Sermons on Billy Joel:

Rehab For A Scoundrel

Contributed by Joel Smith on Feb 18, 2009

God has some bitter medicine that can kill or cure the scoundrel in you.

Airport security personnel have a fairly mundane job. They scan people with metal detectors, look through their bags, check their shoes, and sometimes pat them down. It’s probably not uncommon to find a knife accidentally left in someone’s pocket. On rare occasions they might find drugs or fire ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 38:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Caution! God's Favor ... Handle With Care Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Feb 23, 2009

God’s gifts are ultimately for God’s glory. Use them well.

This week I’ve begun reading a new book by one of my favorite authors, Malcolm Gladwell, titled Outliers: The Story of Success. The premise of the book is simple: no successful person is a self-made man; everyone who gets to the top had a lot advantages, help, and luck. He devotes two chapters to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Total Reliance Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Mar 4, 2009

The more God can direct you, the more He can use you.

To what type of person does God give success? What kind of person is God able to empower and use in a mighty way? Is it the man or woman with the most talent or skill? Are looks or leadership ability the necessary traits? Is a high IQ essential to do great things for God? Obviously, the answer ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Playing God Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Mar 8, 2009

You are God’s catalyst for change.

Several years ago a movie came out called Bruce Almighty staring Jim Carrey. It’s a good movie about a guy who is frustrated at the way his life is going, so he blames God and tells Him he could do a better job if he were in charge. God, played by Morgan Freeman, grants Bruce all of His powers. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Faith On Display Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Mar 15, 2009

Faith lived out has far reaching effects.

A new survey came out last week which reveals that Christian are losing their influence in the United States. “The nation has grown less religious in the last two decades … with a 10 percent drop in the number of people who call themselves Christians and increases in all 50 states among those ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Pharaoh's Economic Stimulus Package Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Mar 21, 2009

Put your trust and hope in God, not government.

As a political libertarian I found myself somewhat irritated with the section of scripture we’re studying this morning. The Egyptians lost their money, their livestock, their land, and their freedom. The Egyptian government assumed control of their property and their persons. How did Pharaoh ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 47:13-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of The Call Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Jun 15, 2009

God’s call sets the course for your life.

‘Tis the season for graduation! It’s a bittersweet time. One chapter of life ends while a new one begins. The door closes on friendships that have lasted a decade or more, but just ahead are relationships that will probably last a lifetime. There’s some anxiety at moving into the unknown, but ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Settle Down, Lord! Settle Down! Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Jun 15, 2009

Most of this sermon was ripped off from the pamplet "My Heart, Christ’s Home."

This morning’s sermon is going to be dramatically different from what I’ve presented so far. In just a few minutes I’m going to get you to use your imagination and go on a tour with Jesus Christ. I think you’ll be convicted, challenged, and encouraged, but to get there you’ll need to put aside ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Twittering Ourselves To Death Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Jul 8, 2009

Put on the new self by getting your mind right with God.

An article appearing in the August 11, 2007 edition of World Magazine entitled, “Sex and the evangelical teen” suggests evangelical teenagers on the whole may be more sexually immoral than non-Christians. “Christian parents and churches need to face up to a problem long hidden in the dark: ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Return The Favor Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Jul 8, 2009

If you’ve received the grace of God return the favor to everyone else.

Let’s begin this morning with a little check of your vocabulary. Can someone give me a defining of the word nag? If someone accuses you of nagging them, what are they trying to tell you? Nagging is when you tell someone something that they already know. And you tell them over … and over … and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

Coup De Moi Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Jul 13, 2009

If you want to know if you’ve truly been born again answer the question: "Who is your spiritual daddy?"

I guess it’s a sign of the times in which we live, but a couple of years ago I saw a billboard on I-85 in Charlotte that said, “Who’s the daddy?” There was a picture of a baby and an ad for a genetic testing lab beneath the picture. It’s sad that young folks are so promiscuous they have to have a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

When God Doesn't Make Sense Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Oct 20, 2008

When God doesn’t make sense, He’s on the move.

There are two kinds of rollercoaster riders. The first kind gets in the car with hesitation and fear. They white-knuckle the lap bar in a death grip and either sit there in complete silence or scream their heads off the entire time. In this case, the rollercoaster produced anxiety and nausea. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Leaving A Legacy Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Oct 25, 2008

You haven’t completed the race until you’ve passed the baton.

A number of years ago I heard about a survey of centenarians (people 100 years or older). The study asked these folks if they had any regrets about their lives. One of the top answers of the survey was: I wish I could leave something that lives beyond me. Another way of saying it is leave a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 23:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Now Matter Who Wins, You Will Lose

Contributed by Joel Smith on Oct 30, 2008

This sermon is a relentless drum beat of negativity concerning America’s political predicament with a brief flicker of hope at the end. Theme: Demigods disappoint and enslave.

In the early days of our Republic pastors would set aside the Sunday before election day to preach a sermon about the coming vote. In those days they would name names and tell the congregation who to vote for. Now, thanks to a 1954 law, churches can no longer speak out in the same way. If they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Detecting The Fingerprints Of God Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Nov 11, 2008

Learn to pick up the C.L.U.E.s of our invisible God.

I think it’s safe to assume that everyone here believes that God exists. (Why waste your time in a Sunday morning worship service if you don’t have faith that He is real?) What Christians aren’t always convinced of is the reality of God in their every day lives. For most of us God exists, but ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:1-67

Denomination: Baptist