Sermons on Joseph Ondu:

All Is Now Yours: Giving What We Do Not Have

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 8, 2001

In uncertain times, it remains true that giving away what we cannot possess anyway is the path to fulfillment; it must, however, be a gift that refreshes the fainting.

It seems that we do not have what we think we have. Sometimes what seems to be ours is not ours at all. Buildings as sturdy as the Pentagon and as imposing as the World Trade Center can be destroyed in a moment of awful terror. Lives promising and beautiful are snuffed out, and there is little ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

For Me

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 8, 2001

Funeral message for Calvin John King, widower, father of seven, and long-term post-traumatic stress syndrome sufferer.

We have all been taught to be unselfish. “Share your toys”, we say to our children. I am pretty sure that was said in the King household, with seven pairs of hands grabbing for the same stuffed animal. “Let your brother have some of your candy bar; you must not be selfish.” All very well, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Advancing Without Hindrance

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 18, 2001

In our own lives, as well as in the life of the church, there are barriers to advancement, but they are nowhere near as difficult as our spiritual hindrances.

When I entered junior high school, I was introduced to track and field games – to things like the 100-yard dash, relay races, and, most of all, the hurdles. As any red-blooded American boy would have done, I had done my share of running and climbing and bicycling and the like. But hurdles I had ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:23-30

Denomination: Baptist

A Prevailing Church: Binding Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 21, 2002

The guesses of the people about Jesus’ identity give us clues about their perception of His character. Jesus used their grasp of His similarity to John the Baptist, Elijah, and Jeremiah to focus on the authority to bind and loose. They, and He, bound rel

Have you ever needed to find out what somebody else really thought of you? Do you know what it is like to ask someone what their opinion is of you – and then you wait for what seems like an eternity for the answer, and when it comes, you are still not sure if it is good or bad? Do you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

A United Team

Contributed by Joseph Louis on Apr 25, 2002

A Charge used during an Ordination of an Associate Pastor

A Charge for an Associate Pastor "A Unified Team" Exodus 17:9-13 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. [10] So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:9-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rsvp

Contributed by Joseph Johnson on May 3, 2002

God invites us to the greatest party of all time

R.S.V.P. Mark 3:1-12 During the Holiday season many of us will be doing some extra entertaining. We’ll take certain steps to ready ourselves for the visit of guests. The first thing we work on is the guest list: who can visit together amicably, ( in other words who can get along together) Then ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

The Power Of A Wind-Driven Fire

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 5, 2001

The Spirit comes to the church as fire, passion, energy, but He comes as energy to follow the Lord’s directions, not merely as excess motion.

My grandfather’s workshop held an item that was of special interest to me when I was a boy. Sitting off to the side of his cluttered workbench was a wonderful object – a model railroad locomotive. It was black with silver markings painted on it, dusty and dull by now, but obviously once shiny and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The God Of Destiny

Contributed by Errol Joseph on Jun 14, 2001

Explores God’s perspective on the launching of a new church.

DATE: June 14, 1998 TEXT: Acts 17:24-31 THEME: "The God of Destiny" INTRODUCTION Background - Paul at Athens. BODY I. WHAT IS DESTINY A. Destine - to determine beforehand. B. Predestine - to limit or mark out beforehand; to design definitely beforehand. C. To be like Christ (v. 10-11) ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:24-31

Denomination: Pentecostal

Let's Hold Hands

Contributed by Errol Joseph on Jun 14, 2001

An encourgememt for the church to join hands together and to support each other in order to complete the work of God.

DATE: February 13, 2000 TEXT: Exodus 17:8-16 THEME: "Lets Hold Hands" INTRODUCTION Incident occurs soon after Israel leaves Egypt. The Amalekites were a warlike nomadic people who would become bitter enemies of Israel throughout its history. Israel was in a hostile environment, engaged in a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:8-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Time To Go To Egypt

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 17, 2001

Fathers today, like Jacob, have been irresponsible; but, like him also, we can see that God is giving us another chance to redeem our relationships with our children, to allow Him to keep His promises, and to use major resources for Kingdom business.

This past Monday was our son-in-law’s birthday. We’ve cared about this young man for a long time, but now he’s even more special. He is our granddaughter Olivia’s father. And that makes him extra special. So we sent Don a birthday card and a little gift, and got an email response. In part, it ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Sinners Prayer

Contributed by Joseph Sykes on Apr 14, 2001

The only case in biblical history of death bed salvation is rendered to a crook on a cross.

A Sinner’s Prayer Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43, 1 Corinthians 2:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

When The Preacher Don't Want To Be Bothered

Contributed by Joseph Sykes on Apr 14, 2001

The cause of the Word of God being shut up in your bones is of man and not God.

When The Preacher Don’t Want To Be Bothered Jeremiah 20:7 O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. 8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

Crisis: Dangerous Opportunity

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 14, 2001

Jesus precipitated a crisis for others around Him: for Judas, for the disciples, for Peter. Their reactions are like ours -- confused -- but Jesus knows who He is in the midst of the crisis.

I’m sure that you have heard many times now that the Chinese character that is usually translated by the English word “crisis” is actually made up of two components – one character that means “dangerous” and the other that means “opportunity.” Put “dangerous” and “opportunity” together, and you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-46

Denomination: Baptist

Living Beyond Fear

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 14, 2001

There are two sources for fear: when we are caught up in something we did not count on, and when we are not in control. There are two ways in which living in Christ helps us live beyond our fears: knowing that He is completely trustworthy, and doing as He calls us to do.

Did anything frighten you this morning? Did you feel any kind of fear? Before you answer “No” too quickly, consider that we cannot live without fear. We cannot live without fear. You do not want to get rid of fear entirely. You must be afraid of some things, or else you will be in trouble. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

24 Karat

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 22, 2001

For our Remembrance Sunday, when we honor the memories of those members who died since Easter a year ago. God refines each life so it is prepared to receive something imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.

There have been hints of late that something shiny would be nice. No outright demands, you understand, and no whining. Just a hint that as our wedding anniversary approaches, a little chip of something shiny might be appreciated. Now fortunately we are not yet at the fiftieth year, so it will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Baptist