Sermons on Joe Bailey:

All Things To All People

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Feb 2, 2006

It is easier to be all things to all people by turning to God for help and strength in a solitary place of prayer. It’s all about attitude.

All Things To All People – Mark 1: 29 - 39 Intro: In 1975 when I assumed my duties as the Pastor of a church in Indiana, I was delighted to see brand new Bibles placed in each pew. When I opened one to see what version it was, I was dumbfounded by what I saw. In large, red letters these words ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:29-39

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Doing What You're Told

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Feb 11, 2006

The comparison of Naaman in 2 Kings5:1-14 and the leper healed by Jesus in Mark 1:40-45 reveals to us that we should follow God’s leading and do what God tells us in the good as well as the bad places of our lives.

Doing What You’re Told – Mark 1: 40 – 45 / 2 Kings 5: 1 - 14 Intro: I was the youngest grandchild on both sides of my family. Consequently, I was always being told what to do. That was one thing I disliked about being the youngest. Yet, when I questioned why I should do something I always got ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Hole In The Roof

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Feb 16, 2006

There are two groups in every organization: the doers and the complainers. The story of the paralytic is a vivid example of both.

Mark 2: 1 – 12 - A Hole In The Roof Intro: Imagine you have a very close friend who has a desperate legal problem. They’ve been to lawyers, courts and all sorts of legal actions to no avail. You hear the President is coming to Nederland to visit another of your friends. The President could ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Make Mine A Double

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Feb 24, 2006

Like Elisha, we must seek a double portion of our Master’s spirit to passionately carry on the ministry of Christ Jesus.

II Kings 2: 1 – 22 – Make Mine A Double Intro: What would you do if you wanted double the inheritance everyone else would get from a wealthy relative or friend? My guess would be, it depends on the amount. Would you? -- Suck up, scheme / plot, plan? -- Some have been willing to murder. OR ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

An Everlasting Covenant

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Mar 4, 2006

God has established an everlasting covenant with the whole earth that endures to this very day. That promise, that covenant is for you.

Genesis 9: 8 – 17 – An Everlasting covenant Intro: I once asked an adult Sunday school class to write a job description for Noah. This is what they wrote. Wanted: Person to build, maintain and sail a large ship. Must be civil engineer with experience as a zoologist. Must have experience in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:8-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Can You Give?

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Mar 9, 2006

The most precious thing we can give to Christ Jesus is the one thing we are most reluctant to give. Ourselves!

Mark 8: 31 – 38 – What Can I Give You? Intro: I remember a number of years ago watching a television program called “What’s My Line?” --- The program was in black and white, so that tells you how long ago it was. The whole premise of the show was a panel of celebrities tried to guess the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fruitful Lives

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on May 12, 2006

Realizing we must be attached to Christ Jesus and not He to us makes all the difference in the world concerning our fruitfulness.

John 15: 1 – 8 Fruitful Lives Intro: There are some shrubs in the flower beds in front of our house with purple leaves that are really pretty; but, they grow rapidly and can get huge. They were definitely hearty and productive. Last summer it seemed as though I had to trim those bushes almost ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Open Minds

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on May 26, 2006

The only way to fulfill the purpose of the church and of being a Christian is to be committed to opening people’s minds to receive Christ Jesus and eternal life.

Open Minds – Luke 24: 44 - 53 Intro: When I was in high school, I could not understand why it was necessary for me to take subjects like history, algebra, geometry or chemistry. --- Perhaps the reason I felt that way was because those were the hardest classes for me. --- Regardless, no one could ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-53

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Seeing Is Not Believing

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 2, 2006

The Spirit is the presence of Jesus lived through us to others.

Seeing Is Not Believing – John 16: 4b - 15 Intro: When we leave for an extended vacation we usually give instructions to those staying behind as to what will happen in our absence. Things like: The garbage man picks up trash early on Thursday morning, so you have to put the trash cans at the ...read more

Scripture: John 16:5-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Being Born From Above

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 11, 2006

Being "born again" and being "born from above" are different sides of the same coin. Christ Jesus says, we cannot enter the kingdom of God without a dramatic, spiritual change. Putting it another way, we have to be born of the spirit from above.

Being Born From Above – John 3: 1 - 17 Intro: 3 men died and were standing at the pearly gates. “What have you done to deserve heaven?” asked Peter. The 1st man, a police officer, said, “I enforced the law and fought crime.” Peter said, “OK, go on in.” The 2nd was a wealthy man who said, “I ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Grieving Friend, A Dead Girl And A Sick Woman

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 30, 2006

This sermon examines three stories of faith as found in 2 Samuel 1:1, 17 - 27 and Mark 5: 21 - 43.

Mark 5: 21 – 43 - A Dead Girl and A Sick Woman 2 Samuel 1:1, 17 - 27 Intro: This week has been a particularly difficult one for me. It seemed as though every time I started one project or task something or someone would interrupt and I was off in a different direction. That’s sort of how I ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Be Careful

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 14, 2006

This sermon uses Herod as an example of how even in today’s world people give in to the pressure of the world instead of being careful to live as Christ commands.

Mark 6: 14 – 29 – Be Careful Intro: My grandmother was fond of saying, “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” --- I used to think she was quite a philosopher until in college I read William Shakespeare and discovered she wasn’t a philosopher. She was just quoting ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

So That Nothing May Be Lost

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 28, 2006

Christ Jesus thought some leftover fish and bread was important enough to be gathered up. How much more important are the fragments of your life?

John 6: 1 – 21 So That Nothing May Be Lost Intro: I. The story of the miraculous feeding occupied a central place in the oral tradition about Jesus. It is the only miracle story that occurs in all four gospels. In fact, Matthew and Mark even tell the story twice. There are basically ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Grow Up

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Aug 5, 2006

As followers of the risen Christ, we are expected to grow in our daily walk becoming mature and attaining full stature in the image of Christ.

Grow Up – Ephesians 4: 1 - 16 Intro: I found this interesting poem while researching this sermon. It sounds a bit like another poem you might recognize; but, listen closely. I think you will hear a difference. One night, I had a wondrous dream; One set of footprints there was seen. The ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Imitator Or Impostor

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Aug 11, 2006

As a contemporary Christian are we an impostor or an imitator of Christ? This sermon leads one to decide which we are.

Impostor or Imitator? Intro: One day a turkey farmer happened upon an injured baby eagle in the woods. He took the baby eagle home and care for it. He put the little eagle in his pen with his turkeys in the hope that they would adopt and care for the little fella. Many months later a forest ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed