Sermons on Bill Maher:

Forsaking Our Fears Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 9, 2004

One of the results of the resurrection is that we no longer have to live in fear.

The Discovery Channel recently did a story on the Top Ten Phobias that people have (www.exn.ca). Phobia comes from the Greek word for fear, but refers to a panic that is completely out of proportion to the perceived threat behind it. Here are some of the top fear factors. #10: Necrophobia. The ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

Dismantling Our Doubt Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 9, 2004

Jesus walked through a wall, and the disciples went from fear to freaked out to faith.

Drowning in Doubt It was a hot, humid Mississippi night nearly ten years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. I was sitting on the third step of the swimming pool at my apartment complex. I was twenty-six years and had just completed a very difficult seminary program. For nearly three ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:24-31

Denomination: Baptist

Women Who Worship Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 9, 2004

I want us to look briefly at two worshipping women who shared the same name, but had different job descriptions: Mary, the mother of Jesus; and Mary Magdalene, who as far as we know, was not a mother.

While it’s nearly impossible to spell out everything a mother does, this Motherhood Job Description hits the highlights. TITLE: Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy. SUMMARY: Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Disappointment Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 9, 2004

Today I want to tell you about a fishing trip that took place after the Resurrection.

Hi, my name is Simon Peter. You’ve probably heard of some of my most embarrassing moments. It would take me all day to tell you about how my mouth has messed me up, and about how I let Jesus down, as well as the other disciples. Today I want to tell you about a fishing trip that took place after ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiving The Fallen Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 9, 2004

There’s a lot we can learn about forgiveness by following the example Jesus set for us when He restored Peter.

Shalom, it’s Peter again. I talked with many of you last Sunday when I told you about an amazing fishing trip. I had been doubly disappointed -- first in myself for failing Jesus, and second when we didn’t catch any fish. But then Jesus appeared, and after having breakfast on the beach, he asked me ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

Sharing His Story Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 9, 2004

This morning our focus is on the Great Commission, given by the Master Fisher of Men.

Now it came to pass that a group existed who called themselves fishers. And lo, there were many fish in the waters all around. In fact the whole area was surrounded by streams and lakes filled with fish. And the fish were hungry. Week after week, month after month, and year after year these who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Focusing On The Future Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 9, 2004

want us to look at three primary passages this morning. These three texts, taken together, form a composite picture of the Ascension.

I heard recently about a church that was putting on an Easter Cantata. When they came to the climactic scene of the Ascension of Christ, the actor playing Jesus was to be slowly hoisted out of view through an opening in the ceiling. The cue for the guys pulling the rope was when he said, “And ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:50-53

Denomination: Baptist

Redirecting A Rebel Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 9, 2004

This morning our focus in on one last appearance, though this one took place after the Ascension, as Jesus radically redirects a rebel named Paul (also known as Saul – his Hebrew name).

Today we’re wrapping up our series called, “Beyond the Tomb,” during which we’ve studied the various appearances Jesus made between His Resurrection and His ascension into Heaven. This morning our focus in on one last appearance, though this one took place after the Ascension, as Jesus radically ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

Discovering Your Purpose Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

As we understand the ramifications of Christ dwelling within us, we will strive for maturity in our faith and can become all that God desires for us to be.

Discovering Your Purpose A truck driver was hauling a load of 500 penguins to the zoo. Unfortunately, his truck broke down. He eventually waved down another truck and offered the driver $500 to take the penguins to the zoo. The next day the first truck driver got his truck fixed and drove into ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Deepening Your Roots Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

It’s important to not just focus on our conversion—we’re called to demonstrate our commitment on a daily basis by going deeper with God.

Deepening Your Roots During our “Building for the Future” emphasis, I prepared a five-minute sermon on a cassette tape to help explain the key ingredients of our campaign. I received a lot of very positive feedback. Most of the accolades I received had more to do with the length than with the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-15

Denomination: Baptist

Pulling The Weeds Of Legalism Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

Following a list of rules and regulations will never lead to spiritual vitality. Grace demands that we avoid judging others according to our standards.

Pulling the Weeds of Legalism Almost every state in our nation still has laws on their books that would surprise most people. For instance, In Florida, a woman may be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer. In Indiana, citizens are not allowed to attend a movie house or ride in a public ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Baptist

Breaking Free From The Past Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

As we focus on those things that are eternal, and put on the new self, we will experience freedom from those things that have shackled us in the past.

Breaking Free from the Past In an old Candid Camera episode, an actor is on a busy sidewalk and begins looking at the ground. He walks around a bit and continues to look down. People are passing by him and a few give him strange looks. After a couple minutes, he decides to get down on his hands ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11, Colossians 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

Making Your Relationships Work Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

As Christ-followers, we have the responsibility to prioritize our family relationships by submitting, loving, obeying, and encouraging. We must also give attention to our jobs by working hard and by being fair.

Making Your Relationships Work During the rehearsal for her wedding a nervous bride was having a difficult time remembering all the details. Her kind pastor took her aside at the end of the night and said, “When you enter the church tomorrow, you will be walking down the same aisle you’ve walked ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Knowing What To Pray For Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

Sometimes it’s difficult to know how to pray and what to pray for. Paul challenges us to pray with devotion so that the gospel message will go out clearly as we give out grace to those who do not yet know Christ.

Knowing What to Pray For Many of us have been on a trip together. As you look around this room it may not seem like it, but we’ve been fellow passengers and on several occasions, I’ve served as your tour guide. Our trips have not always been pleasant, but most have been memorable. In fact, at ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6, Colossians 4:2

Denomination: Baptist

Why We Need Each Other Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

God designed us to live in community with others and to work in partnership with one another for the sake of the kingdom. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.

Why We Need Each Other Two friends were out hunting. As they were walking through the woods, one of them yelled and the other looked up to see a huge grizzly bear charging at them. The first friend started to frantically put on his tennis shoes. When his buddy saw this, he anxiously asked, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:7-18

Denomination: Baptist