Sermons on gopher wood:

God Writes His Law On Our Hearts. . .and Keeps Writing. . .and Writing. . .

Contributed by Charles Wood on May 14, 2009

God’s fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy about writing his law on our hearts is a project lasting our whole lives because we’re all like pesky computer documents or ink-resistant paper with, of course, no "Spell Check."

5Th Sunday of Lent, March 29, 2009 Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15 Hebrews 5:7-9 John 12:20-33 The image from our first reading, of God writing his law on our hearts, is very consoling and meant to encourage us. This purpose becomes all the more clear by the passage’s contrast ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Denomination: Catholic

Vessels For God's Use

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 24, 2007

All of God’s people are a vessel of some kind.

VESSELS FOR GOD’S USE 2 Timothy 2:19-21 INTRO: All of God’s people are a vessel of some kind. We are either a vessel that brings honor to Him, or we are a vessel that dishonors His name. Which kind of vessel are you? Paul teaches us what God expects of each of us in his instructions to Timothy, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:19-21, 2 Timothy 2:19-26, 2 Timothy 2:19

Denomination: Baptist

When We Are Close To God

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 24, 2007

How do we know when and if it is God that is speaking to us?

WHEN WE ARE CLOSE TO GOD Acts 9:10-18 INTRO: Just how aware are we of God speaking to us? Just how obedient are we when we know He is telling us to do a certain thing, or go a certain place? What is the result of our obedience? our disobedience? How do we know when and if it is God that is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

What Kind Of Church Should We Be?

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 24, 2007

Acts 13: 1-3 describes the characteristics of the church at Antioch and the qualities God expects for our church as well.

WHAT KIND OF CHURCH SHOULD WE BE? Acts 13:1-3 INTRO: The largest church in the world is an Assembly of God church in Seoul, Korea, with a membership of 200,000. How would you like to be a part of such a church? The church at Antioch of Syria was a great church. After the martyrdom of Stephen, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Preserved, Not Pickled

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 24, 2007

All too often we see so many pickle-faced people in church.

PRESERVED, NOT PICKLED Psalm 121:1-8 INTRO: As a little boy, I remember my mother putting up jar after jar of food for the winter. My question was mostly the same: “What’s that?” She would patiently point out the various items of vegetables. Then she said, “This jar is preserves and these jars ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

How To Survive Temptations

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 24, 2007

How we react to temptations often determines our spiritual growth and maturity

HOW TO SURVIVE TEMPTATIONS 1 Corinthians 10:11-13 INTRO: It’s a fact! Christians are going to face trials in the form of temptations. Yet good can always come out of even the most severe trials. Although Satan desires otherwise, God always desires that the very best come from trials. Jesus made ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Change

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 24, 2007

Simon Peter’s experience with Cornelius gives us four lessons about dealing with change.

DEALING WITH CHANGE Acts 10-11 INTRO: Heraclitus said no one could step in the same river twice. So it was and so it is. The rivers keep moving and the world keeps changing. If Alvin Toffler was right in his book Future Shock, the only difference in our day from that of the past may be a more ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Shoulder To Lean On

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 24, 2007

God is dependable through all of life’s problems.

A SHOULDER TO LEAN ON Psalm 46:1-11 INTRO: Life can be brutal. We experience grief and see our friends experience sudden calamities. A tornado or fire wipes out a family dream. Cancer strikes, and long, drawn-out suffering begins. Friends and family let us down through broken promises. They are ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Symbol Of His Blood

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 24, 2007

A communion message.

SYMBOL OF HIS BLOOD Matthew 26:28 INTRO: The New Testament writers placed great importance on the symbol of the blood of Christ. His blood represented his life given freely for us. Some people relate almost superstitiously to the idea of the blood of Christ (and the cup which symbolizes it). ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:28

Denomination: Baptist

The Christian Citizen

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 24, 2007

Christians are both citizens of this world and members of a new kingdom.

THE CHRISTIAN CITIZEN Romans 13:1-14 INTRO: In recent years, we Americans have elected a president and celebrated our constitution. During the same time, as members of a church, we have shared in special occasions and ongoing efforts to fulfill our church’s mission. Christians are both citizens ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

A Credible Life

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 24, 2007

Paul identified three characteristics of a credible life.

A CREDIBLE LIFE Ephesians 5:15-17 INTRO: In a newspaper interview shortly before his death, the English agnostic philosopher, Bertrand Russell, said: “People are bewildered and don’t know how to live a credible life in an incredible world.” The evidence that Lord Russell was right is to be found ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

No Rest For The Wicked

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 24, 2007

How many of you think that Jesus is coming back to earth this week?

NO REST FOR THE WICKED 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 INTRO: HOW MANY OF YOU THINK THAT JESUS IS COMING BACK TO EARTH THIS WEEK? The Christians in Thessalonica were grateful to God for Paul’s letter, but it did not immediately solve all their problems. In fact, the persecution grew worse and some ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Off The Beam

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 26, 2007

If you stay on the “beam” of His will, you will be happy and useful and arrive safely at your destination.

GETTING OFF THE BEAM 1 John 2:15-17 INTRO: Aviation is one of the most fascinating sciences in the world. With every passing year new discoveries are being made in the realm of aeronautics. One of the marvels of science is the radio beam, which the pilot uses regularly, but especially when he is ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

One Man's Thanksgiving

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 26, 2007

A Thanksgiving Message.

ONE MAN’S THANKSGIVING Luke 17:11-19 INTRO: ILLUS: THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION Over 300 years ago, William Bradford, the governor of Plymouth Colony, made the following announcement: TO YE PILGRIMS Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Making Christ Known

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 26, 2007

How are we to approach the task of making Christ known? Peter suggests this should be done through Revelation, proclamation, and demonstration.

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN 1 Peter 2:9-12 INTRO: The population of our world is growing at an alarming rate. Statisticians tell us that by the year A.D. 2050 the population of the world will be 14 billion, or more than twice its present size. Unfortunately, our evangelistic efforts are not keeping pace ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:9-12

Denomination: Baptist