Sermons on Joseph M Stowell:

For Such A Time As This

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 27, 2009

Compassion must be owned personally, and we must know that we do have the resources to meet needs. However, it will be costly to do so.

If we suppose that the essence of being compassionate is simply to have mushy feelings about somebody, we are dead wrong. If for us the word "compassion" suggests nothing more than feelings of sympathy and maybe the willingness to dole out a few dollars of welfare, then we’ve missed it. We’ve not ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

Ark, Anger, And Acceptance

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 20, 2010

We who are successful want instant gratification, but must know that God’s timing may be different, and that it is important to do something that enables others to succeed. In prayer we learn that we are accepted and so our efforts have meaning.

Success brings with it its own set of problems. If you get used to being successful, you soon expect it, and then if it eludes you, that can be very hard to take. I know that I am speaking this morning to reasonably successful people, by and large. Most of you, when you face a challenge, are able ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

We Know In Part Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 10, 2003

We know little about life after death, but we do know that heaven is not possessing things, that hell is about separation from God, and that the love of God will reach even to the most alienated.

We think that having things will make us happy. The truth is that happiness comes from sharing what you have with someone you love. Fulfillment is not measured by how much you have. Genuine fulfillment is measured by who you have it with. That is true in this life. I believe that is also true ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 2 Timothy 1:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Slippery Rocks

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 15, 2003

Even the fundamentals of our faith -- the Bible, prayer, the church, spiritual experience -- can become slippery, unsure. The way to certainty is through obedience.

Although generally I stay away from stories that begin, “There were a Baptist minister, a Catholic priest, and a Jewish rabbi,” today I’ll make an exception. Sometimes you just have to be corny to get your point across. So, sure enough, there were a Baptist minister, a Catholic priest, and a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Picking Up The Pieces Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 10, 2004

First in a series from Ephesians; and for the Day of Prayer for World Peace. Our lives and our world seem fragmented. But God brings order to our lives by choosing us; He redeems the messes we make; and He calls us to the work of restoration.

Do you experience life in pieces? Do you find that each day is a jumble of bits and pieces, fragments? That most of the time there isn’t any coherence, there isn’t any consistency? Do you feel that each day is a whole lot of things to be done, but they don’t always hold together? I don’t know ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:8-14

Denomination: Baptist

Life Will Cease To Be A Struggle Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 19, 2004

Second in a series on popular illusions; and for Independence Day. Life will not cease to be a struggle if justice is not fully realized, feelings are not fully expressed, and wrong decisions are not fully reversed.

What kind of a retirement party was this? He had worked so long, he had struggled with so many things, and now, here, at the end, it seemed there was still unfinished business. His worries were not behind him, nor were all the issues settled. And why not? Had he no right to expect that now life ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The Way, The Truth, And The Life Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jul 20, 2004

A meesage from John 14 in a series on the "I am" discourses of Jesus from the book of John.

The Great I Am – The Way, Truth, and Life June 27, 2004 John 14:1-6 Sunday AM Intro: For 7 years, Mt. Bethel Methodist in Atlanta had hosted the community’s baccalaureate service. One year, organizers wanted to include speakers from the Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, and Wicca religions. Many students ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Jehovah Nissi - The Lord Is My Banner Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Oct 24, 2005

A message on the name Jehovah Nissi - the Lord is My Banner.

Hello I Love Let Me Tell You My Name Ex. 17:15-16 – Jehovah Nissi Intro: The study of God’s name is a study of surrender. For in understanding who He is and what He has done for us forces us to decide whether or not we will choose to depend upon Him alone or if we will continue to trust in ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Discerning The Body

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 6, 2003

The Lord’s Table is a place of connection and community, not of individuality and isolation; a place where one can be understood in the midst of an overwhelming world. It is a place of acceptance.

A number of months ago, Margaret and I had the privilege of touring Italy, along with several of you and a number of other people. It was a wonderful experience, most of it. Most of it, but not all. The part that was less than wonderful came early in the tour, when we had a few free hours in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Baptist

Receiving Constructive Criticism Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 20, 2003

The way in which we hear others’ criticism is a measure of our own spiritual maturity. Some criticism is intended only to hurt, and reveals the critics’ issues. But we need to hear the truth, and if we see the suffering of Christ, that puts into perspec

How would you feel about taking a psychological test today? Sort of a verbal Rorschach. Let me paint a word picture for you, and then we’ll see what comes to your mind. You are running a marathon race. You have practiced hard, and have now entered a 10K race. You have been told that it is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-13

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 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

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

Dropped Cloths Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 23, 2008

The young man who lost his linen cloth and ran away naked may be a wealthy person, depending on status; or Lazarus, living in the past, or Mark, caught in immaturity. But He who dropped another linen cloth gives life.

Not too many years ago, Easter was the day on which everyone trotted out new clothes. It was on Easter that spring dresses sprung off the racks for young girls, and starched collars irritated the necks of young men. I don’t miss the starched collars, but I do rather miss the elaborate display of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:51-52

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are The Peacemakers Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Feb 23, 2006

Week 7 of an 8 week sermon series on the Beatitudes that focuses on our call to bear His peace.

Be-Attitudes February 19, 2006 Blessed are the Peacemakers Note: We live in a world characterized by fighting and rivalry. From sibling rivalry to civil war, we see is the affects of animosity at every level of society. It is everywhere. Funny: Lady Astor once said to Winston Churchill, “If ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist