Sermons on Greg Smith:

Pressing On Or Just Pressed

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 4, 2009

Remembrance Sunday: living out of others’ expectations for us just makes us feel pressed. Relief from grief comes when you pursue what you know God wants for you.

One place I am quite sure I can stay away from is the National Museum of Beverage Cans. No matter how many times I may travel to and through Nashville, Tennessee, whether it be on Baptist business or as an accidental tourist, I feel quite certain that I can avoid even so much as a swift glance ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Playing The Fool

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 5, 2009

Sarcasm betrays anger at ourselves or at others, but we cannot let it fester. We need to come to the Cross, where there is reconciliation.

Words have power. The things we say to one another have power. Kids may deal with smart-mouths in the schoolyard by chanting, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." But that’s rubbish! Don’t you believe it? Names do hurt. Words hurt. The things we say to each other do ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-24

Denomination: Baptist

Playing It Safe: Job's Friend Zophar Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 7, 2009

For Lent and Annunciation: Zophar’s counsel is to "play it safe" by sticking to ideas rather than engaging persons. He thinks that security is the goal. God in Christ takes the risk of loving us and living with us.

Every human heart is so made that it can be hurt. Of that I have no doubt. Every human heart is subject to hurt, to pain, to shock. Every one of us is subject to feelings that we do not enjoy -- disappointment, anger, despair, guilt, anxiety -- a whole range of painful feelings. And we either deal ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Hands Holding Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 5, 2008

For World Communion Sunday: God restrains us from destructive behavior; but even if we ignore that, His hand continues to hold us back.

You may have noticed that I am a creature of habits. I do what I do according to the clock and by the book. If it is time for staff meeting, I will be here, seldom early, sometimes late because of traffic, but I will be here. It’s on the calendar, so I do it. I am a creature of habits. If it ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

More Than A Tingle Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 8, 2008

This sermon looks at 1 Corinthians 13 and considers agape love and what that means for marriage and the 5 love langages

Love Is More Than a Tingle 1 Corinthians 131-8a, 13 In a survey of couples nationwide, when asked what makes a good marriage, the answer “Being in love” was given by 90% of the respondents. When asked to give the essential ingredients of love, no one characteristic was given by more than 50% of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

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