Sermons on Bill Anders:

Working Well With Others Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

At first glance, Nehemiah chapter 3 looks a bit dry. One commentator refers to it as a "colorless memorandum of assignments." It reads much like the book of 1 Chronicles with its long lists of names that are difficult to pronounce, information that seems

Working Well with Others Have you been watching the Olympics? NBC isn’t very happy with their ratings but it’s been fun to watch the different sports. As the athletes compete, they’re all seeking a medal and the recognition that comes with it. Those who win a gold are held up as heroes. While most ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:1-32, Nehemiah 3:3

Denomination: Baptist

Defeating Discouragement Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

Did you know that there is a plague sweeping the country today? It’s not the Beijing flu, or cancer, or even the common cold. This outbreak, however, can be just as deadly as the most dreaded disease known to man ­ it’s called the epidemic of discourage

Defeating Discouragement Are you familiar with Murphy’s Law? The original “Murphy” was an engineer who conducted an experiment to test human acceleration tolerances. Unfortunately for him, he installed 16 motion sensors the wrong way, leading to the now famous quotation, “If anything can go ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

How To Stop Strife Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

Nehemiah has to put down his hard hat and turn his attention from the construction of the wall to the walls that were being put up between his workers. While their external enemies helped to rally the people, internal conflict threatened to divide and de

How to Stop Strife As we continue in our series through the Book of Nehemiah, we’ve learned that Nehemiah confronted a different challenge in each chapter: • In chapter one, he was faced with a personal challenge. When he heard about what was happening in Jerusalem, he sat down and wept and then ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Distractions Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

Do you have any unfinished projects lying around collecting dust? It’s so easy to get sidetracked isn’t it? It takes tenacity to finish what we start because there are always so many competing distractions.

Dealing with Distractions Do you have any unfinished projects lying around collecting dust? It’s so easy to get sidetracked isn’t it? It takes tenacity to finish what we start because there are always so many competing distractions. One thing that clearly emerges from our study in the Book of ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-19, Leviticus 6:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Steps To Spiritual Renewal Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

The first myth is that the Bible is too confusing to read. In verses 1-8, we’ll see that the Bible, instead of being confusing, is actually a book that you and I can comprehend ­ You can understand it!

Steps to Spiritual Renewal I received an email this week from Janelle Becker, one of our missionaries serving in the Philippines. She’s been there for about 10 weeks and is learning the language and beginning to understand the culture. In her email, she forwarded what her co-worker wrote about a ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 7:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Putting First Things First Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

In chapter 8, Ezra and Nehemiah comfort the afflicted. In chapter 9, the comfortable are afflicted. Joy and grief are two sides of the same coin. After a thrilling encounter with God, which causes them to break into celebration, the believers now come

Putting First Things First Earlier this week I was sitting in my office when I received an email from my youngest sister. She and her husband have been attending a church for a while and have become interested in spiritual things. We’ve been praying for both of them for quite some time and have ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 9:1-37, Nehemiah 9:2-36, Nehemiah 9:37-38

Denomination: Baptist

Making Investments That Last Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

This morning we’re going to learn about 4 vows, or promises, that the people of God made in Nehemiah 10.

Making Investments That Last I heard about this man who bought a parrot. It was a beautiful parrot but he had a really bad mouth. He could swear for five minutes straight without repeating himself. The man was embarrassed because the bird was driving him crazy in front of people. He tried to ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 10:1-39, Nehemiah 10:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Taking Time To Give Thanks Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

In Nehemiah 11, we come across a situation where the people are faced with a national referendum. They didn’t believe in “luck” or “chance.” They actually were so committed to the sovereignty of God that they knew God would direct the outcome of the lot

Taking Time to Give Thanks You made a good decision this morning to come to church because I have some inside information about the recent presidential election that you will not hear on CNN. With all the intrigue and controversy surrounding the final tally, coupled with the waiting that we’ve had ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Standing By Our Promises Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

We all fail to keep our pledges, don’t we? Our good intentions and plans often fall by the wayside. Sometimes we blatantly break our promises but other times, we just kind of drift away, a little at a time.

Standing By Our Promises As many of you know, I really like Snicker bars. For the past year, whenever I would go to Dairy Queen, I would always order a Snicker Bar Breeze. All I had to do was walk in and one of the workers would start filling a cup with chunks of tasty nougat. It was automatic ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 13:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Lamb Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

This morning we’re going to focus on Jesus as the Lamb. Jesus is the lamb slain before the foundation of the world. Even before God began to construct creation, he made provision for the sins of a fallen race. Instead of camping in one passage, I want to

The Lamb Most of us are buzzing around at warp speed this Christmas season. We’re filled with stress and anxiety. It’s like we’re stuck on "fast forward" as we race toward Christmas Day. Bill Flick, a columnist for The Pantagraph, has compiled some crazy stories that have taken place during the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:8-14, Exodus 12:1-51

Denomination: Baptist

Developing A Disciple's Attitude Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 23, 2004

In the most famous sermon ever preached, Jesus sets forth eight statements that provide the best definition of a disciple ever delineated

Developing a Disciple’s Attitude In a classic comic, Calvin and Hobbes are talking about the New Year when Calvin says, “I’m getting disillusioned with these new years. They don’t seem very new at all. Each New Year is just like the old year. Here another year has gone by and everything’s still ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

The Poverty Of Self-Sufficiency Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 24, 2004

As we look at the first Beatitude this morning, I wonder if those listening to Jesus wished they had a dictionary with them because it must have seemed like He was speaking a different language.

The Poverty of Self-Sufficiency I’ve received some wonderful green and gold gifts recently. This Packer headband keeps my ears warm, and this cap announces my allegiance for all to see. This Packer Christmas stocking came filled with Snicker bars; and I even received some “Lambeau loafers” as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Denomination: Baptist

The Gladness Of Sadness Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 24, 2004

In one of the most profound, and paradoxical texts in the Bible, Jesus declares in Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn; for they will be comforted.”

The Gladness of Sadness I like to begin my messages with something that makes us laugh when I can (though some of you probably wouldn’t necessarily call it humor). As we approach the second Beatitude however, I realize that frivolity isn’t called for today. In fact, this character quality is no ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4, Matthew 5:1

Denomination: Baptist

Meek Does Not Mean Weak Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 24, 2004

I was struck with how “in control” Jesus was, even when events were transpiring around him and people were doing disturbing things to Him.

Meek Does Not Mean Weak This past Tuesday Pastor Jeff and I had had the opportunity to view a screening of the film called, “The Passion of the Christ” with about 4,000 other pastors. We should have known we were in for an unforgettable experience when we saw boxes of Kleenex arrayed on tables ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Denomination: Baptist

The Happiness Of A Hungry Heart Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 24, 2004

Look at Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

The Happiness of a Hungry Heart As Jesus continues to communicate the blessings that come from beatitude living, let’s summarize what we’ve learned so far. Matthew 5:3: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The Almighty applauds us when we see our condition as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6

Denomination: Baptist