Sermons on Smooth Things:

Anna, The Prophetess [part 2] Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 8, 2022

As a prophetess, Anna receives insight into things that typically remain hidden to ordinary people; she recognizes this child and tells of his significance to selected people in Jerusalem.

Regarding Anna, Luke provides three terse verses that manage to vividly depict her as a woman deserving the honor bestowed on the elderly in the ancient Mediterranean world (v. 36-38). She could well serve as the Bible's example of a remarkable woman and mother. The appositive prophetess heads ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:36-40

Denomination: Baptist

When Trouble Comes!

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 12, 2022

King David had a lot of problems and so do we. Many times there are things we can do to correct the problems we encounter. For example:

(1) SOME HAVE HEALTH PROBLEMS This is a wonderful age in which we live. We hear of some folks who have vision problems. They go to the doctor for some out-patient surgery, and in a few weeks they have 20-20 vision again. Illus: I heard about an elderly retired gentleman that had severe hearing ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Jan 4, 2023

If Jesus tells us this one thing, we should take heed. And he says His house is a House of prayer. Do we take heed?

Introduction If you are in college and the professor tells you that you need to know this one thing what he or she is saying is that this one thing certainly is going to be on the next test. If your parents tell you to get your chores done before they get home but they emphasis make sure you get ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

Complaints Against A Gracious God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 17, 2023

It is a vain and futile thing to complain against God Who is gracious. A study of the descent of Israel into complaining serves to warn us against charging God with error.

“They sinned still more against [God], rebelling against the Most High in the desert. They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God, saying, 'Can God spread a table in the wilderness? He struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 78:17-31

Denomination: Baptist

Smart Investing Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

Make a deliberate investment decision to spend your time, money, effort and attention on the things that last. And what lasts? Loving God, and loving your neighbor.

Last month I had the fun of deciding how to invest the profit of the sale of my New Jersey house. And it was fun, and I think I’ve made good choices. But my track record is nothing to boast about. When I cashed in a chunk of my IRA for the down payment on that same house, I told my broker that I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Value Of The Cross

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 6, 2022

This is a promise we can stand on. Jesus, who endured all things for us, offers to us His strength by which we can endure.

Introduction Some years ago, a 14-foot bronze crucifix was stolen from Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas. It had stood at the entrance to that cemetery for more than 50 years. The thieves figured that the 900-pound cross probably brought about $450 and so they cut it off at its base and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6-11

Denomination: Brethren

Reasons To Rejoice

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 21, 2022

It is interesting to see how some people can always find things to rejoice about and other people can never find anything to rejoice about.

Illus: It reminds me of the fellow who went to get his driver's license renewed. There were many others there doing the same thing. The line inched along for almost an hour, until the man finally got his license. He inspected his photo and complained to the clerk who took his picture, "I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Funeral Service #2 (This Is A Sermon For A Christian Man Or Woman)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 1, 2022

There are many advantages of living in a small community. One of the things you will notice immediately is how friendly people are, and how much they care for each other.

For example, if you drive through the mountains of North Carolina on some of the old dirt roads where neighbors live five and ten miles apart, you will notice that the people in the yard will stop what they are doing when you drive by, smile, and wave at you. That is so different from people who ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

Water Into Wine

Contributed by Alvan Lewis on Mar 7, 2022

Two Things: What does the Bible teach about Wine? And, more importantly, what doe it teach about our destiny in Jesus Christ?

Water into Wine Jesus’ first miracle: water into wine. Of course, turning water into wine is common, especially here in the Okanagan Valley. The trick is to be able to turn water into wine without grapes, without yeast and without the passage of time. Jesus turned water into wine without grapes, ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

The Devil Is In The Details (March 6, 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 11, 2022

How do we handle temptations? Whom do we rely on? Jesus addressed these things as He is driven by the Spirit into the wilderness. The Devil was in the details.

THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS Text: Luke 4:1- 13 Luke 4:1-13  Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,  (2)  where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Endeavoring To Keep The Unity

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 16, 2022

“The nearest thing to heaven on this earth is a church full of people who love the Lord, and each other.” I believe we all will concur with that statement.

The Psalmist must have also felt this way, because he said in Psalm 133:1, “How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” But if it is true that a church full of people who love the Lord and each other is the nearest thing to heaven on this earth, it must also be true ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Life Of Joseph/ Trials To Triumph

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Oct 27, 2021

Have you ever wondered why some things have happened? the Life of Joseph is a example of God making something good out of something bad.

The life of Joseph/ Trials to Triumph Selected Scripture from Genesis 39-41 We are going to read Genesis chapter 39, 40, 41…just kidding. We are going to look at parts of each of these chapters. Maybe this week you could take as your reading this account of Joseph. We are going to look at the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:6

Denomination: Nazarene

Give Thanks For The Fleas

Contributed by Terry Spriestersbach on Nov 22, 2021

In her book, THE HIDING PLACE, Corrie Ten Boom tells about an incident that taught her to be thankful for things we normally would not consider to be a blessing.

GIVE THANKS FOR THE FLEAS PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7 4 REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS. I WILL SAY IT AGAIN: REJOICE! 5 LET YOUR GENTLENESS BE EVIDENT TO ALL. THE LORD IS NEAR. 6 DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERY SITUATION, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Upholds His End (Joshua 2:1-24) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 6, 2021

Here, we see God fulfilling his promise to be with Joshua. Things "work out" for the spies, when they should've died.

Last week, by the end of chapter 1, we had a pretty good feel for the questions we are supposed to bring to the book of Joshua as we read. Yahweh, Joshua, and Israel are going to work together to conquer the land of Canaan. All three-- Yahweh, Joshua, and Israel-- have pledged their commitment ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-24

Generosity

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jun 24, 2022

This sermon is about the false narratives that surround the idea of "generosity" or "giving" and the things that hinder Christians from having a generous spirit.

I want to start off by saying giving in the Christian life is not so much an external action. Something that we do out of guilt or obligation, but really what we do in response to the love of God and the generosity of God. A generosity that we try to imitate as we seek to be more like Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 1:16, Deuteronomy 8:18, Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

Denomination: Christian Church