Sermons on Joseph Cook:

A Call To Reach Anyone Series

Contributed by Terry Stivers on Sep 5, 2003

We are called to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ to anyone. Christ gives us an example. Studies in the Gospel of Mark

A CALL TO REACH ANYONE Mark 2:13-17 INTRO: 1. Read a small booklet several years ago by Joseph Stowell entitled (I hope this is right) Loving Those You Would Rather Hate. He talk about the issues of homosexuality, race, ethnic diversity, etc. 2. I read a story the other day about a homeless ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Fragrance Of Love Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

How is a Christian suppose to smell? According to Paul, he is to smell sweet and pleasant, like the perfume of God in Christ.

Napoleon and Josephine adored violets. She often wore the extremely expensive violet scented perfume as her trade mark. Only the wealthiest people could afford it. When she died in 1814, Napoleon planted violets at her grave, and just before his exile to St. Helena he made a pilgrimage to it. ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 1:1-17

Looking To The Future

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 29, 2013

What did the angels mean when they asked the disciples "Why do you stand here looking into the sky?" Were they rebuking them for wanting to see Jesus when He came back? Or was there something deeper that they (and we) need to hear?

It seems Moody Bible Institute supports a home for mentally handicapped children. One day the President of Moody (Joseph Stowell) went there for a visit. While walking through the corridors, he noticed that the windows were covered with tiny little hand prints. He asked the director, what that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:6-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Does A Godly Father Look Like?

Contributed by Joe Bedy on Jun 12, 2001

Examines the importance of the father’s example as he is present in his children’s lives.

June 6th 2001 What Does a Godly Father Look Like? Dad was sick in bed with the flu and he watched his darling little girl, as she wanted to nurse him back to good health. She fluffed his pillow, she brought him his book to read, and she even brought him a surprise cup of tea. Dad said as he drank ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:13-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who Will You Spend Christmas With?

Contributed by Thomas Wilson on Dec 18, 2008

The real reason for the season. Is it really to be with the family and if so, which one?

We will return to our homes tonight after this service where we welcome the Immanuel into our lives. The majority of us will return satisfied in the knowledge that our homes are warm and for some there will be the last minute items that require our attention, but all in all, everything is done and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Congregational

Life Is Not Fair Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 29, 2003

Life seems unfair to the disappointed, the cheated, the cynical. It was unfair to compel Simon to carry the cross -- injustice piled on. But God uses injustice to stir His people to action, to help us get beyond mere survival, to give us to one another.

Life is not fair. It just isn’t. The playwright MacLeish has his character “J.B.” scream out something we are all afraid to say, but it might be true: “If God is God, He is not good; if God is good, He is not God.” What an awesome thing to think, let alone speak! “If God is God, He is not ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:21-24

Denomination: Baptist

Some Assembly Required

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 1, 2002

Designed for a day devoted to reclaiming inactive members, this sermon argues that the spiritual life is like a piece of equipment: unpack, read the instructions, assemble, plug in the power.

Nothing you purchase comes ready to go. You can’t buy anything ready to use. Everything takes finishing and finagling before you can use it. You would think that when you have paid good money for your purchase, it would be ready. But not so. Something else always has to be done. You ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Baptist

Worship: How? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 4, 2003

Worship is done in many ways. But it must always have freshness and not mere form; it must be in community and not merely individual; it must have joy and not mere instruction at the bottom line; and it must spill into the streets, not confined to the sa

In your mind’s eye, take a tour with me. In your imagination, let’s go into some very special rooms. First, we go to a spacious room, dark, slightly musty, with nooks and crannies in which you could hide if you wanted to. And, indeed, in this room, there are a number of people who appear to be ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 149:1-9, 2 Chronicles 15:12

Denomination: Baptist

Window Of Opportunity Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 15, 2002

Through prayer, God will open a window of opportunity for us to work past our stresses, our conflicted feelings, and even our sins and shortcomings.

Life is tough. Am I going to get any argument about that? The philosopher Thomas Hobbes said that human life was solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. Wow! Not the kind of stuff we expect on Sunday morning. Supposed to be all, “Praise the Lord”! But deep down, lots of people do ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:21-33, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

You Were Shaped For God's Service Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 6, 2003

Part of a series on Rick Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Life. Worship without service is idolatry; fellowship without service is self-indulgence; discipleship without service is perfectionism. Pay the price of service.

Not long ago an insurance salesman called, wanting to sell me long-term care insurance. I was tempted to tell him I had an unbeatable plan for long-term care, called heaven, but I didn’t. Not this time, anyway, because some aches and pains we had been feeling did remind us that we might actually ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Listening To I Am Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 6, 2003

Listening to ourselves is also listening to God. If we listen in availability, God will respond in our own history. If we listen for responsibility, God will offer His presence.

There come those times in life when we do not trust what we have heard. Something is said, our ears pick it up, but we don’t quite trust it. We don’t know whether we really heard what we thought we heard. Or we don’t know whether to believe what we heard. Or maybe we don’t trust the speaker. Or, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing Through The Darkness Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 22, 2009

This is a time of profound darkness, when many things we have depended on fail. We may be among the curious crowd or the concerned companions, but we will eventually see. Who will be the next converted centurion?

When you are suddenly plunged into darkness, that darkness is profound, and you cannot see anything. But wait a while, let your eyes adjust, and if there is a glimmer of light anywhere, you will begin to see and you will make your way through. The darkness will not be quite as dismal as you first ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:44-49

Denomination: Baptist

You Missed The Point Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 14, 2008

Like Josiah’s sorry sons, we have missed the point of our fathers’ messages about the value of Scripture, the worth of the church, and the meaning of the work ethic.

Why is it that on Mother’s Day we honor our mothers, we talk of saintly moms who worked their fingers to the bone to cook and clean and sew for us? But on Father’s Day we scold the dads! Why is that? Have you noticed? We honor mothers for their industry, their wisdom, their prayer life, and ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 22:11-23

Denomination: Baptist

Flip Your Lid

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Mar 20, 2006

A challenge to go deeper in worship.

Flip Your Lid January 1, 2006 Romans 12:1-2 Video: What is Worship? I can think of no better way to start the New Year than to set our hearts and minds on honoring God. To make a decision to Flip our Lids for Jesus! Story: A few months ago, we had some guests from the Netherlands. While ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Ignorance Is Bliss -- Not!

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 14, 2009

First Baptist Church of Gaithersburg, MD: We avoid too much information because we know we will have to respond. Some escape into private piety; some escape from knowing themselves. But true bliss comes from knowing how to invest in Kingdom concerns.

You can buy it anywhere in Pennsylvania Dutch country – a banner, an apron, a towel, anything really – and it proclaims, in pidgin German, “Ve get too soon oldt und too late schmart”. Your preacher this morning is a walking example of that ancient truth. Too soon oldt und too late schmart. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 92:1-15

Denomination: Baptist