Sermons on Nelson Mandela:

The Story Of Daniel - A Hero In A Pagan Culture Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Aug 6, 2001

The Bible is quite literally an anthology of hero stories. The writer chooses the most crucial events in the hero’s life and builds his story on those key moments. Let’s look at The Story of Daniel - A Hero in a Pagan Culture.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: Creating and choosing heroes are one of the most significant things that cultures do. We see this everyday in one way or another. Watch ESPN Sports Center, and you can see an entire evening of basketball games reduced to a couple of minutes by Kenny Mayne and Dan ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:21

The Story Of Esther - A Heroine In Personal Crisis Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Aug 6, 2001

The book of Esther is the biblical answer to Walt Disney’s story of Cinderella. An orphan girl from an enslaved nation ends up marrying the king. It’s short story at its finest.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: One of Megan’s favorite stories is Cinderella. She was the abused, ophaned house slave with no hope of a future or ever attending the royal ball much less luring the handsome prince into marrying her. Her fairy god-mother magically helps her to not only attend the ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:12-16

The Story Of Jonah - A Tragic Hero With A Fatal Flaw Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Aug 6, 2001

The story of Jonah is a satiric masterpiece. The book of Jonah is unique in that it humorously recounts the adventures of a prophet who struggled against his divine commission. This really is a handbook on how not to be a prophet.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: In his book, True Heroism in a World of Celebrity Counterfeits, Dick Keyes writes that a celebrity is "one who is famous and well publicized," well known "apart from how they became known. Celebrity itself is indifferent to moral character," he adds. One can be ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:3

The Story Of Ruth - A Heroine In Search Of A Home Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Aug 6, 2001

The major motif to watch for as you work your way through this story is a movement from emptiness, famine, and death to fullness, plenty, and life.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: As you walk down the red carpet, a frenzied mob swarms around you, demanding your autograph. The reporters are snapping your picture, nearly blinding you. Every ten feet, a television crew stops you for an interview. Have you just become the hottest newest star? ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:6-22

The Story Of A Whisper

Contributed by Troy Nelson on Aug 6, 2001

An encouragement to the church that God doesn’t always work through just the loud and the showy.

The Story of A Whisper I Kings 19:9-18 As he sits at the foot of this “desert” mountain, he hugs his knees to his chest. Looking at Elijah, you may think he has fallen asleep, or even worse, maybe even died. But don’t worry, he’s not. It’s just that the desert winds have this habit of turning ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 19:9-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Excellence In Influence Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Sep 7, 2003

Jesus taught us that a believer should be like salt (Matthew 5:13). We should act, as agents of influence in society, not isolate ourselves from it. Paul moves beyond the analogy to provide some practical ways that Christians can be salt. Paul tells us ho

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: I began a series last week called “Leadership and Service Excellence.” It was the introductory message that will serve as the “setup” for many messages to come regarding God-glorifying excellence. We’re not about perfectionism. Neither are we about a snooty ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Excellence In Integrity, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Sep 15, 2003

The subjects of ethics and integrity have become unpopular subjects in modern times. Integrity is a dying quality and people don’t like to talk about it.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: The subjects of ethics and integrity have become unpopular subjects in modern times. Integrity is a dying quality and people don’t like to talk about it. This fact was indicated a few years ago when Chuck Colson lectured on the subject of ethics at a military base in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7

Excellence In Integrity, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Sep 21, 2003

Peter Deison has noted THREE MAJOR EVENTS in the life of David. It’s my contention that these THREE MAJOR EVENTS demonstrate for us what integrity is. We will take these in reverse chronological order and we’ll deal with the first of three events today.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: I have been talking to you about Leadership and Service Excellence. After introducing the theme of Excellence, our first sermon was on Excellence in Influence. Last week, we began talking about Excellence in Integrity. Today, I want to continue to talk to you about ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-7

Excellence In Evangelism Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Oct 14, 2003

Three books have meant so much to me when it comes to the topic of evangelism and how I can best do this. One is by Joseph Aldrich, “Life-Style Evangelism.” He talks about crossing traditional boundaries to reach an unbelieving world. Another book is by R

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: After about 10 total years in ministry, I have learned that my spiritual gift-mix seems to include skills in teaching, training, equipping, encouraging, discipling, and leadership development among those who are already in the faith. However, I have found that being ...read more

Scripture: John 20:30-31

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

Excellence In Integrity, Part 4 Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Oct 14, 2003

Psalm 78 is a Historical Psalm that summarizes Israel’s history in a poetic way. The Psalm does have some sad elements in it, but it concludes somewhat abruptly on a positive note with their national hero, King David, from Judah, the founder of the dynast

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: Psalm 78 is a Historical Psalm that summarizes Israel’s history in a poetic way. The Psalm does have some sad elements in it, but it concludes somewhat abruptly on a positive note with their national hero, King David, from Judah, the founder of the dynasty that would ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-54

Excellence In Family Living Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Oct 19, 2003

A home is more than a house or the rooms where one lives; that’s merely space. A home is family, it’s security, it’s provision, and it’s love in the relationships that are found there; it is more than space – it is a place where life is fleshed out in al

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: A minister was finishing up a series on marriage. At the end of the service he was giving out small wooden crosses to each married couple. He said, "Place this cross in the room in which you fight the most and you will be reminded of God’s commands and you won’t ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:18-21

Excellence In Leadership And Service In Family Living, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Nov 11, 2003

: A home is more than a house or the place where one lives; that’s merely space. A home is family, it’s security, it’s provision, and it’s love in the relationships that are found there; it is more than space – it is a place where life is fleshed out in

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: A home is more than a house or the place where one lives; that’s merely space. A home is family, it’s security, it’s provision, and it’s love in the relationships that are found there; it is more than space – it is a place where life is fleshed out in all of its ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:18-21

Striving For Church Health - Healthy Senior Men Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Jun 24, 2002

A healthy church is one that grows warmer in fellowship, deeper through discipleship, broader through ministry, and larger through evangelism.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: I made a decision several years ago about the kind of church that I wanted to pastor. I did not ask for a small church. I did not ask for a large church. I asked God for a healthy church. A healthy church is one that grows warmer in fellowship, deeper through ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-2

Happy Birthday America – Remember The Landmarks!

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Jul 5, 2002

Wise King Solomon composed many short, wise sayings called “proverbs” to help the reader know how to best get along in life. He shares one of these proverbs in Proverbs 22:28 that I think is appropriate that we look at on this “Happy Birthday America!” ce

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: I am deeply grateful to be a citizen of the United States. I consider my United States Citizenship to be one of my most prized possessions. It is a privilege to be an American. I love the 4th of July. The corn is usually “knee-high.” The watermelons are juicy. The ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:28