mark 12:30) A. Authentic – Heart & Soul 1. A genuine ...read more

Scripture: John 4:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

Dare 2 B Different Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Oct 2, 2007

The entire Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 is about how believers are to be different. In Jesus’ model prayer, we find the prescription for being different.

DARE 2 B DIFFERENT – Choose a Different Path Matthew 7:13-14; 6:9-10 The entire ‘Sermon on the Mount’ (Matt. 5-7) is about how believers are to be different. Choose the Road Less Traveled I. Embody His Name – Reflect His Character (Matthew 6:9 “Your Name is Holy”) A. What is God’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Why Should Believers Get Along? Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Aug 6, 2007

We have seen where spiritual transformation will make us like Christ, even to other believers. But why should we place so much emphasis on believers getting along with each other?

WHY SHOULD BELIEVERS GET ALONG? Romans 15:1-7 I. Discipleship Demands It (vs. 1-2) A. An Obligation 1. ‘Ought’ is the past tense of ‘owe’ in Old English. Both words have the spiritual pronunciation. 2. The HCSB renders this “we have an obligation”. 3. It is not something we ‘should’ do; it is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Imitate Christ In Your Character Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Aug 2, 2007

As we are spiritually transformed by God’s Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1-2) we will show the evidence. Romans 12:9-21 shows that we will imitate Christ in our Character.

IMITATE CHRIST IN YOUR CHARACTER Romans 12:9-21 I. Live in Love (9-11) A. Not an Act – Love is a Fruit of the Spirit (vs. 9a) B. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 = “Love is…” not evil C. “Family” affection, “Brotherly” love 1. Bonding Love 2. “I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Baptist

Imitate Christ In Your Citizenship Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Aug 2, 2007

As we are spiritually transformed by God’s Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1-2) we will show the evidence. Romans 13:1-7 shows that we will imitate Christ in our Citizenship.

IMITATE CHRIST IN YOUR CITIZENSHIP Romans 131-7 I. Remember God’s Sovereignty (vs. 1-2) A. There is no authority except that which God has established 1. “May the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Imitate Christ In Your Community Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Aug 2, 2007

As we are spiritually transformed by God’s Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1-2) we will show the evidence. Romans 13:4-14 shows that we will imitate Christ in our Community.

IMITATE CHRIST IN YOUR COMMUNITY Romans 13:8-14 I. A Universal Proclamation (vs. 8-10) – LOVE A. An Ongoing Debt 1. Allow no ongoing, outstanding debts except love 2. If you have ever had a personal debt you know the first thing that enters your mind when you see that person is that you “owe” ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-14

Denomination: Baptist

Imitate Christ In Your Concern Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Aug 2, 2007

As we are spiritually transformed by God’s Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1-2) we will show the evidence. Romans 14 shows that we will imitate Christ in our Concern for others.

IMITATE CHRIST IN YOUR CONCERN Romans 14:1-23 I. Genuine Acceptance (vs. 1-4) A. No Reservations 1. The weak in faith here is seen to be those who held to OT traditions and trappings of the Law 2. Romans 15:1 – Paul includes himself in the “WE” there, indicating that the strong in faith are those ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Surrender Of Baptism

Contributed by Michael Stover on Dec 8, 2005

How Important is Baptism? What does it represent? Three words describe what the act of baptism means to the believer.

Opening Illus: Young boy saved on the church bus; goes to tell the preacher “I want to get advertised…” The early church’s practice was to ‘advertise’ baptism: • “Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

A Baptism Celebration

Contributed by Michael Stover on Dec 7, 2005

Why is baptism so important?

I. The Basis for Baptism is the Authority of Jesus A. “Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:12

Denomination: Baptist

Answering Jesus' Most Important Question

Contributed by Michael Stover on Apr 12, 2005

Have you ever been faced with a difficult question? Jesus asked life’s most important question; our lives will be forever affected by how we answer it.

ANSWERING JESUS’ MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION Mark 8:27-35 Have you ever been faced with a difficult question? • “May I see your fishing license?” • “Do you know why I stopped you?” • “How many calories are in a mouse?” • “Will you marry me?” • “Are you saved?” The disciples were asked one of the most ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-35

Denomination: Baptist