Sermons on Joe Smith:

Prince Of Peace: The Wounded Spirit Whole

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 29, 2010

Advent 1987: Many of us live with deep disappointments, profoundly wounded spirits. Whole nations so live, thanks to the scourge of war. Christ, the Word Made Flesh, does more than tell us to "get over it." He stands beside us, with us.

Jim, as I will call him, was a successful pastor, acclaimed for his preaching skill, sought out for his wisdom, almost worshipped by the flocks of young adults who came to the church he served. It seemed he could do no wrong and that he had it all together, from here on out. Nothing, it seemed, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

Denomination: Baptist

A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 2, 2010

Martin Luther King Birthday 1989: Solomon began with promise, but lost his identity and squandered his gifts. African-Americans and the church must recommit to solid teaching, to evangelizing, and to fighting the scourge of drugs, lest we waste a whole

There is a kind of presumptuousness involved when a white preacher stands to offer any words on this the anniversary of the birthday of Martin Luther King. It is audacious indeed, as Janice Williams pointed out when she was teaching our foreign mission study on South Africa about a month ago, for ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

We The People: Rediscovering Sabbath

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 3, 2010

Fall 1987: Sabbath is about far more than doing whatever you feel like doing. It is a chance to be authentic, in relationship with God, and it is meant to be a delight and not a burden.

Be honest now. This morning when the alarm rang or when your wife nudged you in the ribs; when your mom screamed something about being late -- what was your reaction? What did you feel about getting up and going to church? I asked you to be honest – but not necessarily out loud! Now thus ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

One Breath, One Flesh

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 4, 2010

Pentecost 1986: We crave intimacy, and cannot live without it. It is not found in ceaseless work and striving, but in simply receiving grace.

The peculiar thing about our times is that while we seem to be so free and easy, so relaxed about what used to be thought of as intimate, yet at the same time we are hung up, truly hung up, about intimacy. I say the strange thing about us in this last half of the 20th century is that on the one ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-25

Denomination: Baptist

Storm, Sleep, And Sacrifice

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 4, 2010

New Year's Day 1989: Jonah, running from his responsibility, fell asleep. It might have been the sleep of a rationalized conscience; or depression. But a greater than Jonah is here, Christ, who can heal both conscience and soul.

It's not easy to stay out of the storms, no matter what escape you plan. It's just not easy to keep from getting rained on and buffeted around when the storm is coming, no matter what means you use to take shelter. This week, on the afternoon of the sudden squall, I had gone home to attend to my ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Fear, Love, Liberty

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 4, 2010

Independence Day 1986: Fear leads to oppression, and vice versa. We overcome our fears by discovering the love that empowers us in the sacrificial death of Christ.

I've noticed that what older people fear is very much like what small children fear. Older people fear going out alone into the darkness; they are afraid they cannot find their way, they are afraid they may have some kind of difficulty and will be vulnerable to people with evil intentions. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

Hardening Of The Hearteries

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 8, 2010

October 1986: We are like Pharaoh; we become stubborn when our plans do not go as we expected, and we attempt to force our way. But the difference between being merely good and being great is to be radically obedient to God's will.

The physicists used to speak of the hypothetical question: what happens when an irresistible force meets an immoveable object? What happens when a force defined as beyond the capacity of anything to resist it comes into collision with an object so firmly fixed, so deeply rooted, that it can, by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Alive In This World Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 20, 2008

For Earth Day -- We continue to deplete resources, but there are more to be found. We cannot ignore the mandate to make sure that all have material as well as spiritual needs met. God’s call is to care about all aspects of all people and all the earth.

The universal symbol of a person taking his ease – the sign on the door, “Gone fishing.” You came to the medical office to get a checkup, but the doctor decided he had done enough for one day; “Gone fishing.” You came to the lawyer’s office to put First Baptist Church of Gaithersburg into your ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

He Is Not Here! (So Where Is He?) (A Sermon On Matthew 28:1-10)

Contributed by David Smith on Apr 25, 2008

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sa

If you’ve ever been to our Anglican seminary - Moore College in Newtown - you may have also visited its unusual chapel, known as the Cash Chapel (named after the guy who donated it, rather than how it was paid for). Now, when people set up a church building, they tend to design it with the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Jesus Meets Ronald Mcdonald (A Sermon On Luke 24)

Contributed by David Smith on Apr 25, 2008

The passsage is Luke 24:13-35 - the story of the diciples who meet Jesus on the road to Emmaus. The occassion was the 4th Sunday in Easter. The connection with Ronald McDonald was an article that had recently been published by a Diocesan heavyweight, enti

I’ve made it a rule over the years never to discuss church politics stuff in a sermon. Indeed, I try to avoid bringing up issues that are specifically churchy altogether, in a sermon especially - partly because I don’t think it’s appropriate to try to polarise people over issues that are ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death

Contributed by David Smith on Apr 25, 2008

Welcome to the fourth Sunday in Easter, a Sunday often referred to as ‘Shepherding Sunday’, as it’s the one on which we read again everyone’s favourite psalm - the 23rd psalm, that begins, “The Lord is My Shepherd; I shall not want”

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Architecture: God's Roles For Marriage Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on May 3, 2008

#1 in a six week series on marriage and parenting. This message begins the series by laying out God’s design for marriage. Everything in the home builds upon this foundational truth.

“THE ARCHITECTURE: ROLES IN MARRIAGE” Home Improvement - Week #1 Ephesians 5:21-33, 1 Peter 3:7 INTRODUCTION: {Video Clip: Home Improvement Clip 1 = 2:45} In a lifetime relationship how do two people stay compatible? How do we as live out Wilson’s advice and “build a bridge” or “meet in the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33

Denomination: Christian Church

The Foundation: Blessing Your Child Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on May 3, 2008

#2 in a six week series on marriage and parenting. This message begins the parenting portion of the series by discussing the concept of giving a Biblical blessing to your child.

THE FOUNDATION: BLESSING YOUR CHILD Home Improvement - Week 2 GENESIS 27:1-38 INTRODUCTION: Like so many things in life, balance is needed in parenting. We balance physical activity and intellectual pursuits. We balance giving our children what they want and what they need. But probably the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:1-38

Denomination: Christian Church

The Walls: Disciplining Your Child Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on May 3, 2008

#3 in a six week series on marriage and parenting. This message discusses the Biblical concept of instructing and correcting your child.

Home Improvement - Week 3 "THE WALLS: DISCIPLINING YOUR CHILD" EPHESIANS 6:1-4 / HEBREWS 12:4-13 INTRODUCTION: A loaded mini-van pulled up to the only remaining campsite. Four youngsters leaped from the vehicle & feverishly began unloading the gear and setting up the tent. The boys rushed ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:4-13

Denomination: Christian Church

The Doors: Releasing Your Child Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on May 3, 2008

#4 in a six week series on marriage and parenting. This message discusses the difficult task of releasing your child.

"THE DOORS: RELEASING YOUR CHILD" Home Improvement - Week 4 1 SAM. 1:10-11, 24-27, Luke 15:11-13 INTRODUCTION: You know, of all the areas that we have talked about in this child rearing portion of our home improvement series, certainly for me and I think for all of us as parents.. releasing ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:10-27

Denomination: Christian Church