Sermons on Focus On The Family:

Pain At The Threshold Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 24, 2003

Interactive sermon on the anxieties involved in sharing our faith and on the power of being prepared, both intellectually and emotionally.

Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Closed doors intimidate me. If your door is closed, I want to leave it alone. I don’t like to knock and ask for admission. I want somebody to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

But Nails Hurt! Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 24, 2003

Nails were distributed to the congregation, so that they could test: if you wish to endure, you have to endure some pounding. Holes may be punched in you, too. But if you persist, ultimately you will be built up.

If you really want to grow, it’s going to cost you. If you truly expect to be built up, there will be some pain involved. No growth ever takes place without pain. That’s a law of life. That’s not negotiable. No pain, no gain. No hurt, no growth. No rough edges, no building up. If you truly ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Garbage In Garbage Out

Contributed by Johanna Radelfinger on May 26, 2003

We are God’s living sacrifices. We need to treat our bodies well so that God can work to His full extent.

Health Picture #1: You wouldn’t do this...No, Of course you wouldn’t pour water into the gas tank of such a lovely, expensive car. That would be ridiculous, crazy. But what about the priceless machine called the human body? It will only take so much punishment, you know. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 10:31

Denomination: Adventist

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

Spiritual Renewal

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Jun 1, 2003

We all need spiritual renewal from time to time. Where does it come from?

My text this morning comes from the book of Isaiah, chapter forty, verses 28 through 31: "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:28-31

Denomination: Baptist

In The Nick Of Time Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 8, 2003

Sermon illustrated by Chrismons: Jesus came at the right time, into a world of spiritual hungers, social unrest, devaluation of life. So He comes to our time, when ultimate questions are being asked, when much seduces us, when we are weak. He will be Lo

Infants, not yet born, seem to have a mind of their own. Infants, not yet born, pay very little attention to the doctor’s predictions, the mother’s preferences, or the father’s fears. When they want to arrive, they arrive; and if they don’t want to emerge into this cold, cruel world, they don’t, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Dtrums Of War

Contributed by Rick Kallstrom on Jun 9, 2003

The United States of America is on the verge of war. This country that we love so much is in the middle of a great conflict over whether or not we should go to war against Iraq. On the one side there are those who believe it would be immoral for us to g

As I stand before you this morning, the United States of America is on the verge of war. This country that we love so much is in the middle of a great conflict over whether or not we should go to war against Iraq. On the one side there are those who believe it would be immoral for us to go to ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Is God And I Am Not

Contributed by Dennis Cocks on Jun 16, 2003

In our Scripture verses this morning we see God comparing man with Himself. He has all wisdom, knowledge, and all power, while man, man is nothing but dust. Steven Curtis Chapman put it this way in one of his songs, “God Is God And I Am Not.”

GOD IS GOD AND I AM NOT TEXT: ROMANS 11:33-36; PSALM 103:13-22 INTRODUCTION: In our Scripture verses this morning we see God comparing man with Himself. He has all wisdom, knowledge, and all power, while man, man is nothing but dust. Steven Curtis Chapman put it this way in one of his songs, “God ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:33-36, Psalm 103:13-22

Denomination: Baptist

School Supplies

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 17, 2003

Drama dialogue, written as if a conversation between Paul, a tribune, and a narrator, with "chorus" lines for the children of the congregation. Supplies we need for learning are a listening mind, a loving heart, and a desire to grow.

Narrator: I knew very little about the people of the Way, but I did know that everyone in Jerusalem was talking about one of their leaders. We were all most upset about Paul. You see, Paul – actually we knew his name as Saul – Paul had been such a mighty force in our community only a few short ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When Christmas Came To Bethlehem

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on Jun 24, 2003

Something can happen when Christ comes to your Bethlehem. Something will change you from what you were to what you can become.

WHEN CHRISTMAS CAME TO BETHLEHEM Scripture Reference: Matthew 2.1-16; Luke 2:1-15 INTRODUCTION A small boy was writing a letter to God about the Christmas presents he badly wanted. "I’ve been good for six months now," he wrote. But after a moment’s reflection he crossed out "six months" and wrote ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-16, Luke 2:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dissatisfaction Or Fulfillment? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 2, 2003

Like Judas, despite all we have, we feel dissatisfied. Dissatisfaction comes from too small a vision of where our lives must go or depending on others to give us meaning. A relationship with Jesus gives us redemption and release.

Willy Loman is the central character in Arthur Miller’s play, “Death of a Salesman”. Willy had known only one thing all his life, and that was selling. Selling, pitching, cajoling, persuading, making the sale. That was it. His wife played second fiddle to selling. His children tried to please, ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

"Welcome To The Christian Olympics"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Sep 1, 2004

This message compares the "Judgment Seat Of Christ" to the Olympic games, where rewards will be given.

“Welcome To The Christian Olympics” INTRODUCTION: Did you catch any of the Olympics? I always enjoy the gymnastics, the swimming & the diving, and the boxing. The 1980 Olympics where the U.S. Hockey Team beat the Russians will always be a highlight of my Olympic memories. Did you catch any of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

I've Got The Joy. . . Down In My Heart Series

Contributed by Tim Richards on Sep 2, 2004

A sermon on the second fruit of the Spirit, Joy.

Introduction: 1. During the series of sermons I share with you on the fruits of the Spirit, we will be having a testimony of one kind or another from a Christian who has demonstrated this fruit in action. Few people are better equipped to talk about the joy of the Lord from the perspective of real ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22

Denomination: Baptist

From The Cross To The World

Contributed by Dean Morgan on Sep 3, 2004

Let me begin by making two statements: First, forgiveness may be unnecessary among perfect beings, but it is vital to those of us with enough wisdom to admit we are imperfect. Second, above all, we need forgiveness from our Creator just to be reconcil

TEXT: Luke 23:34a TITLE: FROM THE CROSS TO THE WORLD {Forgiveness} Let me begin by making two statements: First, forgiveness may be unnecessary among perfect beings, but it is vital to those of us with enough wisdom to admit we are imperfect. It seems we can’t help but offend, betray, or commit ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:34

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Six Laws Of The Harvest

Contributed by Dean Morgan on Sep 7, 2004

There are laws governing man and his makeup, concerning spiritual development and maturity to mention just a few. But there are no laws more important or significant to us than the principles that govern the harvest we reap.

TEXT: Galatians 6:7-10 TITLE: THE SIX LAWS OF THE HARVEST There are laws governing man and his makeup, concerning spiritual development and maturity to mention just a few. But there are no laws more important or significant to us than the principles that govern the harvest we reap. In the book ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-10

Denomination: Pentecostal