Sermons on Maximize Joy:

Fruitful Lives

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on May 7, 2009

We must see ourselves as branches connected to Jesus rather than Jesus being connected to us.

John 15: 1 – 8 Fruitful Lives Intro: When we lived in Nederland, Texas, we had some shrubs in our front flower beds that seemed to grow 6 inches overnight. I cut and cut those shrubs. The more I cut; the more they grew. Finally, I cut them to within 6 inches of the ground hoping they would ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Walk In The Light As Jesus Did

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

One thing that we cannot live without is light.

One thing that we cannot live without is light. It may be easy to take light for granted, but nothing can live without it. Even though Christ is the light of the world John writes, "Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who ...read more

Scripture: John 3:19-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Is It Important To Fellowship With Godly Associates?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. Godly associates enabled one another to help develop Christianity from a handful of people to a movement of over 600 million present day believers.

1. Godly associates enabled one another to help develop Christianity from a handful of people to a movement of over 600 million present day believers. Mutual encouragement provided them with the necessary incentives to stay obedient, loving and committed to our Lord. They assembled together in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:12-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Perspective Differences To Consider In Improving Communications

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Paul, the apostle said, "I have become all things to all men that by all means I may save some.

Paul, the apostle said, "I have become all things to all men that by all means I may save some." ( I Cor. 9:19-23) Paul was a master at learning how to communicate in terms that were most contextually effective. Good communicators spend as much time considering the needs of their audience as they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Contrasting Healthy And Unhealthy Ways Of Viewing Spiritual Gifts

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Take an evaluative look at the ways spiritual gifts are being used in your life and in your fellowship.

Unhealthy Views of Spiritual Gifts * Useful for gaining popularity, status and power * Useful for helping one stand out from the crowd * Useful for self-aggrandizement (Increasing one’s power, rank or wealth) * Useful for protecting oneself from other’s accusations about worthlessness * Useful for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Motivate People To Give 100% To The Lord's Service

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Motivating some people is not difficult because they are determined to follow positive examples. Our faith grows when we appreciate the price great people have paid for their beliefs. We grow best when we focus on what we love most. Whenever I go through

Motivating some people is not difficult because they are determined to follow positive examples. Our faith grows when we appreciate the price great people have paid for their beliefs. We grow best when we focus on what we love most. Paul wrote, "Be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Paul As A Model Of Transformation

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Many people fail to enjoy the blessings of God because they misunderstand the nature of spiritual transformation. Before his conversion, Paul’s prejudice blinded him to what is true, eternal and liberating. Some people stagnate in their transformational g

1. Many people fail to enjoy the blessings of God because they misunderstand the nature of spiritual transformation. Before his conversion, Paul’s prejudice blinded him to what is true, eternal and liberating. Some people stagnate in their transformational growth because they are fixated on ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Review Of Orthodoxy By G.k. Chesterton

Contributed by Frederick Meekins on Feb 28, 2007

A Review Of The Apologetic Classic

Over the course of the modern era, whether fairly or not, orthodoxy has come to be associated with glumness and austerity. Thus, those coming across Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton might assume they are in for a dull and obtuse recitation of doctrine and dogma. They will, however, be delightfully ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Eucharistic Fix- Part 2 Series

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jun 29, 2018

In the study, one person related not having a fear of death, and another related that death and resurrection are a continual process following the psychic deaths she had while in her addiction.

20B I want to continue with an article I read from a university in Santa Barbara about Catholic Mass and its healing implications for the addicted person. In the study, a psychological sense of alienation and loneliness appears to be a common experience for the addict, because the drug of ...read more

Scripture: John 6:51-58

Denomination: Catholic

Treating The "unpresentable" With Special Care

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 23, 2025

Losing that witness leaves a community injured, even emotionally and socially bankrupt.

Third Sunday in Course 2025 Hundreds, perhaps thousands of people come into our lives over the seventy or eighty years of an average American lifetime. If we look at St. Paul’s words written almost two thousand years ago, describing an early Christian assembly, we can see images of people we have ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:2-10, Psalm 19:8-14, 1 Corinthians 12:12-30, Luke 1:1-4, Luke 4:14-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

A Biblical Perspective On Home Investors Taking Advantage Of Vulnerable Owners. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 31, 2024

As the real estate market continues to flourish, home investors have become increasingly prominent.

As the real estate market continues to flourish, home investors have become increasingly prominent. While some operate with integrity, others exploit vulnerable homeowners for personal gain. This article examines the biblical perspective on such unjust business practices and the impending judgment ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 3:14-15, Deuteronomy 16:19

To Live Is Christ And To Die Is Gain

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 5, 2018

Eulogy and interment service for a faithful brother in the Lord. To offer hope and comfort for the family during the time of their loss of a father, husband, son and brother. For the saint, there is a greater hope in death; than in life.

PART I INTRODUCTION Eulogy Remarks Welcome to this “going home celebration, of Brother Somebody.” At this time I offer my sincere condolences and prayers of comfort to all here present, in this assembly. To Somebody’s wife (Her Name), his children (sons and daughters) and grandchildren, immediate ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:20-21, John 14:1-3, John 11:25-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Perfect Christmas - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Nov 11, 2021

Isaiah 7 predicts how the Messiah is to be born. Isaiah 9 predicts how the Messiah will bless. Isaiah 11 predicts how the Messiah will rule.

One of America's favorite holiday songs this time of year is the classic, I'll Be Home for Christmas. The song was originally written during WW II to honor soldiers who longed to be home for the holidays. It's been sung by the likes of Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Kelly Clarkson, and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Changing Clothes Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jun 11, 2002

Paul’s contrast between the old self and the new self

Changing Clothes - Eph. 4:17-24 Steve Simala Grant Intro: We have had quite a week. Last Sunday, on thanksgiving, I talked about how visiting Allan Vail had brought me encouragement as I saw the faith that Allan had and how ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

So Near And Yet So Far Series

Contributed by Stephen Wright on Nov 13, 2005

Can true Christians sin so as to loose all hope of restoration?

Introduction Hebrews 6:4-6 has given rise to much controversy and the opinion of commentators and of the Christian world is fiercely divided about its meaning. Some hold that the passage is not intended to describe true Christians, but only those who have come close to salvation and then fell back. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:4-9

Denomination: Baptist