Sermons on Joseph Stowell:

Six Miles Of Obedience

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 25, 2010

Funeral message for Eva Myers, whose distinctive discipline was six miles of walking daily ... a metaphor for walking with Christ.

"Whoever obeys [God’s] word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him: whoever says, ’I abide in him,’ ought to walk just as he walked." At first I didn’t believe it. Six miles a day?! How could anybody, especially one up in her years, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 26:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Word Of The Cross

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 26, 2010

Funeral message for Mrs. Athelstein Coleman, whose hobby was working crossword puzzles: a play on "crossword" to say that the "word of the cross" means wisdom and strength.

It's not only what people do that interests me; it's also why they do it. When I see someone doing something over and over again, I want to know what that behavior means. If there is a pattern in someone's behavior, what does that pattern mean? Often you find that people do what they do, even ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Is It The Thought That Counts?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 6, 2009

Jesus’ parable of the dishonest but shrewd steward shows us that what people want is something real, not just nice thoughts; and that the use of God’s money is our finest responsibility.

My brother-in-law has a unique ability, a very special talent. He has the ability to go into a men’s clothing store, size up all the merchandise available, and cane out with the very worst, the most atrocious looking stuff that money can buy. What is worse, he does that when he is shopping for me. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Joy Plus Poverty Equals Wealth

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 7, 2009

World Hunger Sunday, 1989: We will find joy in giving if we make our giving a priority, if it is done proportionately and sacrificially, and if we see it as a privilege.

The notion is going around in some circles that poor people are happy people. Have you heard that? It’s a kind of romantic idea, that poor people are happy people, that when you have nothing you at least have each other, you at least depend on God … you know all the usual things that are said. I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Judas Iscariot: Stuck In Frustration Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 8, 2009

Frustration means that we forget about others in our need to do what we want, and it means we are tempted to abandon God’s way. The model is Jesus, whose obedience gave Him the ultimate accomplishment.

God must have a sense of humor, don’t you think? God must do some things just because they are fun to do! Several years ago, I thought I saw God’s funny bone at work overtime. Margaret and J were members of Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church in Silver Spring, and I was serving as the chairman ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Joy On The Line Of Scrimmage

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 11, 2009

Even though we seem to be too few and too ill-prepared, if we engage this community for Christ there will be some victories and therefore joy.

This afternoon, when the saints come marching in, there will be several grades and degrees of happiness. Those ladies who remain football widows, who have not yet learned that if you can’t beat ’em, you have to join ’em – those who are football widows may be unhappy about the temporary loss of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Up And Down And In And Out

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 12, 2009

Calverton Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD: Worship involves four dimensions: UP toward God, our help; DOWN from our pride; IN toward a caring unity; and OUT toward a world in need.

When I was in college, I had a math professor who would write a problem on the board, and then with a few deft strokes of his chalk, write the answer: X equals 12. Somehow, no matter what the problem, it seemed as though X always equaled twelve. But how did he get that? From long and complex ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Peter And Cornelius: From Pronouncements To People

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 14, 2009

Prejudice deals only with groups, not with persons. Peter had to get beyond outworn principles, and both he and Cornelius had to learn to give and receive what was needed. All need Christ.

If you have to choose between principles and people, choose people! Do you agree? If it comes down to deciding whether to adhere to certain principles and thereby injure people; if it comes down to violating your beliefs or violating another person, what will you choose? The principle or the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-43

Denomination: Baptist

Snapshots In An Autumn Album

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 15, 2009

Contrasting Koheleth and Paul in the later season of their lives: one blames the young, the other gathers them; one mourns broken things, the other invests in ideas; one is anxious, the other trusts God for every need.

This past weekend, as a part of our brief getaway, my wife and I spent two nights in an old farmhouse. The farmhouse dated from 1704 and was partly furnished with antiques. Now my wife loves antiques; I guess that’s why she puts up with me. So we took the tour of the house, especially the parlor ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Ultimate Thanksgiving

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 17, 2009

November 1989: We are at bottom grateful for spiritual values rather than material ones. Ultimate thanksgiving will be to sing praises in a global community and in recognition of our deliverance.

On the surface, Thanksgiving seems like a holiday designed to celebrate the American experience of material fulfillment. On the surface, at least, it would appear that what we do at Thanksgiving is to celebrate our wealth, our material prosperity, and our achievements. We indulge in an orgy of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Serving Attitude Series

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Jul 18, 2009

The first in a five part series on having the attitude of Jesus, Jesus came to serve.

ATTITUDE! (part one, serving like Christ) (ALL my sermons use illustrations from sermoncentral.com and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted) In five weeks, I will preach my last sermon! Well, perhaps my last sermon, only God truly knows what He has in store for my life. I know we just ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Humble Attitude Series

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Jul 18, 2009

Part two of a five part series on having the attitude of Jesus, Christ had a humble attitude.

ATTITUDE - 2 HUMILITY (ALL my sermons use illustrations from sermoncentral.com and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted) Last week, we dove into the scripture and looked at ATTITUDE, the Bible tells us that our attitude should be the same as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 131:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Obedient Attitude Series

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Jul 18, 2009

part 3 of a 5 part series on having the attitude of Jesus, Christ had an obedient attitude.

ATTITUDE # 3 (Having an Obedient attitude) (ALL my sermons use illustrations from sermoncentral.com and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted) Writing this series of sermons has been a great challenge for me, and yet it has been some of the most rewarding research and time alone with God ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Touched: Joy Complete

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 18, 2009

Story sermon for Christmas Eve Communion: God has given us what we have always wanted, but it must be shared.

John had first learned about Nintendo games at the home of his friend David. David was the kid who always had everything first. All the other kids liked to go over there and mess with David’s stuff, so they could go home and whine until they got it too. John thought Nintendo games were the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Different Kind Of Legacy

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 19, 2009

Our legacy is not in monuments, but in a spiritual and relational community, one which is ultimately redemptive. Washington Plaza Baptist Church, Reston, VA

The older I become the more interested I am in those who have gone before me. Before I join my ancestors out there, I’d like to know more about them. It might make for some very interesting conversation up on Cloud Nine if I know about not only my parents and my grandparents, but also some of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist