Sermons on Joe Smith:

Only The Loved Can Love Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 11, 2003

Sermon preached to address atmosphere of crisis we experienced when our Assistant Pastor resigned after a short tenure. This sermon interprets the departure as a godsend, in that it stirs us to re-examine our stewardship, our faith, and our direction, an

Some things cannot be explained; they can only be experienced. Music, for example. How could I possibly do justice to music by talking to you about frequencies, rhythm patterns, tone qualities? I couldn’t. But I can play music for you, so that you can experience it. I can sit at the keyboard ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Sending Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 11, 2003

For Reformation Sunday: Luther’s reform taught us that the church has an apostolic gift, whereby each of us -- the priesthood of all believers -- can break new ground for the Kingdom. Sometimes, however, we send back the gift!

Have you ever had the experience of sending a gift, only to have it returned? What does it feel like? Somebody’s birthday is coming up – and you’ve found just the perfect gift. You wrap it up, you package it securely, and you trot off to the post office. She’s going to love this! Three days ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Universality Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 11, 2003

Thanks to Constantine’s move, the church gradually began to think of its universality as power rather than as an evangelical mandate. Christ is to be lord of our political life, our cultural life, our everyday life -- every aspect.

Christ is lord of all! What a bold statement! Maybe even an arrogant statement! Lord of all? Do we believe that? It was said of one preacher that “for tender minds he served up half a Christ.” Behind that lie two realities – first, that many of us don’t want the full gospel, we’d rather just ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:13, Colossians 1:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

When Nothing Seems Possible, Pray

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 14, 2003

When frustration abounds, in prayer we can discover deepened relationships, new possibilities, and ultimately grace.

For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him; therefore your servant has found it possible to pray before you. Isn’t that an intriguing phrase? “Your servant has found it possible to pray.” My theme for today is “when nothing seems possible, pray.” “When ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 17:1-27, Romans 3:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Work To Eat Or Eat To Work?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 17, 2003

Why work? Work has meaning as a witness, as a way of focusing our efforts for the Kingdom. Look at the work of Christ, so that you do not lose motivation to work.

Is there anyone here today whose name is Rockefeller? No? Then maybe there is a member of the Kennedy family, other than Mrs. Currie – and I don’t think she is of the Hyannisport Kennedys? No one? Well, let me try someone else – the Sultan of Brunei, possibly the richest person in the world. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

School Supplies

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 17, 2003

Drama dialogue, written as if a conversation between Paul, a tribune, and a narrator, with "chorus" lines for the children of the congregation. Supplies we need for learning are a listening mind, a loving heart, and a desire to grow.

Narrator: I knew very little about the people of the Way, but I did know that everyone in Jerusalem was talking about one of their leaders. We were all most upset about Paul. You see, Paul – actually we knew his name as Saul – Paul had been such a mighty force in our community only a few short ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Basic Training For Families

Contributed by Chris Smith on Jun 17, 2003

The Word of God ought to be on display in your homes, in every area of your life. It ought to be hung up in your living room, your kitchen, your laundry room, and if you really expect your children to follow the Lord, the Word of God had better be hung u

Note to readers: Although I have re-written this text extenstively, most of the main points, illustrations, and quotes of this sermon are from a sermon originally preached by Dr. James Merritt at the Pastor’s Conference of the Southern Baptist Convention held at Orlando Florida in June of 2000. ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

What About Divorce And Remarriage?

Contributed by Chris Smith on Jun 17, 2003

A thorough Outline on the New Testament teaching concerning divorce and remarriage, and the responsibilities of divorcees and the church.

Christian Principles Governing Divorce and Remarriage I. Divorce and remarriage and the New Testament A. What did Jesus say? ( Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 19:1-12, Mark 10:2-12, Luke 16:18) B. What did Paul say? (Romans 7:1-4, I Corinthians 7:10-28) C. Principles directly learned from ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-12, 1 Corinthians 7:10-28

Denomination: Baptist

Playing Follow The Leader Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 18, 2003

Leaders must lead with truth instead of deception, with grace instead of power, and with unswerving commitment to the the least and the lost.

Several things prompt this message. First and foremost, I bring this message because I know that it is crucial to teach and re-teach our church’s vision. Everyone needs to understand what we are trying to do as a church. Just saying it once or twice does not get the story told. I want to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:7-19

Denomination: Baptist

Peace Pottage Hot Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 19, 2003

What is peace, how do we get it, and what are the consequences if we do not obtain authentic peace?

Peace. All I want is an hour of peace! If I could just shut out the noise, pull the plug on the telephone, and send everybody packing for a couple of days, I’d be all right. Have you ever said that? Have you ever felt as though you were on the very edge of falling into an abyss? You were in ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-29

Denomination: Baptist

Receiving Constructive Criticism Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 20, 2003

The way in which we hear others’ criticism is a measure of our own spiritual maturity. Some criticism is intended only to hurt, and reveals the critics’ issues. But we need to hear the truth, and if we see the suffering of Christ, that puts into perspec

How would you feel about taking a psychological test today? Sort of a verbal Rorschach. Let me paint a word picture for you, and then we’ll see what comes to your mind. You are running a marathon race. You have practiced hard, and have now entered a 10K race. You have been told that it is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Mixed Signals: Awesome And Owesome

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 21, 2003

A banner was posted with a misprint: owesome instead of awesome. But it is nonetheless true: we owe some love to one another, we owe some urgency to ourselves, and we owe some loyalty to Christ.

As some of our youth discovered last week, it is not as easy as it looks to preside over a worship service. It is not as easy as it looks, because you have to read signals. You start to do something, and someone in the back waves at you. Meanwhile, someone else on the front pew is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Whole Secret Of Strength

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 21, 2003

Ordination sermon, involving a play on the names of Samson in the Bible and Sampson, the ordinand, an entertainer, puppeteer, and beauty pageant winner. The whole secret of strength is in using the gifts God has given for ministry and not for one’s self.

The world didn’t give it, and the world can’t take it away. Isn’t that what we sing. I’m not so sure. What do you think? The world didn’t give it? I agree. That’s true. But the world can’t take it away? I am not at all sure. We are here today because Yolanda Sampson has heard the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:4-30, Hebrews 12:12

Denomination: Baptist

"Imitators Of Christ" Series

Contributed by Gary Smith on Jun 22, 2003

To be a truen New Testament Church we must do what Jesus did. WDJD What did Jesus do? Let us discover what Jesus did and become Imitators of Christ.

“Imitators Of Christ” Prepared For Fort Payne For Wed. Night, June 18th 2003 Text; Matt 4:18-22 (KJV) 18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:18, Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Church Of God

Of Florida Swamps And Brooklyn Bridges

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 23, 2003

As Jeremiah risked everything to buy some apparently worthless real estate in order to give a sign that the Lord would triumph, so I also asked our church to adopt a new but venturesome vision for its life.

Could I offer you a real estate deal this morning? Oh, it will be the deal of a lifetime! You can’t pass this up! Can I get you to buy a piece of land, sight unseen, in a sort-of shaky area? True, it might be taken over by the military, but, hey, who’s worried about that? Come on and buy! ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:1-41

Denomination: Baptist