Sermons on Easter Sunday:

Seeing Now

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 6, 2009

People and churches can settle down and forget where they came from and lose sight of where they could be going. Now is the time for the church to venture forward, or lose its place in God’s plan.

There are two problems with settling down: one of them is that you forget about where you came from. The other is that you lose sight of where you could be going. Here is a young couple. They start out married life in just a small place, with room for themselves and maybe that first child. They ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Stir What You Got Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 7, 2009

Size doesn’t matter, because we have the resources of Jesus Himself and His Word to multiply disciples of Christ.

Stir What You Got (Mark 4:21-34) Andy Eddington, once the president of Shriner College in Texas, loved sugar in his coffee. On one occasion at a greasy spoon near Dallas, he dumped not one, not two, but three teaspoonfuls of sugar in his coffee. As the waitress watched, Andy said, “Ma’am, we’re ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:21-34

Denomination: Evangelical Free

When Good Things Happen To Bad People

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 9, 2009

Rewritten for Calverton Baptist Church: In a world of injustice, "bad" people get good things they do not deserve. But grace gives us gentle gifts, gives us the satisfaction of outwaiting our enemies, and allows us to wait for God’s justice.

I was in my office at Takoma Park church, and, as so often happened, someone stopped by to ask for help. The story was very much like most of the stories I had heard. He said that he just needed a few dollars to get by. Tomorrow there would be a job and, “Pastor, if you’ll just give me ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

A True Encounter With God

Contributed by Richard Cook on Aug 10, 2009

But somewhere in your walk with God you have to grow beyond just a singing and shouting relationship with God.You have to learn how to walk and live for God!Somewhere you have to reach the point that your relationship is an intimate one.It involves talkin

Psalms says: “I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high" “I will sing unto the Lord because he halt dealt bountifully with me” “I will sing, yea I will sing praise unto the Lord” “Sing unto the Lord o ye his saints and give ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

The River Euphrates: Foolish Fashions Shrink Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 20, 2009

A great people learn to balance foolish pride and destructive shame, and learn to be themselves rather than selecting the worst habits of the majority. Cling to what has supported the African-American for years.

Those who have planned our observance of Black History Month this year selected the theme, "New Currents, Ancient Rivers". Many of you will recognize that the words, "Ancient Rivers" are drawn from a well-known poem by Langston Hughes. The phrase "New Currents, Ancient Rivers" suggests to me that ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 13:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Full Of Faith And Power

Contributed by J. Allen Lucas on Mar 25, 2009

If the early church can be full of faith and power, so can the church today.

Full Of Faith And Power Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. If the early church can be full of faith and power so can the church of today. We are getting ready for growth. We are expecting to grow again. We are endeavoring to make ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Opposition, Prayer, And Victory Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 30, 2009

Preached in 1989. Sometimes opposition is deeply destructive and isolating; the only answer is through prayer, for ultimately integrity is given by the risen Christ.

Opposition comes in all shapes and sizes. Opposition: feeling that somebody is out to stop you -- it takes many different forms. Sometimes it is just outright, straightforward, political campaigning. Sometimes folks choose up sides and define the issues and go after each other, and that‘s all ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Apr 1, 2009

Our text tells us exactly what is important about fixing our eyes on Jesus. It’s because of who He is and what He did. 1- Jesus is the author 2- Jesus is the savior 3- Jesus is the victor

INTRO.- Let us run the race. ILL.- A man decided to take up jogging. He was astounded by the wide selection of jogging shoes available at the local sports shoe store. While trying on a basic pair of jogging shoe, he noticed a minor feature and asked the clerk: "What is this little pocket thing ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Keeping On Keeping On

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 3, 2009

For the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor: in times of turmoil, God is still present, using war to wake up His people. Our temptation is to turn to idolatrous weapons, but He is giving us a chance to use compassion to win hearts and minds.

You will need some background and interpretation in order for you to appreciate the Scripture I’m working from today. Let me first set the stage of history, and then, as we read through, I’ll try to show you the shape of what is being said. The time in which this reading from the 41st chapter of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Discipling The Disciples

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 11, 2008

And there are many things we can do to disciple the disciples. 1- Number the disciples 2- Strengthen the disciples 3- Charge the disciples

INTRO.- A disciple is a follower. And we’re all disciples of someone or of something. ILL.- On April 25, 1994, the news section of Christianity Today, reported that some fans of Elvis Presley were actually revering the king of rock and roll as a god. Not surprising, is it? Pockets of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:21-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dispute And Debate In The Church

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 12, 2008

From this text, we get a few ideas of what to do whenever disputes arise in the church. 1- Legalism always leads to trouble 2- Trouble should be handled by the leaders 3- Leaders must always follow God’s Spirit

INTRO.- ILL.- A married couple were arguing with one another. The husband said, "Don’t you remember promising to love, honor and obey me?" His wife, "Yes, but what else could I do, I was in church!" ILL.- A wife said, "Dear, could I have some spending money?" Husband, "Money, money, money. If ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

David's Testimony Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jan 13, 2008

In this sermon we observe David’s testimony of how God justifies and blesses sinners.

Scripture In our series in Paul’s letter to the Romans we are learning about the good news of God. The apostle Paul is teaching us how unrighteous sinners come into a right relationship with a holy God. We are sinners by nature. We are rebels against God. We want to rule our own lives, and we ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:6-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Are You Waiting For? Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jan 13, 2008

God had faithfully restored everything required for the remnant to start building the temple. Now the only thing left for them to do was to start building. But they were satisfied, so they delayed.

1. The first setback is satisfaction with religious activities 2. The second setback is satisfaction with raw materials 3. The third setback is satisfaction with royal grants Let me tell you a story about a 33-year old California man named Larry Walters. Several years ago, Larry had an idea. ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Holiness: A Culture Or A Lifestyle?

Contributed by Steve Greene on Jan 14, 2008

This message looks at eight characteristics we often find in holiness culture and then contrasts them with the characteristics of an authentic holy life.

Holiness: A Culture or a Lifestyle? Christianity has an image problem in America today. Many, who are outside the church, are convinced that lifestyle does not line up with beliefs for the average churchgoer. As a result, Christians have acquired a hypocritical image. The perception of those ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14

Denomination: Nazarene

The Matchless Love Of The Father Series

Contributed by George Mansfield on Jan 18, 2008

JOhn 3:16 is the answer to the questions asked by 4-1-1 and 9-1-1. It begins with God and ends with life. It is all we need.

SERIES: THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE LESSON: THE MATCHLESS LOVE OF THE FATHER INTRODUCTIONIn the city of Chicago, one cold, dark night, a blizzard was When someone mentions 4-1-1 we think of a person needing help. 9-1-1 tells of a need that is now urgent. Then there is 3:16. It says, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ