Sermons on Joseph Stowell:

Come On Down Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 30, 2008

The times, like those of post-Exilic Jerusalem, require us to wait. Will it be passive, impassive, or active waiting? Active waiting means seeing that what God has done He will do again. God will enlist us and shape us to work for His purposes.

“We wait. We are bored. No, don’t protest, we are bored to death, there’s no denying it. … A diversion comes along and what do we do? We let it go to waste . . . .In an instant all will vanish and we’ll be alone once more, in the midst of nothingness!” So speaks one of the characters in Samuel ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Worship: Sense And The Senses

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 3, 2008

Too often it is true that those who pray do not work and those who work do not pray. Real worship will engage our entire beings and will empower us for action.

I’m sure you know the statement which Jesus made, "God is a spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." We want to think today about both spirit and truth. Worshipping in both modes. Over the door of the monastery hung a sign. It read, "To pray is to work; to work ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Mothers And The Sword

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 3, 2008

Mothering in our time is mirrored in the one prostitute, who decided just to take what she could, though it was destructive. But the true mother was willing to sacrifice that her child might live.

Preface Who is the real mother? How do you measure authentic mothering? Is it by the mere accident of birth, or is it by something deeper? Who is the real mother, who is the authentic mother? Is it simply the woman you gave you birth and who wiped your messy nose during your growing up years, or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:16-28

Denomination: Baptist

A Motley Crew, In Chains

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 3, 2008

Tychicus, Onesimus, and Aristarchus chose to chain themselves to ministries of encouragement, inclusion, and support.

If you follow the rock music scene, I guess I should hurry to assure you that the sermon today is not about a heavy metal group, nor is it about some kind of kinky fetish. The theme, "A Motley Crew, In Chains" is evoked by the long list of names which Paul singles out as he finishes the Colossian ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

My Gospel

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 4, 2008

Dramatic monologue as if given by Paul. Against trusting in ritual, correct ideas, or emotion, trust the grace of Christ given in personal relationship with Him.

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. Oh.. almost didn’t see you there. See what large letters I make when I am writing ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

My Home In God's Heart

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 6, 2008

Dramatic monologue as if Hosea were speaking; his mixed feelings of anger and compassion toward Gomer become the clue for understanding God’s feelings about Israel.

It had been a hard day in the fields. The sun had beat down without mercy on my back. Twice or three times, my team of oxen had stumbled and I had had to stop and help them up out of the miry clay, lest they break their legs and be useless. I’ve always found that it’s not hard to stop and care for ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Healed Hearts His Home Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 7, 2008

Two obstacles must be removed before we may receive the peace God wants to give us, so long delayed and frustrated: our false pride and our negative spirit of self-accusation. Then His victory will be ours.

The neighborhood, if you could call it that, was one of the most rundown and poverty-stricken in the city. For fifty years the housing had decayed, and, as the original residents left, absentee landlords jammed far too many people into the old dwellings. Diseases became epidemic, and fires not ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 57:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

My Three Sons

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 7, 2008

Dramatic monologue as if David were speaking: he starved emotionally his son Adonijah, he indulged his son Solomon, and he distanced himself from his son Absalom.

"Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and do not forget all his benefits ... as a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him." As a father has compassion for his children … When I first ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

Whatever You Get, Pass It On

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 8, 2008

Deacon ordination: Christ has won the victory, so yours is the opportunity to roll up the score with no fear of losing. Pass on what you have received in comfort, conversion, gifts.

Some things, once they get started, cannot be stopped. There are just some things, once they get rolling, which cannot be interrupted. It’s just impossible. You’re a student and have an exam tomorrow. When the morning dawns and the sun begins to rise, no amount of wishing that the day light would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Denomination: Baptist

Who Left Hiv/Aids Lying In The Streets?

Contributed by Joseph Collins on Mar 3, 2012

The story of The Good Samaritan is a perfect illustration of HIV/AIDS in our society today. God has given the Church the power to heal and He has equipped us to walk in the power of our calling and anointing.

Sermon Title: Who Left HIV/AIDS Lying in the Streets? Scripture Framework: Read Luke 10:30-37 [The Good Samaritan] Opening: Every year in March, thousands of communities celebrate the National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS. It is a time in which churches and other faith-based ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:30-37

Denomination: Baptist

Superstition, Luck, And Halloween

Contributed by Robert Joseph on Oct 25, 2012

A warning against mixing the beliefs of the pagan world--like luck and superstition--along with our precious Christian beliefs. Superstition is idolatry!

A pastor was in line at McDonald’s when the woman ahead of him became very upset. “Quick,” she told the clerk in an upset voice, “Add something to my order.” Usually, when someone wants another sandwich or extra order of fries, they are much calmer about it. So, I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:20-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

Understanding Pentecost Series

Contributed by Joseph Ricohermoso on Jul 8, 2011

Originally delivered on Pentecost Sunday, this message reviews the highlights of this historic event as recorded in Acts 2 namely: the bestowal of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church in Jerusalem.

Understanding Pentecost (Acts 2) Introduction: Do you know that today is Pentecost Sunday? In Italy it was customary to scatter rose petals from the ceiling of the churches to recall the miracle of the fiery tongues; hence in Sicily and elsewhere in Italy Whitsunday is called Pasqua rosatum. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Take A Ride Or Abide

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Jul 14, 2011

The world offers such temptation and many Christians are walking away from Jesus and toward the world, will you take a ride o ABIDE?

(All my sermons use illustrations found at www.sermoncentral.com and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted.) TO RIDE OR ABIDE? I am afraid that many people who have sometime in their lives made a promise to God and to Christ, have been taken for a ride. I am certain that many Christians ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Toys Or Joys?

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Jul 14, 2011

A man is not the sum of what he gathers, it is not abou what you have but who you know. Do you know the one that provides ALL things?

TOYS OR JOYS? (All my sermons use illustrations found at www.sermoncentral.com and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted.) So many times I have heard people say “the one that dies with the most toys wins” as if gathering material possessions here on earth is what life is all ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Grumpy Ole Church People

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Jul 14, 2011

Where is the joy in our church? There is so much frowning and silence in a place where there is so much reason to celebrate. This sermon explores the problem.

GRUMPY OLE CHURCH PEOPLE (All my sermons use illustrations found at www.sermoncentral.com and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted.) Through the many years that I have preached and taught from the Word of God I have made one very disturbing observation about the churches in our ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ