Sermons on Joe Bailey:

The Kingdom Is Like . . .

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 26, 2008

Five parables summarize for the Christian our relationship to the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 13: 44 – 52 / The Kingdom of God is like . . . (Part 2) Intro: Have you ever wanted something? I mean really longed for it? Desired, needed, craved, hungered for something so bad that it hurt? I. The first 2 parables deal with growth for seemingly modest or insignificant beginnings. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-52

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Abandon Ship

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Aug 7, 2008

It takes faith in Christ Jesus to abandon ship and walk on water out into the unknown of life.

Matthew 14: 22 – 33 / Abandon Ship Intro: Jed felt that his who life misfortune had been his lot; yet, he never complained / wife ran off with hired hand / daughter ran off with traveling salesman / son was lynched / fire burned down barn / cyclone blew away house / hail storm destroyed crops / ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Lord, Son Of David

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Aug 15, 2008

We must move from knowing about Jesus to knowing Jesus.

Matthew 15: 21 - 28 / Lord, Son of David Intro: With fast food, faxes, instant messaging, email, microwaves and the like, we are not accustomed to waiting. ---- Wait! That horrible four-letter word / put on hold and you hear music, it is not a good sign / press 1 for English, press 2 for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Faith To Follow

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Aug 30, 2008

Wearing a cross should symbolize the fact that we are wrong, that Christ Jesus is right and we are in submission to Him.

Matthew 16: 21-28 / Faith To Follow Intro: A physician told this about her 4-year-old daughter. One day on the way to preschool, the doctor left her stethoscope on the car seat. He little girl picket is up and began playing with it. The mom tried to remain calm although she was extremely ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Spirit Of Power

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Sep 8, 2008

Faith in God expressed in the commitment of our life to the cause of Christ is the greatest antidote to fear.

Spirit of Power / 2 Timothy 1: 1 - 14 Intro: We live in a world of fear – fear of terrorism, inadequacy, what others think, disease, financial insecurity, unknown. Paul in prison / Timothy friend of one criminal and follower of another. Paul writes to help Tim with fear. !. Verse 7 – “For God ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Trash In Our Trash Baskets

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Sep 11, 2008

Christ Jesus has demonstrated for us the fine art of forgiveness which we must learn to use in the daily living out of our lives.

Matthew 18: 21 – 35 / Trash In Our Trashbaskets Intro: Late one summer evening in Broken Bow, Nebraska, a weary truck driver pulled his rig into an all-night truck stop. The waitress had just served him when three tough looking, leather jacketed motorcyclist- of the Hell’s Angels type- decided to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Wake Up!

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Nov 29, 2007

Christians must learn to live in eager anticipation of the return of our Savior, Christ Jesus.

Matthew 24: 36 – 44 / Wake Up!!! Intro: One day a cardinal was approached by an anxious, agitated priest who said, “A woman claims to have seen a vision of the Savior in the chapel behind the main alter. What should we do?” To which the cardinal answered, “Look busy!” --- For literally ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Wait For Another?

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Dec 12, 2007

We, like John, often have expectations of Christ Jesus that are not totally in accord with his will for us.

Matthew 11:2 – 11 / Wait For Another? Intro: Not long ago, Barbara and I ordered a set of footstools that we saw in a catalog. The description said they were a deep chocolate brown. The picture was of a rich, dark, chocolate, almost black color. We ordered them and anxiously waited for them to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It's Just Beginning

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Dec 19, 2007

We like to excuse ourselves while we accuse others. John, the Baptizer called everyone to turn from their ways and turn to God.

Matthew 3: 1 – 12 / It’s Just Beginning Intro: As I spoke with our son, Richard, I could hear our granddaughters crying in the background. I asked him what was happening and he said they were both hungry and they were getting ready to feed them. He said, “I had not idea being a parent was going ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Joseph, Do What You're Told

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Dec 21, 2007

Joseph is held up as an example of the type of person we are encouraged to be by stepping beyond self and thinking of the welfare of others.

Matthew 1: 18 – 25 Joseph, Do What You’re Told Intro: What manger scene or Christmas pageant would be complete without Joseph, “father of Jesus.” Fathers all say and do pretty much the same things. Here is my list of the top 5 things father’s say. “Ask your mother.” “Do I look like I’m made ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Troublesome Tenants

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Oct 4, 2008

We are tenants of God’s kingdom and our choice is either to be troublesome or devoted.

Troublesome Tenants - Matthew 21: 33-46 Intro: When considering purchasing rental property, here are a few things to keep in mind: 1) A tenant’s ability to see dirt and damage is much greater when they move in than when they move out. 2) Everything in your rental will break 100 times faster ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Will You Dine?

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Oct 11, 2008

God has invited us to a heavenly "banquet;" but will we dine?

Matthew 22:1 – 14 / Will You Dine? Intro: A mother and her young daughter were attending the wedding of one of their relatives. It was the first wedding the little girl had attended and she was really impressed. During the ceremony she leaned over and whispered: “Mommy, why is the bride dressed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Who's Is This?

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Oct 16, 2008

Because we are created in the image of God, we must give to God all that we are and have.

Matthew 22: 15 – 22 / Who’s Is This? Intro: A little boy wanted $100 to buy a new toy. He decided to pray to God for a whole week. When nothing happened, he wrote and mailed a letter addressed to God requesting the money. The letter was forwarded to the White House by the Post Office. The ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Passionate People

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Oct 25, 2008

As followers of Christ we must become passionate about loving God and others.

Matthew 22:34 – 46 / The Great commandment Intro: Doris and Buddy lived on a farm in rural Missouri. They had 8 kids in a little 3 bedroom house. Doris told me that when she was in the hospital having their 8th child her roommate asked her if they were catholic. Doris responded, “No. We’re ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Be Attitudes

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Oct 30, 2008

Through this text, Jesus teaches the attitudes that will be necessary to live a successful Christian life.

Intro: There he stood, in the midst of the Golden Corral Restaurant, with 2 gallons of Thousand Island dressing dripping from his hair, over his glasses, down his face, all over his jacket, pants and shoes. A service person had been struck from behind by the swinging door which launched the salad ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed