Sermons on Josephs Dreams:

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

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

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

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

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

Mercy, Forgiveness, And A Stolen Coat

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 21, 2022

A sermon for the 7th Sunday of Epiphany, Year C

February 27, 2022 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Luke 9:28-36; Genesis 45:3-11, 15 Mercy, Forgiveness, and a Stolen Coat Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. The words of our Lord: “And from anyone who takes away your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36, Genesis 45:3-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Waiting On God

Contributed by Amar Chandnani on Sep 6, 2024

Waiting on God is worth it. Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.

Let us pray! Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD. Our message this morning is Waiting on God. Waiting on God. Are you ready. I was reading last Saturday, I was reading up on some statistics and I found out something ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:13-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Breaks Every Fetter

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 16, 2020

Let us understand the role of the shofar in the day of atonement. Jesus desires to set us free, free indeed.

JESUS BREAKS EVERY FETTER By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (Two part lesson) Song: “JESUS BREAKS EVERY FETTER” Text: Matthew 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:18, 1 Corinthians 14:8, Leviticus 25:9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Christmas Gifts That Won't Break: The Gift Of Hope"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 23, 2015

A sermon about putting your hope in Christ, despite the temptation to despair.

"The Gift of Hope" Matthew 1:18-21 As an adult, there are a lot of things I like about Christmas. I like the lights on the houses and trees. I like some of the Christmas music played on radio stations and in department stores--though, I must say I do get tired of it. What I like most about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-21

Denomination: United Methodist

A Father Watches Over You Series

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Mar 13, 2007

God’s Promise at Christmas-to be your Eternal Father

Sermon Series: God’s Promises at Christmas for YOU Today’s Message: A Father Watches Over You Text: Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV) Pastor Ken Squires December 24, 2006 Edited by Dale Weaver (18) This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Long Path Toward Reconciliation Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 21, 2020

Sometimes forgiveness and restoration can be a long, strenuous process. The damage from deep wrongs cannot be instantly repaired.

The Long Path Toward Reconciliation (Genesis 42:1-38) 1. We try to communicate to women who have had abortions is that “God heals & forgives.” 2. When it comes to restoring our relationship with God, repentance and confession are the direction in which we should head. 3. But how about our ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 42:1-38

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus Is I Am

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Apr 13, 2008

Jesus identifies Himself using common ordinary everyday words.

Text: Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” (Matthew 16:13b). Jesus asked his disciples who other people thought he was. He was curious as to what kind of answer or answers he would receive. Then after he asked who other people thought he was Jesus became very ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Christian Church

God With Us: Embracing Jesus During Confusing Times

Contributed by Vinnie Cappetta on Mar 21, 2007

Do you ever wonder where God is during the most confusing times of your life? I think I know the answer. I think I know one of most important steps you can take during these confusing times.

God With Us: Embracing Jesus During Confusing Times New Year’s can be a time of great confusion (what should I do this year?). Psalm 71:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. Never put to confusion? What is that about? It is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Changes Your Plans Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 20, 2016

God interrupts. Plans change. We glorify God when we submit to His plans rather than ours.

Poet Laureate John Masefield wrote these lines in his famous poem The Everlasting Mercy (New York: Macmillan: 1912). . . “He who gives a child a treat makes joy-bells ring in Heaven's street, And he who gives a child a home builds palaces in Kingdom come, And she who gives a baby birth brings ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Other

Christmas: Glory To God In The Highest Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 22, 2014

The birth of Jesus Christ should motivate us to exalt and worship God, just as the angels sang, "Glory to God in the Highest."

Christmas: Glory to God in the Highest (Luke 2:1-20) (Note: Although the points in this sermon are similar to a previous sermon I composed, this version contains more newly-added Jewish roots material; the skeleton may be similar, but there is more meat on the bones!) 1. Admiring the Christmas ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible