Sermons on Joseph Freidman:

Caring With A Difference

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 30, 2007

A Labor Day message on providing caring services, but not simply as self-fulfillment, but as a means to witness.

The true test of whether what you are doing is real is not how you feel about it when you start. The true test is whether you can keep going and complete your task. Anybody can get excited about a new job. But not everybody can stay by the stuff and finish. Some people get bored, or ...read more

Scripture: John 4:31-38

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Real With Your Friends Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 2, 2007

Jesus understands us as we are, but loves us into what we may become. With Peter, he loved the Type A person; with James, the passive-aggressive; with John, the immature -- all into effectiveness. Montgomery Hills Baptist Church

History is full of stories of betrayal. Those who look like friends sometimes turn on you. Some of us have friends who would sell us for even less than Judas’ thirty pieces of silver if they could! Personally, I wish I could get at least ten cents on the dollar for everything I have loaned to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:37-42

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Real With Your Enemies Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 10, 2007

Opposition actually helps us grow. Hostility is destructive not only of others, but also of one’s self; and it spreads without reason. Jesus named its absurdity and then left it in the hands of God. Montgomery Hills Baptist Church

Stress strengthens. That is a physical fact. It is also a spiritual truth. Stress strengthens. When we face opposition, we grow. When we deal with differences, we become stronger. Strange as it may sound, give thanks when you are opposed! For stress strengthens; enmity empowers; and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:43-50

Denomination: Baptist

Thelema: Thelma's And God's

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 12, 2007

Funeral message for Thelma Green Mann, known for her direct manner and strong will. The name Thelma is derived from the Greek, "Thelema", meaning will. A turning point is reached when one no longer focus on her own will, but on God’s will. Takoma Park

Grandchildren will teach you much about life. One of mine, Jackie, age 5, taught me about human nature recently. My wife and I had gone to take care of the girls while their parents were away, and we came, as always, armed with things to do – arts and crafts, games, books, the whole gamut of ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

From The Very Least

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 16, 2007

Done as first-person, in costume and character, summary of Paul’s teaching; built on acronym of the name PAUL -- prayer, avoidance (of immorality), understanding, love. Montgomery Hills Baptist Church

Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. As an apostle, charged to preach the Gospel, I am here today to say to you ... What?! You challenge me? You challenge my right to speak? Am I not an apostle?! Am I not, though born at the wrong time, nonetheless one whom ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

First Thank God Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 14, 2007

Initial sermon of interim pastorate. As Paul lived into relationship with God prior to theologizing, I thank God for the faithfulness in the congregation’s history; for mutual enrichment in its diversity; and for coming victory when no one need be ashame

God is not a problem to be solved. God is a mystery with whom we are to live. God is not an equation to be worked out in mathematical precision; God is personal, with whom we connect. God is a who, a where, and a when -- acting, living, and doing; and if God is sometimes a what and a why, an ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:8-17

Denomination: Baptist

Surviving Marriage

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Feb 13, 2009

A Sermon about marriage with illustrated suggestions

Surviving Marriage (ALL illustrations come from Sermon Central and scripture is NIV unless oherwise noted) It seems with the completion of Revival and the series of sermons I preached on Building a Better Body, that we should stay on the roll. However, this is Valentine’s weekend and after next ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:4-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Makes God Smile?

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Feb 17, 2009

A sermon designed to mak us think of ways to please Our God and Father in heaven.

WHAT MAKES GOD SMILE? (All my sermons use illustrations from Sermon Central and scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted) Have you ever wondered if by something you said, or by your actions, you have made God smile? I know as a parent there are things that my children do and say that make me ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Moving Out In Humility Series

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Feb 19, 2009

This series is about Giving God room to work in our lives and in our church, each sermon talks a little about what we need to do and we need to stop doing in order to have God work in our lives.

WHEN WE MOVE OUT, GOD MOVES IN! Part 1 “Moving Out in Humility” (All my sermons use illustrations from Sermon Central and scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted) Several years ago I was the preacher of a church in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. After I had ministered there for a while, I saw ...read more

Scripture: John 3:30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Memory Strings And Purse Strings

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 21, 2009

We remember what matters to us. God asks us to remember what He has done for us, but our attachment to money competes with that memory. We need to remember what God has done among us and that His mission is for all to experience it. That will loosen ou

Memory is a very tricky thing. You never know what you will remember and what you will forget. The other day one of my friends told me if he is in a group and he is asked to introduce the members of the group, by the time he gets halfway around the room he is forgetting the names of people he ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 46:3-11

Denomination: Baptist

What Happens Behind Closed Doors Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 21, 2009

In worship God provides a way for us to deal with the lingering dirt in our lives, and offers us a vision of life’s beauty and possibility.

How many househusbands do we have here? Are there any househusbands? Not housewives … we don’t even say that word in these politically correct times! You know what I mean … how many of us men will admit that we get into the housework routine? Come on, I know about some of you! You have a working ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Denomination: Baptist

Pontius Pilate: Stuck In People-Pleasing Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 21, 2009

Pilate was a classic people-pleaser, who found that his behavior produced popularity that masked contempt, pessimism, and powerlessness.

The story has it that during creation, as God was sitting up in heaven turning out all these creatures, some of the angels asked if they could help. It looked like fun, making plants and animals, birds and beasts. And so God, who had just finished fashioning something, said, "All right. Come ahead. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Praise Is Comely

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 21, 2009

The King James Version word "comely" helps us see that praise and worship fit the reality of today’s world, but are attractive to those who need perspective by which to live.

Our members will know that I seldom use the King James Version of the Scriptures, except on certain occasions when the majesty and beauty of its language are desirable. We are a church which is generally committed to contemporary readings of the Bible because they are more accurate and are easier ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 147:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Moles Or Souls? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 21, 2009

Some of us choose darkness, like moles burrowing into the ground. Our behavior becomes obsessively demonic, for which there are consequences. The Gospel calls us to be what God has made us to be, creatures living in the light, with passion.

Well, now, are you a mole or a soul? I want you to identify yourself, clearly and unequivocally, are you a mole or a soul? I suppose that does require a bit of explanation. A mole is a little creature that lives out its life underground, in the darkness, endlessly burrowing to and fro and making ...read more

Scripture: John 3:11-21

Denomination: Baptist

Were You There? No, But We Are Here

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 21, 2009

To know real and lasting power means admitting that we fail at what we do (repentance), giving over the control of our lives to Christ (faith), and obedience.

The speech choir has asked us a pointed question, "Were you there?" "Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?" They went on, "Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?" And finally, "Were you here when He rose up from the grave?" Were you ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-11

Denomination: Baptist