Sermons on Joe Smith:

Refiners Fire

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jan 27, 2014

The Woman asked the silver smith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy when I see my image in it." This day, I want to speak of the Refiners Fire. Updated February 2025.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four Scripture Readings prior to the message. Today's readings are: Malachi 3:1-5; Psalm 126; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21 and Luke 3:1-6 Let us pray... O' Heavenly Father. You are the refiner of our souls. May we have confidence in your ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 8:29, Romans 8:18, Ephesians 1:22, Titus 2:14, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Philippians 1:6, 1 Peter 4:12-13, 1 John 1:9, Romans 12:1-2, Nehemiah 8:10, James 1:2-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

7 Things About The Christmas Story We May Have Missed

Contributed by Davon Huss on Dec 20, 2011

A sermon on 7 Things About the Christmas Story We May Have Missed based on Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 (Outline and material adapted from Joe McKeever at: http://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/10-things-about-the-christmas-story-you-may-have

Introduction: There are things from the Christmas story that many get wrong, out of order or assume to be true when it might not be the case. “The cattle are lowing” in Away in a Manger, there is no indication there were cattle in the stable or anywhere nearby. “The First ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Did God Have To Kill His Son To Forgive Me? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 1, 2021

Why did God have to kill His Son for me to obtain forgiveness. Why couldn't God have simply forgiven me without that sacrifice?

OPEN: Dick Van Dyke once told a story about a preacher who was showing his 4 year old son a picture of Jesus. But the man didn’t want his son to get the wrong idea and so he said: “But son… it’s not really Jesus. It’s just an artist’s impression of Jesus.” The boy looked closely at the picture and ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Growing Higher Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 6, 2024

The Bible forms the foundation of our faith, and if that foundation isn't sound, your faith could crumble. But why would that be true, and what happens if we don't accept that idea?

ILLUS: A famous Christian writer told of doing a lectureship at Ohio State University. As he was being driven to the lecture, he passed the new Wexner Art Center and the driver said, “This is a new art building for the university. It is a fascinating building designed in the post-modernist view ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Of Whom The World Was Not Worthy Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 28, 2021

The Bible has always been honest with us about the potential dangers of discipleship. It speaks of the real possibilities of abuse, prison and even death. Is there ever a time when it's NOT worth it to be a Christian?

CHILDREN’S SERMON – Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego OPEN: I read an interesting article this week in Christianity Today. The title was “Was It Worth It?” and it tried to address the tragedy that’s going on now in Afghanistan. Their opening comment was this: “(Christianity Today) surveyed 15 ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Joy Of Giving

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 12, 2022

The only way money can buy happiness is when you give it away. How can we do that and why does God think that we need to learn that practice in our lives?

(This sermon series is based on a book by Randy Alcorn entitled "The Treasure Principle) OPEN: Years ago, there was a comedian named Joan Rivers that said: “People say that money isn’t the key to happiness, but I always figured if you have enough money, you can have a key made.” A ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is It Right To Baptize Infants? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 8, 2023

What would be wrong with "baptizing" an infant? Is it Biblical and was it a practice of the early Church?

Raccoon John Smith was one of our brotherhood’s more colorful evangelists in the early 1800s. One day he was passing by a Methodist camp meeting and he watched as a young Methodist preacher sprinkled water (for baptism) on a baby who was kicking & screaming at the top of its lungs. When the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38-41

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sons Of Thunder Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 14, 2022

Who gave James and John the "label" "Sons of Thunder"... and what can that mean to us as Christians?

Four men were playing golf one afternoon, and were approaching the 4th hole when suddenly the sky turned ominously dark, and it began thunder and rain. The men rushed to a gazebo for shelter. But just then, a bolt of lightning hit the long, nearby chain-link fence and lit it up like a neon ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:16-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lazyboy Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 17, 2018

The 3rd sin of Sodom was slothfulness. Why does God hate this, and how can we be condemned of this sin? Hint: too many churches and church goers actually do commit this sin and risk His wrath.

OPEN: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo0KjdDJr1c–time stamp 0:0 thru 2:44 - A Millennial Job Interview) Now, how would you describe that young lady? Was she a self-centered, selfish woman?? Well, yeah. It was very clear that she absolutely had to have a specially created coffee latte every ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 16:48-50

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Looking Like Your Passport Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 19, 2014

Unless we look like the picture God describes for us here in I Peter, the world will reject our witness. What does God say I need to look like and how can that help win the unsaved to Jesus?

OPEN: How many of you have ever had a passport? You realize that when you visit a foreign land, you MUST have a passport, because without that document you cannot move around inside their country. That passport says who you are, what nation you belong to… and it has a picture of you ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Am The Resurrection And The Life Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 12, 2020

Why did Jesus say "I am the Resurrection and the Life?" What is there about that simple statement that can give us hope in a dark world?

OPEN: A fellow preacher told me about a funeral that he once conducted. He said that “Doug" was 18-year-old biker who’d rode with a rough crowd. In fact the T-shirt they buried him in said it all: "Ride hard - Die hard". The funeral home was filled with bikers, the speakers boomed ...read more

Scripture: John 11:24-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Did God Make Hell? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 23, 2021

Why did God make hell? And why would He want to send me there?

OPEN: A detective was investigating a burglary at a church building. He questioned one suspect - who he was pretty sure committed the crime – but he couldn’t prove it. Finally, the preacher of the church stepped up and asked if he could talk to the suspect alone. Within minutes, the preacher came ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do You Know Who You Are? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 14, 2020

Who are you? Whose name do you bear? And what difference does that make to your life?

OPEN: There was a famous singer back in the 70’s named Jim Croce. He wrote songs like “Time in a bottle,” “Don’t mess around with Jim”, and others. One of the last songs he wrote began with these words… “Like the pine trees linin' the windin' road, I've got a name, I've got a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Rib Of A Healthy Husband Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 5, 2022

Why did God form Eve from Adam's rib? Why didn't He just form her from the dust of the earth like He did with Adam? And what difference can that make for Christian husbands.

OPEN: At Sunday School, they were teaching about how God created the world. And little Johnny was intrigued when he heard that Eve had been created out of one of Adam's ribs. Later in the week, Johnny complained to his mother that he was experiencing pain, and his mom asked: "Well, Johnny, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Down Into The Land Of Slavery Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 28, 2014

God had planned this trip to Egypt for centuries. But why choose that pagan land? Why not someplace else?

OPEN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLc81CS7TY4 (We turned the video's sound down as I explained the artist and artwork that was being shown). I’m not much for modern art, but this particular piece of artwork intrigued me. It’s the work of the renowned French artist Bernard Pras. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ