Sermons on Joel Smith:

Settle Down, Lord! Settle Down! Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Jun 15, 2009

Most of this sermon was ripped off from the pamplet "My Heart, Christ’s Home."

This morning’s sermon is going to be dramatically different from what I’ve presented so far. In just a few minutes I’m going to get you to use your imagination and go on a tour with Jesus Christ. I think you’ll be convicted, challenged, and encouraged, but to get there you’ll need to put aside ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Twittering Ourselves To Death Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Jul 8, 2009

Put on the new self by getting your mind right with God.

An article appearing in the August 11, 2007 edition of World Magazine entitled, “Sex and the evangelical teen” suggests evangelical teenagers on the whole may be more sexually immoral than non-Christians. “Christian parents and churches need to face up to a problem long hidden in the dark: ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Return The Favor Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Jul 8, 2009

If you’ve received the grace of God return the favor to everyone else.

Let’s begin this morning with a little check of your vocabulary. Can someone give me a defining of the word nag? If someone accuses you of nagging them, what are they trying to tell you? Nagging is when you tell someone something that they already know. And you tell them over … and over … and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

Coup De Moi Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Jul 13, 2009

If you want to know if you’ve truly been born again answer the question: "Who is your spiritual daddy?"

I guess it’s a sign of the times in which we live, but a couple of years ago I saw a billboard on I-85 in Charlotte that said, “Who’s the daddy?” There was a picture of a baby and an ad for a genetic testing lab beneath the picture. It’s sad that young folks are so promiscuous they have to have a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

It's Not The Economy, Stupid! Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Aug 6, 2008

The erosion of values always runs downhill.

I think I need to begin by explaining the title of today’s sermon. Back in 1992 William Jefferson Clinton’s campaign slogan was, “It’s the economy, stupid.” His campaign manager, James Carville, formulated the saying to keep the Clinton campaign focused on an issue that was sure to beat George ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Refreshing The Heart Of God Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Aug 18, 2008

Noah refreshed the heart of God by trusting the Lord and taking Him at His word.

A. Read: Genesis 6:9-22 B. Song Intro: Part 1 – The Preparation 1. God promised and Noah prepared. One of the benefits of preaching books of the Bible rather than topical sermons is that God gives me “fresh eyes” to see His word. In the past my focus for this story was the flood itself. I ...read more

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

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

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