Sermons on Joseph In Prison:

Of Superstars And Starlight Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 4, 2009

We have not yet learned the difference between superficial superstars and the starlight wisdom of Jesus. He transforms gold into Kingdom power, frankincense into respect, and myrrh into the preface for resurrection.

In 1970 Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber brought out a rock opera with the provocative title, Jesus Christ Superstar. Predictably, not everyone was amused. Some condemned it as sacrilegious. But if you listened carefully and let your defenses down a notch or two, their work communicated the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Doubt, Dignity, And Discovery

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 10, 2010

Often we are not credible because we do not accept others’ doubt as real, nor do we permit them to retain their dignity. We are called simply to invite them on a voyage of discovery where they will find that their hurts are healed.

What do you do when you try to help, and those you are helping are not sure they want that help? What do you say when someone has a need, you propose an answer to that need, but they don’t believe that what you want to give will really do any good? How do you help people who are not sure they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

How Much Does God Care About Us?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 9, 2009

The word "while" alerts us to the sources of our frustration: weakness, pride, and broken relationships. But God in the crucified Christ has an answer to each of these issues.

Why are so many people so unhappy? Why is it that there are so many people with so much ability and with so many resources, but they still feel profoundly unhappy and frustrated? A great many people do, you know. Some of them show it in the obvious ways; some of them are angry and even ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Our Salvation Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Apr 11, 2007

Ephesians is the the Christian life in a nutshell. In this epistle is found every item necessary to live a vibrant and fulfilled Christian life.

Live Out Loud - Our Salvation April 1, 2007 Ephesians 1:1-14 Intro: Did you know that a wasp was larger when it first comes out of the egg than at any time in its life. It continually shrinks in size until it dies. Some Christians are like a wasp. Sadly, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

A Bookkeeping Nightmare

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 27, 2010

Forgiveness is an act of understanding how much God has forgiven us; of the heart, making a changed spirit possible; and of the will, opening up all that God wants to do in us.

First Baptist Church of Gaithersburg, MD, October 4, 1979; Cresthill Baptist Church, Bowie, MD, June 8, 1980; Calverton Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD, May 16, 1982; Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC November 24, 1985 Back in my early teen years I was a Monopoly freak. Not an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:23-35

Denomination: Baptist

Laborers Together With God

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 11, 2010

Annual sermon, D. C. Baptist Convention. Clergy and laity will be in conflict, but it can be creative when we recognize our humanness, turn our competitiveness in productivity, and learn to identify where God is already at work.

I've done a little work through the years in helping ministers get positions on church staffs. Every Baptist minister, I guess, has done that. Where are the bishops when you really need them? But it's been fun to help young ministers, particularly those who were students of mine from my campus ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Moving Out In Unity Series

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Apr 7, 2009

The final part in a 5 part series on giving God room to work.

WHEN WE MOVE OUT, GOD MOVES IN PART 5 Moving Out in Unity ( All my sermons use illustrations from sermoncentral.com and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted) As we wrap up this series of sermons, please turn with me to Ephesians 4 and we will be looking at many scriptures from this ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Promises To Keep Before I Sleep Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 4, 2009

We make promises to God but do not keep them because we let life overwhelm us, but if we listen to those who care for us, they will bring us back to our promises.

The shouts of today are so loud that I do not hear the echoes of yesterday, nor do I listen to the faint whispers of tomorrow. All I really know is what is clamoring in my ear right here, right now. That makes me lose perspective. The shouts of today are so insistently loud that I do not hear the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 1:48

Denomination: Baptist

Our Mystery Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on May 7, 2007

God withheld a great mystery until Pentecost. The mission and purpose of the church is to pick up where the nation of Israel failed in being God’s people and accomplishing God’s mission. Only the church is not a gatering of people, but aa assembling of

Live Out Loud – Our MYSTERY May 6, 2007 Ephesians 3:1-13 Sunday AM Insert: I love a great mystery. Whether it’s a John Grisham novel or an episode of NCIS, I’ve always been intrigued by a good mystery. Even as a child, one of my favorite board games was Clue – I enjoyed trying to figure ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Creativity: Maintaining A Sensitivity To Transcendence Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Nov 25, 2020

The Star and Stars of Christmas is a series of messages for Advent. Using the idea of a play on a stage. Each message will look at different characters in the Christmas story. The introduction takes a critical look at how many in our society are portrayed as celebrities—bigger than life.

Often people are attracted to performances based upon the popularity of the performers, or the authors. (My wife’s father enjoyed David Baldacci, James Patterson, Danielle Steele, etc.). A good writer wants to remove his/her personality and have us to focus on the story. The Gospel according to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Forgiveness Is The Pits

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Aug 24, 2009

Forgiveness is a healing process. It clears the way for a person to move forward.

8/16/2009 Forgiveness is the Pits Matthew Chapter 18:21-35 Introduction- I want to talk a moment about forgiveness, and of course un-forgiveness. I want to look at: What it is, what it is not. How it affects you and those who have wronged you. What ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Nazarene

What’s It All About Anyway? Series

Contributed by Jerald Scott on Nov 19, 2024

Taking our Christmas Celebration beyond the tree and presents

Advent # 1 What’s it all about anyway? Rumors not withstanding, I really do like the Christmas season! Bev started getting out the decorations this week. On Saturday, we’ll head out to get a tree. I’ve already got most of the gifts for which I am responsible. Three of our four kids will make ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A New Day

Contributed by Sherman Gordon on May 23, 2010

MIDNIGHT IS THE DARKEST MOMENT OF THE NIGHT, YET IT IS ONLY A MOMENT. IF YOU CAN TRUST GOD TO SEE YOU THROUGH, HE WILL BRING YOU INTO A NEW DAY AND SEASON.

A NEW DAY ACTS 16:25-35 PAUL AND SILAS IN PRISON 16ONCE WHEN WE WERE GOING TO THE PLACE OF PRAYER, WE WERE MET BY A SLAVE GIRL WHO HAD A DEMONIC SPIRIT SATAN DOESN’T CARE WHERE YOU ARE GOING; HIS SOLE PURPOSE IS TO DERAIL YOU FROM YOUR DESTINATION, BECAUSE IF HE CAN GET TO YOU, BEFORE ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Give Thanks Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Sep 6, 2021

The word “Give thanks” this sentence is used five times in this Psalm (Psalm 107:8, 15,21, 31, 32). He repeats the word distress or trouble four times. He has delivered them from their distress (Psalm 107:6,13, 19,28). For his wonderful works, miracles (Psalm 107:21).

Psalm 107 - Give thanks to the Lord (Psalm 107:1 & 43) Introduction: The word “Give thanks” this sentence is used five times in this Psalm (Psalm 107:8, 15,21, 31, 32). He repeats the word distress or trouble four times. He has delivered them from their distress (Psalm 107:6,13, 19,28). For ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

It Is Well And It Shall Be Well

Contributed by Abiodun Adeniyi on Apr 21, 2022

There are several things that the word well is used for both in the bible and in the normal daily life. If you look at it the word well is something worth praying about.

IT SHALL BE WELL AND IT IS WELL Text: 2 Kgs. 4: 18-23 8 And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. 19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. 20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:18-23

Denomination: Pentecostal