Sermons on joel smith: showing 61-75 of 11,814

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

Hamnation Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Aug 30, 2008

Knowing and applying God’s truth to sexuality brings freedom and blessing.

Those of you who are my age or older I want you to try to remember back to your high school days. As I read this news item from June 18th ask yourself this question, “How did we, as a nation, get here?” As summer vacation begins, 17 girls at Gloucester High School are expecting babies — more than ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:18-29

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

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

When God Doesn't Make Sense Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Oct 20, 2008

When God doesn’t make sense, He’s on the move.

There are two kinds of rollercoaster riders. The first kind gets in the car with hesitation and fear. They white-knuckle the lap bar in a death grip and either sit there in complete silence or scream their heads off the entire time. In this case, the rollercoaster produced anxiety and nausea. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Leaving A Legacy Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Oct 25, 2008

You haven’t completed the race until you’ve passed the baton.

A number of years ago I heard about a survey of centenarians (people 100 years or older). The study asked these folks if they had any regrets about their lives. One of the top answers of the survey was: I wish I could leave something that lives beyond me. Another way of saying it is leave a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 23:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Now Matter Who Wins, You Will Lose

Contributed by Joel Smith on Oct 30, 2008

This sermon is a relentless drum beat of negativity concerning America’s political predicament with a brief flicker of hope at the end. Theme: Demigods disappoint and enslave.

In the early days of our Republic pastors would set aside the Sunday before election day to preach a sermon about the coming vote. In those days they would name names and tell the congregation who to vote for. Now, thanks to a 1954 law, churches can no longer speak out in the same way. If they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:1-22

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

Disqualified! Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Nov 14, 2008

Don’t let a desire for instant gratification disqualify you from God’s best.

I think the five most nauseating words a person can hear are, “I’m sorry, you’ve been disqualified.” Disqualification means that no matter how hard you try or how well you’ve done, you will not reach your goal. There’s something that you can never have because you’ve been disqualified. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-34

Denomination: Baptist

Magnetic Faith Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Nov 20, 2008

Isaac reveals the ways of winsomeness.

Last Sunday the congregation of Mount Hope Church in Lansing, Michigan received several unwelcome protesters into their 11:30 AM service. On cue members of a gay rights activists group called Back Bash began disrupting the service. They were attempting to protest the passing of California’s gay ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 26:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

When God's People Do Bad Things Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Dec 2, 2008

What’s going on when the saints sin?

When I put my faith in Jesus Christ decisively at the age of 21, God spoke a sentence into my consciousness that I will never forget: “You’re forgiven. Go and sin no more.” From the moment that lightning bolt realization struck, I’ve never doubted God’s complete forgiveness. That simple ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:1-46

Denomination: Baptist