Sermons on Linwood Smith:

Come Out Of The Cave!

Contributed by David Smith on Jul 2, 2001

A challenge to come out of the places we feel safe or hidden and tackle what God has planned for our lives.

Come out of the cave!! 1 Kings 19:9-12 1 - I give up! A - Living For God can make you feel alone - none left but me Lord. 1- right choices with friends (lost friends) 2 - right choices on job (may cost you acceptance) 3 - right choices in world ( may keep you from fitting in) B - God’s plan ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

The Callousing Of The North American Church

Contributed by David Smith on Jul 11, 2001

Addressing the whys of hard hearts in the pews - and out

The Callousing of the North American Church Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. (KJV) Illustration - John’s first day at work ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:14, Hosea 10:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Come Now, And Let Us Reason Together

Contributed by Bruce Smith on Jul 15, 2001

Christianity, showing true Christianity in todays world.

"COME NOW, AND LET US REASON TOGETHER," A CALL TO CHRISTIAN SERVICE By modest estimate, more than a quarter of the entire population of the Australia have professed an evangelical conversion experience. William Iverson wryly observes that "A pound of meat would surely be affected by a quarter ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

How's Your Heart

Contributed by Bruce Smith on Jul 15, 2001

God is looking for people who have the right heart attitude. Are you one of them

HOWS YOUR HEART? About Five years ago I found myself in the Modbury Hospital High dependency ward with a ? heart attack. I should have been in distress but the whole time I was in peace because I knew my heart was right before the Lord. The Bible says Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 16:9-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Overcoming Church

Contributed by David Smith on Jul 15, 2001

The Church will overcome ALL!

THE OVERCOMING CHURCH Eph 3:11-21 I - We (the Church) are overcomers Rom 8:34-39 A - outside circumstances cannot stop us - 1 - may be an end for some - in ALL these things WE are more than conquerors 2 - don’t think God doesn’t love you! we overcome hardships II - We have power to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:11-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Biblical Path Of Blessing

Contributed by David Smith on Jul 15, 2001

How we can walk God’s path of blessing in life

The Biblical Path of Blessing If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy. If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week If ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Mirror Of The Word

Contributed by David Smith on Jul 15, 2001

The Word of God can change us - if we allow it

The Mirror of the Word James 1:22-25 A - allows us to truly see a portion of ourselves in God’s eyes 1- We learn how to live His way. James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?

Contributed by David Smith on Jul 15, 2001

A look at what being a Christian is, and is not

What does it mean to be a Christian? Matt 16:24 - 27 KJV-- disciple. 3101 mathetes (math-ay-tes’); from 3129; a learner, i.e. pupil: I - What does to mean to be a Christian? A - To love God? 1 - many profess such 2 - their actions will either prove or deny this claim John 14:15 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-27

Denomination: Pentecostal