Sermons on Joseph Cook:

Keys To A Muscle Car Church

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Oct 26, 2011

We would all love to have a church that has the real "power" God intends the church to have, this sermon explores how.

All my sermons use illustrations found at www. Sermoncentral.com and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise stated. KEYS FOR A MUSCLE CAR CHURCH Recently I saw a show on television where a guy was very upset that his 1970 muscle car had been stolen. He was very attached to this powerful car, its ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bone Weary

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 29, 2010

Like Jeremiah, we get bone weary when we feel abandoned, when we are living out of tune with the times, and when we suppress the desire to live in integrity. But In Christ we see one who experienced all this but lives to give us new life.

Calverton Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD, January 31, 1982; Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC September 22, 1985 There was a time when I did not really know what it meant to be tired. I still cherish the image of myself as tireless, limitless in energy, able to leap tall buildings ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

Targeting God's Will

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Oct 30, 2010

People often ask the question - "How can I know God's will for my life?" This message addresses the key elements to understanding and discovering God's will.

Targeting God’s Will October 10, 2010 Romans 12:1-2 Sunday AM Intro: Good AM. Well here we are. It’s hard to believe this day has arrived, and my family is thrilled to be here to meet you. I want to talk to you this AM about an appropriate topic in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Choosing The Contentment Of A Canine

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Nov 3, 2010

There is a major difference between cats and dogs, dogs are so much more content with their lives. This sermon shows us that we must rejoie in our trials, fears and persecution.

CHOOSING THE CONTENTMENT OF A CANINE (All my sermons use illustration found at www.sermoncentral.com and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise stated.) The introduction for this sermon is from Max Lucado’s “Everyday Deserves a Chance” pg. 23-24 “Excerpts from the diary of a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Double Your Money

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 4, 2010

We think that we must protect what we have, and do not see those in need as brothers and sisters in disguise. But God puts back in our sacks more than enough when we walk on a mission of mercy and a journey of faith, caring for the hungry and needy.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC, October 16, 1988 (World Hunger Sunday) Somehow, when our whole orientation is consuming and enjoying and entertaining ourselves, we pay no attention to anything beyond today. What we have today we use, and assume that tomorrow will take care of itself. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

To Catch A Thief

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 6, 2010

God uses us, even in our desire to have and to take, to turn around and give life more abundantly to those who have been hurt, even by the church.

Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD August 26, 1984; First Baptist Church of Wheaton, MD, September 17, 1984; Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC, October 14, 1984 The most delicious of all the thrillers, the most engrossing of all the movie mysteries, is the kind in ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Black And White Redeemed Together

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 7, 2010

For Black History Month: We will not be fully redeemed until both black and white understand the elements of self-hatred that are in us and see that we have a Redeemer who will remove those feelings.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC February 2, 1986 When you read the book of Job and read it carefully, when you really let it sink in to you what happened to this suffering man and what he had to say about it, you cannot help concluding that what is most frightening about Job is his ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Body Language

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 7, 2010

Our actions speak clearly about who we are and what we need; we need to lie down in worship and study, we need to walk in the valley of human need, and we need to engage those who are different from us.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC October 18, 1992 I want you to look up here and then feed back to me what I am saying. I’m asking you to watch me and then tell me what I am saying to you. (Clumped shoulders): “I certainly am glad to be here.” What did I say? My ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Our Purity Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jun 28, 2007

How can you tell if a person is genuinely saved? Paul addresses this issue in his letter to the Ephesians.

Live Out Loud – Our PURITY Ephesians 4:17-32 Recap: For several weeks we’ve been studying Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. I believe this epistle might be the most important book in the N.T. b/c it encapsulates the Christian life in a nutshell. You could say that Ephesians is the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

Our Imitation Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jun 28, 2007

The highest priority of the Christian is to become an imitator of Christ - a replica of our Lord. In Ephesians 5, Paul addresses how to be such an imitation.

Live Out Loud – Our IMITATION Ephesians 5:1-21 Video: Scriptural Imitation – www.sermonspice.com Insert: Play a quick game of Simon-Sez – what are you doing? You have just imitated everything I modeled and asked you do. Trans: As we continue our study in Ephesians today we’re going ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Why Should The Work Stop? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 17, 2008

For Lent and for Black History Month: Those who are threatened by progress will always ask us not to go too far. But this church must not stop reaching all people, serving all needs, touching all children and youth.

In the fall of 1955 I sat in the auditorium of the Speed Scientific School at the University of Louisville, one of about 300 newly admitted engineering students. The dean welcomed us, and yet also warned us. He instructed us, “Look at the person on your right. Now look at the person on your ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Without Hindrance Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 24, 2008

For Lent and for Black History Month, with a focus on Africa: the purposes of God will be accomplished, though not without difficulties and sacrifice. Examples of African Christians to show this truth.

I cannot imagine how Paul did it. Here he is, in prison, chained to a soldier, and he is talking about hope and making plans for the future. How can anyone with half a brain do that? Does he not understand how perilous is his predicament? Chained! Awaiting trial! And yet he can say, “It is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

Can't Shake Off Mom's Voice

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 11, 2008

For Mother’s Day and Pentecost: We cannot shake off our mother’s voice. That voice needs to be one of faith, not just admonition. Yet we need to grow our own faith. The Spirit’s voice overrides all negatives.

Can you, in your own mind, hear your mother’s voice? Can you remember not only what she says or used to say, but how she says it? Many of us can remember those things. Even people whose mothers died young can remember distinctive things. It seems we can’t quite shake off Mom’s voice. It stays ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Making Peace When There Is No Peace

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 7, 2009

We would like to contribute to world peace, but how? Confront others with their wrongness; but before that, understand your own heart; and before that, be reconciled to God.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." Well, who wouldn’t like to be that?! Who wouldn’t want to be a peacemaker and be rewarded by God and by a grateful world? "Blessed are the peacemakers." The trouble is, it’s not that easy. You and I may fantasize ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do About A Broken-Down Church

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 7, 2009

God is not committed to maintaining a church just because it is there. His commitment is to maintain us if we show compassion, particularly on the young. Restoration of our church life in challenging times begins with repentance, self-examination.

Two or three weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, I noticed several of you staring straight up here, right into the notch of this arch. I too looked up there, and what we all saw was a sizable piece of paint and plaster hanging there by a mere thread. It looked as though it was poised and ready just in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist