Sermons on Weak But Strong:

Jesus Christ - Master Military Strategist

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 6, 2003

We need to trust Christ’s "war plan", even when it seems the battle is going against us.

Over the past couple of weeks, since the war in Iraq began, we have been subjected to a barrage of television commentators expressing their views on the conduct of the war. Every channel has their own set of talking heads – retired generals arguing about whether we have enough troops and tanks on ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-13

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

Up In The Air Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 4, 2003

Spiritual indecision leads to sickness and ultimately to death. We are scared of taking risks. Black history shows us, however, that without accepting risk there is no progress.

You should be a fly on the wall around our house on Friday evenings. You see, Friday evenings are our night for ourselves. We try not to take on church things on Fridays, and unless you are at the point of death, you can wait for your pastoral call until Saturday morning. The pastor and his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

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

Broken

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jun 12, 2003

If your life has been broken into many pieces come to Jesus.

“Broken” Ps. 51 : 17, 34 : 18, 69 : 20, & Prov. 17 : 22 Many times we talk about being hurt and broken, we believe the saying that time heals all wounds, we believe that a few comforting words, a little sympathy will make everything alright, and we don’t understand when people don’t seem to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:17-34, Proverbs 17:22

Denomination: Apostolic

School Supplies

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 17, 2003

Drama dialogue, written as if a conversation between Paul, a tribune, and a narrator, with "chorus" lines for the children of the congregation. Supplies we need for learning are a listening mind, a loving heart, and a desire to grow.

Narrator: I knew very little about the people of the Way, but I did know that everyone in Jerusalem was talking about one of their leaders. We were all most upset about Paul. You see, Paul – actually we knew his name as Saul – Paul had been such a mighty force in our community only a few short ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Playing Follow The Leader Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 18, 2003

Leaders must lead with truth instead of deception, with grace instead of power, and with unswerving commitment to the the least and the lost.

Several things prompt this message. First and foremost, I bring this message because I know that it is crucial to teach and re-teach our church’s vision. Everyone needs to understand what we are trying to do as a church. Just saying it once or twice does not get the story told. I want to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:7-19

Denomination: Baptist

Salt In My Eye

Contributed by Duane Brown on Jun 22, 2003

The story of Lot’s wife, and Jesus reminder to "Remember"...

He sat there at the gate of the city, watching the sun as it started its descent over the roof tops of the skyline of the city and slowly disappeared into the western horizon. This day like so many other, had brought with it the typical events that had become the trademark for this town. Passing ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:26, Luke 17:32

Denomination: Holiness

The Walk Of Preparation Series

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Jul 4, 2003

The importance of believers to prepare their lives spiritually in order to be used by Christ.

THE FORWARD WALK – PART TWO “THE WALK OF PREPARATION” JOHN 13:1-11 - ©Larry L. Thompson (2003) INTRODUCTION: Last week we began the journey of the FORWARD WALK with Christ as He made His way to the Cross. The Forward Walk that culminates with the glorious celebration of Easter, the resurrection of ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Peter - Man Of Bold And Courageous Faith

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jul 13, 2003

In the lives of the Apostles we see them going thorugh some of the same challenges and experiences we go thorugh. Simon Peter denied Jesus before Pentecost but after Pentecost he demonstrated the power of the risen Lord in his life and witness.

Peter – Man of Bold & Courageous Faith John 1:35-42 As we study the life and ministry of the 12 Apostles we see how extra ordinary they are and at the same time how ordinary they are. The twelve Apostles came from various backgrounds. Most were blue color workers laboring as fishermen (James, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-42

Denomination: Free Methodist

Guidelines From The Great Commission

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 15, 2003

You have complete authority that is necessary for completing His great commission in the word of God. Help people to utilize the authority of the scriptures in all aspects of their personal lives, relationships and ministries. Do not hesitate to make disc

Guidelines From the Great Commission (Matt 28:16-20) Most Christians are content to be spectators instead of becoming obedient disciple-makers. True blessings, power and fulfillment is found in being a multiplying disciple-maker. Let us see how we can think, do and become what the Lord’s will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Giant Killers Or Killer Giants

Contributed by Ric Freeman on Jul 15, 2003

victorious living

Killer Giants or giant killers? December 2, 2001 PM "Killing the giant of jealosy" 1 Corinthians 3:3 The ancient Greeks told the story of a swift athlete who came in second. He stood at the finish line, huffing and puffing as the crowd cheered -- Not for him, but for the winner. The second-place ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:3

Denomination: Charismatic

The Holy Spirit's Community Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 12, 2003

In leading to this first community produced by Jesus through the Spirit, we have seen that Pentecost is likened to the Shekinah glory: As the glory of the Holy Spirit filled the earthly tabernacle, and then the Jerusalem temple, the church born at Penteco

INTRODUCTION The great church historian, Phillp Schaff, whose library is here in Lancaster said: "As to the numerical strength of Christianity at the close of the first century, we have no information whatever. Statistical reports were unknown in those days. The estimate of half a million among ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Joy In The Morning

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Apr 17, 2003

There is something special to God about the early moments of the morning, and resurrection Sunday was the most special of them all.

Introduction I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing unto ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Nailprints Don't Lie

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 19, 2003

Thomas dealt with his loss by postponing his choices and by absenting himself from the community. We do the same; but the nailprints of our shame and our guilt tell the truth about us.

 We respond to loss in a variety of ways. There is no predicting how people will act when they lose something they cherish. I have seen everything from screaming and wailing to solid stoicism to outright laughter. I have conducted funerals where people have wept openly, and others ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-29

Denomination: Baptist