In Sermons: showing 211-225 of 432

Shepherds And Sheep Interrupted Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Jan 6, 2013

This series looks at the 5 stories after Jesus was born and the one thing whic unites all of them: their search for the Christ.. IN this sermon we see when God wanted to announce the birth of His son, he went to the lowest of the low, reminding us that Go

Shepherds and Sheep Interrupted Luke 2:8-20 In this series, we’ve been looking at the Scriptures about the birth of Jesus which we don’t get to very often. The first three have been the stories after the birth of Christ but today we come to our first story before the birth of Christ. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Methodist

The Search Of Simeon Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Jan 6, 2013

This series looks at the 5 stories after Jesus was born and the one thing whic unites all of them: their search for the Christ. This message looks at the story of a man who didn’t want to avoid Christmas but instead had been looking and waiting for Chri

Simeon Luke 2:22-35 A shopping mall Santa Claus in California had a meltdown after refusing to cuddle a bawling toddler, calling the mother evil and ripping off his beard and costume in front of startled children. Kelly Fornatoro, 33, said she told Santa her 19 month old son, Brian, would stop ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-35

Denomination: Methodist

The Murderous Search Of Herod Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Jan 6, 2013

This series looks at the 5 stories after Jesus was born and the one thing whic unites all of them: their search for the Christ. Today’s scripture is disturbing at best. It is not a story we sing about, or is on the cover of Christmas cards. Most of us wo

King Herod’s Murderous Search Matthew 2:1-16 Typically in Advent, we look at the passages and stories leading up to the birth of the Christ child like the prophet’s announcment of Jesus’ birth, Mary’s encounter with the angel, the Magnificat and the journey to Bethlehem. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-16

Denomination: Methodist

The Search Of The Magi Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Jan 6, 2013

This series looks at the 5 stories after Jesus was born and the one thing whic unites all of them: their search for the Christ. This sermon looks at the search of the Magi for the Messiah from both a historical and theological perspective

The Search of the Magi Matthew 2:1-12 Advent is the season we prepare for the birth of Jesus and as we look forward to His return and when He calls us by name and welcomes us home. Typically during this time, we look at the stories leading up to Christmas but this year, we looking at the stories ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Works Of Mercy Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 21, 2012

. Wesley identified two kinds of holiness. First is personal holiness which is avoiding sin and developing the character of Christ. We develop this through the Means of Grace which include, weekly worship and communion, prayer, fasting, Personal Bible stu

What do you do with a Gift Like That? Works of Mercy Matthew 7:12-23; Galatians 5:1, 6, 13-15 A Dutch pastor was helping Jews escape the Nazis when he himself caught. He was loaded into a boxcar with several Jews and others to be sent to a concentration camp. It was a long, frightening journey ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12-23

Denomination: Methodist

Prayer Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 21, 2012

John Wesley also believed that the Holy Scriptures were a Means of Grace. How? Wesley believed the Scriptures are an indispensable Means of Grace as they bring us into the Presence of Jesus Christ and the will of God for our lives. The Scriptures also hav

Scripture as a Means of Grace 2 Timothy 3:16-17 When we talk about Communion, Prayer, Worship, small group accountability and fasting as a Means of Grace, it make sense to us because we see how they function in our lives, and in the life of the Church. But John Wesley also believed that the Holy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Methodist

Prayer Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 21, 2012

John Wesley considered prayer an essential part of Christian living. He called it in many of his writings the most important and powerful means of grace. Prayer empowers us for ministry and following God. Jesus showed us this through His own example. Afte

Prayer: A Means of Grace 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 I found a series of “Dear God” prayers on the internet, a few of which I’d like to share with you:

 7-year old Debbie prayed, “Dear God: Please send a new baby for Mommy. The new baby you sent last week cries too ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Methodist

Means Of Grace Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 21, 2012

? John Wesley identified 5 tools for growing in our faith as the Means of Grace. He didn’t invent them. In fact, these are practices handed down from both Judaism and the early church. And as a result, generations have born the fruit of these spiritual di

The Means of Grace 2 Peter 3:18 Have you ever been told to do something, but then weren’t told how to do it? Or have you ever been told to do something, but then you weren’t given the tools for getting it done? There’s nothing worse than being given something to do, but then not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18

Denomination: Methodist

Fasting Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 21, 2012

Fasting on a regular basis draws us closer to God and strengthens our faith and resolve to do God’s will. Fasting, like going to the gym, builds the muscle of your faith. Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. Instead, the purpose of fast

Fasting: A Means of Grace Matthew 6:16-18 In both the Old Testament and the New, to fast means to abstain from food. This is so clear that it would be useless to quote the Scriptures from David, Nehemiah, Isaiah, and the prophets and even the New Testament. All agree that to fast means not to eat ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Methodist

The Characteristics Of A Methodist Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 21, 2012

: we need to begin with the end in mind. When you think about it, that’s pretty sound advice to plan anything: your finances, your life, even your career. Perhaps nothing is more important than beginning with the end in mind when it comes to your spiritu

Open Table started with a chance encounter with a homeless man named Ernie who simply asked a youth group serving him a meal if he could come worship at their church. The adult youth workers were moved to agree to come the very next day to bring Ernie to their church service. Over the next few ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:16-17

Denomination: Methodist

Continuing The Journey Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 21, 2012

Paul’s prayer and God’s focus is to complete the work which he has started in us. I want to give you 4 critical tools to help you pursue and live out your life purpose.

Continuing the Journey Philippians 1:3-6 Before God created us, He had a purpose in his mind. I love what God told Jeremiah, “I knew you before you were in your mother’s womb.” Jer. 1:5 To know means to know intimately, inside and out, to know the very fiver of your being as ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-6

Denomination: Methodist

A.s.k. God Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 21, 2012

One key to understanding your life mission is discovering your passion. Your life mission starts with your passion. With every life purpose, God gives provision through our passion. It’s passion that not only gets you started but it’s also carries you thr

Grace for the Journey 1 John 1:5-2:6 Last week, we looked at how we understand grace in our Wesleyan Methodist tradition. We started out by defining grace as God’s unmerited love and forgiveness. We understand grace as a journey of faith which John Wesley called the “way of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-8

Denomination: Methodist

Grace For The Journey Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 21, 2012

In the Old Testament, the word sanctification comes from the root word ‘kadash’ which means "to cut or separate." Sanctification is God’s grace setting us apart for His work and to lead holy lives. This life of separation challenges the believer to forsak

Grace for the Journey 1 John 1:5-2:6 Last week, we looked at how we understand grace in our Wesleyan Methodist tradition. We started out by defining grace as God’s unmerited love and forgiveness. We understand grace as a journey of faith which John Wesley called the “way of ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Grace For The Beginning Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 21, 2012

Grace for Methodists is understood as a three-stage process: prevenient grace, justifying grace, and sanctifying grace. That being said, we need to understand that grace is just that, grace. Prevenient grace, justifying grace and sanctifying grace are not

Grace for the Beginning of the Journey Ephesians 2:1-10 John Wesley started the Methodist movement after having an encounter with the Holy Spirit in his small group Bible study when his heart as he described it was “strangely warmed.” From that point on, Methodism made significant ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

G.r.a.c.e. Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 21, 2012

You can't understand the Christian faith or God unless you first understand grace. This is the foundational characteristic of God because it is rooted in His love. It is also the foundation of our faith and at the heart of our relationship to God. You hav

G.R.A.C.E. Psalm 145:8 (NIV) Complete these common American phrases for me: If it sounds too good to be true... it is. There is no gain without ... pain. You get what you…deserve There's no such thing as a free ... lunch. We are taught these things and apply them both to life and faith. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:8

Denomination: Methodist