Sermons on Mess:

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

A New Beginning

Contributed by Thomas Dibble on May 13, 2003

We have all made mistakes in our walk with God. None of us are perfect. This sermon will help those who desire a new beginning in the Lord.

A New Beginning JOHN 8:1-11 1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Consequences Or Freedom Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 15, 2003

Jesus gave Barabbas the chance not just for a shortened sentence, but for a rebuilt life. When we break the law, we will face consequences; but our experiences can become the basis for redemption from what has happened to us.

Let’s play Jeopardy this morning. I’ll be Alex, you can be the contestants. The category is institutions. The answer is: The following people all spent time in this kind of institution: the prophet Jeremiah; Al Capone; the apostle Paul; Marion Barry; Bugsy Siegel; Nelson Mandela; John Dillinger; ...read more

Scripture: John 18:38-40

Denomination: Baptist

Consider The Source Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 16, 2003

Job, struggling to find his source of meaning, is frustrated with Bildad, who finds meaning in the past; and with his own feelings, looking for meaning in the present. Look to Christ, who provides meaning from the future.

Sooner or later, we all come to a point where we wake up and ask ourselves what life means. This life we are living: does it matter? All this energy we are putting in on studying or working or church or family or whatever: is it really necessary? I submit to you that most of us at one time or ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When 2 Wrongs Make A Right

Contributed by Ric Freeman on Jun 9, 2003

God’s forgiveness and mercy

How many of you have ever been wrong? (show hands) How many of you have ever had to undo, redo, or make do because of your bad-do? You know what? Welcome to the human race. If you’ve never screwed up and been totally wrong -- you haven’t lived, breathed or existed !! Welcome to the Jonah club ! All ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

Work To Eat Or Eat To Work?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 17, 2003

Why work? Work has meaning as a witness, as a way of focusing our efforts for the Kingdom. Look at the work of Christ, so that you do not lose motivation to work.

Is there anyone here today whose name is Rockefeller? No? Then maybe there is a member of the Kennedy family, other than Mrs. Currie – and I don’t think she is of the Hyannisport Kennedys? No one? Well, let me try someone else – the Sultan of Brunei, possibly the richest person in the world. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

Ambassador

Contributed by Eric Bland on Jun 20, 2003

The necessity of being an ambasssador, being reconciled to and accepting Christ.

Ambassador Eric A. Bland Paul, a man that I admire very much, was a man that was willing to give up everything in order to serve our Lord and our God. He was willing to give up the uppity up lifestyle to subject himself unto God. And because he was willing to give up the world, God was able to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Available For Liberation Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 5, 2003

When God called Moses to the task of liberating a people, Moses felt self-doubt, uncertainty about God, and unreadiness. Actually these are positive values that will lead us as American Christians to take our place in the world.

How do you feel about eager volunteers? What’s your reaction to the kind of person who is always ready to step up to the plate and take a swing at some issue? How do you really feel about those who quickly volunteer when something needs to be done? Maybe you remember what it was like to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-14, Exodus 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Do It Yourself Sermon

Contributed by Ric Freeman on Jul 15, 2003

Surviving the tough times

Do it yourself sermon August 25, 2002 Genesis 11:27 - Genesis 16:16 (Gen 11:27 NIV) This is the account of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. (Gen 11:28 NIV) While his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, in ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

It Was A Setup Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 30, 2003

We set ourselves up for failure if we are afraid to risk using all we have been given, if we are shy about our average-ness, and especially if we are ashamed of our poverty. Sermon for Martin Luther King Sunday

On one of our trips to Louisville to see about my mother-in-law, we stayed at a motel right next to a Baptist church. It happened to be a church which had been started as a mission congregation by my home church back when I was a teenager. I told Margaret that I remembered that vacant lot between ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Baptist

Things That Never Change

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Aug 1, 2003

Three things about which the Lord will never change His mind.

Malachi 3:6 Things That Never Change Introduction There are many things that are changing rapidly all around us. We are living in a constantly changing world – and as the years go by the rate at which the changes occur are increasing more and more. Practically every phase of life changes. Travel ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6

Denomination: Baptist

Excellence In Integrity, Part 3 Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Oct 14, 2003

On the surface of life, we demonstrate integrity. We return money that’s not ours. We pay our bills on time. We work hard at our jobs. We volunteer at church. But if someone were to write a story about your life, would we really want him or her to write e

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: In the book Strengthening Your Grip, Charles Swindoll tells the following story about integrity. “Some time ago, I heard about a fellow in Long Beach who went into a fried chicken franchise to get some chicken for himself and the young lady with him. She waited in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-22

The Shock Value Of The Gospel

Contributed by Darrell Stetler Ii on Apr 18, 2004

If convicted felons were set free by our court system because someone else wanted to take their punishment, imagine the outcry! Well, Jesus did exactly that. . . *HANDOUT INCLUDED*

How To Be Right With God TEXT: Rom. 3:21-26 "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-26

Denomination: Holiness

Let's Nail This Down

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 20, 2004

Ordination sermon for Victor Oke. Do not nail down peer group approval; nail down the promises of God to strengthen, help, and uphold you in ministry.

“Who has roused a victor from the east, summoned him to his service?” Brother Oke, I warned you a month ago, at the ordination service for Gloria Grant, that I would probably use your name as the basis for your ordination message. The name “Victor” is so full of spiritual possibility! And so, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Peace That Passes Understanding Series

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jun 25, 2004

This sermon describes what it means to have peace and briefly touches on the importance of sharing that peace with others.

June 27, 2004 The Peace that Passes Understanding Asaph once wrote, I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. 5 They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. (Ps 73:3-5) When ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22

Denomination: Lutheran