Sermons on Joseph In Prison:

Do We Have A Printout?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 22, 2004

Funeral service for Kathleen Brown Hardman, adult learner and president of a Sunday School class designed for beginning Bible students. Curiosity is good; curiosity for the Bible is better; a thirst for the life offered in the Bible is best.

The portrait says it all. A triumphant face, not especially youthful, but in a cap and gown, the symbols of academic achievement. The portrait says, “I’ve done it. I’ve learned something.” Whose is this smiling face? Is this some malingerer, who put off, for far too long, getting her basic ...read more

Scripture: John 20:30-31

Denomination: Baptist

Auto Lessons

Contributed by Joseph Chase on Jan 30, 2004

Homilee using a parable of rules for the road.

AUTO LESSONS INTRODUCTION: A. Jesus often used object lessons. B. Behold a Sower went forth to sow. C. What man of you having 100 sheep. D. They help to impress spiritual lessons. E. In the lesson today we want to use a familiar object-auto. F. After all everyone (but me and my family) came in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Strong Men (And Women Too)

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 31, 2004

For Black History Month; using the poetry of Sterling A. Brown, "Strong Men", to illuminate the African-American experience and to connect with Paul’s analysis of the source of strength.

Bill Cosby has a routine about little old ladies who stand around looking cool. He says that if you mess with one of these harmless-looking, gray-haired little old ladies, don’t imagine that you can take them on and win. Says Cosby, you ought never to mess with a little old lady standing around ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

From Empty To Eagle

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 11, 2004

Funeral sermon for Henry L. Stewart, local resident, known as an amateur artist. The images of the four living creatures in Revelation become metaphors for the stages of life.

Some look at the earth, but never see the sky. Some see the sky, but never fly. But to some it is given to see and to fly. To some it is given to be an eagle, soaring with strength and power. But I must ask – do you know how empty the eagle is before he flies? From empty to eagle; do you know ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Without A Trace

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 18, 2004

Funeral sermon for Paul Quick, member of the cleaning crew. A gentle spirit without a trace of negatives help others, labors in the house of God, and has received gentle treatment from a Christ who understands our weaknesses.

Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom ... the wisdom from above is ... gentle ... without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. He is able to deal gently with the ... wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness. In this noisy world, it is easy to miss ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18, Hebrews 5:2

Denomination: Baptist

Blending Into The Woodwork Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 13, 2004

A quiet, introverted people can still bear witness if they will first determine to be obedient, and then will affirm who they are, where they are, as an opportunity for witness.

One of the defining moments of my life the day I was the first to arrive for class. I sat for a couple of moments alone in a corner of the classroom, waiting for others to show up. A young woman came in the door, looked around, and then said to someone behind her in the hall, “There’s nobody ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Especially Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 21, 2004

Three times the word "especially" appears in the New Testament, prompting us to be intentional in fellowship, to emphasize family life, and never to forget the centrality of the message of the Cross.

Dealing with people is always messy. There is no way you can work with human beings and have everything neat and clean. When you deal with people, you get a mess. They misunderstand, they misinterpret, they make mistakes, they get it wrong. And that’s just on Sundays! The rest of the week is ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:10

Denomination: Baptist

24-12-1 Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Mar 22, 2004

First message in a series leading up to Easter to compliment the Passion movie - This message focuses on the unique purpose of the washing of the disciple’s feet.

The Passion – 12 - 24 - 1 March 7, 2003 John 13:1-38 Sunday AM Context: Jesus has entered Jerusalem for the last time on the back of a donkey to the cheers and praise of the people – in the midst of the week he sends Peter and John (Luke 22) to make preparations for the Passover ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-38

Denomination: Baptist

Sealed With A Kiss Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Mar 22, 2004

Second sermon in a series leading up to Easter that focuses on the betrayal of Judas - It asks the key question - Are you sold out or a sell out?

The Passion of Christ March 14, 2004 Sealed with a Kiss – Judas Sunday AM Text: Matthew 26:37-50 Intro: Judas – the mention of his name invokes thoughts of treachery and deceit. But it wasn’t always that way. In fact, Judas was once a popular name. Name: from Judah – meaning “Jehovah ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:37-50

Denomination: Baptist

Little Bo Pete Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Mar 22, 2004

The third message in an Easter series looking at the life of Peter. In particular, how we struggle with some of the same issues he did because of our attidue of self-sufficiency.

The Passion of Christ March 21, 2004 Little Bo Pete – Mt. 26:33-54 Sunday AM Intro: Little Bo Pete lost some sleep b/c he didn’t trust the Savior Got out of the boat, and almost did float instead he only got soaked Little Bo Pete lost some sleep b/c he didn’t hear the Savior Was there in the night ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-38, Matthew 26:33-54

Denomination: Baptist

Stairway To Heaven Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 4, 2001

The beatitudes can be understood sequentially .. as stairsteps to "perfection" (Matt. 5:48). The first four lift us to fellowship with God; the other four bring us back down to the reality of ministry with needy people. This sermon was delivered using a ladder as a "prop".

When Stanley Kubrick made the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey”, he guessed that by this time we would be flitting back and forth in outer space, visiting other planets and seeing things never before seen by human beings. The movie suggested that those who would be alive in the year 2001 would go on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Diagnosing Illness Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 11, 2001

Jesus diagnoses our illnesses as primarily spiritual and/or connective; the fatal illness He diagnoses is the one which cannot see God at work.

We all know people for whom illness is a way of life. It is not just incidental, it is every day. Every day is spent dealing with sickness or pain. Every day is invested in physicians, treatments, medications, therapies. People who struggle just to stay alive, or to manage pain. Their lives ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Played Out Or Prayed Out Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 27, 2001

We are given to frenetic activity, most of it characterized by wrong priorities, a lack of partnerships, and the failure of power. We get played out unless we are prayed out.

Is there a lawyer in the house? Somebody who can give me a little legal advice? I need to know what the statute of limitations is on destruction of church property. Can somebody tell me, is it possible to prosecute fifteen years after the crime? And especially, is it possible to prosecute a pastor ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Isolation On The Journey

Contributed by Joseph Sykes on Mar 27, 2001

Walking by faith, not by sight.

Isolation on the Journey Psalms 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

Many Children To Glory

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 29, 2001

Funeral message for Chastine Bailey, whose life had been devoted to children as a mother, grandmother, teacher, Sunday School teacher, and neighborhood "mom".

If you are in any way involved with children, I have bad news for you. I have somber tidings. If you are involved with children, your work is not complete. It has not been completed, it is not completed, it never will be completed. Anyone who works with children knows that they will never quite ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:5-10

Denomination: Baptist