Sermons on Theology:

But Nails Hurt! Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 24, 2003

Nails were distributed to the congregation, so that they could test: if you wish to endure, you have to endure some pounding. Holes may be punched in you, too. But if you persist, ultimately you will be built up.

If you really want to grow, it’s going to cost you. If you truly expect to be built up, there will be some pain involved. No growth ever takes place without pain. That’s a law of life. That’s not negotiable. No pain, no gain. No hurt, no growth. No rough edges, no building up. If you truly ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Life Is Not Fair Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 29, 2003

Life seems unfair to the disappointed, the cheated, the cynical. It was unfair to compel Simon to carry the cross -- injustice piled on. But God uses injustice to stir His people to action, to help us get beyond mere survival, to give us to one another.

Life is not fair. It just isn’t. The playwright MacLeish has his character “J.B.” scream out something we are all afraid to say, but it might be true: “If God is God, He is not good; if God is good, He is not God.” What an awesome thing to think, let alone speak! “If God is God, He is not ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:21-24

Denomination: Baptist

Swallowed Up Or Spewed Out Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 6, 2003

God disciplines us when we turn aside from His will: either we get swallowed up in addictive behavior, churchianity, busy-ness, and controversy; or God spews us out as ill-equipped, unreceptive, divisive. Confess our distress, admit our limitations, and

What parent does not dread this awful experience? In your care is a small child. You turn your back for just an instant –to answer the phone, to get a drink of water – and when you come back to that child, she is coughing and choking, clutching at her throat. Those curious eyes saw something ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1

Denomination: Baptist

Healthy And Thriving

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Jun 9, 2003

The Scriptures show us examples to emulate and also examples to avoid. Today, we look at an example to avoid in order to be a healthy, thriving church.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: There has been an incredible emphasis in recent years on church health. Many believe that if a local church is healthy and functioning the way it should, natural growth will be the result. The removal of growth-restricting diseases that often plague the body of ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:9-11

A Strange Relationship

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on Jun 11, 2003

Thesis: Our relationship with God should not be weighed by how we relate to the things of God, but how we relate to the person God. So let us stand fast in the relationship that God desires to draw us into.

A Strange Relationship: The Prophet and the Prostitute Scripture Reference: Hosea 1:2 – 7 Thesis: Our relationship with God should not be weighed by how we relate to the things of God, but how we relate to the person God. So let us stand fast in the relationship that God desires to draw us ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 1:2-7, Hosea 3:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Holiness Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 12, 2003

Holiness is the gift of an identity, appearing to be too good to be true, but received by accepting forgiveness.

Today’s message is framed by incidents provided by two church members. I will not be naming the players, but they have given me both the beginning and the ending of this message on holiness. The beginning: a few days ago one of you told me that you came to worship each Sunday so that you could ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Tale Of Seven Churches: Laodicea Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Apr 14, 2003

This is the last in a series of eight sermons looking at the seven churches of Asia

And so he had come to the end of his journey. It seemed like a life time ago that he read the first letter to the church that was situated in the city of Ephesus. Since then he had travelled to five other cities and read to them the words of the risen Christ. Words of commendation and words of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Christmas Collision Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 15, 2003

I don’t know what kind of calamity you’ve experienced but I do know the words “Christmas” and “collision” go together.

The Christmas Collision During the summer of 1977 I was in the front seat of my friend’s car as we were out for a drive, listening to some music at a pretty high volume. My job was to keep the tunes coming and his job was to drive. As I was bending over to search for another 8-track tape (I told ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

When Jesus Is In The House

Contributed by Tiger Newkirt on Apr 17, 2003

When Jesus is in the house, lives can and will be transformed.

Years ago at theaters and plays, when a person got sick, someone would ask the question, is there a doctor in the house? If a doctor was in attendance, he would often treat all those who were sick, but at other times despite his medical expertise, he would lose a few. While his medical skills ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-2

Denomination: Apostolic

What Are You Blind Or Something?

Contributed by David Petticrew on Apr 30, 2003

A look at the implications of Jesus healing of a blind man for him then and for us now.

One day at a busy airport, the passengers on a commercial airliner are seated, waiting for the cockpit crew to show up so they can get under way. The pilot and co-pilot finally appear in the rear of the plane, and begin walking up to the cockpit through the center aisle. Both appear to ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Holiness

Has God Promised Health And Wealth To Christians? Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 18, 2004

Expose’ on Prosperity Doctrine

HAS GOD PROMISED HEALTH AND WEALTH TO CHRISTIANS? Questions People Ask Powerpoint for this and hundreds more free sermons at our website: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html We’ve dealt w/ some difficult subjects the last several messages. Though they’re controversial, they are areas in which ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

Truth Detectors 1.5: The Truth About The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Geoff Baggett on May 18, 2004

This is the fifthmessage in a series on basic Christian doctrine. It provides the foundation for a proper understanding of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. (05-16-04)

*Outlines, fill-in-the-blank sheets, and Microsoft PowerPoint presentations are available. For more information, please contact pastorgeoff@bellsouth.net. Truth Detectors [Episode 1] Message 5 “The Truth About the Holy Spirit” John 16:7-11 Opening Illustration Show Video Clip, “Larry – Doubt and ...read more

Scripture: John 16:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas From Heaven's Eyes

Contributed by Roger Thomas on May 26, 2004

The birth of Christ takes on new significance when we see Christmas through heaven’s eyes.

Christmas Through Heaven’s Eyes John 1:1-5 Did you here the news? Christmas has been canceled . . . in Bethlehem. Because of the violence and fighting between the Palestinians and Israeli forces, officials in the west bank city of Bethlehem just south of Jerusalem have announced that the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Revealed With Christ"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jun 10, 2004

When Christ appears, glory hoped for will be glory realized.

“If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4

Denomination: Orthodox

Who Do You Identify With

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 15, 2004

This is a sermon about persecution and the persecuted church.

“USA! USA! USA!” the chant goes as the United States’ hockey team skates down the ice hoping to score a goal. All Americans wish to see the United States’ hockey team win, even those who don’t like or understand hockey. There is solidarity when our national team is playing. It’s more than a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:3

Denomination: Wesleyan