Sermons on Joel Osteen:

A User-Friendly God Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Sep 13, 2008

Don’t let the drive for security and significance cause you to create a more manageable God.

Aren’t you glad we live in an age of user-friendly technology? You could go to Wal-Mart right after this service, purchase a relatively inexpensive laptop computer, plug it in, fire it up and with no previous experience understand how to use it in no time. Computer companies intentionally make ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The School Of Faith Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Sep 13, 2008

God wants to reveal Himself to you so that He can reveal Himself through you.

[Use children’s sermon as introduction for this sermon.] I have a reward for one of you this morning, but you’re going to have to trust me to get it. Here’s the challenge: Somewhere in this room I have hidden a candy bar and you have to find it while blindfolded. I will tell you that it is in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

His Frustrating Ways Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Sep 25, 2008

God’s ways are usually more frustrating than mysterious.

Back in 2000, my friend Dan and I were called and hired as pastors of Wellspring Community Church, a fellowship that we started from scratch. Dan and I began the process as friends, but we’d never actually worked together. At first, all was well as we concentrated on getting the facilities ready ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Knowing And Doing God's Will Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Sep 25, 2008

You can’t always know what God is up to, but you can position yourself to participate in His plan.

If I had to pick the number one question that people have asked me over the years as a pastor I’d have to say that it’s this: “What’s God’s will for me?” That question used to stump me, but now I have an answer, “I don’t know!” God’s will is an incredibly slippery thing, even for those who are ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Impact And Impotence Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Oct 2, 2008

A changed heart doesn’t guarantee that you will change the world.

If you’re like me you’ve been keeping up with the federal government’s attempt to bailout failing housing and financial markets this week. I found an article from Reuters in which the blame for this economic slump has been traced to a decline in Christian influence in our nation. DALLAS ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How To Serve God Without Really Trying Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Oct 13, 2008

You must learn to ride the waves that God raises up.

One of my favorite college instructors was a history professor named Dr. Oakley. I loved his Western Civilization classes because of the unique perspective he brought to the subject. He was also one of my favorites because he empathized with his students. On the first day of class I was ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Leave The Light On Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Jul 27, 2009

God calls His children to go into the darkness and leave their light on.

Light has amazing qualities. It attracts and transforms. Turn on a light in the darkness outside and watch what happens. Every flying critter within range will flock to it. Turn out all the lights at night in your safe, comfortable house and what happens? It becomes a treacherous obstacle ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:7-14

Denomination: Baptist

Never Trust A Charismatic With Marriage Problems Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Jul 27, 2009

A Spirit-filled Christian chooses to be under the influence of God.

I love idioms. Idioms are local or cultural words or phrases that have dual meanings. If, for example, someone says that you are cool or hot, they’re not talking about your body temperature. Cool means unaffected by pressure or it describes a certain winsome personality or just means good. Hot, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Resisting Thought Assault Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Jul 30, 2009

God created you for a calling, but you’re going to have to fight for it.

When I read this Paul’s final teaching in the book of Ephesians. It reminds me of George C. Scott in that classic movie “Patton.” He’s standing in front of an enormous American flag rallying the men to fight the battle before them during WW II. In he utters one of the best lines I’ve ever heard ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Father Heart Of God

Contributed by Joel Smith on Jun 24, 2008

If your heart beats like the Father’s, you’ll love lost people too.

A several summers ago Laura and I witnessed every parent’s nightmare. As we soaked up the sun at Myrtle Beach, enjoying our annual vacation, watching Drake and Anna Gray, who were then still young enough to enjoy just playing in the sand, we noticed a man acting rather strangely. A barely ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

Waking The Dead

Contributed by Joel Smith on Apr 11, 2009

A resurrected Christ changes everything

Here we are gathered together on another Easter Sunday and a question arises in my mind: “Do we really get it?” A Sunday School teacher asked her class on the Sunday before Easter if they knew what happened on Easter and why it was so important. One little girl spoke up saying: "Easter is when the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

You Are Here Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Apr 19, 2009

You can’t get to where you need to go unless you know where you are.

Back at the tender age of 19 I landed an assistant manger job at the Radio Shack in Thomasville. As a lifelong Lexington boy I only knew enough about Thomasville to find my way to work. But I didn’t get out much and anything further north than DCCC was unknown territory to me. One day at work I ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours! Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Apr 24, 2009

Genuine worship informs the mind about God, inundates the heart with the Spirit, and initiates the body into Christ-likeness.

On April 21st of last years the Associated Press reported: Another round and amen! Beer was on tap and a mechanical bull inspired the sermon as a new church held its inaugural service in a western Ohio bar. The Country Rock Church drew about 100 people to Sunday night’s meeting at the Pub Lounge ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Baptist

A Prayer For People Who Have Everything Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on May 4, 2009

Jesus must be the source of your confidence if you’re ever going to stand up and stand out for God.

Back in my teen years a co-worker at the Red Barn Fish Camp #2 in Tyro, NC introduced me to a club that he said I never wanted to be a member of if I could help it. It’s called the WSC Club. The subject came up because one of our buddies in the kitchen wanted to ask a girl out on a date, but he ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Denomination: Baptist

Plight Of The Living Dead Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on May 13, 2009

"I see dead people."

One of my all-time favorite movies is The Sixth Sense. It stars Bruce Willis as a child psychiatrist working with a young boy played by Haley Joel Osment who claims to be able to see dead people. The kid figured out that the dead people, who he alone can see and converse with, don’t know that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist