Sermons on Shepherd Staff:

Christmas According To Joseph

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Dec 10, 2006

Joseph’s part in the Christmas story exemplifies a new kind of righteousness.

In nativity scenes he stands silently next to the manger in which the baby Jesus is placed. His name is Joseph and some might think that he plays an unimportant role in the Christmas story. In fact, he is not even given a single line to speak! Should we neglect Joseph? Should we skip Joseph’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

That We May Flourish

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 10, 2006

God wants us to flourish. We plead dryness, incompleteness, or sin, but in the tiny infant of Bethlehem strengthening is coming. Hillandale Baptist Church, Adelphi, MD

I am persuaded that we are intended by our Creator to flourish. He created us to blossom and to grow. God wants our lives to be colorful, joyful, full. I am convinced that God does not intend for us to live like miserable little mice, afraid of our own shadows, scurrying for cover every time ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Who Stole Christmas?

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Dec 11, 2006

We need to put our focus on Jesus at this time of year, and to help others do the same; by sharing the Lord with them; by loving them; and by actually leading them to Christ just as someone else led us to Christ.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year. It is a time that we look forward to with joy in our hearts and eagerly anticipate what is about to happen. And, it was meant for us to feel that way. But, in the last few years, something terrible has happened. Somebody has stolen Christmas! Not only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: *other

A Coat Of Many Colors

Contributed by James May on Jun 19, 2005

Joseph’s coat of many colors could have been a symbol of so many things that his father Israel tried to teach him. The different colors in the Bible speak of so many significant things for our lives today as well.

A Coat of Many Colors By Pastor Jim May All of you probably remember the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors. This morning, being Father’s Day, I want to speak to you about that coat and what it could signify to every father in the church today. Genesis 37:1-3, "And Jacob dwelt in the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-3

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Who Cut In On You?

Contributed by Ken Durham on Jun 24, 2005

It was for freedom that Christ has set us free!

WHO CUT IN ON YOU! GALATIONS 5: 1 ~ 13 1. Introduction: Mindset God has given His salvation freely to every one who believes in the atoning sacrifice and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. But the enemy, whom the Amplified Bible aptly describes as the evil genius of this world does his ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-13

I Just "Gotta” Wear Shades! Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Jun 24, 2005

God desires for you to have a future and a hope!

Life gives us plenty of reasons for despair, doesn’t it? When disappointment comes, I sometimes think about a quote: “It doesn’t matter how far you fall, but how high you bounce.” Once, I shared the first part with someone hoping they would finish the last part and end up being encouraged. I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Whispers In The Wind

Contributed by Craig Smee on Feb 19, 2007

What wind fills your sails. The wind of Acts 2 or the winds of Satan

W H I S P E R I N T H E W I N D O V E R S H A D O W M E I N T H E S H E L T E R O F Y O U R W I N G S H O L Y S P I R I T C O V E R M E O V E R S H A D O W M E O V E R S H A D O W I ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-8

Denomination: Christian Church

Motivated By Terror 2

Contributed by Irvin Mizell on Feb 25, 2007

salvation from the word of God

MOTIVATED BY TERROR. Part 2 By Rev. Irvin L. Mizell Two weeks ago we began to look at evangelism… Last week we began to look at the motivation of a great evangelist named Paul… And we found this remark by Paul in 2 Cor. 5:10 2co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Problems Within God's Holy Community

Contributed by David Houchin on Mar 2, 2007

In Ezra’s day there was an issue, a problem, that needed resolution; Ezra dealt with it through confession and a covenant.

HOW WE SHOULD DEAL WITH PROBLEMS WITHIN GOD’S HOLY COMMUNITY (The Church) Ezra chapters 9 & 10 Pastor David E. Houchin Delivered 2/25/07 at Church on the Esplanade Chico, California Last Sunday, as we entered Lent, Pastor Ed exhorted us to learn about three specific spiritual disciplines: Bible ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Parenting Like An Eagle Series

Contributed by Kraig Pullam on Mar 9, 2007

There are some spiritual lessons we can learn about parenting while observing one of God’s creations - The Eagle.

This text—Moses writes it toward the end/conclusion/close of his career as the lead role player in the deliverance of God’s people. The children of Israel have come to approach and advance to the end of their 40 year journey/sojourn/voyage and they are about to enter into the promise land. Moses ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Jacob: Finding Your Way Back Home

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 4, 2007

Why is it that makes it difficult to find our way back home? Because: 1. The rebellion of the human heart. 2. We don’t know the way. 3. We have to decide what is important.

CNN’s website featured an article about Frank Warren, editor of the book The Secret Lives of Men and Women: A PostSecret Book. After a troubling period in his own life, he handed out 3000 self-addressed stamped postcards to people on the street, asking them to anonymously mail him their secrets. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 35:1-15, Ephesians 4:32

Denomination: Methodist

The Drama Of Christma

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 6, 2007

Matthew presents what Fred Craddock calls "the hard side of Christmas." But in a world that is getting increasing smaller and tremendously more urban, its message may be more relevant to us than the others for Matthew has a Christmas message for the city.

The Drama of Christmas Matthew 1-2 In our day there is a cultural and social battle over the meaning of Christmas. The battle has extended from the schoolyard to the courtyard. However, the battle over Christmas has not only impacted schools and public places. The struggle over the meaning of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Live Victoriously! Series

Contributed by Danny Rogers on Feb 6, 2007

The message of the cross is this: Satan has been defeated and sin’s penalty has been paid, you have been redeemed.

Intro: On July 3l, 1838 on the Island of Jamaica, a man named William Knibbs, gathered 10,000 slaves for a great praise gathering. They were celebrating the New Emancipation Proclamation Act that would abolish slavery on the island. They had built an immense coffin and into it were placed whips, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

Growing Godly Children In Today's World

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Feb 9, 2007

This textual sermon is to encourage parents in the difficult tasks of raising their children in today’s world.

Proverbs 22:6 Growing Godly Children in Today’s World Often I have found that children say the honest things we won’t say. They mirror our thoughts by putting them into words. Let’s listen to a few that kids have expressed. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHOM TO MARRY? (Written by kids) You got to find ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6, Psalm 22:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Mephibosheth And Me

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 20, 2006

The story of Mephibosheth is a perfect illustration of the Gospel. I used this sermon on a "Friend Day" when we expected many visitors.

Introduction: A. Today I want to tell the story of a man named Mephibosheth. 1. Now there’s a name for you! Anyone want to use that name for their son? 2. It’s so hard to pronounce that I thought about giving him a nickname for today. 3. I thought about just calling him “M.” 4. Then I thought ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ