Sermons on Joseph:

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

Our Aim And Admonition Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jan 21, 2004

The 5th message in a series on spiritual warfare focusing on our aim and admoniton as believers.

The Battle is the Lord¡¦s Our Admonition and Aim Intro: A group of historians have compiled a list of interesting stats. Since 3600 B.C., the world has known only 292 yrs of peace. During this time there have been 14,351 wars in which 3.64 bil. people have died. The value of property ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Want To Be Great For God

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jan 22, 2004

A challenging message to believers on the requirement of following Christ.

Do You Want to Be Great? Luke 9:23-26 Question: Do you want to be great? Do you want to be great for God? Reality: Do you remember after the resurrection when Jesus approached Peter after Peter had denied Him three times? Not that I or any one of you have consciously denied in this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of The Spoken Word

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jan 22, 2004

A message on the power of the tongue.

The Power of the Spoken Word The Weight of Your Words in a Conscience-less Society Introduction Okay. Before we get started, let’s agree that we all have the same problem. I don’t want to see anyone elbowing their neighbor, nor do I want anyone to standing up in their chair, pointing ...read more

Scripture: James 3:2-12

Denomination: Baptist

Do We Have A Printout?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 22, 2004

Funeral service for Kathleen Brown Hardman, adult learner and president of a Sunday School class designed for beginning Bible students. Curiosity is good; curiosity for the Bible is better; a thirst for the life offered in the Bible is best.

The portrait says it all. A triumphant face, not especially youthful, but in a cap and gown, the symbols of academic achievement. The portrait says, “I’ve done it. I’ve learned something.” Whose is this smiling face? Is this some malingerer, who put off, for far too long, getting her basic ...read more

Scripture: John 20:30-31

Denomination: Baptist

Auto Lessons

Contributed by Joseph Chase on Jan 30, 2004

Homilee using a parable of rules for the road.

AUTO LESSONS INTRODUCTION: A. Jesus often used object lessons. B. Behold a Sower went forth to sow. C. What man of you having 100 sheep. D. They help to impress spiritual lessons. E. In the lesson today we want to use a familiar object-auto. F. After all everyone (but me and my family) came in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Strong Men (And Women Too)

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 31, 2004

For Black History Month; using the poetry of Sterling A. Brown, "Strong Men", to illuminate the African-American experience and to connect with Paul’s analysis of the source of strength.

Bill Cosby has a routine about little old ladies who stand around looking cool. He says that if you mess with one of these harmless-looking, gray-haired little old ladies, don’t imagine that you can take them on and win. Says Cosby, you ought never to mess with a little old lady standing around ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

From Empty To Eagle

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 11, 2004

Funeral sermon for Henry L. Stewart, local resident, known as an amateur artist. The images of the four living creatures in Revelation become metaphors for the stages of life.

Some look at the earth, but never see the sky. Some see the sky, but never fly. But to some it is given to see and to fly. To some it is given to be an eagle, soaring with strength and power. But I must ask – do you know how empty the eagle is before he flies? From empty to eagle; do you know ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Without A Trace

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 18, 2004

Funeral sermon for Paul Quick, member of the cleaning crew. A gentle spirit without a trace of negatives help others, labors in the house of God, and has received gentle treatment from a Christ who understands our weaknesses.

Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom ... the wisdom from above is ... gentle ... without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. He is able to deal gently with the ... wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness. In this noisy world, it is easy to miss ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18, Hebrews 5:2

Denomination: Baptist