Sermons on J Jeffrey Smead:

God Is Our Refuge

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Aug 28, 2025

Even in the middle of chaos God is still God, Psalm 46 helps us realize where we can find safety while everything around us is falling apart.

When Hurricane Katrina came through Meridian, it was still a Category 1 storm. I was called in at the Fire Dept. for extra manpower, paired up with one of my crew, and we worked right through the storm. The wind was howling. Trees were snapping. Power was knocked out across the city. While most ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Staying Anchored In A Shaking World

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Sep 5, 2025

What is Jesus Calling us to do when the world is out of control

Feel free to use the personal illustrations, change them to fit anyway you like.. Picture this: you’re working a shift as a firefighter. The call comes in—a house fire with flames showing. As you roll toward the scene, you know that people are depending on you to help bring control to the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Rest We All Need

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Sep 11, 2025

Looking at how we can find that deep soul rest that we all need.

Good morning, church! Today, we’re diving into one of the most comforting invitations in all of Scripture. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Does that word rest sound good to you today? I don’t know about you, but I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 23:1-3, Isaiah 40:31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Nursing Home - Loving Your Neighbor Pt. 1 Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Billhimer on Jan 9, 2025

I’d like to Start with a few questions: ● Was it difficult for you to move into this care home? ● How difficult was it? A Little? Very difficult?

(These questions can be conversational if there is time. Many residents will want to share how their experience went. Listen closely and take note. Otherwise they are simply relational to inspire residents to act based on their compassion and empathy having been through the same process as new ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:7-8, 1 John 4:9-10, 1 John 4:11-12

Aligned For The Kingdom

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Feb 13, 2025

This is a sermon to prompt us to look at our lives and determine if we are in line with where God would have us be. It begs the question of what standard or measure helps us to align with God's will in our life. (Please feel free to use my personal illustrations if you like)

Aligned for the Kingdom Amos 7:7-9 Visual: Hold a plumb line in hand, letting it sway gently in the air. Ask, “Does this look straight to you? This simple tool might not seem like much, but it’s a builder’s best friend. Without it, entire structures can fail. Now, let me ask you—what tool is ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:7-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

All Things New Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Feb 13, 2025

This sermon talks about the power of a fresh start, focusing on the aspect that anytime can be a time to start fresh.

(Hold up a new, unopened journal or planner.) “What is it about a new year that makes us feel like we get a fresh start? There’s just something about blank pages—they hold possibilities, dreams, and hope. But what if I told you that God’s mercies aren’t just new on January 1st? They’re new every ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Abiding In The Vine Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Feb 13, 2025

This sermon is all about bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God. It encourages us to stay connected to the true vine which is Jesus Christ

Imagine this: You’re walking through a vineyard early in the morning. The air is crisp, the sunlight filters through the vines, and clusters of grapes hang heavy, waiting to be harvested. But as you walk, you notice something —a branch has been broken off from the vine. The leaves are shriveled, ...read more

Scripture: John 15:4-5, Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Walking In Step With The Spirit Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Feb 13, 2025

This sermon is about recognizing and aligning our steps with the Holy Spirit and overcoming the obstacles and distractions that come our way

Good morning, church! Ya’ll ever watched a marching band in action? The way they move in precision can be mesmerizing. Every step is calculated, every movement is synchronized. But what if just one person decided to go their own way—it would throw everything off. Walking in step requires focus, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:25, John 14:16-17, Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Into The Wilderness: Strengthened For The Journey Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Apr 21, 2025

This is the follow up to "The Wilderness Test" It helps us understand where our strength comes from and how it helps us when we are on a journey through the wilderness

The wilderness is not just a place of testing; it’s also a place of provision. God doesn't leave us empty in our struggles; He strengthens us for the journey ahead. Introduction: We have already talked about how the wilderness is a place of testing, a place where God refines us, shapes us, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:2-4, Exodus 16:13-25, 1 Kings 19:1-8, Luke 4:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dry Bones ... Come Alive!

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Apr 29, 2025

In A world that's divided and discouraged, we serve a God, this gives us hope and delivers us from despair

Dry Bones Come Alive Ezekiel 37:1-14 In our scripture today Ezekiel gives us a vision of hope when all seems lost. It reminds us that even in a world that feels “bone dry,” God can bring life, renewal, and purpose. Point 1: We live in A World that is in Crisis Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 6:63

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cost Of The Cross

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on May 4, 2025

There is a cost involved in everything we do. It even cost us something to follow Jesus and yes, there is a cost even for The Cross

Introduction: Counting the Cost Some things in life are easy to say but harder to live out. I remember a young firefighter in training. He was passionate, excited, and couldn’t wait to get out there and fight fires. But during a live burn drill, the flames got hotter than he expected, the smoke ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Legacy - What We Leave Behind

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on May 10, 2025

This is a Mother's Day Sermon that speaks of creating a legacy of faith to leave others. Feel free to use my two personal illustrations as your own.

2 Timothy 1:5 (NLT) – "I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you." The Legacy Question What will people remember about you when you're gone? Will they ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Choice

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on May 13, 2025

This is a short Sermon I used for a Sunday night and focused on Jesus in the Garden and the choice He made for us

There’s a moment every firefighter knows — when the alarm sounds, and you have to decide whether you’re willing to run toward what everyone else is running away from. I’ll never forget one particular call years ago. We arrived to find a house fully engulfed in flames. On the porch stood a woman, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Meet The New Boss - Same As The Old Boss

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on May 15, 2025

This sermon takes a look at the gods we worship in today's world and shows they are actually the same as the gods people worshiped in ancient times. Only the names have changed

Good morning, church! Let’s look at a powerful and relevant topic… Let’s take a look at how the gods that people worship today are very similar to those that were worshipped in the times of the Old and New Testaments. In other words “Meet the New Boss… Same as the Old Boss” Now some of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:21-23, 1 Kings 18:21-24, Matthew 6:24, 1 John 5:21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Is Risen

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on May 20, 2025

This is an Easter Sermon and focuses on God working in the silence. Not just on Easter at the tomb but also in the quite times of our lives

"Have you ever sat in silence so heavy, you could feel it pressing down on you? Maybe in a hospital waiting room… or after getting bad news… or even lying in bed in the middle of the night when your mind won’t stop racing. That kind of silence is what Saturday must’ve felt like for the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational