Sermons on Living In Harmony:

Only The Loved Can Love Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 11, 2003

Sermon preached to address atmosphere of crisis we experienced when our Assistant Pastor resigned after a short tenure. This sermon interprets the departure as a godsend, in that it stirs us to re-examine our stewardship, our faith, and our direction, an

Some things cannot be explained; they can only be experienced. Music, for example. How could I possibly do justice to music by talking to you about frequencies, rhythm patterns, tone qualities? I couldn’t. But I can play music for you, so that you can experience it. I can sit at the keyboard ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Sending Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 11, 2003

For Reformation Sunday: Luther’s reform taught us that the church has an apostolic gift, whereby each of us -- the priesthood of all believers -- can break new ground for the Kingdom. Sometimes, however, we send back the gift!

Have you ever had the experience of sending a gift, only to have it returned? What does it feel like? Somebody’s birthday is coming up – and you’ve found just the perfect gift. You wrap it up, you package it securely, and you trot off to the post office. She’s going to love this! Three days ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Oneness Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 13, 2003

Receiving the gifts of oneness means that we love one leader and commit to one calling. Those things are not the same as having doctrinal agreement or being socially compatible.

This week I met a young man who was very clear about what he needed. He came here to the church to participate in a wedding rehearsal. We began to talk about weddings. He expressed the hope that this wedding would not be like the last wedding he had attended. In that earlier wedding, he had ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Time For New Clothes Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 27, 2003

Midlife feels like a time for new clothes .. signs of mortality are showing up. We need new "shoes" to climb out of self-centeredness, and a new "coat" to enable us to travel out of our comfort zone.

I’ve always been glad that in this church we wear pulpit robes. I’m glad of that because pulpit robes keep you from noticing what the preacher is wearing. I don’t want you to think about what I am wearing. I don’t want you to think about my clothes because you are likely to discover that my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 102:18-28

Denomination: Baptist

When Everybody Plays Their Position Series

Contributed by Chip Kelly on Jul 1, 2003

How God’s power is engaged through servanthood and lay ministry.

GETTING IN THE GAME! Pt 4 – ‘When Everybody Plays Their Position’ 6.22.03 Well, today we wrap up the series we began 4 weeks ago, called “Getting In The Game!” Here’s what we’ve covered so far: Part one: ‘The Heart of a Team Member’ Part two: ‘Out of The Stands and Onto The Field’ Part three: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58, Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Battle Against Advent Series

Contributed by Charles Wall, Jr. on Oct 29, 2003

Not everyone was enthralled about the Promise of Advent that God had made. In fact, there was 1 who was so against it, that he was going to do everything in his power to make sure God did not keep that promise. I am speaking of God’s archenemy, the devi

Today is the 3rd Sunday of Advent, a time when we remember the coming or the arrival of Christ into this world. And we have been trying to refocus our attention on some of the truths involved in Advent. We began w/ asking whether there was a genuine need for Advent. That is the problem w/ modern ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:15

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Failing Forward, Part 3 Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Nov 10, 2003

Do you feel God has placed you on a shelf because of something you’ve done? Never forget that you are serving the God, not only of a second chance, but countless chances.

For some of you, it was all you could do to even come here today. You failed over and over. You had such a bad week or month that you really didn’t even want to show up today. We sometimes want to give up because of · the regularity of our sin (“I just can’t seem to stop!”), · the reproach of ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Is This The Day? Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Aug 23, 2004

A look at the reality and timing of the Day of the Lord

The Day of the Lord. That phrase is mentioned 19 times in the bible and of those 19 four of them are in the book of Joel. Not bad for a book that only has three chapters. That may be indicative of the importance that Joel placed on that particular occurrence. But who was Joel and what do we ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 3:12-16

Denomination: Wesleyan

Attitude: The Response Of A Successful Steward Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Aug 27, 2004

We learn about three different attitudes with regard to stewardship.

Scripture Think of a person whom you greatly admire and respect. Do you have such a person in mind? Good. Now, what is it about that person that you appreciate so much? What is it that really draws you to them? Let’s list the qualities and characteristics of the person whom you greatly admire. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Ananias: Vessel Of Courage"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Dec 20, 2004

No one can predict what great things God will accomplish through even your smallest steps of obedience, courage and grace.

There was, in Damascus, a certain disciple named Ananias. I think he was a young man. Because in Joel 2:28 God said through the prophet that after He poured out His Spirit on all mankind, their old men would dream dreams and their young men would see visions. And here, in Acts 9:10, we’re ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:10-19

Denomination: Orthodox

Real Faith That Really Works

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 7, 2005

[Rick Warren outline] Faith is not just something you SAY, not just something you FEEL, not just something you THINK, and more than just something you BELIEVE. James teaches it’s also something you DO. Powerpoint at website.

Real Faith That Really Works James 2:14-26 PowerPoint at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/RealFaith.html It seems if you put the word "real" in front of anything it sells more – “real coffee” or “real leather.” We’re interested in the genuine article. There is Real TV. There’s a book out Real ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Baptist

Leftovers For God Part 1 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Aug 25, 2007

how we give God what we have left of our time and resources.

Leftovers For God: Time, Talent and Money Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21; 22:37-40; Exodus 20:1-17 Introduction When I was a child, there were times when my mother would cook a meal and we would have food left after everyone finished eating. This food, called leftovers, would be package up ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Three Christmas Responses Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 22, 2005

Our text today has much to say to us about our response to the king of the Jews and Savior of sinners. Let us observe three different responses to the birth of Jesus the Christ.

Scripture As we consider the birth of Christ today, I would to consider three Christmas responses. Let’s read Matthew 2:1-12, 16-18: "1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I'm Dreaming Of A Wise Christmas

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 23, 2005

Christmas 2005

I’M DREAMING OF A WISE CHRISTMAS (MATTHEW 2:1-18) I look with amusement once at Christmas e-cards prominently displayed on websites. The most frequent themes and images on the cards are Santa Claus, Snowmen, Christmas trees, stockings, reindeers, penguins, polar bears, candles, angels, tree ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Three Strikes, You're Out! Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 27, 2007

Israel missed each opportunity God gave them. Each time Amos interceded, God held off on afflicting them. Finally, He had enough—He afflicted them with almost complete destruction. God is faithful to respond to the intercessory prayers of His people.

1. The first pitch was a fastball of grace. 2. The second pitch was a fastball of mercy. 3. The third pitch was a changeup of affliction. AMOS 7:1-9 I think everybody here knows how much I enjoy sports. Mostly football, but I like other sports too. I like watching NASCAR. I’m a frustrated ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:1-9

Denomination: Baptist