Sermons on Mufti Ebrahim Smith:

Teary Eyes, Stumbling Feet, Hands Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 19, 2000

Deepseated shame and objective guilt arise from a self-serving spirit, but the Cross delivers us from both and frees us to live out of gratitude.

Mark it down. Memorize this. Engrave it somewhere. It is an ironclad rule. This will always happen: when it is the least convenient for you to respond, someone will want you to respond. When it is nearly impossible for you to get up and do what someone wants you to do, that is the very moment ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

This Day The Victor's Song

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 19, 2000

The enemies of God's people are entrenched oppression and their own loser's heart, but God is a God of victory, who calls us to participate in His victory.

I like winning. I do not like to lose. If I am going to compete, I want to be the winner. Number two is not good enough. Silver medals are not good enough. Almost is not good enough. I like winning. I do not like to lose. Grantland Rice may be more deeply Christian than I, as he wrote, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Secrets Of A Beautiful Face

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 19, 2000

The beauty of a nation, like that of a human face, is not cosmetic, but comes out of generosity, self-control, sacrificial love, and a vision that accords with God

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth … Beauty. When I was a boy, my parents decided to take a trip to Niagara Falls. They wanted my brother and me to be exposed to one of the world’s great ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 48:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Gatekeeper, Gateopener

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 19, 2000

The pastor has two roles that must not be reduced -- a gatekeeper to guard against useless ideas and hateful attitudes, and a gateopener to let in God's surprises.

Do you think the Lord has a sense of humor? I do. I see a delicious little coincidence that God’s word drops in our laps today. Some of us remember a 70’s TV program, the Mary Tyler Moore show. If you remember that program, you will recall that sweet, nice, loveable Mary lived in an apartment ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Is No Turkey

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 26, 2000

For Christ the King Sunday: This message contrasts the one-time celebrations to which we "invite" the turkey to the full-time, all-seasons lordship of Jesus.

After Thanksgiving dinner, the men in the house retired to the family room to share in that most sacred of spiritual rituals – we worshipped at the shrine of the great god football. And it was not long before someone scored a touchdown and went into a liturgical dance in the end zone: high fives, ...read more

Scripture: John 19:10-22

Denomination: Baptist

"The Best Is Yet To Come"

Contributed by Gary Smith on Jul 27, 2002

Trying times ofetn serve to bring Revival and restoration.

The Best Is Yet To Come TEXT: Ex 15:6-11 (KJV) 6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. 7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:6-11, 1 Timothy 2:8

Denomination: Church Of God

"Unselfish Love"

Contributed by Gary Smith on Jul 27, 2002

Unselfish love drives one to live as Christ would live and to deny the works of the flesh.

Last week I stopped somewhere along in here. Tonight I want to go back for just a few minutes and pick up on the subject of Obedience. We we truly have an unselfish love, we will then be obedient in all things no matter what. No matter what the circumstances, good or bad. No matter the out look ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:3-8

Denomination: Church Of God

We Have, They Need: Formula For Life Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 28, 2002

First of a series based on the Johannine letters: our response to overwhelming need is first of all a discovery of who we are; then a commitment to maximum effort; and finally a discovery of where our passion lies. This will energize us.

I invite you today on an imaginary trip. Let’s walk through just one day in a needy world. Just imagine a few hours in a world that asks us for more than we can possibly give: You are awakened early by the phone’s insistent ringing; you hear the voice of a member of your family. He ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18, 1 John 3:18-24

Denomination: Baptist

Don't You Get Weary, Children Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 5, 2002

There are many thankless tasks we have to perform, of which, to some, church participation may be one. But God teaches us that if we do something out of love, it is not burdensome, and the Cross and Empty Tomb teach us that it is not futile.

There sure are a lot of thankless tasks to be done. There certainly are a great many things that are immensely frustrating, because they just won’t stay done. Do you know what I mean? The kinds of jobs that you do and almost immediately you have to do them again? These are thankless ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5, 1 John 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Arrows In The Hands Of A Warrior

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

Part of raising our children is learning to let them go.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” (Psalm ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:3-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Extravagance Of Love

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

If our love the great enoough, then there will be a willingness to sacrifice the very best we have.

Introduction: Unbelievers have always had a hard time figuring out the lifestyle of Christ’s disciples. When you think about it, you can understand their difficulty. They are guided by a life philosophy that promotes selfishness (the attitude that says, “You’ve gotta look out for ‘Number One’”), ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-9, Mark 14:3-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Called To Be Saints

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

God has called us to be saints and to live lives of holiness.

Introduction: There’s a story about two brothers who had terrorized the small town where they lived for decades. They were unfaithful to their wives, abusive to their children, and dishonest in business. They were loud, boisterous and just plain rude to nearly everyone. One day, out of the clear ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Childlike, But Not Childish

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

We are to get rid of childish traits while maintaining certain other childlike qualities.

Introduction: You probably have heard that tonight is the start of our Vacation Bible School. Everyone has been working hard to get ready, and you can see the results of their work in the halls and in the classrooms. We would like to keep the children out of the classrooms, but if you adults ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dealing With Life's Dilemmas

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

There are sometimes tough choices that we have to make in life.

Introduction: I can appreciate the frustration Charlie Brown has in the Peanuts cartoons. Like the one where Lucy is philosophizing and Charlie is listening. As usual, Lucy has the floor, delivering one of her lectures. She says, "Charlie Brown, life is a lot like a deck chair. Some place it ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When You're At The End Of Your Rope

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

Elijah and the widow teach us what to do when everything is going wrong.

Introduction: The story is told of a man who was walking across the road when he was hit by a car. The impact knocked him on his head which caused him to be in a coma for a couple of days before he finally regained consciousness. When he opened his eyes, his loving wife was there beside his bed ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ