Sermons on Somebody:

Jesus Partying Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 24, 2002

We have taken our cues about how to have fun from the wrong places. When Jesus parties, he includes rather than excludes the misfits; he goes not to participate nor to criticize, but to listen and redeem; and when you party with Jesus, you have joy and z

Suppose you gave a party and Jesus showed up! What would that do to your party? He wasn’t on the invitation list, He didn’t RSVP, but here He comes, making a beeline straight at you, with arms outstretched in greeting, and about twelve of his best buds looking eagerly at the buffet table. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-38

Denomination: Baptist

We Have, They Need: Formula For Life Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 28, 2002

First of a series based on the Johannine letters: our response to overwhelming need is first of all a discovery of who we are; then a commitment to maximum effort; and finally a discovery of where our passion lies. This will energize us.

I invite you today on an imaginary trip. Let’s walk through just one day in a needy world. Just imagine a few hours in a world that asks us for more than we can possibly give: You are awakened early by the phone’s insistent ringing; you hear the voice of a member of your family. He ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18, 1 John 3:18-24

Denomination: Baptist

Beware

Contributed by Terry Vaughan on Dec 20, 2001

Beware of covetousness, worry, carelessness and spiritual dullness

WESTSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH PASTOR: TERRY VAUGHAN SERMON TITLE: BEWARE “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8

Denomination: Baptist

Another Day, Another Millennium

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 4, 2003

If the Lord were to ask what we have done with the last millennium, we would have to report that we never learned peace instead of war or love instead of hate. Our agenda for the new millennium needs to be justice, peace, and mission.

Here it comes again, the end of another year! How soon it gets here after Christmas! Isn’t it astonishing? Don’t you wish they could throw in another week or two before the end of the year? We need to get over the rush of Christmas before we have to face the year’s end? I know the Post Office ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:1-12, 1 Peter 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Dead Man Walking

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 26, 2003

There is a kind of death in family life today. Jesus offers unconditional compassion, used His authority to give life, and gives us as gifts to one another.

One sweltering afternoon, on the dirty streets of a dangerous section of New Orleans, a man approached a woman with some papers in his hand. He asked Helen if she would agree to write letters to a man on death row at Angola prison. Helen agreed, rather absent-mindedly. She was used to people ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

Two "Weddings" And A "Funeral" Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 17, 2002

In the characters of III John, Gaius, Demetrius, and Diotrephes, we learn how to bond and we discover what kills relationships. Designed for "punctuation" by organ music between the sections.

We really need to connect. We are made for fellowship, and if we do not connect with one another, we will dry up and die. We need to connect with God; and we need to connect with one another. When I was the Baptist chaplain at Howard University, it seemed that my students only knew two ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Free To Be Slaves

Contributed by Stephen Fournier on Aug 28, 2002

Titus 1:1

FREE TO BE SLAVES TITUS 1:1 A couple had two little boys, ages 8 and 10, were excessively mischievous. The two were always getting into trouble and their parents could be assured that if any mischief occurred in their town their two young sons were in some way involved. The parents were at ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1

Denomination: Bible Church

Marks Of A Mature Person Series

Contributed by Jim Mooney on Nov 1, 2000

Overview of the book of James, describing the marks of a mature Christian.

THE MARKS OF A MATURE PERSON Growing Up Rather Than Giving Up - Part 1 of 15 Overview of James Without a doubt, probably the number one cause of problems in the world is immaturity. We get ourselves into all kinds of problems by saying immature things, making immature decisions, acting in ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Take Out Some Giants

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jul 1, 2001

This sermon deals with the need to face our problems and take them out in the same way David faced Goliath and took him out.

Take Out Some Giants in 94 2/9/94 1 Sam 17:1-30 Ephe 6:10-18 1 Samuel 17:1-50 In our Old Testament reading, we met a young ordinary fellow who had a giant of a problem standing between him, and what God intended for him to come. Up to this point, he was just a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-50

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Choosing To Follow Christ In Humility

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jul 6, 2001

This sermon is an exposition of Philipians 2:1-4 and touches on encouragement, humility, fellowship, and love.

Choosing To Follow Christ In Humility Philippians 2:1-4 1993 We are going to continue going through the book of Philippi ans this morning. The apostle Paul is in prison and one of the burdens upon his heart was the unity of the church. He appeals to them ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I'm Not Perfect, But ... Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 21, 2003

We justify not being mature by claiming that we are just like everyone else, or that we are at least working on that goal. But our example is Jesus, who gathers up our incompleteness into Himself and shows us the way to mature.

When I first announced the title of this message, “I’m Not Perfect”, somebody was sharp enough to reply, “Yes, we’ve noticed, we’ve noticed.” Well, thanks a heap! Don’t you know by now that when I say something self-deprecating, you are supposed to shower me with compliments and bathe me in ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-10, Hebrews 2:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Dissatisfaction Or Fulfillment? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 2, 2003

Like Judas, despite all we have, we feel dissatisfied. Dissatisfaction comes from too small a vision of where our lives must go or depending on others to give us meaning. A relationship with Jesus gives us redemption and release.

Willy Loman is the central character in Arthur Miller’s play, “Death of a Salesman”. Willy had known only one thing all his life, and that was selling. Selling, pitching, cajoling, persuading, making the sale. That was it. His wife played second fiddle to selling. His children tried to please, ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Worship: How? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 4, 2003

Worship is done in many ways. But it must always have freshness and not mere form; it must be in community and not merely individual; it must have joy and not mere instruction at the bottom line; and it must spill into the streets, not confined to the sa

In your mind’s eye, take a tour with me. In your imagination, let’s go into some very special rooms. First, we go to a spacious room, dark, slightly musty, with nooks and crannies in which you could hide if you wanted to. And, indeed, in this room, there are a number of people who appear to be ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 149:1-9, 2 Chronicles 15:12

Denomination: Baptist

Available For Liberation Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 5, 2003

When God called Moses to the task of liberating a people, Moses felt self-doubt, uncertainty about God, and unreadiness. Actually these are positive values that will lead us as American Christians to take our place in the world.

How do you feel about eager volunteers? What’s your reaction to the kind of person who is always ready to step up to the plate and take a swing at some issue? How do you really feel about those who quickly volunteer when something needs to be done? Maybe you remember what it was like to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-14, Exodus 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Get Out Of The Boat

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jul 10, 2003

A look at Peter’s walk on the water

The entire world just disappeared. One minute it was there and the next minute, there it was gone. Well not really but it seemed like everything else had ceased to exist, and all there was left was Peter, the sea and Christ. It had started off as another boat trip across the Sea of Galilee for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-39

Denomination: Wesleyan