Sermons on Joseph:

A House Is Not A Home

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 3, 2001

Christ comes to dwell in our messy, imperfect homes, just as they are, to build love, not a museum-like perfection.

A house is not a home. A house is not a home. A house is a house, and it may be lovely to look at and fine to visit, but a house, by itself, is not a home. What is the difference? Let me tell you a tale of two houses. These are the best of houses, these are the worst of houses. See if you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-17, John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

A King In The Gate

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 3, 2001

David’s emergence from grief over Absalom was marked by his "sitting in the gate" -- a sign of healthy recovery in that he had begun to care for others more than for his own wounds, he had returned to the work of justice, he faced vulnerability, he resumed leadership, he could face his own grief.

I This day the noise of battle, the next the victory’s won. Or so the king hoped. Much was at stake. His own future was uncertain; the nation’s stability was shaky; the confidence of those around him was low; and, most of all, his relationship with his son was in jeopardy. There had been a ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Ambassadors With Contradictions

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 3, 2001

We live with contradictory feelings about many things, including our church. We do not get the gift of reconciliation fully until there is conflict, but God wants to give the gift of reconciliation now, if we will accept it.

Church, some say, should be a place of peace. Church should be a place where we can come after a week of dealing with conflicts, fears, and doubts, and find peace. I was told we don’t want conflict at church. And I do understand. I do understand why, when we come to the hour of worship, we want ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, 2 Corinthians 6:2-10

Denomination: Baptist

Ambassadors With Wide Open Hearts

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 3, 2001

The cross teaches us to allow ourselves to be misused in the name of giving so that others might find salvation; the alternative is to hoard and thus to lose.

The woman answered a knock on her door, and found there a homeless man who said that he was looking for odd jobs to do so that he could earn a little money. “Well,” she said, “around the back of my house I do have a porch that needs painting. Can you handle a paint brush?” He said that he could, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Presenting Eyes And Ears: Vantage Point From The Hiding Place Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 7, 2001

When we are overwhelmed, in our panic we do not see what is before us, nor can we hear any word of counsel; someone -- innocent, devoted to us -- needs to create a stable point, a hiding place for us. Ultimately that is what Jesus Christ in His cross does.

We have abilities that we barely even use. Our senses are capable of doing much more than we allow them to do. I want to try a short experiment with you. I want to test your eyes and your ears. First, I am going to give you thirty seconds to look around this room and take it all in. Many of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 32:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Been There, Done That, Got The T-Shirt

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 9, 2001

This sermon was done while peeling off T-shirts, one by one. The focus is that the presence of the Lord in our lives, as an active participant, drives out cynicism and preserves our joy.

I wish I had bought stock in the T-shirt industry. Of the making of souvenir T-shirts there is no end. People are using T-shirts to send all sorts of messages. Some T-shirts advertise products. Some T-shirts identify the work places. Some focus on the club memberships. And then some T-shirts ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Presenting Hands: Taking, Working, Giving Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 15, 2001

Follow the hands of Jacob, as they are involved in taking (because of his insecurity), in working for that which does not satisfy, but finally, in giving, as a result of their having wrestled with God. An appeal to struggle with God’s will.

Last week I began by giving you an eye test and an ear test. I wanted to help you discover that sometimes we don’t see what there is to see and we don’t hear what there is to hear. But God provides us vision and offers His word to help us with the “too much” in our world. Today I want to examine ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How To Age With Grace

Contributed by Errol Joseph on Jul 16, 2001

Gives some guidelines for aging gracefully from the examples of Simeon and Anna.

DATE: July 15, 2001 TEXT: Luke 2:21-38 THEME: "How to Age With Grace" INTRODUCTION “There is something happening to every one of you this very moment as you sit here in church. Imperceptibly, but relentlessly. You are getting older - aging. The causes are uncertain, probably because our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-38

Denomination: Pentecostal

Releasing Material And Financial Prosperity Series

Contributed by Errol Joseph on Jul 16, 2001

Outlines some principles of giving that release God’s prosperity into our life.

DATE: July 01, 2001 TEXT: I Corinthians 9:5-15 THEME: "Releasing Material & Financial Productivity" INTRODUCTION The historical background: BODY I. WE RELEASE MATERIAL AND FINANCIAL PRODUCTIVITY BY SOWING SEEDS OF GIVING (II Cor. 5:5, 7) II. UNPRODUCTIVE SEED – HOW WE SHOULD NOT GIVE ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:5-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Lords Tithe Series

Contributed by Errol Joseph on Jul 16, 2001

An Exploration of the Biblical Concept of Tithing.

DATE: July 08, 2001 TEXT: Malachi 3:7-10 THEME: "The Lord’s Tithe" INTRODUCTION “Average church(Gallup Poll) 17% say they tithe but only 3% actually do. 40% will give nothing in a year. 91% say they make more money than they ever have in their life. 71% of pastors believe that church members ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:7-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Ten Commandments--Introduction Series

Contributed by Errol Joseph on Jul 16, 2001

An introduction to the study of the Ten Commandments

DATE: February 4, 2001 TEXT: Exodus 20:1-20; Deuteronomy 5:6-22 THEME: Ten Commandments – "Introduction " INTRODUCTION - The Christian and the Law i. Three types of law a. Ceremonial Law – Sacrifices, offerings and methods of purification ad cleansing typical of the Messiah and fulfilled in the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-20, Deuteronomy 5:6-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

No Gods Before Me Series

Contributed by Errol Joseph on Jul 16, 2001

An Exposition of the First Commandment with Emphasis on its Current Application.

INTRODUCTION q The commandments begin with God. That is where life begins and ends. God himself lies at the heart of the commandments. These are God’s commandments and His name and character are stamped through them. q It is only possible to obey the commandments when we are in proper ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:6-7, Exodus 20:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

No Idols Series

Contributed by Errol Joseph on Jul 16, 2001

An Exposition of the Second Commandment with Emphasis on its Current Appliction

INTRODUCTION q The first commandment establishes our highest duty to god—to have no other God’s before him—to love him supremely. The next three indicate directions in which this supreme love should express itself. (Leslie B. Flynn) q The second commandment assumes the existence of God, but ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:4-6, Deuteronomy 5:8-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Do Not Misuse God's Name Series

Contributed by Errol Joseph on Jul 16, 2001

An Exposition of the Third Commandment with Emphasis on its Current Application

BODY I. The Third Commandment is based on God’s holiness A. (Lev. 11:44-45; I Sam. 2:2; I Peter 1:15, 16) B. Because God is holy, even his name is to be respected. 1. A name is more than a word; it is always associated with a person. A name in the Bible is an expression of a person’s ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:11, Exodus 20:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Observe The Sabbath Series

Contributed by Errol Joseph on Jul 16, 2001

An Exposition of the Fourth Commandment With Emphasis on its Current Application

BODY I. The Fourth Commandment is based on God’s grace A. (Psalm 84:11; Prov. 3:34; Acts 14:26; Rom. 5:15; I Cor. 3:10; Gal. 2:21; Eph. 3:7) B. It was for the benefit of people (Mark 2:27) II. The Sabbath Principle was Built into Creation A. (Gen. 2:1-3; Exod. 20:11) III. The Relevance of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:8-10, Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Denomination: Pentecostal