Sermons on Alan Burgess:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Learning To Trust God

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Aug 19, 2002

There are two times when it’s difficult to trust God: when things are going badly, and when things are going well. Here’s how to develop a strong trust in God.

(Note: The title of this message comes from Rick Warren; however, the content is original) There are two times when it’s difficult to trust God. One is when things are going badly. And the other is when things are going well. The author of Proverbs understood this fact of human nature, and he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:6

Denomination: Baptist

Where To Find The Power You Need

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Sep 1, 2002

Where can we get the spiritual resources to deal effectively with the challenges of life?

(Note: the title of this message was borrowed from Rick Warren; however, the sermon itself is original) This morning, we’re continuing our series on "How God Meets Your Deepest Needs," and today’s message is entitled, "Where To Get The Power You Need." Do you need power? Sure you do. So do I. And ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:11

Denomination: Baptist

How God Heals Your Hidden Wounds

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Sep 8, 2002

How do we receive God’s healing and strength? 1. Affirm the truth 2. Trust in God’s sovereign love 3. Forgive those who wounded you

(Note: The title for this message is from a Rick Warren series; however the sermon itself is original) In the 1960’s, during the Vietnam War, a new term was coined to describe soldiers who had been injured in battle, but who were still able to walk without assistance. They were called the "walking ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 109:21-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Path To Personal Peace

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Sep 15, 2002

We’re all seeking peace, but most fail to find it. Four steps to finding the path to personal peace.

(Note: The title comes from a Rick Warren series; however, the sermon is original) If we took a poll to identify what people want most out of life, what their hopes and dreams revolve around, the list would probably include things like good health; financial prosperity; positive relationships; ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 26:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Transformation

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Sep 22, 2002

How do we begin the process of personal change?

If you take one of the bulletins and turn over the flap, you’ll see a list of eight "core values". These core values identify what we’re about as a church. They describe our basic identity, our DNA. And like DNA, which is found in every cell of the body, our intent is that we would see these ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 3:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

You Were Shaped For Serving God

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Nov 10, 2002

The fourth purpose of our lives is to serve God.

(Note: The title, and some of the ideas for this message came from Rick Warren’s sermon of the same name.) This morning, we continue our series of messages on "The Purpose Driven Life". We began by establishing that God made us for a reason, every one of us. No one here this morning was a mistake ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:29

Denomination: Baptist

You Were Made For A Mission

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Nov 17, 2002

The fifth purpose for our lives is to share the gospel.

(Note: The title and some of the ideas for this message came from the Rick Warren sermon of the same name.) Today we turn to the fifth and final purpose for our lives, which is to carry out our mission in the world. Now, as we saw last week, we each have a ministry to other believers, to those in ...read more

Scripture: John 20:21

Denomination: Baptist

Giving Thanks

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Nov 24, 2002

The key to a distinctively Christian Thanksgiving celebration is giving thanks for the right things.

This morning, I’d like to begin with a question. Is Thanksgiving a Christian holiday? The word "holiday," after all, comes from the phrase "holy day". And so, is Thanksgiving a holy day for those who serve and worship Jesus Christ? Does the twenty-eighth of November have any special spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:1

Denomination: Baptist