Sermons on Greg Smith:

How To Serve God Without Really Trying Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Oct 13, 2008

You must learn to ride the waves that God raises up.

One of my favorite college instructors was a history professor named Dr. Oakley. I loved his Western Civilization classes because of the unique perspective he brought to the subject. He was also one of my favorites because he empathized with his students. On the first day of class I was ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God's Elect Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Oct 14, 2008

A message of encouragement to Christians who were being persecuted for their stand. A reminder that as God’s children, we are called and set apart to be a different people.

ILLUSTRATION: THE SLEEP SON A mother watched her son begin to drain of energy as the week went on. By the end of the week he’d lost his desire to get out of bed. She heard the alarm go off through his bedroom door. Apparently he just kept punching the little snooze button on the top. Finally, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Provisions For Survival Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Oct 14, 2008

A reminder to the family of God that as God’s elect, God has provided His provisions for survival. 4 Supplies for survival: A Living Hope, An Invaluable Inheritance, A Precious Faith, and An Inexpressible Joy. Provisions to carry us through life’s tria

Introduction I profess that I DO NOT like to watch the TV show, “Survivor”. I admit the concept, though with I’m sure some exaggerations, is pretty cool! It seems as 16 people are dumped out in the middle of nowhere with no food or water and have to figure out a way to survive on their own. But ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12

Denomination: Baptist

Walking In Holiness Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Oct 14, 2008

A call to live in this world and maintain a holy walk. Because we walk in hope, we are able to walk in holiness.

Last week, 1st section, Peter, as a result of salvation, emphasized WALKING IN HOPE. Remember that "walking in hope" describes a "conviction of faith" - an anticipation of something to come - in this case the hope of our salvation. Today: Now Peter changes his emphasis to WALKING IN HOLINESS. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Cost Of Being Chosen Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Oct 14, 2008

Peter encourages Christians by reminding them that regardless of what the world would throw they, having tasted the sweetness of God, are to be a different people.

ILLUSTRATION: What Influence Do You Have on Others? A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don’t know where I am." The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Marriage God's Way Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Oct 14, 2008

The success of marriage is not based on success as the world teaches but as God commands through the example of submission offered by Christ himself.

INTRODUCTION As you can tell from the title of the message, we are going to be looking at a tough subject today – one I prefer NOT to speak on – the relationship between HUSBANDS & WIVES. BUT before we dive in, I want to speak a moment on the attitude we need to bring – JUST HOW IMPORTANT IS THE ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For The Best Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Oct 14, 2008

Persecution can and is real. The key is how we approach it. Peter offers 2 lessons of encouragement: We must "Cultivate Christian Love" and "Practice the Lordship of Christ".

INTRODUCTION Persecution is real for the believer. While it comes in many different ways, it is real – The group we’ve been studying about in 1 Peter suffered this horror in much a different way than we do as Christians today: Dr. M.R. DeHaan put it this way: In the early days of the church. . . , ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

What Jesus Did For You Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Oct 14, 2008

A reflection of what Jesus did for us encourages us to live for Him. Through His suffering,

INTRODUCTION A. BIBLE INTERPRETATION 1. Much of Bible is Easy to Understand but occasionally we get bumped into confusion. 2. Today is one of those bumps! 3. We may not solve the confusion today, … to get the practical help -- to encourage Christians in difficult days. B. WHAT DID JESUS DO FOR ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:17-22

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Your Lifestyle Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Oct 14, 2008

A look at the lifestyle a Christian should have and how the church has such a tremendous role to prepare us for the world and it’s ways.

ILLUSTRATION: JUDGE NOT . . . A small-town prosecuting attorney called his first potential juror to the stand in a trial -- a grand-motherly, elderly woman. He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Williams, do you know me?" She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Bryant. I’ve known you since ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Suffering For Doing The Right Thing Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Oct 14, 2008

A call to do the right thing even when that choice brings suffering. Just as Christ was willing to suffer for our good, we should be willing suffer for doing good toward others.

INTRODUCTION A. Every Christian who lives a godly life experiences a certain amount of persecution. - A Teenager is shunned for being a Christian. (Peer Pressure, sex, cheating,) - An Employee may not advance if not willing to take advantage of another. - An Individual may not be invited to a party ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

What Is The Purpose Of The Church? Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Oct 14, 2008

Peter issues a call to the entire church to stand together resisting the devil whose desire is to rob your joy.

ILLUSTRATION: STAYING WARM TOGETHER In what the news called "The Miracle at Quecreek", 9 miners, trapped for three days 240 feet underground in a water-filled mine shaft, decided early on they were either going to live or die as a group. The 55 degree water threatened to kill them slowly by ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Will You Marry Me?

Contributed by Brian Smith on Oct 15, 2008

Did you know that Jesus included a marriage proposal into the Passover liturgy?

Will You Marry Me…? Mark 14: 12-26 The Passover Meal (Seder) -Passover is the oldest Jewish holiday -Passover background is found in Exodus 12, 13, and 14 -The purpose of the Passover Seder is to draw the story of the Exodus out of the past and into the present so that each person will feel as ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:12-26

Denomination: Methodist

When God Doesn't Make Sense Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Oct 20, 2008

When God doesn’t make sense, He’s on the move.

There are two kinds of rollercoaster riders. The first kind gets in the car with hesitation and fear. They white-knuckle the lap bar in a death grip and either sit there in complete silence or scream their heads off the entire time. In this case, the rollercoaster produced anxiety and nausea. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

What Then Will We Have?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 24, 2008

Gaining authentic riches means embracing the way of life over the way of death. The way of life means constant companionship and reconciled relationships, all in the risen Christ.

They promised me an income of up to ten thousand dollars a week. It would come in the easiest of ways; all I would have to do would be to sit at home and wait for it to pour in. They said the money would mount up effortlessly. Up to ten thousand dollars a week, made by promoting certain ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

Leaving A Legacy Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Oct 25, 2008

You haven’t completed the race until you’ve passed the baton.

A number of years ago I heard about a survey of centenarians (people 100 years or older). The study asked these folks if they had any regrets about their lives. One of the top answers of the survey was: I wish I could leave something that lives beyond me. Another way of saying it is leave a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 23:1-20

Denomination: Baptist