Sermons on Smooth Things:

The Blessings Of Hardships

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Aug 26, 2019

Jesus said he came to, "send fire on the earth." This sermon takes a unique approach on this idea and uses the fire metaphor as a purging of the things inside us that hinder us from becoming who we can be through God.

The Blessing of Hardships Since this Gospel reading is intense, I thought I’d begin by admitting something kind of funny about it. When I read it this week, I pictured Jesus at a Charlie Daniels concert singing, “Fire on the mountain run boys run.” It also made me wonder, “… how am I supposed ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Episcopal

Frienenemies Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 9, 2013

Betrayal is one of the hardest things we have to deal with, especially if it is a friend or brother or sister. David experienced much betrayal in his life and in these Psalms we learn how to effectively deal with friends who become enemies.

Psalm 53 was probably adapted from Psalm 14 after Israel experienced a tremendous military victory over a godless people. It acknowledges that there are some people who reject God so thoroughly that they live as if they will never have to give an answer for their behavior. In the Scriptures, that ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Balaam And His Unforgettable Ride! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 5, 2025

While on his way to Balak, king of Moab, Balaam experienced two things that he probably never forgot! He heard a message from the Angel of the LORD--and from another, unexpected source!

(Based on a message preached Sunday evening, March 2, 2025 at New Hope Baptist Church near Fulton, MO; this is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: The story of Balaam and his donkey (I choose to use the word “donkey” or “beast” simply to avoid being accused of using vulgar terms) is one of ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:22-35

Denomination: Baptist

It' Not About Us

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 22, 2020

We love our church traditions and are proud of the good things we do. But our calling is to honor Jesus above ourselves and change any tradition to better point people to Jesus, like John the Baptist.

One of the fun parts of the Christmas season is getting letters from old friends and learning how their kids are turning out. Erik, whom I confirmed years ago, is in the Air Force now. Annie is a commercial artist. Allen, who used to get bullied, is a police officer now. Tim is married, with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-17

The Eternal Word

Contributed by Derrick Thompson, Sr. on Dec 26, 2004

The Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, who was there at the beginning of things; who was God; and who was with God became flesh and dwelt with man

Sunday Morning, November 28th, 2004 Let us Pray Welcome........ I want to thank everyone who came out to our Thanks-giving Service last Thursday, and we did have a wonderful time giving thanks to God............. Thanks to Sister Barbara Johnson for standing in the gap, for our speakers who ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-3

Denomination: Church Of God

Jesus - Relevant For All Generations

Contributed by Michael Tkachuk on Jan 20, 2005

In Jesus’ Beatitude on the plain, He appeases his followers with a promise of better things to come despite their current dismal condition.

JESUS - RELEVANT FOR ALL GENERATIONS This past Sunday we were presented with the Gospel of the Publican and the Pharisee. This was the first of four Sundays that leads us to the doorstep of the Great Lent. This entire week is a fast free week. We are permitted to eat meat on Wednesday and Friday ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-23

Denomination: Catholic

Games Played At The Foot Of The Cross

Contributed by Doug Blackmon on Feb 27, 2002

The soilders played games at the foot of the cross and we are so quick to judge them but do not we do the same thing?

A song from an Easter musical which spoke to the truth: "Playing Games at the foot of the Cross" The soilders played a game of chance-we are so quick to judge them-but do not we do the same thing? The Israelites ate, drank and rose up to play- I Corinthians calls it "idolatry" Do church folks ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-37, 1 Corinthians 10:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Standing On New Ground

Contributed by Lynn Floyd on Mar 24, 2002

When you find yourself standing on new ground (change/transition) here are some things you need to remember.

Standing On New Ground (This sermon was preached the day before we constituted as a new church) Intro: Show a clip from the Wizard of OZ where Dorothy and Todo are whisked away by the tornado. Stop the clip after she says, "We’re not in Kansas anymore." Transition: Sometimes we find ourselves ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 8:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

Service

Contributed by Kevin Keeling on Mar 20, 2004

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:38-42 38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

Prosperity Of The Unrighteous

Contributed by Andy Almendarez on Mar 22, 2004

If a man has all the material things of this world and does not have spiritual life what does he really have?

Andy Almendarez Prosperity of the Unrighteous Jeremiah 12:1-3 Thesis: If a man has all the material things of this world and does not have spiritual life what does he really have? I. Jeremiah asks a very real question. (1-2) A. Why are the wicked so prosperous? B. Why does God allow people ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:1-3

Denomination: Holiness

By Grace Comes Joy Series

Contributed by Stephen Todd on Apr 1, 2004

Paul refuses to allow anything to be added to the gospel because such things steal the joy that comes from salvation by grace alone.

Philippians 3:1-3 Sunday, May 26, 2002 One of the greatest truths from the Word of God is the truth that salvation is by grace through faith completely apart from any of our works. Yet there is something perverse within us that even when we know that truth we desire that there be a set of rules ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-3, Romans 3:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

Something To Shout About

Contributed by Ethan Muse on May 8, 2004

People will shout over many different things, but here is a surprising subject of something Jesus told us to shout about.

Something To Shout About Pastor Ethan J. Muse My subject this morning is Something To Shout About, and I really hope that by the time you leave, you will see that it really is. As a young man at Andrews University, I hung out with other guys my age. And, if you know much about single men in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:2-4, Psalm 150:1-6, John 3:16

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Same Confession

Contributed by Naveen Balakrishnan on May 24, 2004

Paul outlines for us, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the things that we as Christians believe concerning the LORD Jesus Christ.

“THE SAME CONFESSION” 1 Timothy 3:16 1. The Mystery of Godliness beyond human APPREHENSION. (v. 16a) And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness Ephesians 1:9; 3:4-6; 5:32; 6:19; Colossians 2:2; 1 Timothy 3:9; Titus 2:13; Acts 3:12; Deuteronomy 29:29 2. He was APPARENT in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

You Never Know Who Your Friends Really Are Series

Contributed by Henry Lee Clay on Apr 22, 2005

People will often make claims that are not true to impress you and oftentimes they will betray what their mouths have declared by the things that they do.

Matt. 21:1-11 & Matt. 27:15-18, 20-23 “You Never Know Who Your Friends Really Are” H Lee Clay In our text Jesus goes to “Bethphage” (The house of the unripe fig). It was a village on the Mount of Olives on the road from Jerusalem. He comes to a place that is full of un-ripened people. He seeks to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Chasing Dead Dogs & Fleas

Contributed by Bruce Howell on May 27, 2005

So many chase after the unimportant and insignificant things of life. The Bible calls us to prioritize in favor of eternal values.

Chasing Dead Dogs! ALL TRULY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE IN LIFE HAVE BEEN THOSE WHO PRIORITIZED. Furthermore, they had their priorities in order. A businessman, referring to a friend who was devoting most of his time and energy in pursuit of an insignificant matter, said, “He reminds me of a bulldog ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-22

Denomination: Wesleyan