Sermons on Contending For Truth:

Another Day, Another Millennium

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 4, 2003

If the Lord were to ask what we have done with the last millennium, we would have to report that we never learned peace instead of war or love instead of hate. Our agenda for the new millennium needs to be justice, peace, and mission.

Here it comes again, the end of another year! How soon it gets here after Christmas! Isn’t it astonishing? Don’t you wish they could throw in another week or two before the end of the year? We need to get over the rush of Christmas before we have to face the year’s end? I know the Post Office ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:1-12, 1 Peter 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Can't Shake Off Mom's Voice

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 14, 2003

Mothers (or parents) communicate an atmosphere as much as they communicate specific ideas; we as children cannot rid ourselves of that atmosphere, good or bad. But faith in God can lift us to a new self-esteem.

Just about everybody has a story that involves Mom’s voice. Just about anyone can tell you something distinctive about the things Mother used to say. We can remember not only what she said, but also the way she said it, the tone of voice she used. It’s surprising how many of us can remember ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

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

Salvation Comes From The Lamb Series

Contributed by Timm Meyer on May 15, 2003

EASTER 4(C) - Salvation come from the Lamb of God, our Good Shepherd, as He provides divine forgiveness and heavenly blessings.

SALVATION COMES FROM THE LAMB REVELATION 7:9—17 MAY 11, 2003 REVELATION 7:9-17 9After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17

Denomination: Lutheran

The Praisefest In Jerusalem

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on May 19, 2003

Without Christ we are just ordinary people, ordinary creation, who don’t experience the extraordinary hand of a living God. Without Christ we are without joy, peace, wisdom, self-control, patience, and the strength to live the life it was meant to be.

The PraiseFest in Jerusalem Scripture References: Luke 19:35 – 40; Matthew 21:8 –11; Mark 11:8 - 10 Introduction The donkey awakened, his mind still savoring the afterglow of the most exciting day of his life. Never before had he felt such a rush of pleasure and pride. He walked into town and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:35-40, Matthew 21:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rocky Iii - Ko'd Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 19, 2003

Peter is often depicted as a weak and unreliable disciple, but was that really his problem... or was there something else that lay behind his denials of Christ in the High Priest’s Courtyard?

OPEN: Nearly 30 years ago on October 30, 1974, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman squared off in the boxing ring in Zaire. Ali had dubbed it “The Rumble in the Jungle.” Foreman was heavily favored, and was considered to be the hardest puncher in heavyweight history. Foreman was fairly confident he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-62

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Walking With The Lord Series

Contributed by Bradford Robinson on May 20, 2003

This sermon deals with discipleship. It focuses on how walking with Jesus us a choice that we make, "Do you want to be well?" and the requirement of obedience to the commands of God.

When my first girl Clarissa was born, I was about the proudest daddy you had ever seen. Still am. And I must say she was a daddy’s girl. When she said her first word, it was “dada!” I was proud, and I didn’t spend much time teaching her that either. But with walking, that was another story. I ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Methodist

Time Out, Time In Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 24, 2003

After vacation -- time out -- it would be ridiculous if there were no "time in", engagement. God calls us to full engagement with Himself, which in turn calls us to live in newness and not in old habits. There is no time for anything that is not a serio

There are certain intense situations in which the best answer, maybe the only answer, is to take a “time out”. Time out, to get perspective; time out, to get emotions under control; time out to back off and take a better look. There are certain serious situations in which your instincts tell you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-7

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

It's All Yours Series

Contributed by Peter Langerman on May 26, 2003

Learning to give all that we have to God in worship and praise

1 Then King David said to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God. 2 With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God—gold for the gold work, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God Of Mercy Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on May 27, 2003

God is so merciful, he draws us back even when we run away.

God Stories – Attributes of God The God of Mercy – Jonah May 25, 2003 Last week – the God of Justice – we are thankful that he is the God of Justice, that he does not let evil deeds go unpunished, but we are also thankful that he is a merciful God because we find it easy to say with the ...read more

Denomination: *other

Life Is Not Fair Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 29, 2003

Life seems unfair to the disappointed, the cheated, the cynical. It was unfair to compel Simon to carry the cross -- injustice piled on. But God uses injustice to stir His people to action, to help us get beyond mere survival, to give us to one another.

Life is not fair. It just isn’t. The playwright MacLeish has his character “J.B.” scream out something we are all afraid to say, but it might be true: “If God is God, He is not good; if God is good, He is not God.” What an awesome thing to think, let alone speak! “If God is God, He is not ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:21-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Apprentice - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ric Freeman on May 2, 2004

loosely based on "The Travelrs Gift" by Andy Andrews

The apprentice - part 2 April 25, 2004 AM Last week we began a new series on being an apprentice -- learning the ways of God to become a success in our life. Last weeks secret was : The buck stops here -- No one controls your life but you -- If others are controlling your life, it is because you ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:5-7

Denomination: Charismatic

Hold Fast Thy Crown Series

Contributed by Adam Deibert on May 7, 2004

The church of Smyrna shows us today how to live a victorious Christian life in the face of persecution and trial.

It has been said that there have been more Christian martyrs in recent years than there were during the time of the Caesars. According to a study done by Regent University, in 1999, nearly 164’000 Christians worldwide were martyred for their faith, and in 2000 that number was closer to 165’000. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Are You In? Series

Contributed by Adam Deibert on May 7, 2004

God is not concerned with how much faith we have; He is concerned about what we do with the faith He has given us.

Over the years, I have had many opportunities to travel. And in my travels, I have had numerous opportunities to visit old houses, churches, and other famous sites. I’ve been to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and I’ve toured a catacomb in Italy. I’ve seen the Houses of Parliament in Ottawa, and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist