Sermons on Hope For Hopeless:

Bridges Swamped, Swamps Bridged

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 10, 2003

In times like these the very things we have created to solve human problems are easily swamped; but God wants His people to flourish and will build bridges over the difficulties.

In June of 1972 I was standing in the middle of Colesville Road, not far from my home. I was standing safely in the middle of the road because no traffic was coming through. Why not? Hurricane Agnes had done. Remember Agnes? We’ve had a lot of storms around here, but not many that did as much ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Fidelity Matters Series

Contributed by Robert Odle on May 13, 2003

Our culture is destroying itself, particularly with matters of sex. The Church must wake up and speak up before it is eternally too late!

Character Counts! Fidelity Matters (Proverbs 6:32-33) Theme: The Church is God?s prophetic voice. It must speak God?s message to the culture. Purpose: What do I want to happen in the hearer when I preach this sermon? A. Increased knowledge. After I preach this sermon, the hearer should be able ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:32-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Consequences Or Freedom Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 15, 2003

Jesus gave Barabbas the chance not just for a shortened sentence, but for a rebuilt life. When we break the law, we will face consequences; but our experiences can become the basis for redemption from what has happened to us.

Let’s play Jeopardy this morning. I’ll be Alex, you can be the contestants. The category is institutions. The answer is: The following people all spent time in this kind of institution: the prophet Jeremiah; Al Capone; the apostle Paul; Marion Barry; Bugsy Siegel; Nelson Mandela; John Dillinger; ...read more

Scripture: John 18:38-40

Denomination: Baptist

Consider The Source Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 16, 2003

Job, struggling to find his source of meaning, is frustrated with Bildad, who finds meaning in the past; and with his own feelings, looking for meaning in the present. Look to Christ, who provides meaning from the future.

Sooner or later, we all come to a point where we wake up and ask ourselves what life means. This life we are living: does it matter? All this energy we are putting in on studying or working or church or family or whatever: is it really necessary? I submit to you that most of us at one time or ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Secuirty And Significance Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 16, 2003

When marriages crumble, we often hear people say that they just must have been “wrong” for each other. More often than not, being right or wrong for someone depends not on some mysterious compatibility quotient, but on how willing and able we are to help

Finding Security and Significance There are a lot of jokes and one-liners about marriage. It’s probably because as beautiful as marriage is, as set forth in the song we just heard, it’s also extremely challenging and can be pretty ugly at times. It was George Burns who said, “I was married by a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

Carry Me Back To Old

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 18, 2003

Nostalgia is a fatal disease, because the burdens of the past are idolatrous and wearisome, and will bring us down with them. But remember who God is and what His purpose is.

This past February I received a diagnosis, and, I’m sorry to say, it’s serious. I have a disease, commonly fatal. If it is not treated, it will destroy me, and I will gradually lose my abilities. I’m telling you about it, because, if we do not take some protective efforts, it will become ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 46:1-4, Isaiah 46:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

One Nation Under God

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on May 19, 2003

As a nation there should be one song we sing in harmony and that’s the song of praise. We owe a lot to the invisible yet very visible God who continues to make His mark in everyway

One Nation Under God Scripture Reference: Psalm 33:1-12 Introduction Last nights final of the U.S. Open Tennis championship was an awesome display of power and skill. Venus and Serena Williams served balls upwards of over 100 mph. These were two sisters, ranked number one and number two in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:1-12, Psalm 31:31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Time Out, Time In Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 24, 2003

After vacation -- time out -- it would be ridiculous if there were no "time in", engagement. God calls us to full engagement with Himself, which in turn calls us to live in newness and not in old habits. There is no time for anything that is not a serio

There are certain intense situations in which the best answer, maybe the only answer, is to take a “time out”. Time out, to get perspective; time out, to get emotions under control; time out to back off and take a better look. There are certain serious situations in which your instincts tell you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

God Of Mercy Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on May 27, 2003

God is so merciful, he draws us back even when we run away.

God Stories – Attributes of God The God of Mercy – Jonah May 25, 2003 Last week – the God of Justice – we are thankful that he is the God of Justice, that he does not let evil deeds go unpunished, but we are also thankful that he is a merciful God because we find it easy to say with the ...read more

Denomination: *other

Up In The Air Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 4, 2003

Spiritual indecision leads to sickness and ultimately to death. We are scared of taking risks. Black history shows us, however, that without accepting risk there is no progress.

You should be a fly on the wall around our house on Friday evenings. You see, Friday evenings are our night for ourselves. We try not to take on church things on Fridays, and unless you are at the point of death, you can wait for your pastoral call until Saturday morning. The pastor and his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Believers Look To The New Jerusalem Series

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Jun 4, 2003

EASTER 6(C) - Believers look forward to the New Jerusalem because the gates are open and God’s glory shines in it.

BELIEVERS LOOK TO THE NEW JERUSALEM REVELATION 21:10—14, 22, 23 MAY 25, 2003 REVELATION 21:10-14, 22,23 10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11It shone with the glory of God, and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:10-22

Denomination: Lutheran

The 29th Chapter Of Acts!

Contributed by Michael Milton on Jun 6, 2003

A sermon for Pentecost, this message seeks to lift out the expository truths of Acts 2.1-21 and apply them for contemporary life.

Introduction to the Scripture I leave our series on Mark this week for a message on Pentecost and next week for a message on FatherÕs Day. FatherÕs Day is a holiday we know about, but many of us may have no idea what Pentecost is all about much less that it could be a holiday! Last week, one of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Healthy And Thriving

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Jun 9, 2003

The Scriptures show us examples to emulate and also examples to avoid. Today, we look at an example to avoid in order to be a healthy, thriving church.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: There has been an incredible emphasis in recent years on church health. Many believe that if a local church is healthy and functioning the way it should, natural growth will be the result. The removal of growth-restricting diseases that often plague the body of ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:9-11

Father's Day

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 11, 2003

We need to be thankful to our fathers for many things.

Father’s Day 2003 Ephesians 6:1-3 INTRO.- ILL.- A small boy said, "Father’s Day is just like Mother’s Day, only you don’t spend as much on the gift." And I say, "What gift?" ILL.- Mark Twain said, "When I was a boy of 14 my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-3, Ephesians 6:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Strange Relationship

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on Jun 11, 2003

Thesis: Our relationship with God should not be weighed by how we relate to the things of God, but how we relate to the person God. So let us stand fast in the relationship that God desires to draw us into.

A Strange Relationship: The Prophet and the Prostitute Scripture Reference: Hosea 1:2 – 7 Thesis: Our relationship with God should not be weighed by how we relate to the things of God, but how we relate to the person God. So let us stand fast in the relationship that God desires to draw us ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 1:2-7, Hosea 3:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational