Sermons on Josephs Coffin:

Safe At Home Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 18, 2004

Interactive message. What do we do about the family? Respect our children; parent with sacrificial love; and give children priority of emphasis in the church’s outreach.

There are times when all of us need to participate, times when no single person can speak all the truths or do all the work. There are times when a community of people must come together, think together, pray together, speak together. This is such a time. The state of family life in our nation is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Everybody Will Like Me Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 18, 2004

First in a series on dealing with popular illusions. I can deal with not getting everybody to like me if I will live in integrity, love intentionally, let go of negative feelings, and leave it finally to God.

More energy has been spent on this one thing than on building the Panama Canal, constructing the Great Pyramids, or creating the Interstate Highway system. More energy! More tears have been shed on this one item than on the depredations of poverty, the destruction wrought by great storms, or a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

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 Can Define God Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 19, 2004

Third in a series on popular illusions. We try to limit God by turning to religion instead of relationship. The issue is in our own integrity. The world understands the power of God better than we do! The loss of our idols is fatal, but in Christ ther

She was obviously tired of discussing the issue. The wrangling had gone on long enough. Neither side was about to give in to the other. It was time for somebody to settle this matter. So she drew herself up to her full five feet two; she threw her shoulders back; and with that certain toss of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

I Can Change People Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 19, 2004

Third in a series on popular illusions. We think we can change others, but shaming them will not work. Nor will forcing them. Only a spiritual-relationship crisis will do so. Help them see how sin injures Christ and they will change.

There have always been folks who have thought they could change the world, people who were unwilling to leave things as they are, who want to make a difference, who want to get things done. They want to change the world. The trouble is, they usually run up against harsh human reality. Eighty or so ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The Vine Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jul 20, 2004

The final message in a series on the "I am" discourses of Jesus from the book of John.

The Great I Am – I am the Vine July 18, 2004 John 15:1-8 Sunday AM Setting: Jesus is w/ His disciples on the way to the Gethsemene. Somewhere along the way, they likely came across a vineyard which served as the perfect setting for another important lesson from the Messiah. Note: Jesus wants ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

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

There Is No Substitute

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 8, 2004

Mothers’ Day sermon: We need the structure of the home, for there is no substitute for moral living, which means there is no substitute for authentic religious teaching, which in turn means there is no substitute for responsible parenting.

Lord, help the poor soul who serves as a substitute teacher. When I was a schoolboy and our teacher had to be away, we plotted what we were going to do to that substitute. There was something about the idea that we would have her for only one or two days and would likely never see her again. ...read more

Scripture: Judges 17:1-13, Judges 17:11

Denomination: Baptist

After The Cicadas

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 15, 2004

In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education: God still sees much to judge in America, and we are laid waste by lingering racism. We must recommit to justice in the nation and in the church.

I am here to announce an invasion. This land has been taken over by an alien army. The invaders are so numerous that all hope of turning them back is gone. It is useless to resist. And not only are they here in massive numbers, these invaders, but also they know no fear. They are perfectly ...read more

Scripture: Amos 2:6-8, Amos 5:24

Denomination: Baptist

Gloria In Excelsis -- Deo

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 15, 2004

Ordination of a woman named Gloria; glory not in your achievements but in helping others seek God; glory not in defending yourself against predators but in receiving God’s protection; and let yourself feel passion.

Over the years I have developed the habit of focusing on a person’s name whenever it is time to do a message that relates to that individual. For example, I have done funerals for people named James, using something from the New Testament letter of James. I did a funeral service once for a woman ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:1-36, Luke 2:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

Not Yet Perfect

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 18, 2004

Funeral sermon for Doris Reynolds Parker, veteran teacher, civil rights worker, and mother, whose spirit of determination we can complete if we commit to justice, kindness and a walk with God.

Perfection is difficult to come by! No matter how good something is, it is always possible to find flaws. It is always possible to discover imperfections. When I was in engineering school, I took a class in drafting. My professor’s claim to fame was that he could, without a compass, ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

What Stands In The Way?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 22, 2004

For Ascension Sunday; and in preparation for my retirement as pastor. What stands in our way? Exhaustion? Gather all, gather the marginalized, and pray. Planless? Remember our core values and do them. Lack of urgency? We are accountable to God.

When a leader and those he leads part company, we learn a whole lot about both of them. Their true values become apparent. The things they are really about become clear. There is no more game-playing when it is time for a leader and those he leads to part company. Sometimes they separate ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-14, Acts 28:23-31

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing From The Very Least

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 5, 2004

Dramatic monologue, done as if Paul himself were preaching, with references to all of the Pauline corpus. P A U L equals Pray, Avoid, Understand, Love. Next to last sermon for this pastorate.

Caris kai eirene, carix kai eirene. Jesous cristos soter kurios. En Cristw, en cristw. Here! You challenge me? You challenge my presence and my right to speak? Am I not an apostle?! Am I not, though born of the wrong parents, nonetheless one whom God has chosen to proclaim His unsearchable ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Light Of The World Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jun 6, 2004

The second message in a series on the "I am" discourses found in the Book of John

The Great I Am – The Light of the World May 2, 2004 John 8:1-12 Sunday AM Intro: A few weeks ago, we began a study on the self descriptions of Jesus found in John better known as the “I am” discourses – 7 identifying statements made by the Messiah to help us to understand He wasn’t just any man, ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Gate Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jun 6, 2004

The third message in a series on the "I am" discourses found in the Book of John

The Great I Am – The Gate May 9, 2004 John 10:1-10 Sunday AM Review: A few weeks ago, we began a study on the self descriptions of Jesus found in John known as the “I am” discourses – 7 statements made by Jesus to help us to realize that He was the great “I am” of the O.T., who came to seek and to ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Denomination: Baptist