Sermons on Humble Beginnings:

Leaky Disciples

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 17, 2008

Dated 1988; post-revival message. We do not retain the Spirit after a period of excitement because we have not counted the cost, we are victims of low self-esteem, or we are not our own persons.

Nothing is more annoying than to be trying to transport some liquid in a leaky vessel. You think you’ve got whatever it is all secure and ready for use, and then all of a sudden you find out it has leaked and drained allover the place ... and nothing is more disturbing and frustrating. When I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Baptist

Trick Or Treat

Contributed by J Bernard Taylor on Nov 18, 2008

Is Halloween itself a trick or a treat? Discover the truth about Halloween.

Trick or Treat Back in October 1988, my wife at that time and I paid a visit to Western Pa. We subsequently moved up there. But we were amazed at all the wild Halloween decorations. You have never seen such decorations as this. There were ghosts. There were goblins. There were pumpkins. ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Un:expected Series

Contributed by Stephen Colaw on Nov 19, 2008

Part 1 of "Christmas UN:wrapped" When God calls us to the unexpected we can respond with fear and doubt or we can trust and obey.

THE POINT: When God calls us to the unexpected we can respond with fear and doubt or we can trust and obey. ME I don’t know about you, but I LOVE CHRISTMAS… I love the Christmas season, I love the sights, the sounds, the smells associated with Christmas… I hate winter and I hate snow…except ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Wesleyan

Spiritual Foundation For Managing Money Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Nov 19, 2008

How are we to navigate times of financial uncertainty and insecurity? What spiritual insight can help us find peace amidst such times?

Spiritual Foundations for Managing Money Series: Spiritual Insight for Insecure Times Brad Bailey – November 9, 2008 This past week was certainly a significant one for our nation. This past Tuesday something of remarkable and historical proportions was experienced as the first black president was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sheep And Shepherds

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Nov 20, 2008

Dealing with fear and problems.

Sheep and Shepherds Let me start by pointing out the obvious this morning. We live in a time when many and perhaps most people are engulfed with fear and anxiety. Some fear the future, they are concerned about what is going to happen. The future is full of possibilities and some are very good ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-7

Denomination: Congregational

God's Indescribable Abundance Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 23, 2008

How can one describe what God has given in this church, with the successes of the past year? How describe human needs, especially for the Gospel? And how describe the opportunities for inclusive worship, honest learning, and artistic expression?

Once upon a time a certain church was in an uproar. Some said that the pastor was not performing according to expectations. And so complaints were brought to the deacons, who met to consider the issue, and asked those who were grumbling, “What is the problem with the pastor?” One disaffected ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

"The Source Of Our Confidence" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 25, 2008

Sermon 12 in a study in HEBREWS

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16

Denomination: Orthodox

Lost In Wonder, Love, And Praise

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 26, 2008

We have a tendency to get lost in activities, especially church activities. The church that is worthy of getting lost in focuses on Christ, serves people, and calls for specific new commitments.

The other night I caught a TV show that featured people showing off the peculiar talents of their pets. One man brought a tiny little dog and proceeded to wind up its tail, sort of cranking the tail, much as you used to have to wind up a mechanical toy. Then he let go and the poor puppy ran round ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Why Do We Doubt God?

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 2, 2008

*Why do we doubt God? That’s an important question, especially when the question comes from God Himself. Let’s look into the Word of God to find some answers that will help us stop doubting and start trusting God more.

Why Do We Doubt God? Matthew 14:22-33 Sermon by Rick Crandall McClendon Baptist Church - Nov. 30, 2008 *Why do we doubt God? Christians, I am not talking about doubting your salvation, though many believers do at some point in their spiritual life. Tonight I am talking about us doubting God when ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

My Home In God's Heart

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 6, 2008

Dramatic monologue as if Hosea were speaking; his mixed feelings of anger and compassion toward Gomer become the clue for understanding God’s feelings about Israel.

It had been a hard day in the fields. The sun had beat down without mercy on my back. Twice or three times, my team of oxen had stumbled and I had had to stop and help them up out of the miry clay, lest they break their legs and be useless. I’ve always found that it’s not hard to stop and care for ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be Joyful No Matter What Series

Contributed by Randy Hamel on Dec 8, 2008

Sermon looks at Paul’s circumstances - being in prison - and how with a Christ like attitude God used him to witness to over 4,000 elite gaurds

HOW TO BE JOYFUL NO MATTER WHAT How to Enjoy the Rest of Your Life - Part 2 Philippians 1:12-26 Acknowledgement - Rick Warren Most people don’t enjoy life; they just endure it. They don’t enjoy happiness. Our society perpetuates the lie that life must be perfect for us to be happy. If I could ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-26

Without Shifting From Hope

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 12, 2008

For Day of Prayer for World Peace: Peace is shattered because of social, personal, and spiritual relationship breakdowns. It is restored through spiritual healing, which leads to personal and then social healings.

Introduction A All around us lies the evidence that peace is a sometime, fragile thing. Everywhere we turn we discover that peace has been broken, peace has been shattered. 1 We have the international scene to remind us. A few years ago we hardly knew where Yugoslavia was, but now we are having to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

Mission Impossible

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Dec 15, 2008

THERE’S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JUST OBEYING GOD ON THE OUTSIDE, AND OBEYING FROM A THANKFUL, JOYABLE AGREEABLE HEART

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE Numbers 22 As we look at the 22nd chapter of Numbers, we see the Israelites nearing the end of their wandering in the desert. They had just beaten up, killed, and plundered the Amorites and now they are camped in the plains of Moab near Jordon. This is the place where they ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:1-41

Putting The Thanks In Thanksgiving

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 15, 2008

We can put the thanks in Thanksgiving. Here’s how.

Putting the Thanks in Thanksgiving 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 Sermon by Rick Crandall McClendon Baptist Church - Nov. 30, 2008 *Well, we made it through Thanksgiving -- and the day after. But are you really thankful? Are you as thankful today as you want to be -- as you ought to be? -I have a wonderful ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Call To Commitment Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 30, 2007

Why would God ask the Israelites to make a verbal commitment to Him? Hadn’t they already shown their intention by following Moses out of slavery and to the foot of this mountain? Consider the power of "vows" and how God uses them in every aspect of our li

OPEN: One of our country’s most beloved Presidents was Abraham Lincoln. He had the great misfortune of being at the helm of our nation during one of it’s most troubled times. The once united States had split in two, and the armies of the North and South were waging an incessant war that claimed the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ