Sermons on There For Joseph:

Distant Country, Better Country

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 1, 2001

Funeral message for Michael Keys, age 36, whose parents requested a message from the parable of the Prodigal Son

In my study there hangs a reproduction of a sixteenth century map. My son gave it to me several years ago. He knows that I have always liked maps. I like to look at maps, study maps, even sketch maps myself. There is something fulfilling about seeing how things are laid out, how streets and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24, Hebrews 11:16

Denomination: Baptist

Brought Down

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 3, 2001

A brief message intended to serve as a transition from a choral concert of Advent music, featuring our children and youth choirs, to the Communion table.

“He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly.” Children bring things down. All sorts of things. Around our place we are learning that a ten-month-old can move very quickly and has a vice-like grasp. Things will come down if they are not moved beyond reach. But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:57-62

Denomination: Baptist

In Terror, Peace

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 23, 2001

Our times of terror are like those into which Jesus was born. Then and now we try to carve out peace with government, wealth, ingenuity. But Jesus is the source of peace because His life was given to service, His dependence on things was nil, and He ope

And on earth, peace. What an ancient longing! What a long-standing frustration! On earth, peace. I don’t know what language angels sing in, and I suppose the shepherds would have known only Aramaic, but we have grown accustomed to choirs singing the angelic words in Latin: “Gloria in excelsis ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Looking Forward

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 23, 2001

Funeral sermon for Edward D. Mitchell -- accountant, musician, deacon; age 85

That classic spiritual writer John Bunyan ends his Pilgrim’s Progress with a triumphant note, saying that after Pilgrim had traveled many miles and fought off many adversaries, when he got to the other side, the angels came out to welcome him. John Bunyan knew that if your lifestyle is that of a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

Three Plus One Equals Infinity Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 14, 2002

Dramatic monologue, done as if I were Daniel, reporting on his three friends in the fiery furnace. Focus on spiritual identity in a power-hungry world.

(Singing) “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, His grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flame shall not hurt thee, He only designs thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.” Whew! Does it seem hot in here to you? Does it feel as though the very fires of hell are about ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

An Officer Who Cared

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 14, 2002

Message for the funeral of Carroll A. Reed, Major, U. S. Army, Ret.; combat veteran of WW II, Korea, and Vietnam; deacon

This past summer I did a series of sermons based on Romans, chapter 12, and Paul’s admonition that we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices to God. I built the sermons around various parts of the body, and suggested how we might present our eyes, our ears, our hands, our mouths, and our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Amanda: Loving Because She Was Loved

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 18, 2002

Funeral sermon for Mrs. Amanda Foye Jackson, who had suffered through two massive strokes and the loss of her son.

In Biblical times, a person’s name revealed something about who he was or what she was intended to be. In the creation story, there is Adam, meaning earth, and Eve, meaning mother. Their names told you who they were and what they were intended to be. Abraham, father of nations; Isaac, laughter; ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-19

Denomination: Baptist

The World Demands A Life-Giving Vision Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 20, 2002

Sermon delivered in support of our theme for 2002, and on the occasion of our annual meeting. A vision brings death if it is not communicated; it is discerned in prayer; and it always calls for repentance for the incompleteness of our obedience.

Two things you learn, if you are at all observant about churches. First, that church people do not agree on their vision of what the church should be about; and, second, that the world knows what the church ought to be about better than church people know. We who gather week by week as the church ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:1-45

Denomination: Baptist

Keep Hold

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 21, 2002

Funeral sermon for Helen Hastings, long-time church financial secretary

In a throwaway world, it is good to have known someone whose life reminds us that there are some things worth keeping. In a society where last year’s fashions are pitched out and yesterday’s values are passé, it is important to have known someone who understood how to keep hold of the right ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Psalm That The Devil Can Quote

Contributed by Joseph Wallis on Jan 22, 2002

Sermon on Psalm 91 emphasizing the blessings of dwelling is the secret place of the Almighty

THE PSALM THAT THE DEVIL CAN QUOTE TEXT - Psalm 91 INTRO. - Surveys have proved this is one of the favorite Psalms of the people of God. It was found to be one of the 50 favorite passages of many Christians. It is the Psalm that carried many of the missionaries in China through the turmoil of the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Heaven

Contributed by Joseph Wallis on Jan 22, 2002

Sermon on heaven

HEAVEN TEXT - Revelation 21 - 22 INTRO. - Let us look for a few moments this hour at two of the more favorite chapters of the entire Bible. These two chapters have been blessed of God to lift up the discouraged, to comfort the bereaved, to resist temptation, to strengthen the dying, and to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How Will It All Turn Out

Contributed by Joseph Wallis on Jan 22, 2002

Sermon on heaven and how it will be in the days preceeding the Return of Christ

DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE TITLE - How Will It All Turn Out TEXT - Rev. 22 (whole chapter) INTRO. - This is the last chapter and last message of the Bible. I want us to look at what we find when we come to the end of the Bible and the end of the "Bible Age". How will it all turn out? I. THERE IS STILL ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Jude -- The Forgotten Book Of The Bible

Contributed by Joseph Wallis on Jan 22, 2002

Sermon on the message of the Book of Jude

DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE TITLE - How Will It All Turn Out TEXT - Rev. 22 (whole chapter) INTRO. - This is the last chapter and last message of the Bible. I want us to look at what we find when we come to the end of the Bible and the end of the "Bible Age". How will it all turn out? I. THERE IS STILL ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Men Of God Before The Flood

Contributed by Joseph Wallis on Jan 22, 2002

A message on the men of god found mentioned in Genesis 5.

THE MEN OF GOD BEFORE THE FLOOD TEXT - Gen. 5: 1 - 8, 19 - 32 INTRO. - God has had his men in every age. God will not leave this world without a witness to himself. Here in Gen. 5 we see the history of those who loved God from Adam to the flood. The flood came when the godly line of Seth found ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 5:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Sermon That Paul Never Finished

Contributed by Joseph Wallis on Jan 22, 2002

A sermon on Felix from the Book of Acts

THE SERMON THAT PAUL NEVER FINISHED TEXT - Acts 24:24-27 INTRO. - Shortly before Jesus died on the Cross he told his disciples in John 16:7-11 that he was going to send them another Comforter -- the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit came, he would do three things. He was going to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:24-27

Denomination: Baptist