Sermons on Joseph In Prison:

It's Not About Power Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 16, 2003

In the Kingdom of God, the rules about power are different. We value humility, spiritual security, and service. Sermon for Deacon Ordination and for Super Bowl Sunday!

May I take you on a small fantasy this morning? May I just tease your imagination a little? It is a 6:30 this evening. You are seated in Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. The ritual coin tosses have been performed, the national anthem has been sung, and we are ready to start Super Bowl 32. Out ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Down The Jericho Road Again Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 17, 2003

Sermon for Martin Luther King Day: we must go "down the road" of compassion, understanding that human hurts are both physical and spiritual, that we must see hurting people as our neighbors, and that we must devote substantial resources to caring for them

There’s something we say every time we find ourselves repeating an unpleasant experience. Whenever you see yourself about to get into the same trouble you’ve already been in, you say, “I don’t want to go down that road again.” For example: Some fellow comes to your door and says, “We’ve been ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

On Time At The Door

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 18, 2003

Funeral sermon for Frank W. Jackson, Sr., former church sexton (janitor) and van driver.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness. I Frank Jackson was the very soul of dependability. If he was to be at a certain place at a given time, he was there. He was on time at the door, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Nothing Is Impossible

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 18, 2003

Preached at a rescue mission. When we think that not even God can do what He has promised, He will silence us so that we can listen. When we experience God’s power, we will be empowered to give our testimony and to stand for what we know is right.

There are a whole lot of things which yesterday seemed impossible, but which today are not only not impossible, but also are everyday, ordinary. A hundred years ago, who would have thought it would be possible to send pictures through space? Who would have imagined that somebody standing in front ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-66

Denomination: Baptist

Available For Impossible Dreams Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 19, 2003

In observance of my 17th anniversary as pastor; to worship is to become available for God’s purposes, which mean being sent to unreceptive and impossible situations. Can we dream impossible dreams about our church’s building, properties, ministries with

If what you expect to receive and what someone wants to give you are not the same thing, you are doomed to disappointment. If you want a particular thing, but the person you are dealing with is determined that you shall have something else, it is going to be tough. The other day ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

A Time To Dance

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 8, 2004

Funeral sermon for Vera Byars, court information specialist and amateur dancer. Ballroom, minuet/ballet, tap -- whatever style she used, it all witnessed to a life of joy. This is not any longer a time to mourn.

I agree with the Scripture, where it says that, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” I agree with that, because we know that some things are fine, in their place, but they are not appropriate in other places. There is a time and a season for everything, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Joys False Or Complete Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 10, 2004

For Epiphany: As Richard Foster wrote about "Money, Sex, and Power", is it possible the Wise Men’s gifts are warnings to Jesus and His family about these things? Complete joy comes from what Jesus did with these issues.

Who we are and what we have are two entirely different things, but we confuse them. We insist on identifying who we are by what we have. Who we are and what we have are not the same thing. We are more by far than the material goods we possess. And yet everywhere we are identified by our stuff. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Matthew 2:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Standing On The Rubbishes Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 17, 2004

For our Annual Theme focus: all that we have accomplished as a church, fine as it is, is flawed. Much remains to be done, but it requires different leadership. This pastor’s departure, however, will not diminish the bond of love.

Some things end, but are not completed. Other things are completed, but do not end. There is a world of difference between the two. Some things end, but are not completed. Some things stop, unfinished. The tragic accident out on I-95 the other day is a reminder of this. Several lives ended ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Our Awareness Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jan 21, 2004

This is the first message in a 5 week series on spiritual warfare. This message focuses on our need to be aware of the reality and enemy of spiritual warfare.

The Battle is the Lord’s Our Awareness Story: There was once a boxer who was getting pummeled in the ring by his opponent. Battered and bruised, in b/w rounds, the boxer tells his trainer, “Throw in the towel, this guy is killing me.” The trainer says, “No he’s not, he’s barely ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

Our Adversary Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jan 21, 2004

The 2nd message in a series on spiritual warfare unveiling the person, nature, and tactics of Satan.

The Battle is the Lord’s Your Adversary Trans: Two weeks ago we began a study on the topic of spiritual warfare by investigating the reality of this spiritual war b/w the Devil and God. Text: Ephesians 6:10-17 Note: This Scripture helps us to understand the basic problem – there is a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17, Ezekiel 28:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

Our Arsenal - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jan 21, 2004

The 3rd message in a series on spiritual warfare focusing on our arsenal for battle.

The Battle is the Lord Our Arsenal – Part 1 Intro: A reporter interviewed a man on his 100th birthday. “What are you most proud of?” The man said, “I don’t have an enemy in the world.” “What a beautiful thought! How inspirational! Tell me how you have achieved such a feat?” The man ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17, 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Our Arsenal - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jan 21, 2004

The 4th message in a series on spiritual warfare focusing on our arsenal to fight the enemy.

The Battle is the Lord’s Our Arsenal – Part 2 Review: We’ve been examining the reality of spiritual conflict – we’ve become aware of the battle, our adversary in the battle, and today we’ll continue study on our arsenal for the battle. Trans: We’ve looked at the first 3 pieces of the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Our Aim And Admonition Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jan 21, 2004

The 5th message in a series on spiritual warfare focusing on our aim and admoniton as believers.

The Battle is the Lord¡¦s Our Admonition and Aim Intro: A group of historians have compiled a list of interesting stats. Since 3600 B.C., the world has known only 292 yrs of peace. During this time there have been 14,351 wars in which 3.64 bil. people have died. The value of property ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Want To Be Great For God

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jan 22, 2004

A challenging message to believers on the requirement of following Christ.

Do You Want to Be Great? Luke 9:23-26 Question: Do you want to be great? Do you want to be great for God? Reality: Do you remember after the resurrection when Jesus approached Peter after Peter had denied Him three times? Not that I or any one of you have consciously denied in this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of The Spoken Word

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jan 22, 2004

A message on the power of the tongue.

The Power of the Spoken Word The Weight of Your Words in a Conscience-less Society Introduction Okay. Before we get started, let’s agree that we all have the same problem. I don’t want to see anyone elbowing their neighbor, nor do I want anyone to standing up in their chair, pointing ...read more

Scripture: James 3:2-12

Denomination: Baptist