Sermons on Joseph The Dreamer:

The Ugly, The Bad, And The Good

Contributed by Joseph Ng on Feb 26, 2001

God’s verdict on the lives of Solomon, Ahab, and Hezekiah is different from that of secular history and is what matters ultimately.

Opening: You’ve heard of the 1966 Western movie starring Clint Eastwood entitled The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. As we consider the lives of kings in the Old Testament, it will be apparent that some are ugly, bad, or good. In particular, the lives of three Hebrew kings--Solomon, Ahab, and ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 17:14-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stairway To Heaven Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 4, 2001

The beatitudes can be understood sequentially .. as stairsteps to "perfection" (Matt. 5:48). The first four lift us to fellowship with God; the other four bring us back down to the reality of ministry with needy people. This sermon was delivered using a ladder as a "prop".

When Stanley Kubrick made the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey”, he guessed that by this time we would be flitting back and forth in outer space, visiting other planets and seeing things never before seen by human beings. The movie suggested that those who would be alive in the year 2001 would go on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Diagnosing Illness Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 11, 2001

Jesus diagnoses our illnesses as primarily spiritual and/or connective; the fatal illness He diagnoses is the one which cannot see God at work.

We all know people for whom illness is a way of life. It is not just incidental, it is every day. Every day is spent dealing with sickness or pain. Every day is invested in physicians, treatments, medications, therapies. People who struggle just to stay alive, or to manage pain. Their lives ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Love Almighty And Ills Unlimited Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 17, 2001

When we are dealing with issues and conflicts, we may select to be babies (unlimited retaliation), children (limited retaliation), adolescents (limited love), or mature (unlimited love), toward Jesus’ command to "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. What madman spoke those words? What visionary would even in his wildest dreams suppose that you and I could be perfect? What is this raving? It is the word of Jesus, at the end of a series of challenges. Love your enemies. Give to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Baptist

All Is Now Yours: Giving What We Do Not Have

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 8, 2001

In uncertain times, it remains true that giving away what we cannot possess anyway is the path to fulfillment; it must, however, be a gift that refreshes the fainting.

It seems that we do not have what we think we have. Sometimes what seems to be ours is not ours at all. Buildings as sturdy as the Pentagon and as imposing as the World Trade Center can be destroyed in a moment of awful terror. Lives promising and beautiful are snuffed out, and there is little ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

For Me

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 8, 2001

Funeral message for Calvin John King, widower, father of seven, and long-term post-traumatic stress syndrome sufferer.

We have all been taught to be unselfish. “Share your toys”, we say to our children. I am pretty sure that was said in the King household, with seven pairs of hands grabbing for the same stuffed animal. “Let your brother have some of your candy bar; you must not be selfish.” All very well, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Advancing Without Hindrance

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 18, 2001

In our own lives, as well as in the life of the church, there are barriers to advancement, but they are nowhere near as difficult as our spiritual hindrances.

When I entered junior high school, I was introduced to track and field games – to things like the 100-yard dash, relay races, and, most of all, the hurdles. As any red-blooded American boy would have done, I had done my share of running and climbing and bicycling and the like. But hurdles I had ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:23-30

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

Our Awareness Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jan 21, 2004

This is the first message in a 5 week series on spiritual warfare. This message focuses on our need to be aware of the reality and enemy of spiritual warfare.

The Battle is the Lord’s Our Awareness Story: There was once a boxer who was getting pummeled in the ring by his opponent. Battered and bruised, in b/w rounds, the boxer tells his trainer, “Throw in the towel, this guy is killing me.” The trainer says, “No he’s not, he’s barely ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

Our Adversary Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jan 21, 2004

The 2nd message in a series on spiritual warfare unveiling the person, nature, and tactics of Satan.

The Battle is the Lord’s Your Adversary Trans: Two weeks ago we began a study on the topic of spiritual warfare by investigating the reality of this spiritual war b/w the Devil and God. Text: Ephesians 6:10-17 Note: This Scripture helps us to understand the basic problem – there is a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17, Ezekiel 28:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

Our Arsenal - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jan 21, 2004

The 3rd message in a series on spiritual warfare focusing on our arsenal for battle.

The Battle is the Lord Our Arsenal – Part 1 Intro: A reporter interviewed a man on his 100th birthday. “What are you most proud of?” The man said, “I don’t have an enemy in the world.” “What a beautiful thought! How inspirational! Tell me how you have achieved such a feat?” The man ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17, 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Our Arsenal - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jan 21, 2004

The 4th message in a series on spiritual warfare focusing on our arsenal to fight the enemy.

The Battle is the Lord’s Our Arsenal – Part 2 Review: We’ve been examining the reality of spiritual conflict – we’ve become aware of the battle, our adversary in the battle, and today we’ll continue study on our arsenal for the battle. Trans: We’ve looked at the first 3 pieces of the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Denomination: Baptist