Sermons on Moments Joseph:

Christmas Beyond The Manger - Why The Birth Of Jesus Was A Divine Invasion, Not A Holiday Tradition

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Dec 14, 2025

Christmas is far more than a tradition. It is the declaration that God has not abandoned humanity. It is the announcement that darkness does not have the final word. It is the proof that love is stronger than sin and life is stronger than death.

CHRISTMAS BEYOND THE MANGER Why the Birth of Jesus Was a Divine Invasion, Not a Holiday Tradition Introduction For many people, Christmas has become a familiar scene. A manger, soft music, decorations, gifts, and warm family moments. While these are not wrong, they can easily reduce one of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Waiting Faith Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Mar 26, 2007

A faith lived in the hope of the imminent return of Christ.

Foolproof – A Study of James WAITING Faith – James 5:7-20 Sunday AM Insert: It is exciting to know that Jesus is coming back soon. We must be prepared. There’s a phrase – Practice makes perfect. We need a little Rapture practice. Recap: For 12 weeks we’ve been studying ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-20

Denomination: Baptist

Rising Or Rejecting? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 21, 2009

The man at the pool of Bethsaida had lost his will to achieve, and blamed others. Jesus, however, gave Him his self-worth as well as his health. Do not blame prejudice or racism for failure; turn to Jesus and be healed and motivated.

The day dawned like any other day ... a little chillier, maybe, than you might have expected this time of year. But still, about as gray and bleak and unpromising as any other day. After all, every day was about like every other day. What reason did he have to expect anything different? For 38 ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Declare If You Know Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 24, 2002

The Palm Sunday crowds, like Job’s friends, shouted their slogans too glibly, communicating only popularity and prejudice, substituting religiosity and mere activity for knowing Jesus personally.

Declare if you know. Declare. Interesting word, “Declare”. It suggests that when we communicate, there are a variety of levels at which we can speak. There are different intensities we can use when we want to say something. Some folks merely suggest. They offer timid little ideas ...read more

Scripture: Job 38:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Thelema: Thelma's And God's

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 12, 2007

Funeral message for Thelma Green Mann, known for her direct manner and strong will. The name Thelma is derived from the Greek, "Thelema", meaning will. A turning point is reached when one no longer focus on her own will, but on God’s will. Takoma Park

Grandchildren will teach you much about life. One of mine, Jackie, age 5, taught me about human nature recently. My wife and I had gone to take care of the girls while their parents were away, and we came, as always, armed with things to do – arts and crafts, games, books, the whole gamut of ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Peter: The Power Of Peer Pressure

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 5, 2010

Calverton Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD, 1983: Our denials, like Peter's, reflect our confusing loudness with loyalty and our seeing ourselves as victims rather than victors. But Christ is able to look at us, evoke repentance, and turn us around.

The fire crackled in the crisp air, casting shadows on the walls not five yards away. It looked inviting, this bonfire, for not only was the night air chilly, but also this whole episode had been so draining, so terrifying, that the body cried out for comfort, for something, anything, that would ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-62

Denomination: Baptist

Remember His Suffering

Contributed by Joseph Lai on Apr 15, 2014

let us remember Him, as much as Jesus has said “Do this in remembrance of Me.” Remember how he gave himself away, how he allowed his body to be tortured to be pierced.

Remember His Suffering Rev. Joseph Lai Every year when we come to this time near the Easter the Resurrection Day, we are often faced with complicated feelings. On one hand we are ready for the excitement to celebrate Resurrection to once again recharge ourselves with this marvelous truth that the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:19-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Understanding From The Whirlwind Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 11, 2003

First person pulpit drama, with "Job" responding to Elihu’s counsel and God’s probing. Designed to lead worshippers to the Communion Table as a sign of God’s understanding of human suffering.

Do you hear? Do you see? The wind, the wind, the whirlwind?! Do you feel it? Is its hot breath on you as it is on me? The whirlwind, the whirlwind! I can scarcely stand up, it is so strong! Are you not blown away with these winds? Are you not devastated? No. No. I suppose not. Few there ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Annas And Caiaphas: Stuck In Responsibility Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 20, 2010

We feel stuck in responsibilities, trying to maintain something just because we’ve inherited it, and are tempted to think of leadership as image. In a relationship to Christ, responsibility is transformed into freedom.

He was tired to the bone, but rose to go trim the wicks and boost the light again. How many times had he been to these lamps tonight? How many times had he wanted just to give it up and go to bed? How many times had he hoped that some magic answer would swoop in his open window and land on his ...read more

Scripture: John 18:12-32

Denomination: Baptist

Two Full Plates Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 23, 2009

We are given the plate of growth gifts: space, quiet, renewal, guidance; and the plate of opportunities: to be present at ultimate times, to enter dangerous places, to receive responsibility.

If you approach someone and ask him to take on a responsibility, but his answer is, "I have a very full plate," what does he mean? Does he mean, "I can’t do it right now because I just sat down to dinner. Let me finish eating and I’ll do it"? No, if you ask someone to do something and he replies ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

When Everything Seems Possible, Pray

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 14, 2003

When everything is going well, pray, because that is when the opposition will assault us, that is when confusion comes, and that is when you will discover the unfinished clutter in your own heart.

Each fall I bring you messages on prayer. There is a reason for that. In this time of the year we need to be very alert about our devotional life. September is a crucial time to discern important things about prayer. The reason is not hard to find. In September, everything cranks up to a fever ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Ignorant Errors, Careless Mistakes, Or Plain Old Sin

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 9, 2004

Message on the First Word from the Cross, for a Good Friday Seven Last Words service. Jesus prays for forgiveness for the anonymous "they" who permit a society to be valueless, for those who profit from the misery of others, for those who pride themselve

One of life’s scariest moments comes when, two or three days after you have taken an exam at school, the teacher shows up ready to pass out the results. Maybe you sit poised on the edge of your chair, if you think you’ve done well; or you slump down in the seat, trying to look as though you’re ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-37

Denomination: Baptist

Immediately Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 5, 2001

This was done as a dramatic monologue, as if I were Mark; and costumed according to Mark 14:51-52! It makes use of one of Mark’s favorite words, "immediately", and argues that Jesus expects immediate response to His call.

What’s happening? What’s going on here? I came as quickly as I could. If you linger, you will miss Him. He waits for no one. He acts immediately. He is the most urgent person I’ve ever known. He just does not wait for anything. He acts immediately. So, again, what’s happening here? What ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-12, Mark 14:51-52

Denomination: Baptist

Embarassment Or Witness? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 1, 2003

First-person account of Peter, at the time of the cockcrow denial, remembering the times he had embarassed himself and Jesus when he could have made a witness.

This knife, this bloody knife! Why did I keep it, why did I not throw it into the Brook Kidron while I had a chance? It could become evidence. They will have the assault weapon and they will tie me to it. Great God, I am going to be arrested! I am going to be taken prisoner. Who knows what ...read more

Scripture: John 18:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

When Bad Things Happen To Good People Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 23, 2003

In a world of injustice, it is appropriate to pray a prayer of anguish; God gives us memories of His grace to sustain when He seems absent, and may force us to rock bottom so that we can heal fully.

There is very little justice in the world. But that’s old news. People have felt from time immemorial that they were not being treated fairly. Just about everybody thinks that they deserve a better deal than they’re getting. There is very little justice in the world. But that’s old news. Now ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:1-31

Denomination: Baptist