Sermons on Joe Smith:

The Land Of Beginning Again

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 15, 2003

For New Year’s: a participatory sermon, raising the questions: [1] What comfort zone is God calling you to leave? [2] What frightens you most about what God is calling you toward? [3] In what ways have you resisted God’s desire to bless you? [4] How is G

Every now and then God does something which guarantees that those among whom He is working will never be the same again. Whatever it is that He does may seem small and insignificant at the time, but after a while you come to realize that He has done something which has changed everything. We’ve ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3, Psalm 137:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Fear Of Death

Contributed by Christopher Smith on Aug 17, 2003

Should we fear death? No because through Christ it has no power over us.

Death; at some point we’ve all had to think about it in some form. Wether it was contemplating your own mortality or the death of someone you knew, there is no way to avoid it. I once was talking to someone and the subject of death came up, don’t ask me how I can’t really remember. What I do ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-16, John 11:38-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Were Formed To Be Part Of God's Family Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 23, 2003

Diversity divides the human family, but understanding unites us. However, finally the fragmented family can be fixed only by faith. Part of a series to support the study of Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Life.

A few years ago I began to pay attention to the tradition of family reunions in African-American families. I think it may have been when I learned that the Faulkners were driving to Massachusetts to meet other Faulkners. Or maybe it was when I found out that the Hairstons rent an entire hotel and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Strength Of Fellowship

Contributed by Christopher Smith on Aug 24, 2003

Why is it so important to go to church and have christian friends? Beacuse of the strength we gain from them.

This week is perhaps one of the most important topics that I’ve discussed so far, although it may not seem like that to most. It is the importance of church, more specifically the fellowship we gain from it. As it says in verse 9 of the reading, “Two are better than one…”, but how much better ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Deep River, Deeper Foundation

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 30, 2003

Funeral service for Flenoid Bettis, carpenter and home improvement craftsman, former chairman of the church’s Residential Properties Committee.

It seems perfectly right that Flenoid Bettis should have passed away in the month of August, the month of stormy weather. He was born on August 15, 1926, and entered eternal life on August 23 of this year. It seems perfectly right, because this is thunderstorm season, and during this season we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:46-49

Denomination: Baptist

You Were Shaped For God's Service Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 6, 2003

Part of a series on Rick Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Life. Worship without service is idolatry; fellowship without service is self-indulgence; discipleship without service is perfectionism. Pay the price of service.

Not long ago an insurance salesman called, wanting to sell me long-term care insurance. I was tempted to tell him I had an unbeatable plan for long-term care, called heaven, but I didn’t. Not this time, anyway, because some aches and pains we had been feeling did remind us that we might actually ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

You Were Made For A Mission Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 13, 2003

One in a series on Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven Life book. Our mission is to drive with others toward a destination. But between invitation and destination there is hesitation, born of diversion, dissension, and dissipation.

People who are on a mission move; people who are on a mission let nothing stop them. They are not distracted by side issues, they focus all their energies on getting their mission accomplished. People who are on a mission do whatever it takes to get to their goal. But people who are not on a ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Promises To Keep Before I Sleep Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 18, 2003

As young people we make many naive promises, which are diluted by the demands of the day. But God sends people to intervene with the truth, so that at the end we are able to praise Him for the grace that helps us feel some degree of fulfillment.

The shouts of today are so loud that I do not hear the echoes of yesterday, nor do I listen to the faint whispers of tomorrow. All I really know is what is clamoring in my ear right here, right now. That makes me lose perspective. The shouts of today are so insistently loud that I do not hear ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 1:1-48

Denomination: Baptist

The Rapture, Part 2. Series

Contributed by Anthony Smith on Oct 19, 2003

The rapture in prophecy, what does it meen to us.

The Rapture, A comming event., Part 2 of 3 parts. So far we see in looking back, the church could not have been raptured, because just these few things, required for the rapture have not taken place yet. We are thou, close, because the birth pains that Jesus spoke of, have allready started.The ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Shall Never See The Greatest Tree

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 20, 2003

For World Communion Sunday: Jesus’ vision of the Kingdom is large, but the weakness of the church makes it unlikely we shall see it fulfilled. Yet we must affirm the small beginnings that are being made, even by us, for they have potential, when they are

So how do you feel about trees? Did Hurricane Isabel change your feelings about living in a city of trees? When some of them fell on the power lines and cut you off – our house was out for six whole days – how did you feel about trees? I didn’t ask you how you felt about Pepco. That’s another ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

Deep Throat (Story Of Jonah) Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Aug 28, 2004

4th in 4 part series on God’s X-Files "unexplained phenomenon" and the lessons we can learn from them.

“Deep Throat” Book of Jonah (Selected passages) INTRODUCTION: There are a number of situations in this life, that for the most part, we have only one chance to get right. What are some that you thought of? (Take answers from the audience - 2 or 3) Well, there are some things that you have just ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

This Is Not Happening (Balaam) Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Aug 28, 2004

3rd in 3 part series on God’s X-Files - "unexplained phenomenon" and the lessons we can learn from them.

“This is NOT Happening” Numbers 22:16-35 Introduction: (Drama: “I Don’t Want to Fight You Anymore” Used with permission) Could you say that? “Ok, God you’ve got my attention.”? Did you get the distinct feeling that the guy in the drama needed God and yet wouldn’t quite let go? That can happen ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:16-35

Denomination: Christian Church

The Walk (Crossing The Red Sea) Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Aug 28, 2004

2nd in 4 part series on God’s X-Files -"unexplained phenomenon" and the lessons we can learn from it.

THE WALK EXODUS 14 INTRODUCTION: Woody Allen in addressing a Harvard graduation said, "You have entered a crossroads of life. Down one road is despondency and despair.. down the other road is total annihilation. I sure hope you make the right choice." Now, I’m confident that Woody Allen was ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:1-31

Denomination: Christian Church

The Beginning (Creation) Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Aug 28, 2004

1st in a 4 part series on God’s X-Files, "unexplained phenomenon" and the lessons we can learn from it.

“In The Beginning” Genesis 1:1-11 Introduction to Series: Play opening of X-Files clip: {“Are you familiar with the so-called X-Files?” Agent Scully replies, “I believe they are unexplained phenomenon.”} That lays the foundation for the television show The X-Files. Each week, starting in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Dealing With Controversy

Contributed by Anthony Smith on Aug 31, 2004

Part 5 of Dealing with Searies. Here we deal with controversy in life.

Dealing with Controversy. As we enter into this end time era, I feel that we all need to know how to deal with controversy. Jesus dealt with it; from the time He started His Ministry until the Day He was crucified. Have you ever dealt with areas of life that ...read more

Scripture: James 2:2-4

Denomination: Pentecostal