Sermons on Spiritual Complacency:

Just Say No Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 24, 2003

Like Job’s friend Zophar, we eagerly find faults with others, thinking that pointing out their mistakes is all that is needed, and failing to build a relationship first. Contrast with Christ, who "became sin" for us.

We are studying the very human issue of faultfinding during this Lenten season. We are using the story of Job and his friends, if you call them that, as they tried to console him, no, really, instruct him in his misery. Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, three miserable comforters, Job said, because ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Father Of Faith Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jul 27, 2003

The Life of Abraham, Part 8 of 10

THE FATHER OF FAITH (GENESIS 22:1-18) At 3:00 a.m. one cold morning a missionary candidate walked into an office for a scheduled interview with the examiner of a mission board. He waited until 8 a.m. when the examiner arrived. The examiner said, “Let us begin. First, please spell baker.” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Do You Ask? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 29, 2003

Neither conservatives nor liberals are really interested in learning; all want their opinions confirmed. Jesus teaches us how to deal with both by asking questions to test the argumentative spirit, to test honesty, and to get people to listen to their ow

Some folks want their religion to confirm everything they’ve already committed to, but other folks want, or say they want, a religion that will challenge to change. And there isn’t much common ground between these two types. Or is there? Some folks want their religion to confirm everything ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jul 29, 2003

Jesus: Friend of Sinners, Part 2 of 7.

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN (LUKE 7:36-50) I had known for quite a while an elderly man who had two sons. The older son was the valedictorian of his school, a researcher at a Forbes 500 company and a visiting professor at a graduate school. The younger son paled in comparison; he was an average ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It Was A Setup Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 30, 2003

We set ourselves up for failure if we are afraid to risk using all we have been given, if we are shy about our average-ness, and especially if we are ashamed of our poverty. Sermon for Martin Luther King Sunday

On one of our trips to Louisville to see about my mother-in-law, we stayed at a motel right next to a Baptist church. It happened to be a church which had been started as a mission congregation by my home church back when I was a teenager. I told Margaret that I remembered that vacant lot between ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Baptist

Fire Of Glory, Fire Of Drought

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 8, 2003

We have experienced the warm glow of God’s blessings, but the fire of judgment is also at hand, for worship becomes ritual, there is a critical spirit, and pessimism spreads. Diligence and integrity bring vitality in worship.

In all the annals of human history, there is one item which has held out more hope and yet offered more terror than any other. Wherever human beings gathered, in the infancy of our race, there this one item, this one element, both attracted them and repelled them; it drew them close and yet it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Showdown Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Aug 10, 2003

We must have the courage to do battle.

SHOWDOWN I Kings 18:17-40 S: Courage Th: Profiles in Courage Pr: WE MUST HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO BATTLE. ?: Inductive KW: Sections TS: We will find in our study of I Kings 18:17-40 how the battle against evil is ensued. The _____ section of our story is the… I. CONTEST (17-19) II. CONDUCT ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:17-40

Denomination: Baptist

A Church Where Lives Are Transformed By Grace Series

Contributed by Bradford Robinson on Aug 10, 2003

This sermon looks at how we as the church need to be distinct from the world around us. It looks at life before and after salvation, and the need for a change in the life of a confessing beleiver. Includes study guide.

This past week the Episcopalian church elected its first ever openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson. The election has threatened to cause a split amongst the 2.4 million member denomination. When asked by a CNN reporter whether his election would cause a split in the church, Gene Robinson replied, “I ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Communicating The Reasonableness Of Our Faith

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Aug 12, 2003

A plea to the church to get beyond rhetoric and into reason when discussing our faith, since it is a thinking person’s faith.

Communicating the Reasonableness of Our Faith Various Scriptures August 10, 2003 Introduction When I was putting together this message, I had a hard time coming up with a title. I suppose I could have found one that was a little more concise, but I think this one communicates what I hope to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:27, 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Denomination: Wesleyan

It's Time To Fight An Amalekite Series

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Aug 14, 2003

how God calls us to fight battles with Him by our side

August 17, 2003 Exodus 17 8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” 10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:7-16

Denomination: Lutheran

The Day Of The Lord

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Aug 15, 2003

Heathen nations may rejoice for a season, but God’s day is coming.

Obadiah 15-21 The Day of the Lord Introduction Tonight as we finish our study in the book of Obadiah, let’s briefly review what we’ve learned so far. We learned that the book dealt with God’s judgment on the nation of Edom for its sin of pride. Edom is the nation that descended from Esau, the ...read more

Scripture: Obadiah 1:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

Zaacheaus Was A Wee Little Man. Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Aug 25, 2003

A look at the story of Zaacheaus

The crowd surged toward the road, pushing and shoving to get a better look at the man named Jesus. The city was Jericho and it was wall to wall people, each one of them eager to get a look at the young carpenter from Nazareth that everyone was talking about. It was his first time to this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

Fetching For The Potter, Not The Clay

Contributed by Bradford Robinson on Sep 15, 2004

This sermon looks at how we as the clay need to do our potter’s bidding not ours by looking at the potter’s authority over and love for the clay.

A minister in Texas used a very creative visual aid to start his message. He brought on to the stage a beautiful Golden Irish Setter that belonged to his youth minister. The Youth minister loved this dog so much that when the dog had been sick and had to be in the vet kennel overnight, he stayed ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Follow The Leader

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Sep 15, 2004

PENTECOST 15(A) - Follow the Leader by knowing the will of God and by giving your life to God.

FOLLOW THE LEADER Matthew 16:21-26 - September 12, 2004 - Pentecost 15 MATTHEW 16:21-26 21From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-26

Denomination: Lutheran

The Way Of Grace Is Clearly Different

Contributed by Jeffrey Samelson on Sep 17, 2004

Jesus uses two parables about banquets to teach that the truly righteous live by grace, which means humility and love.

September 12, 2004 — 15th Sunday after Pentecost Christ Lutheran Church, Columbia, MD Pastor Jeff Samelson Luke 14:1,7-14 The Way of Grace Is Clearly Different I. In How We Think of Ourselves II. In How We Treat Others III. In How We Are Rewarded Grace and peace be yours in abundance through ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran