Sermons on Joseph:

Salvation Came To His House

Contributed by Joseph Marshall on Aug 11, 2002

Zacchaeus faced many problems that we face today. People are trying everything they can to solve them, but they find just a large emptiness! Who could possible solve these problems? Friend, let me introce you to the Salvation that came to His House!

Introduction: Just like many today, Zacchaeus had some problems that he needed someone to help him overcome! A. His position was a problem (vs. 2) It is always hard for the rich to get saved because they do not need anything! (Mat.10:23) B. His elevation was a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Close To The Cross But Far From The Blood

Contributed by Joseph Marshall on Aug 13, 2002

Today, we find many people who are very close to the Cross and to Jesus; however, they are no different than someone who has never heard of the Cross or Jesus. You see, just like those who have never heard, they are not under the Blood of Christ!

Introduction: Today, we find many people who are very close to the Cross and to Jesus; however, they are no different than someone who has never heard of the Cross or Jesus. You see, just like those who have never heard, they are not under the Blood of Christ! You may ask, “Why do you have to be ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:24-39

Denomination: Baptist

Two "Weddings" And A "Funeral" Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 17, 2002

In the characters of III John, Gaius, Demetrius, and Diotrephes, we learn how to bond and we discover what kills relationships. Designed for "punctuation" by organ music between the sections.

We really need to connect. We are made for fellowship, and if we do not connect with one another, we will dry up and die. We need to connect with God; and we need to connect with one another. When I was the Baptist chaplain at Howard University, it seemed that my students only knew two ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

When To Be Stubborn

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 25, 2002

There are times to be definite, clear, even stubborn: when you know the truth, when you understand your own motives, and when you can turn your stand into good news. Parts of the sermon were drawn from testimonies solicited earlier in the service around

Indelibly etched on my mind is the photograph of one of our members, now deceased. If you go to Frances Flippen’s apartment, you can see a picture of her late husband, John, a military man, in full battle dress, helmet and all, standing with his legs spread apart and his arms folded, and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:14-17, Proverbs 25:25-26

Denomination: Baptist

Too Late

Contributed by Joseph Marshall on Aug 25, 2002

The rich man in hell did everything that the poor man did on earth; however he did them simply TOO LATE!

Introduction: As we look at this story in the Bible, we must realize that it is an aweful yet true story. It is aweful because one man had so much suffering in this life and the other man had so much suffering in the next life. It is aweful because one man ended up in hell. We know this story ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

It Would Have Been Enough

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 3, 2003

Memorial service sermon for Lillie Mae Scales Fontaine, who died on Easter Sunday

Lillie Mae Scales Fontaine went through an open door on Easter Sunday morning. I cannot imagine a better time to die than that day, can you? Just imagine – on the very day when much of the Christian world is focused on an empty tomb and on the promise of life everlasting, Lillie Fontaine ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 11:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

"Endless Love" Is Not A Maudlin Song Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 4, 2003

Radical discipleship is self-giving for the sake of the world, and not self-satisfaction nor giving only to those who please us.

When you learn to sing, you must learn to sing scales. Scales start with “do” on the low end and you step up until you get to “do” again, where the frequency exactly doubles the one where you started. That’s a scale. The syllables that you sing come from a medieval Spanish ballad. “Do re mi ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:9-21

Denomination: Baptist

An End To Childish Ways Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 4, 2003

(For Senior Adult Sunday) Children ask for things for themselves, think in limited terms, and believe they can escape responsbility. Mature people think in terms of love.

“If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” And if I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:11

Denomination: Baptist

Another Day, Another Millennium

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 4, 2003

If the Lord were to ask what we have done with the last millennium, we would have to report that we never learned peace instead of war or love instead of hate. Our agenda for the new millennium needs to be justice, peace, and mission.

Here it comes again, the end of another year! How soon it gets here after Christmas! Isn’t it astonishing? Don’t you wish they could throw in another week or two before the end of the year? We need to get over the rush of Christmas before we have to face the year’s end? I know the Post Office ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:1-12, 1 Peter 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

At The Last He Will Stand Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 8, 2003

We search for permanence through accomplishments, wealth, legacies; but Job discovered that he needed a Redeemer who would stand in his place and bring him a lasting relationship with God.

Have you discovered that nothing which you call permanent really is permanent? Lots of things are called permanent, many things are described as lasting, but they aren’t. Not really. Not long ago I wanted to mark two plastic containers so that I could be sure they would stay permanently ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:7-27

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Ignorance, Jesus Is Mine Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 9, 2003

We claim to know too much, as we want to make ourselves elite, we want to close off new ideas. Know nothing but the servant heart (a sermon for deacon ordination).

The psalmist says, “He has put a new song in my mouth.” And so I took that very literally and composed a new song for church today. Do you want to hear me sing it? It’s called, “Blessed ignorance, Jesus is mine” You say you don’t think you know that one? You say you think I got that wrong? ...read more

Scripture: John 7:45-52

Denomination: Baptist

Bridges Swamped, Swamps Bridged

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 10, 2003

In times like these the very things we have created to solve human problems are easily swamped; but God wants His people to flourish and will build bridges over the difficulties.

In June of 1972 I was standing in the middle of Colesville Road, not far from my home. I was standing safely in the middle of the road because no traffic was coming through. Why not? Hurricane Agnes had done. Remember Agnes? We’ve had a lot of storms around here, but not many that did as much ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Can The World Take Me Away? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 12, 2003

So much in our lives seems temporary; but God can give us a fresh start, can transform our incompleteness, and can give us hope.

Somebody asked me, when I was getting ready to take study leave, “Why are you doing this? Are you going for another degree? Are you preparing to take another job? And did the deacons make you do this?” Well, I said, I’m taking the study leave because I don’t get much reading time under normal ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Can't Shake Off Mom's Voice

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 14, 2003

Mothers (or parents) communicate an atmosphere as much as they communicate specific ideas; we as children cannot rid ourselves of that atmosphere, good or bad. But faith in God can lift us to a new self-esteem.

Just about everybody has a story that involves Mom’s voice. Just about anyone can tell you something distinctive about the things Mother used to say. We can remember not only what she said, but also the way she said it, the tone of voice she used. It’s surprising how many of us can remember ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Channeling Anger Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 14, 2003

Dramatic monologue: Jonah analyzes the sources of his anger, but prays that God will use all of his misdirected energy for Kingdom purposes.

Hmmph! Blah! Of all the fool things! Repent and be saved! Who would have thought it? Why in the world? I am angry. Yes, I don’t dispute it. I am angry. And why wouldn’t I be, after all I have gone through? I am angry. And with good reason. I went through hell and back, and with what ...read more

Denomination: Baptist