Sermons on Josephs Dreams:

A Faith That Defeats Death Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 24, 2022

The blessing of faith is of constant use throughout the Christian’s life, but it is of special usefulness when we die. The patriarchs in these verses illustrate the power of faith in facing death.

HEBREWS 11:20-22 [Leaving a Legacy Series] A FAITH THAT DEFEATS DEATH [ (Gen 27:27–40; 48:1–22; Gen 50:20-25] The blessing of faith is of constant use throughout the Christian’s life, but it is of special usefulness when we die. Faith has a great work to do in our last days helping believers to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

Selective Memory Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 27, 2003

We use selective memory either to remember only pleasant things (denial) or only negative things (pessimism). God’s memory is an occasion of grace, for which we can be grateful.

The longer we live, the more there is to remember. And yet the more we remember, the more we forget as well. Isn’t that ironic? The longer we live, the more there is to remember. And yet the more we remember, the more we forget as well. That could be due to several things. That could be ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 63:7-17

Denomination: Baptist

This Day The Victor's Song

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 19, 2000

The enemies of God's people are entrenched oppression and their own loser's heart, but God is a God of victory, who calls us to participate in His victory.

I like winning. I do not like to lose. If I am going to compete, I want to be the winner. Number two is not good enough. Silver medals are not good enough. Almost is not good enough. I like winning. I do not like to lose. Grantland Rice may be more deeply Christian than I, as he wrote, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

From Goodness To Going

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 11, 2005

Preached at the National Baptist Memorial Church -- a congregation facing selecting a pastor, dealing with an aging building, and in decline. The issue is whether we will stop depending on just being "good" and will live out of grace to bear our witness

I heard not long ago about a very special automobile. It was built in the 1920’s by the Italian firm Bugatti, and it was designed for the outrageously wealthy. This car had 450 horses under the hood, it was 22 feet long and weighed 6000 pounds. It was hand-crafted of the finest materials, it ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Lust Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Nov 3, 2005

The second message in a series on the seven deadly sins.

Virus – Hidden Infections in the Spiritual Life Lust – 1 Th. 4:1-8 Intro: Video Clip – It’s Just Sex Trans: Last week we started a new series on the (7) deadly sins – Virus. Our goal is to place these deadly sins under the microscope of God’s Word to understand their infectious tendencies ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Fully Known

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 18, 2009

Healthy self-knowledge means that in Christ we know enough to be functional, and indeed our ignorance is the vehicle through which God conveys wisdom, for in Him we are fully known.

Charley Brown says to Lucy, still dispensing sage wisdom for the pre-inflationary price of five cents, "Nobody likes me, Lucy. Everybody hates my guts. Do you see that plane up there, Lucy? It’s a plane full of people going somewhere else. That’s what I’d like to do. I’d like to go somewhere else, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:4-31

Denomination: Baptist

Earning The Right To Be Heard

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 27, 2009

Jesus is God’s way of earning the right to be heard. He comes to where we live, and he experiences what we experience. He is therefore credible.

I invite you to eavesdrop with me this morning. Listen and we can overhear some conversations. Overheard in the grocery store aisle: a mother and a little girl, shopping dangerously close to the candies, the cookies and the other goodies. The little girl saying, "I want these and I want those and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

An Unfinished Symphony

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 22, 2010

We start the new year thinking it will be much like the last and that we will not finish all those things we have started. But there is more beauty in being unfinished than in being complete; for in Christ we can grow and become what He wants us to be.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC December 29, 1985 I have told you before, I believe, that I am an inveterate list-maker. I believe I have mentioned that my way of working and of setting daily work priorities is to build lists, long, elaborate, detailed lists of things ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Women At The Tomb: Remember

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 3, 2010

The skepticism of the apostles, hearing the women's testimony of the resurrection, could have been prevented had they heeded the angels' admonition to remember what Jesus predicted would happen. So today when our witness is challenged or our desires to d

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC April 14, 1987, Easter The old vaudeville song proclaims, “Dearie, do you remember? Because if you remember, then you’re much older than I.” The idea seems to be that remembering is nothing to be proud of; the implication is that ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Owning Our Exile

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 7, 2011

That we are different from the world is not a license to withdraw. We are to engage and to transform the world around us, for that is the key to our church's future.

Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD, August 26, 1979; with minor changes, Forest Heights Baptist Church, Oxon Hill, MD, Sept. 9, 1979; Howard University School of Religion Chapel, Washington, DC, Oct. 10, 1979; Twinbrook Baptist Church, Rockville, MD, retreat, Jan. 19, 1980; ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Promise, Shame, And Fulfillment

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 28, 2010

Advent 1986: Everyone goes through a dynamic of promise, leading to shame, then leading to fulfillment, if we understand fulfillment as the presence of God.

I like the little quip about the fellow who offered His prayer with all sincerity and with tremendous urgency. “Lord," he said, "Lord, give me the gift of patience, and give it to me right now!” Well, at least he knew his need even if he did not exactly demonstrate an understanding of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer And The Cynical

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 25, 2010

Prayer emphasis fall 1987: common wisdom is that we will never change, and the cynic believes that. Like Koheleth we can lose hope for everything. But the Christ who will come gives us hope, life, companionship, and is at work in all things for change a

One of the rules you learn when you study the discipline of marriage counseling is that you must try to help young people preparing for marriage to know at least this much: that whatever he or she is now, they will be more of it in fifty years. Whatever he or she is now, they will be more of it in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Day Before Jesus Came.

Contributed by Robert Laymance on Dec 23, 2000

The Coming of the Lord.

The Day before JESUS came to Earth! ( Just as He came then, He will come AGAIN! ) 1. Some were LOOKING for HIM. a. Simeon..luke 2:25-32...in jerusalem, in church for us...,holy ghost on him, in us now... b. Anna..luke 2:36-38...she was looking while she served Him..., widow for 84yrs... c. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

An Unlikely King Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

Jesus, born in humble circumstances, is the unlikely hero who came to rescue us from sin. His Kingdom disrupts the world and is worthy of our sacrifice.

Let's talk about heroes. You know, like those in Marvel movies or your favorite video game. But what if I told you that the biggest hero of all time was born in a barn? Sounds crazy, right? Well, that's exactly what happened with Jesus. Let's dive into the story. Picture this: Mary, a young girl, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Topics: Divine Sacrifice, Unlikely Savior, Jesus' Teachings, Spiritual Heroism

"The Finger Prints Of God....visible"

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Dec 14, 2010

Christmas Message: We have not grown weary of this ancient story. A baby in a manger. Shepherds in a field. Why do the events in a small Jewish village more than 2000 years ago still intrigue the human mind and soul? The incarnation... God taking upon

In Jesus Holy Name December 24, 2010 Christmas Eve– Matthew 2:1-4 Redeemer “The Finger Prints of God....Visible” Each and every Christmas I am amazed at the impact of the old, old story of God’s incarnation has on people. We have not grown weary ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-23

Denomination: Lutheran