Sermons on Joseph And Potiphar:

A Long Night's Journey Into Day

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 9, 2001

Funeral message for Mr. Wadell Wilkins, who had been comatose for years, following an apparent reaction to an anesthetic administered for orthopedic surgery

A LONG NIGHT’S JOURNEY INTO DAY Numbers 9:15-23 When our children were small, our family would take trips back home to Kentucky. We discovered that a six hundred mile journey was better if we traveled at night. We would pack our bags, make a big thermos of coffee for me, and set out in the ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 9:15-23

Denomination: Baptist

In The Spotlight

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 9, 2001

Funeral for Stephanie Parker, a jazz and blues singer and spiritual seeker, done at the request of her sister, a member of our church.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Henry David Thoreau, in Walden, wrote, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” He saw that most of us seem destined to live in frustration. Most of us will never be able to do what we would really want to do. Most of us will never truly fulfill what we believe God ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6-12

Denomination: Baptist

Sharing The Journey

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 9, 2001

Funeral message for Mr. David Broadnax, a Broadway actor and filmmaker, who died in Spain. He was the brother of one of our members, who requested that we do the funeral.

I desire, as I have for many years, to come to you when I go to Spain. For I do hope to see you on my journey and to be sent on by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a little while. Our lives are journeys, with a beginning and a destination. Many roads can be used to take those journeys. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:23-28

Denomination: Baptist

God's Unbroken Family

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 9, 2001

Funeral message for Mrs. Annie McNeile, the mother and aunt of members of our church.

Everyone who lives in a family knows what it is to be responsible for another family member. If you are a mother, you feel responsibility for those whom you brought into the world; in fact, some mothers spend their whole lives and much of their energy feeling utterly responsible for everything ...read more

Scripture: John 19:25-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Song Of Triumph Has Begun

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 9, 2001

Funeral for Mr. Arthur Capehart, a pioneering jazz musician and public school music teacher

Exodus 14:10-15:3 passim Message: THE SONG OF TRIUMPH HAS BEGUN But Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Wings Of Refuge

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 9, 2001

Funeral message for Mr. Ekerete Akpaete, a Nigerian immigrant who died very suddenly, in the arms of his infant daughter.

To experience great loss is difficult enough. To experience that loss in a far country, with few who understand, few who are close, is even more difficult. And when that loss means that those who depend on you will need you even more, yet the resources to help them will be scarce – that is truly ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:11-12, Psalm 57:1

Denomination: Baptist

I Can't Hear You

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 9, 2001

Funeral message for Mr. William Powell Garrett, our Minister of Music and an official of Montgomery County Government

Scripture: Philippians 4:1, 3-9 Message: I CAN’T HEAR YOU I want to ask our children’s choir to help me with the message today. I want to ask all of you a question. Whenever you would come up here to sing, and you would start out, what did Mr. Garrett always say to you? What did he shout out ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

A Work In Progress Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 14, 2001

When the real Jesus is seen, he presents problems -- either he is too difficult for us to accept, or he is offensive to our sloppy ways of doing church, or we are just too tired of churchiness -- but his words of life revive our weariness.

I notice that they’ve revived one of the old-time television shows. We can once again see, “To Tell the Truth”. The idea of “To Tell the Truth” is that three people come out, and they all stand and give a name – the same name. Then someone reads a few sentences about the person who actually has ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-69

Denomination: Baptist

Agenda Anxiety Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 22, 2001

When Jesus speaks to the church, as to ancient Jerusalem, he gives us agenda anxiety, for we fear that we are not going to get done what we want to do, since his agenda is far different.

The campaigns are over. So are the celebrations and the inaugural balls. The toasts, the handshakes, the good wishes are about to fade into memory. Today, for George Walker Bush, the work begins. Today, the list of things to do takes on shape. Today, the agenda becomes different. Yesterday he ...read more

Scripture: John 7:14-46

Denomination: Baptist

Time To Go To Egypt

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 17, 2001

Fathers today, like Jacob, have been irresponsible; but, like him also, we can see that God is giving us another chance to redeem our relationships with our children, to allow Him to keep His promises, and to use major resources for Kingdom business.

This past Monday was our son-in-law’s birthday. We’ve cared about this young man for a long time, but now he’s even more special. He is our granddaughter Olivia’s father. And that makes him extra special. So we sent Don a birthday card and a little gift, and got an email response. In part, it ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Fountain Of Living Water

Contributed by Errol Joseph on Jun 23, 2001

An evangelistic sermon comparing what Christ offers with what we conceive.

DATE: June 24, 2001 TEXT: Jeremiah 2:13 THEME: “The Fountain of Living Water” INTRODUCTION BODY I. WHAT THE PEOPLE FORSOOK – The Spring/Fountain of Living Water A. Is Free B. Is Forever Flowing C. Is Full of Beauty D. Is Fresh & Satisfying E. Only Requires Receipt II. WHAT THE PEOPLE CHOSE- ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Understanding Biblical Stewardship Series

Contributed by Errol Joseph on Jun 23, 2001

Gives an overview of the major components of Biblical Stewardship.

DATE: May 6, 2001 TEXT: Matthew 25:14-30 THEME: "Understanding Biblical Stewardship" INTRODUCTION BODY I. STEWARDSHIP IS A RECOGNITION A. That we are servants of God – doulouv, slaves, idiouv we belong to Him. B. That everything belongs to God “entrusted his property” (v. 14) Psalm 24:1 “The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Pentecostal

Presenting Arms: Embrace For Life Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 1, 2001

Incredible numbers of people are falling, and we have contributed by pushing them to the edge and failing to listen. But at the Lord’s Table we see the embracing arms of Christ and are empowered to lift the fallen and give them life.

Those of you who were in my Vacation Bible School class know what happened – the class was supposed to run from 7:15 until 9:00 each night. At 8:57, what did I say? Something like: I know you have to go, but there are just a couple more points I want to make. And so, at a few minutes after 9, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer, Power, Politics, And Plagues

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 1, 2001

Election eve sermon -- there are plagues in the body politic, created by inauthentic leadership; the best gift we can give to our national leadership is prayer, though we will likely see the haughtiness of politicians and smell the stench of plagues again.

He sat on his elegant furniture, in his fabulous house, surrounded by the glories of a wealthy nation, attended by efficient servants, powerful enough to command just about anything. But today he was miserable, miserable beyond words, because everywhere he looked they were there. In his way, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 8:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

A House Is Not A Home

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 3, 2001

Christ comes to dwell in our messy, imperfect homes, just as they are, to build love, not a museum-like perfection.

A house is not a home. A house is not a home. A house is a house, and it may be lovely to look at and fine to visit, but a house, by itself, is not a home. What is the difference? Let me tell you a tale of two houses. These are the best of houses, these are the worst of houses. See if you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-17, John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist