Sermons on Shepherd Staff:

Learning The Lessons

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Mar 19, 2007

Simple lessons. 1- Some things are obvious - proceed with speed. 2- Some things are not so obvious - proceed with caution.

INTRO.- ILL.- A little boy came home from his first day at school. His Mother asked him, "Well, what did you learn today?" He said, "Not enough. They want me to come back tomorrow." I always had to go back too. The truth is even once we get out of school we are still engaged in the learning ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:32-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Together With His Wife

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 2, 2007

Consider what Ananias and Sahhpira did, what happened to them and how it applies to us today. 1- Conspiring in evil 2- Lying to God 3- Dying in suddenness

INTRO.- Together with his wife. This is the way it should be. A man and his wife should be together on things, such as going places, going to church, shopping, and buying lottery tickets! ILL.- Fri Jun 29, 2007. Don Harvey and his wife, Joyce, just became millionaires and then some. OKLAHOMA ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

All In The Family

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 2, 2007

In our text, Paul speaks about three different family-type relationships: 1- Husbands and wives 2- Parents and children 3- Masters and servants

INTRO.- It’s all in the family. You remember that old TV show with Archie Bunker and Edith. All in the Family was originally broadcast on the CBS television network from January 1971 to April 1979. In September 1979, the show was retooled under the title, Archie Bunker’s Place. This version of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

More Church Happenings

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 4, 2007

Let’s take a look at some more happenings in the early church. 1- Great persecution 2- Genuine mourning 3- Gritty preaching 4- Glorious joy

INTRO.- ILL.- Three churches got together to sponsor a community-wide revival. The churches were Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian. After the revival had concluded, the three pastors were discussing the results with one another. The Methodist minister said, "The revival worked out great for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Good Conquers Evil

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 4, 2007

In our text, let’s consider the procedure of how good conquered evil. 1- Philip preached - that’s the good 2- Simon boasted - that’s the bad 3- People believed - that’s the good 4- Simon backslid - that’s the bad 5- Peter warned - that’s the good

INTRO.- ILL.- In Florida, an atheist became incensed over the preparation for Easter and Passover holidays and decided to contact the local ACLU about the discrimination inflicted on atheists by the constant celebrations afforded to Christians and Jews with all their holidays while the atheists had ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:4-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus, The Devil And Blasphemy

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 20, 2006

What Jesus did and does in regard to the devil, blasphemy and sin.

INTRO.- This title sounds like a pretty serious subject and it is! Life is serious stuff. Life is both serious and scary. In just a few weeks’ time we’ve had four school shootings in the US. If that isn’t serious I don’t know what is! Oct. 2, 2006: A gunman killed at least five people, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are You Listening?

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 20, 2006

In the parable of the sower Jesus speaks about four different kinds of hearers or listeners.

INTRO.- ILL.- An excited little boy was telling his daddy about something that had happened to him that day. His daddy said, "Slow up, honey, you are talking too fast!" His boy shot back at him, "Oh, no, Daddy, I’m not talking too fast. You’re just listening too slow!" ARE YOU LISTENING? ILL.- ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:18-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Avoiding Hell

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 20, 2006

What it takes to avoid hell.

INTRO.- This is not a popular subject. Never has been. Never will be. But it is necessary. ILL.- On an American troopship, the soldiers crowded around their chaplain asking, “Do you believe in hell?” He said, “I do not.” “Well, then, will you please resign, for if there is no hell, we do not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:47-58, Matthew 13:47-50

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Growth Problems

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 25, 2007

In our text about the early church let’s consider some of the growth problems they faced and how they overcame them. Or some of the things that hindered their growth. 1- Complaining 2- Lack of workers 3- Poor organization

INTRO.- Growth problems. Ever had any? I have. I was born with a heart murmur. Guess I got over it. I’m still here after running many marathons in my forties. I remember standing in the street in Huntsville, AL, (Rocket City) with about 1200 other runners waiting for them to shoot the gun to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Closer Than A Brother

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 25, 2007

In this text, Paul lists some good friends, which could be categorized in this way. 1- Staying friends 2- Praying friends 3- Straying friends

INTRO.- Do you know what is closer than a brother? A good friend. A faithful friend is closer than a brother. Prov. 18:24 “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Do you have a friend who sticks closer than a brother? Or did you ever? ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:7-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Man Of The Hour

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 25, 2007

Let’s take a look at Stephen’s life and how it stacks up against ours. 1- Full of grace 2- Did great wonders 3- Met mean opposition 4- Faced with death

INTRO.- ILL.- One Friday morning, a teacher came up with a novel way to motivate her class. She told them that she would read a quote and the first student to correctly identify who said it would receive the rest of the day off. She started with “This was England’s finest hour.” Little Suzy ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Feeding Five Thousand And Then Some

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 25, 2006

Our text reveals the difference of thinking in the disciples and the Lord.

INTRO.- When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. Crowds of people followed Jesus. That’s not surprising, considering what He did and how He ministered to the people. Have you ever ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Foolishness Of Ingratitude

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 25, 2006

This text in Romans chapter one reveals the sin of ingratitude and just how bad it is in God’s mind.

INTRO.- ILL.- A Sunday School teacher asked her class what they were thankful for. One little boy said, “My glasses.” When asked why he was thankful for his glasses, he said, “Because they keep the boys from fighting me and the girls from kissing me.” This is the season of thanksgiving and we ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Cleaning Process

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Mar 21, 2007

Our text reveals the cleaning process of the soul. 1- Alienation 2- Reconciliation 3- Continuation 4- Glorification

INTRO.- How many of you men do laundry? ILL.- Many years ago when my daughter Holly and her hubby Chris were home on a weekend from Lincoln Christian College they had to do laundry. After Holly did a load of wash she brought them into the room and dropped them in front of her hubby Chris and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:21-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Five Were Wise And Five Were Foolish

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Mar 21, 2007

This parable is about foolishness, wisdom and preparation.

INTRO.- ILL.- A black American Baptist preacher from Richmond was attending a Baptist convention in Mississippi. A Mississippi preacher, reading the Scripture lesson for a morning session, read: “Now the Kingdom of Heaven was likened unto ten Virginians which took their lamps and went forth to meet ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ