Sermons on Joseph Stowell:

Getting Real With Your Friends Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 2, 2007

Jesus understands us as we are, but loves us into what we may become. With Peter, he loved the Type A person; with James, the passive-aggressive; with John, the immature -- all into effectiveness. Montgomery Hills Baptist Church

History is full of stories of betrayal. Those who look like friends sometimes turn on you. Some of us have friends who would sell us for even less than Judas’ thirty pieces of silver if they could! Personally, I wish I could get at least ten cents on the dollar for everything I have loaned to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:37-42

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Real With Your Enemies Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 10, 2007

Opposition actually helps us grow. Hostility is destructive not only of others, but also of one’s self; and it spreads without reason. Jesus named its absurdity and then left it in the hands of God. Montgomery Hills Baptist Church

Stress strengthens. That is a physical fact. It is also a spiritual truth. Stress strengthens. When we face opposition, we grow. When we deal with differences, we become stronger. Strange as it may sound, give thanks when you are opposed! For stress strengthens; enmity empowers; and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:43-50

Denomination: Baptist

Thelema: Thelma's And God's

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 12, 2007

Funeral message for Thelma Green Mann, known for her direct manner and strong will. The name Thelma is derived from the Greek, "Thelema", meaning will. A turning point is reached when one no longer focus on her own will, but on God’s will. Takoma Park

Grandchildren will teach you much about life. One of mine, Jackie, age 5, taught me about human nature recently. My wife and I had gone to take care of the girls while their parents were away, and we came, as always, armed with things to do – arts and crafts, games, books, the whole gamut of ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Greed - When Enough Is Enough Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Nov 30, 2006

A sermon series on the seven deadly sins.

Virus – Hidden Infections of the Spiritual Life Greed – When Enough is Enough? Review: We’ve been looking at the various viruses that infect and destroy our lives along w/ the antidote God supernaturally provides through the Holy Spirit and His Word.  Laziness – failing to take ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:3-12

Denomination: Baptist

Green With Envy Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Nov 30, 2006

A sermon series on the seven deadly sins.

Virus: Hidden Infections of the Spiritual Life Envy – Green w/ Envy Review: We’re in a study of the (7) deadly sins – we’ve looked at laziness, lust, anger, and pride. This AM we’re going to examine the virus of envy. The Bible provides many examples of envy: Cain envied Abel so he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

That We May Flourish

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 10, 2006

God wants us to flourish. We plead dryness, incompleteness, or sin, but in the tiny infant of Bethlehem strengthening is coming. Hillandale Baptist Church, Adelphi, MD

I am persuaded that we are intended by our Creator to flourish. He created us to blossom and to grow. God wants our lives to be colorful, joyful, full. I am convinced that God does not intend for us to live like miserable little mice, afraid of our own shadows, scurrying for cover every time ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Summer Disappointments

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 24, 2008

When we feel disappointment in life, we blame our own expectations, we blame those who love us, and ultimately we blame God. Repentance and acceptance of grace takes us away from self and toward contentment.

Those of you who attempt to grow gardens know that it takes infinite patience and infinite hope to be a gardener. It takes infinite patience because it can be a great deal of work and a lot of expense and much waiting to get any kind of results. Incidentally, I dispute the notion that you can ...read more

Scripture: Micah 7:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Lost In Wonder, Love, And Praise

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 26, 2008

We have a tendency to get lost in activities, especially church activities. The church that is worthy of getting lost in focuses on Christ, serves people, and calls for specific new commitments.

The other night I caught a TV show that featured people showing off the peculiar talents of their pets. One man brought a tiny little dog and proceeded to wind up its tail, sort of cranking the tail, much as you used to have to wind up a mechanical toy. Then he let go and the poor puppy ran round ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A World Crying From The Quicksand

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 26, 2008

We get bogged down by responsbilities. The way out is first to act responsibly, second to tell others what God is doing in you, and ultimately to yield to our Savior.

One afternoon I came by the church to pick up a few things. I parked around the back, and there discovered two of our members, plus our sexton, in major trouble. These men had purchased a heavy-duty safe for the church office, and were intent on moving it inside. The safe had been hauled here on a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

A World Where Nothing Is Lost

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 28, 2008

A fish that would not die symbolized the Christ who is able to give a relationship that will never end, as opposed to our typical dependence on things or on information to make us secure.

We have, at our house, a small miracle. I can only call it a miracle. Maybe we ought to build a small shrine to house this miracle. The miracle is the incredible, indestructible fish. Our own private incredible, indestructible fish. You see, from time to time somebody in our household will decide ...read more

Scripture: John 6:22-40

Denomination: Baptist

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