Sermons on Moments Joseph:

We The People: Rediscovering Sabbath

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 3, 2010

Fall 1987: Sabbath is about far more than doing whatever you feel like doing. It is a chance to be authentic, in relationship with God, and it is meant to be a delight and not a burden.

Be honest now. This morning when the alarm rang or when your wife nudged you in the ribs; when your mom screamed something about being late -- what was your reaction? What did you feel about getting up and going to church? I asked you to be honest – but not necessarily out loud! Now thus ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

A Command For The Compulsive

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 27, 2009

Sabbath rest addresses our compulsive need to be busy by giving us a day for authentic enjoyment, by providing a vivid contrast with other days, and by giving us a glimpse of eternal rest.

God rested. Well, why not? After all, He had had a busy week, almost as busy as ours! Some of us have had weeks like that, when we’ve had to build the moon and the stars, separate the waters from the dry land, and bring forth swarms of living creatures, all in one week. Every parent knows what ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Is The Reason For This Season : Christmas

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Dec 19, 2024

As we celebrate Christmas, let us never forget that Jesus is the reason for this season. He is the gift of God’s love, the light in our darkness, the fulfillment of God’s promise, and the source of our peace and reconciliation.

Jesus is the Reason for This Season Introduction Merry Christmas, dear brothers and sisters in Christ! As we gather to celebrate this joyous occasion, we are reminded of the beauty and significance of the Christmas season. Amidst the lights, the music, the gifts, and the gatherings, it is crucial ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11, John 8:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Army Of God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 10, 2016

The role of the Church is central to the story of Revelation. How does God portray in this book, and what can this mean to us about our part in God's eternal plan?

OPEN: Harry Emerson Fosdick told the tale of a little church on the coast of England that was ruined in a hurricane. The congregation was poor and didn’t have the money to rebuild. Then one day a representative of the British Admiralty came to the preacher and asked if they intended to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 8:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas Eve Candlelight

Contributed by Jamie Bogaard on Dec 28, 2020

Has this been a hard year? Almost all involved in the Christmas story had hardship. This is precisely why Jesus had to come.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Through Adversity Comes a Promise Prelude: Call to Worship: Rejoice, for God is with us — Emmanuel. In the darkness of our world shines God's holy light. Now there is reason to hope, to love, to laugh, to live. God is truly with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to ...read more

Denomination: Friends

Joy In The Journey - A Christmas Sermon

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Dec 31, 2024

As long as we live in this world, our lives are part of a greater journey—a journey of faith, hope, and purpose. When we look closely at the Christmas narrative, we realize that it is also a story of journeys.

Christmas: A Time of Journey When we look closely at the Christmas narrative, we realize that it is also a story of journeys. Every major figure in the story of Christ's birth undertook some form of a journey. The Bible itself is filled with stories of journeys, from beginning to end. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-49

Denomination: Other

At The Last He Will Stand Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 8, 2003

We search for permanence through accomplishments, wealth, legacies; but Job discovered that he needed a Redeemer who would stand in his place and bring him a lasting relationship with God.

Have you discovered that nothing which you call permanent really is permanent? Lots of things are called permanent, many things are described as lasting, but they aren’t. Not really. Not long ago I wanted to mark two plastic containers so that I could be sure they would stay permanently ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:7-27

Denomination: Baptist

God Is Always At Work Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 10, 2004

Part of Experiencing God series: God may not seem to be at work, but He is, according to His own purposes, and using instruments we may not see. Our task is to trust Him and get out of His way!

You’re driving along the road, and you come upon a roadblock. Somebody is holding up a sign which says, "Slow, men at work." What do you see? What do you do? Well, first, I speed up instead of slowing down. Why? Because I have important things to do, I have mv work to do, and I don’t want to slow ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Life Will Cease To Be A Struggle Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 19, 2004

Second in a series on popular illusions; and for Independence Day. Life will not cease to be a struggle if justice is not fully realized, feelings are not fully expressed, and wrong decisions are not fully reversed.

What kind of a retirement party was this? He had worked so long, he had struggled with so many things, and now, here, at the end, it seemed there was still unfinished business. His worries were not behind him, nor were all the issues settled. And why not? Had he no right to expect that now life ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Judgment On Our Hearts

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 17, 2004

For our Remembrance Sunday, when we recall church members deceased during the past year. Memories that are all positive or all positive leave judgment on our hearts. The gospel means that we learn and rejoice from them, but recognize that their lives we

The way in which we remember those who have gone before us can either empower us or it can disempower us. The way in which we grieve for those we have loved and lost can either enable us to greater things, or it can disable us and hold us back. It all depends on what we do with the judgment that ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 28:29-30

Denomination: Baptist

Standing Around Looking Cool Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 26, 2003

When we feel insecure, we back off from situations. But when the Holy Spirit comes, there is passion, there is witness.

Is everybody cool? Is everybody cool? I am not referring to the temperature in the building, but to the climate in your soul! Are you cool? “Cool” is an all-purpose word, used to describe a certain attitude. Instead of defining it, let me illustrate it. I was attending a repast at a family ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

Salvation And Solitude Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jul 11, 2006

To Dance with the Father is to engage in an intimate relationship with the Creator. This series addresses how to relate with God by focusing on the Father instead of on the steps of the dance.

The DANCE Salvation and Solitude March 3, 2013 Video: 40 Million Minutes Wow! The average person will spend less than 6 hours per month, 3 days per year and 7 mo. in their lifetime seeking God. I wonder – does your life blow the curve? How much time do you spend in a week seeking, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 149:3, John 3:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are The Peacemakers Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Feb 23, 2006

Week 7 of an 8 week sermon series on the Beatitudes that focuses on our call to bear His peace.

Be-Attitudes February 19, 2006 Blessed are the Peacemakers Note: We live in a world characterized by fighting and rivalry. From sibling rivalry to civil war, we see is the affects of animosity at every level of society. It is everywhere. Funny: Lady Astor once said to Winston Churchill, “If ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Enough

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 12, 2007

Wealth leads us to illusions wherein we lose sight of God; poverty leads us to spiritual disease. Pray for enough to satisfy real needs and to be able to give for others.

You don’t have to raise your hands on this one. But I do wonder how many of you spent some time this week fantasizing about that Powerball lottery. What would you have done with $250,000,000? What dreams would you have indulged? What unthinkable thoughts did you think? Well, now, I, being a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 30:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

Facing The Consequences Of Mistakes: Thrashing Threshing Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 6, 2007

All have sinned; that holds back from being what we could be. Admit that sin is real; acknowledge responsbility for its consequences; see that always there is a price to be paid for sin, but Jesus paid it all. Montgomery Hills Baptist Church

The longer we live, the more we have to be thankful for. Isn’t that true? The longer we live, the more blessings we receive, and therefore the more we have to be thankful for. If you are thirty years old, you can count your blessings, name them one by one. If you are fifty years old, you can ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 24:10-25

Denomination: Baptist