Sermons on Brian Mavis:

How To Be A Good Friend

Contributed by Brian Atwood on May 17, 2001

Here are some practical biblical principles for not only being a good friend, but also for making good friends.

Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to play major league baseball. While breaking baseball’s "color barrier," he faced jeering crowds in every stadium. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, he committed an error. His own fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

Straight Talk From Dad

Contributed by Brian Atwood on May 29, 2001

Three things a good dad wants his kids to do. (These are also three things our heavenly Father wants from all of us.)

A traditional Father’s Day sermon would direct its attention to things a good dad ought to do. Instead, let’s look today at some things a good dad wants his kids to do. In Proverbs 4:1-4, Solomon says: "Hear ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. (2) For I ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

A Father Of Vision

Contributed by Brian Atwood on May 31, 2001

Joseph was not the biological Father of Jesus, but he certainly was a good example of the CHARACTERISTICS OF A VISIONARY FATHER.

The first two chapters of Matthew’s gospel contain five different dreams or visions. FOUR OF THESE DIVINE DREAMS WERE GIVEN TO JOSEPH - THE EARTHLY FATHER OF JESUS. It is clear to see that Joseph was a father of vision - God’s vision! Joseph had a particular responsibility among men. He would ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:13-22

Denomination: Baptist

Staying Awake In Church

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Jun 1, 2001

How the excitement of the Day of Pentecost can continue in the church today.

Ever see someone fall asleep in church? It can be pretty funny. An evangelist friend of mine tells the story of an old man who fell asleep in church. The man’s mouth was wide open with his head tilted back. All of a sudden a fly flew into the man’s wide-open mouth. Naturally, this was an ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-47

Denomination: Baptist

Surface Spirituality

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Mar 3, 2002

Help for the hurting heart.

True spirituality is discussed a lot but seldom experienced in today’s world. Jesus faced the same problem. So the Lord used parables, stories of familiar things, to point out how unfamiliar people truly were with spirituality. Here in His famous story of the farmer scattering seed Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Shallow Spirituality

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Mar 11, 2002

Attitudes to avoid because they promote shallow spirituality.

Last week we looked at "surface spirituality", the soil that did not receive the seed because it had been "walked on" and was hardened. We learned that we can develop a hardened heart when others hurt us if we’re not careful. If we let our hearts become bitter and unforgiving the Word of God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23, Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Baptist

Advice From A Veteran

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Nov 6, 2001

Suggestions from David on spiritual warfare.

Here are the suggestions of David, the great veteran warrior for God, on engaging the enemy in spiritual warfare: 1. Focus on God, not your fear. (Psalm 27:1-3) Notice how David extols God first. Then, in comparison to God, he has no need of fearing his enemies. "The LORD is my light and my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Why Jesus Was Born In Bethlehem, The House Of Bread

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Nov 28, 2001

The spiritual significance of the tiny town of Christ’s birth.

Five or six miles southwest of Jerusalem lay the tiny town of Bethlehem in the Judean hills. It was here that man’s eyes first saw God in the flesh. Why this place and not another of so many other possibilities? Of course it was the home of Joseph and Mary’s ancestors - the city of David. But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:4

Denomination: Baptist

The Pro-Life Lifestyle

Contributed by Brian Fullerton on Oct 18, 2000

INTRO: It was a story of mass murder.

INTRO: It was a story of mass murder. The newspapers gave it front-page attention along with photos of the unfortunate victims. In the wake of the killings investigating officials were heard to say things like : “This is the most horrific thing I have seen.” “They suffered in ways you and I can’t ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:13

Finding Encouragement In The Storms Of Life

Contributed by Brian Oberg on Oct 18, 2000

I. Storms Are In Jesus’ Plan (vv.

I. Storms Are In Jesus’ Plan (vv. 16-18). (Jesus’ Private Actions Behind the Storm) 1. He is watching (v. 15 compared w/Mk. 6:48) 2. He is praying (compare Mk. 6:46) 3. He is delaying (for a reason - v. 17) II. Storms Are Under Jesus’ Power (vv. 19-20) (Jesus’ Public Actions in the Storm = word ...read more

Scripture: John 6:16-21

New Tongues For A New People

Contributed by Brian Chavarria on Oct 18, 2000

Introduction: God has given us a beautiful gift from the Holy Spirit, and yet it has become one of the most controversial topics in the church today.

Introduction: God has given us a beautiful gift from the Holy Spirit, and yet it has become one of the most controversial topics in the church today. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are still for today, they have not passed away with the apostles. Ephesians 4:11-16 I don't think we have all come in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:4

The Church In The Storm

Contributed by Brian Chavarria on Oct 18, 2000

INTRODUCTION: People who live Godly lives will suffer persecution, and where the gifts of the Spirit of God are in operation, the dirty old devil will stir up trouble.

INTRODUCTION: People who live Godly lives will suffer persecution, and where the gifts of the Spirit of God are in operation, the dirty old devil will stir up trouble. The gifts in operation in Acts chapters 12 and 13 were the gifts of power: the gift of faith and the gift of working of miracles. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-12

The Prayer Of Encouragement

Contributed by Brian Fullerton on Oct 18, 2000

INTRO: In Ephesians 6:10-20 , Paul closes out his letter to the Ephesians with the topic of spiritual warfare.

INTRO: In Ephesians 6:10-20 , Paul closes out his letter to the Ephesians with the topic of spiritual warfare. As Paul was writing this letter he was under house arrest in Rome - a P.O.W. of the spiritual warfare raging in the world. Paul probably had a guard close at hand to use as a model for the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

The Fullness Of The Spirit

Contributed by Brian Spence on Oct 18, 2000

Last week, we celebrated the 6th Anniversary of Waterford Gospel Church.

Last week, we celebrated the 6th Anniversary of Waterford Gospel Church. However today, we celebrate another anniversary, it is the anniversary if the Church Universal. Today is Pentecost Sunday, or Wit Sunday, as some call it, marking the birthday of the Church at Pentecost. With this in mind, I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4, Ephesians 5:18

The Purpose Of Our Existance

Contributed by Brian Spence on Oct 18, 2000

The purpose of my address tonight, is to ask and answer several important questions.

The purpose of my address tonight, is to ask and answer several important questions. When an assembly of believers engage in celebrating an anniversary, it provides us with a perfect opportunity to ask ourselves the following necessary questions, namely, "Why does Waterford Gospel Church exist? For ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8