Sermons on Joseph Smith:

Go Tell It On Mt. Carmel Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 20, 2003

We turn our successes into failures because we see only the negatives, and we need approval. But in the Incarnation God accepts our incompleteness and offers us His unconditional love.

All of us want success. All of us need success. If you don’t care about doing something well, you are in sad shape. You are in trouble if you don’t want to succeed at something. And yet the problem is that we are our own worst enemies. We defeat ourselves time and time again. We take ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Go Tell It On Mt. Calvary Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 24, 2003

For Christmas Eve Communion: Jesus remembered in the time of trial that He was born for a purpose, and He intentionally declared that purpose. He fulfilled the mission for which God sent Him.

On Sunday I offered the opinion that I was probably the only preacher in town who was using the Old Testament on the Sunday before Christmas. Well, maybe some used those Isaiah passages about a child named Immanuel and the Prince of Peace. But Elijah? Who would have thought that Elijah and his ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-38

Denomination: Baptist

A New Year: Will Anything Really Change? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 3, 2004

Some fear change, and others think it never really happens. But either of those approaches writes off what God can do. Embrace change, know who you are, and there will be joy.

Some of you look like you just woke up, so maybe I need to tell you that we have started another new year! We have crossed over into a new year. Maybe you marked it with prayer at the midnight hour, or a quick kiss with someone you love, or – well, we’ll not get into some of the less-than-Baptist ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

A Time To Dance

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 8, 2004

Funeral sermon for Vera Byars, court information specialist and amateur dancer. Ballroom, minuet/ballet, tap -- whatever style she used, it all witnessed to a life of joy. This is not any longer a time to mourn.

I agree with the Scripture, where it says that, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” I agree with that, because we know that some things are fine, in their place, but they are not appropriate in other places. There is a time and a season for everything, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Joys False Or Complete Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 10, 2004

For Epiphany: As Richard Foster wrote about "Money, Sex, and Power", is it possible the Wise Men’s gifts are warnings to Jesus and His family about these things? Complete joy comes from what Jesus did with these issues.

Who we are and what we have are two entirely different things, but we confuse them. We insist on identifying who we are by what we have. Who we are and what we have are not the same thing. We are more by far than the material goods we possess. And yet everywhere we are identified by our stuff. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Matthew 2:11-12

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

Do We Have A Printout?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 22, 2004

Funeral service for Kathleen Brown Hardman, adult learner and president of a Sunday School class designed for beginning Bible students. Curiosity is good; curiosity for the Bible is better; a thirst for the life offered in the Bible is best.

The portrait says it all. A triumphant face, not especially youthful, but in a cap and gown, the symbols of academic achievement. The portrait says, “I’ve done it. I’ve learned something.” Whose is this smiling face? Is this some malingerer, who put off, for far too long, getting her basic ...read more

Scripture: John 20:30-31

Denomination: Baptist

Strong Men (And Women Too)

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 31, 2004

For Black History Month; using the poetry of Sterling A. Brown, "Strong Men", to illuminate the African-American experience and to connect with Paul’s analysis of the source of strength.

Bill Cosby has a routine about little old ladies who stand around looking cool. He says that if you mess with one of these harmless-looking, gray-haired little old ladies, don’t imagine that you can take them on and win. Says Cosby, you ought never to mess with a little old lady standing around ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

From Empty To Eagle

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 11, 2004

Funeral sermon for Henry L. Stewart, local resident, known as an amateur artist. The images of the four living creatures in Revelation become metaphors for the stages of life.

Some look at the earth, but never see the sky. Some see the sky, but never fly. But to some it is given to see and to fly. To some it is given to be an eagle, soaring with strength and power. But I must ask – do you know how empty the eagle is before he flies? From empty to eagle; do you know ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Without A Trace

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 18, 2004

Funeral sermon for Paul Quick, member of the cleaning crew. A gentle spirit without a trace of negatives help others, labors in the house of God, and has received gentle treatment from a Christ who understands our weaknesses.

Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom ... the wisdom from above is ... gentle ... without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. He is able to deal gently with the ... wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness. In this noisy world, it is easy to miss ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18, Hebrews 5:2

Denomination: Baptist

God's Bookkeeping Method Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 6, 2004

Unlike the world, which assumes that we must make a profit and we get what we pay for, God’s bookkeeping says that giving is receiving, and you get more than you pay for. You get grace paid for by the blood of Jesus.

In the last several months I have learned more about bookkeeping than I ever wanted to know. Because the church is converting from bookkeeping by hand to an accounting software, and because our financial leadership does not yet have access to all of that, I began to record transactions on the ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Blending Into The Woodwork Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 13, 2004

A quiet, introverted people can still bear witness if they will first determine to be obedient, and then will affirm who they are, where they are, as an opportunity for witness.

One of the defining moments of my life the day I was the first to arrive for class. I sat for a couple of moments alone in a corner of the classroom, waiting for others to show up. A young woman came in the door, looked around, and then said to someone behind her in the hall, “There’s nobody ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

You Were Formed To Be Part Of God's Family Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 23, 2003

Diversity divides the human family, but understanding unites us. However, finally the fragmented family can be fixed only by faith. Part of a series to support the study of Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Life.

A few years ago I began to pay attention to the tradition of family reunions in African-American families. I think it may have been when I learned that the Faulkners were driving to Massachusetts to meet other Faulkners. Or maybe it was when I found out that the Hairstons rent an entire hotel and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Baptist

Deep River, Deeper Foundation

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 30, 2003

Funeral service for Flenoid Bettis, carpenter and home improvement craftsman, former chairman of the church’s Residential Properties Committee.

It seems perfectly right that Flenoid Bettis should have passed away in the month of August, the month of stormy weather. He was born on August 15, 1926, and entered eternal life on August 23 of this year. It seems perfectly right, because this is thunderstorm season, and during this season we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:46-49

Denomination: Baptist

You Were Shaped For God's Service Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 6, 2003

Part of a series on Rick Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Life. Worship without service is idolatry; fellowship without service is self-indulgence; discipleship without service is perfectionism. Pay the price of service.

Not long ago an insurance salesman called, wanting to sell me long-term care insurance. I was tempted to tell him I had an unbeatable plan for long-term care, called heaven, but I didn’t. Not this time, anyway, because some aches and pains we had been feeling did remind us that we might actually ...read more

Denomination: Baptist