Sermons on Joel Smith:

Seeing The Miraculous In The Mundane

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 27, 2019

Jesus' first sign was quiet, not at all spectacular as one might have supposed. Yet, what He did at that time anticipates God at work in the mundane. He performs the miraculous in the mundane facets of life on any given day.

“On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me? ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Casualties Of Divine Service

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 8, 2019

The message explores how Christians can avoid becoming casualties of divine service. There is a high cost demanded of those who will serve Christ, and we must not imagine that we will be spared paying that cost. However, in standing firm with Christ, we will stand victorious.

“Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ Then he was afraid, and he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Discipleship

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 31, 2018

When Jesus speaks about counting the cost to be his disciple he made it clear that following him would cost us our life of ease, our money and our time. To be a disciple of Jesus means we are the salt the preserving force in this world in which we live in.

Opening Video Illustration: Sermoncentral.com – Are you Ready (4:15 min) Theme: Time Management “Desire that your life count for something great! Long for your life to have eternal significance. Want this! Don’t coast through life without a passion.” ? John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life Thesis: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Surprise In The Graveyard

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 28, 2018

How does the resurrection of Lazarus impact people in this day? Since Jesus has power over life and death, we see that He alone can give life to those dead in sin.

“A certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So, the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it he ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Baptist

A Charge To The Rich Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 20, 2014

Paul instructs Christians who possess wealth their responsibility in employing what God has entrusted to them.

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit God Gave Us Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 28, 2015

A study of the Holy Spirit, noting His relationship within the Holy Trinity.

“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” [1] “God gave us a spirit…” It is a truly divine mystery—the Spirit of God hallows the body of each believer. This tabernacle, this body of frail flesh that is even now decaying and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Baptist

A Holy Calling Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 19, 2015

Examining God's purpose and work in redeeming a people for His glory.

“Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

Esau: Daddy's Fair-Haired Boy. Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 2, 2016

What can we learn of our own character and of God's grace when we study Esau selling his birthright?

“These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-34

Denomination: Baptist

Certainty In A Question Mark World Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 19, 2016

Defining and utilizing God's gift's of the Body of Christ, the Word of God and the indwelling Spirit.

“As for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

Does Wealth Count? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 9, 2016

Wealth can blind us to the riches of Christ when they assume an improper place in our lives.

“A man came up to [Jesus], saying, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Pastor Is The Church's Theologian

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2015

Pastor's are responsible to prepare themselves to present theology, making it a joy to the flock.

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

An Apostle Of Christ Jesus Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 25, 2015

A review of Paul's introduction to his second letter to Timothy informs us of the Apostle's view of his call and service.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus…” [1] Reading Paul’s letters, I’m always struck by his introductions. With the exception of his missives to the Philippian saints, the Letters to the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Complacency Kills Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 28, 2017

It was only a momentary slip of the beasts’ feet, but it was enough to rock the Ark which was on the cart they were pulling. The priest driving the cart reached back to steady the Ark so it wouldn’t fall; but the moment he touched the Ark, he fell dead.

“David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Thief Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 11, 2016

a study of the book of Job 24: 1 – 25

Job 24: 1 – 25 The Thief 1 “Since times are not hidden from the Almighty, why do those who know Him see not His days? 2 “Some remove landmarks; they seize flocks violently and feed on them; 3 they drive away the donkey of the fatherless; they take the widow’s ox as a ...read more

Scripture: Job 24:1-25

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Certainties Of The 110th Psalm! Series

Contributed by Thomas Fortini on Jan 4, 2021

With the dawning of a new year the universal cry of HAPPY NEW YEAR rings out! What will your hope and confidence of the New Year be founded upon? May I encourage you to establish them on the certainties of Psalm 110!

Intro: With the dawning of a new year comes a universal cry that is heard in every language – HAPPY NEW YEAR! The thought is may you experience a happy, healthy, better year than the year before! But the question that I would like to ask is, what will be the basis upon you build that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 110:1-7