Sermons on Baptized Believers:

Consequences Or Freedom Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 15, 2003

Jesus gave Barabbas the chance not just for a shortened sentence, but for a rebuilt life. When we break the law, we will face consequences; but our experiences can become the basis for redemption from what has happened to us.

Let’s play Jeopardy this morning. I’ll be Alex, you can be the contestants. The category is institutions. The answer is: The following people all spent time in this kind of institution: the prophet Jeremiah; Al Capone; the apostle Paul; Marion Barry; Bugsy Siegel; Nelson Mandela; John Dillinger; ...read more

Scripture: John 18:38-40

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Secuirty And Significance Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 16, 2003

When marriages crumble, we often hear people say that they just must have been “wrong” for each other. More often than not, being right or wrong for someone depends not on some mysterious compatibility quotient, but on how willing and able we are to help

Finding Security and Significance There are a lot of jokes and one-liners about marriage. It’s probably because as beautiful as marriage is, as set forth in the song we just heard, it’s also extremely challenging and can be pretty ugly at times. It was George Burns who said, “I was married by a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

Pain At The Threshold Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 24, 2003

Interactive sermon on the anxieties involved in sharing our faith and on the power of being prepared, both intellectually and emotionally.

Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Closed doors intimidate me. If your door is closed, I want to leave it alone. I don’t like to knock and ask for admission. I want somebody to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

But Nails Hurt! Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 24, 2003

Nails were distributed to the congregation, so that they could test: if you wish to endure, you have to endure some pounding. Holes may be punched in you, too. But if you persist, ultimately you will be built up.

If you really want to grow, it’s going to cost you. If you truly expect to be built up, there will be some pain involved. No growth ever takes place without pain. That’s a law of life. That’s not negotiable. No pain, no gain. No hurt, no growth. No rough edges, no building up. If you truly ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Dead Man Walking

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 26, 2003

There is a kind of death in family life today. Jesus offers unconditional compassion, used His authority to give life, and gives us as gifts to one another.

One sweltering afternoon, on the dirty streets of a dangerous section of New Orleans, a man approached a woman with some papers in his hand. He asked Helen if she would agree to write letters to a man on death row at Angola prison. Helen agreed, rather absent-mindedly. She was used to people ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

Meeting Your Spouse's Needs Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Jun 5, 2003

To have a great marriage, husbands and wives need to know and meet their spouses basic needs. In this message, we learn how to meet the three basic needs of a wife and three basics needs of a husband.

A few years ago, some people were saying, “The difference between gender is more cultural that real.” Anyone believe that? Genesis tells us that the Creator made two sexes, not one, and that He designed each gender for a specific purpose. Take a good look at male and female anatomy and it ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

It Is Over! Series

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jun 6, 2003

God is looking forward to your arrival to be with Him. Eternity is your destiny and heaven is your home. Since you are going home, let me tell three things you need to know about going home.

In was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” When He had said this, He breathed His last. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:15, Luke 23:44-46

Denomination: Pentecostal

In The Nick Of Time Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 8, 2003

Sermon illustrated by Chrismons: Jesus came at the right time, into a world of spiritual hungers, social unrest, devaluation of life. So He comes to our time, when ultimate questions are being asked, when much seduces us, when we are weak. He will be Lo

Infants, not yet born, seem to have a mind of their own. Infants, not yet born, pay very little attention to the doctor’s predictions, the mother’s preferences, or the father’s fears. When they want to arrive, they arrive; and if they don’t want to emerge into this cold, cruel world, they don’t, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

When 2 Wrongs Make A Right

Contributed by Ric Freeman on Jun 9, 2003

God’s forgiveness and mercy

How many of you have ever been wrong? (show hands) How many of you have ever had to undo, redo, or make do because of your bad-do? You know what? Welcome to the human race. If you’ve never screwed up and been totally wrong -- you haven’t lived, breathed or existed !! Welcome to the Jonah club ! All ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

Father's Day

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 11, 2003

We need to be thankful to our fathers for many things.

Father’s Day 2003 Ephesians 6:1-3 INTRO.- ILL.- A small boy said, "Father’s Day is just like Mother’s Day, only you don’t spend as much on the gift." And I say, "What gift?" ILL.- Mark Twain said, "When I was a boy of 14 my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-3, Ephesians 6:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Strange Relationship

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on Jun 11, 2003

Thesis: Our relationship with God should not be weighed by how we relate to the things of God, but how we relate to the person God. So let us stand fast in the relationship that God desires to draw us into.

A Strange Relationship: The Prophet and the Prostitute Scripture Reference: Hosea 1:2 – 7 Thesis: Our relationship with God should not be weighed by how we relate to the things of God, but how we relate to the person God. So let us stand fast in the relationship that God desires to draw us ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 1:2-7, Hosea 3:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Building Up What Was Broken Down

Contributed by Chris Medina on Jun 11, 2003

The exiles who returned to Judah from captivity bgan the rebuilding process for the Temple. However it was their own hearts that needed restoring and it was God Himself who became the builder.

Ezra: Building Up What Was Broken Down” Ezra 3:1-13 Read Ezra 3:1-13 Last Monday morning, a young man named Sgt. Sean Peterson was in our home. Sgt. Peterson is a recruiter for the Army here in Merced and was telling Laurie and I about the arrangements for Kevina going up to Stockton to take the ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:1-13, Ezra 3:1-3, Ezra 3:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living With Loneliness…even In A Crowd

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Jan 12, 2003

Few emotions are more painful than the emotion of loneliness. Deep loneliness is often experienced right after the holidays. The gifts have been opened. The parties have been given. All of the friends and family have returned home and the cookies have bee

SERMONIC / WORSHIP THEME Opening Statement: Few emotions are more painful than the emotion of loneliness. Deep loneliness is often experienced right after the holidays. The gifts have been opened. The parties have been given. All of the friends and family have returned home and the cookies have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-23

See The Vision Series

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jan 15, 2003

sermon on stewardship written with help from wels study

January 12, 2003 Genesis 28:10-22 10 Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. 11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. 12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Seven Keys To Running Your Race Well Series

Contributed by Bill Burnett on Jan 16, 2003

Are running your race to win?

1 Cor 9:24-27.doc GOOD ADVICE TO A GROWING CHURCH _____________________________________________ Seven Keys to Running Your Race Well- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith. The word ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 1 John 5:4-8

Denomination: Foursquare