Sermons on Joel Smith:

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

Somewhere Between Quack And Quisling Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on May 25, 2015

Somewhere between quack and quisling is the remnant. Strive to be among that number.

Somewhere Between Quack and Quisling Ezra 9 and 10 Before we read Ezra 9 and 10 let's back up and get a broad overview of what happened to the Jews up to this point. I'm going to back up and then go slightly ahead because it will matter when we consider Ezra's response to God: 605 BC - ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Navigating The Waves Of Doubt

Contributed by Joel Smith on May 25, 2015

A little doubt will do you good if you learn to navigate its waves.

Navigating the Waves of Doubt John 20:24-31 This morning I want to introduce an idea to you that is so counterintuitive, you won’t believe me when I first tell you. I’m going to talk to you about doubt today and you’re going to doubt the truthfulness of my main point. Here it ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-31

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons Learned From The Village Atheist

Contributed by Joel Smith on May 25, 2015

Atheism has its reasons. This sermon examines the circumstances which contribute to the illogical choice for atheism.

Lessons Learned from the Village Atheist (Open with image of Christopher Hitchens) Can you identify the man on the screen? This is the famous or infamous Christopher Hitchens. He died on December 15th of last year. Hitchens was a gifted writer who notably transitioned from early Marxist ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-32

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

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

Clueless On Purpose

Contributed by Joel Smith on May 18, 2009

Choose Christ rather than cluelessness.

When I was growing up one of the highlights of the year took place every September. We were all euphoric when the Davidson County Agricultural Fair rolled into town. As a kid I liked the rides and the cotton candy and candy apples. As a teenager and young adult, I enjoyed the fair because it was a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44

Denomination: Baptist

God's Opinion Of Popular Opinion

Contributed by Joel Smith on May 18, 2009

If you will let Christ change your mind, through you He will change the world.

This year has been quite a learning experience for me. I’ve learned much about World History and American Government because those are the two main subjects I teach, but I’ve also learned a lot about the why the church in America is so ineffective in our modern culture. I’ve gained this knowledge ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

What's In It For Me?

Contributed by Joel Smith on May 18, 2009

If you will live for Christ like no one else, later you can live with Christ like no one else.

Today I speak to you as a free man. School is out for summer. I haven’t had this much freedom since I was a teenager. It’s been a good year, though. Not only have I learned to rely on God and witnessed more of His faithfulness, I learned a lot about my subject areas. I was truly challenged ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

Veni, Vidi, Velcro Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on May 24, 2009

I came, I saw, I stuck. Choosing Velcro over Teflon.

The Baptist Standard of last year made this sad prediction: “The Southern Baptist Convention is dying rapidly, and resistance to change could kill more than half the denomination’s churches by 2030, SBC President Frank Page said. Unless something is done to reverse the downward trend, Southern ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

Detecting The Fingerprints Of God Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Nov 11, 2008

Learn to pick up the C.L.U.E.s of our invisible God.

I think it’s safe to assume that everyone here believes that God exists. (Why waste your time in a Sunday morning worship service if you don’t have faith that He is real?) What Christians aren’t always convinced of is the reality of God in their every day lives. For most of us God exists, but ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:1-67

Denomination: Baptist