Sermons on Under Shepherd:

Cutting Through The Legalese Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 17, 2003

We look for loopholes in what God has called us to do, but the Bible calls us to a proactive lifestyle, it makes us face who we really are, and it calls us to accountability.

Some of us love to take the simple and make it complex. Some of us thrive on taking perfectly obvious matters and making them as obscure as possible. My neighbor’s car has on it a bumper sticker that says, “Eschew obfuscation”. After about a half-hour with the dictionary, I found out that means, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Distractions Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

Do you have any unfinished projects lying around collecting dust? It’s so easy to get sidetracked isn’t it? It takes tenacity to finish what we start because there are always so many competing distractions.

Dealing with Distractions Do you have any unfinished projects lying around collecting dust? It’s so easy to get sidetracked isn’t it? It takes tenacity to finish what we start because there are always so many competing distractions. One thing that clearly emerges from our study in the Book of ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-19, Leviticus 6:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Taking Time To Give Thanks Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

In Nehemiah 11, we come across a situation where the people are faced with a national referendum. They didn’t believe in “luck” or “chance.” They actually were so committed to the sovereignty of God that they knew God would direct the outcome of the lot

Taking Time to Give Thanks You made a good decision this morning to come to church because I have some inside information about the recent presidential election that you will not hear on CNN. With all the intrigue and controversy surrounding the final tally, coupled with the waiting that we’ve had ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Choosing Sides Part 2

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on May 26, 2003

Christ’s soldiers should acknowledge three things about themselves.

2 Timothy 2:3-4 Choosing Sides Part 2 IINTRODUCTION Last week we saw how all of us are engaged in a war that is much bigger than we are. It’s been going on for ages, and whether we like it or not we’ve all become a part of it. At stake is our freedom and the freedom of all of mankind. Satan is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7, 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Pain Of The Cross

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on May 29, 2003

Four aspects of Jesus’ pain on the cross.

Matthew 26:36-38 The Pain of the Cross INTRODUCTION In his book titled, Systematic Theology, writer Wayne Grudem outlines four aspects of Jesus’ pain on the cross that I would like to share with you today. I want us to turn our hearts and thoughts to the sacrifice that Jesus made for each of us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-38, 1 Corinthians 11:23-36

Denomination: Baptist

Experiencing Joy

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on May 29, 2003

Jesus explains how to have real joy.

John 15:1-11 Experiencing Joy INTRODUCTION On the night He was betrayed and arrested, Jesus went over His coming arrest one last time with the disciples. He had been teaching them and leading them to this point throughout His ministry, but they had failed to get the point. So now, before it ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For Patience Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 30, 2003

Since patience means “slow to get angry,” we’ll focus on some of those things that cause us to burn with anger so that we can learn the discipline of waiting

Preparing for Patience Rev. Brian Bill July 1, 2001 A truck driver sat down to eat at an all-night restaurant. The waitress had just served him his meal when three guys riding Harley’s showed up and swaggered into the diner. One grabbed the man’s hamburger; another took a fistful of his French ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:11

Denomination: Baptist

Let's You And Him Fight Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 2, 2003

Attempting to sow conflict works on the basis of insecurity and the need to compete. But God in Christ is about reconciliation, forgiveness, acceptance.

No doubt we love our children and think they’re wonderful. But if you ever need proof of the perversity of human nature, just watch the children. If you ever doubt the Biblical idea that all sin and come short of the glory of God, just stop at the playground and watch a while. Children fight. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-31

Denomination: Baptist

Sending Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 11, 2003

For Reformation Sunday: Luther’s reform taught us that the church has an apostolic gift, whereby each of us -- the priesthood of all believers -- can break new ground for the Kingdom. Sometimes, however, we send back the gift!

Have you ever had the experience of sending a gift, only to have it returned? What does it feel like? Somebody’s birthday is coming up – and you’ve found just the perfect gift. You wrap it up, you package it securely, and you trot off to the post office. She’s going to love this! Three days ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Deliverance From Difficulties

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 11, 2003

Too many people fail to realize that in order to prevail over life’s difficulties it is necessary to first cry out to God for help and praise Him while we wait for His deliverance.

Deliverance From Difficulties (Psalm 86:1-17) David’s Model Prayer = Petition, Praise and Prevail Too many people fail to realize that in order to prevail over life’s difficulties it is necessary to first cry out to God for help and praise Him while we wait for His deliverance. We can praise ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of Proxiimty Series

Contributed by Peter Langerman on Jun 19, 2003

Get Closer, Whisper Softer

Gen 22:1-14 There are at least two ways to make something bigger to the eye. You can magnify it with a magnifying glass, microscope, or telescope; or you can move closer to it. Magnification makes an object appear larger to the eye, but there is only one way to get a sense of an object’s true ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A God Honoring Ministry

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Aug 23, 2003

Characteristics of a ministry that honors God

1 Thessalonians 2:6-20 A God Honoring Ministry Introduction During our time in 1 Thessalonians over the past few Sunday evening messages, we have been considering the marks of a truly remarkable church and how its ministries can be God honoring as they are carried out. It is my hope and prayer ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:6-20

Denomination: Baptist

What If "The Woman At Well” Shows Up At Church Today?

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Aug 26, 2003

Do we want to be as evangelistic as Jesus, then we need to learn what it means to love and accept and give the good news to "the woman at the well."

What if “the woman at well” shows up at church today? John 4: 4-42 Love this story… 4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-42

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Helping Your Friend Become God's Friend Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Aug 26, 2003

If your friend were God’s friend how would their life be different? If your friend were God’s friend how would your relationship with each other change? If your friend were God’s friend how would you feel about their eternal destiny?

On our vacation, I asked God to open some doors for me to give a clear word about Christ. I was looking for opportunities. Let me share a story with you about one of them. I was in a pool playing around with Evan, our ten-year-old son, when a man asked me, “Are you finding you way around here ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Denomination: Baptist

John The Baptist Series

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Aug 30, 2003

We must be possessed of these three inner qualities if we are to promote Christ in a God-honoring way.

John 1:19-28 John the Baptist Encountering Christ in the Book of John #1 Imagine with me for a moment that some great and dreadful disease was sweeping the world today – a disease much like SARS that could be easily transmitted from person to person, and that people were dying by the thousands as ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-28

Denomination: Baptist