Sermons By Subject: Encouragement

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight I. Questions. 1. Have you ever doubted the claims or existence of God or Jesus Christ? 2. Have you ever been in a trial or affliction and began to question your faith - things you once knew to be true? 3. Have you ever wondered if great men of faith have ever had the same struggles with doubt or unbelief as you? 4. Have you ever thought it would be nice to have God do a miraculous sign to prove His existence or His truth? 5. Have you ever wished that you could have been among Jesus' disciples when He walked the earth and personally met Him?

Happiness - The quality or condition of being happy. Happy - adj. Having a feeling of great pleasure or content of mind, arising from satisfaction with one's circumstances or condition; also in weakened sense: Glad, pleased. Joy - 1. a. A vivid emotion of pleasure arising from a sense of well-being or satisfaction; the feeling or state of being highly pleased or delighted; exultation of spirit; gladness, delight. I. Happiness is a good thing and as Christians it is something we ought to experience.

Finding Contentment Being Single I. Marriage: God's design for most people. 1. When God created Adam, God Himself said that it was not good that man should be alone and he made him a companion (Gen 2:18). A. From the beginning of time, it was God's design that men and women would marry and be fruitful and multiply (Gen 2:24 c/w Gen 1:28). B. Jesus affirmed this principle (Mar 10:6-8). C. The institution of marriage was a picture of the mystery of Christ and the church (Eph 5:31-32). D. Marriage, along with everything else God made in the creation, was a very good thing (Gen 1:31).

Pastor Mott gave a brief history of the Minneapolis Church and a short exhortation to the church as he resigned as pastor.

The Beginning of a Journey I. The story of Joshua leading Israel into the promised land is instructive for us as we begin our journey together. 1. The things that are recorded in the Old Testament were written for our learning and admonition. A. They were written for our learning and comfort (Strengthening; encouragement, incitement; aid, succour, support, countenance.), and to give us hope (Rom 15:4). B. They were also written as examples to us for our admonition (The action of admonishing; authoritative counsel; warning, implied reproof.) (1Co 10:11).

III. The Lord's charge unto Joshua. 1. After the death of Moses, the LORD gave Joshua a charge to lead Israel into the promised land (Jos 1:1-2). A. We are also heading to the promised land that God has waiting for us (1Pe 1:4; Joh 14:1-3). B. We are looking for that same city and country that Abraham was (Heb 11:10,16; Heb 13:14). 2. God promised Joshua that he would be with him and not let his enemies stand before him as he did for Moses (Jos 1:5 c/w Deu 7:24). A. God stands by his ministers in the N.T.

Sorrow I. Sorrow is painful. 1. Sorrow n.- 1. a. Distress of mind caused by loss, suffering, disappointment, etc.; grief, deep sadness or regret; also, that which causes grief or melancholy; affliction, trouble. 2. Sorrow v.- 1. intr. To feel sorrow or sadness; to regret or grieve; also, to exhibit signs of grief, to mourn. 3. Mourn v. - 1. To feel sorrow, grief, or regret (often with added notion of expressing one's grief); to sorrow, grieve, lament. II. Sorrow was the result of sin and was multiplied by sin (Gen 3:16-17).

6. The LORD then gives Joshua the prescription for a prosperous and successful journey (Jos 1:8). A. Joshua was to meditate in the book of the law. i. Meditate - v. 1. trans. To muse over or reflect upon; to consider, study, ponder. b. To fix one's attention upon; to observe with interest or intentness. ii. Muse v. - 1. a. To be absorbed in thought; to meditate continuously in silence; to ponder. iii. Consider v. - 1. To view or contemplate attentively, to survey, examine, inspect, scrutinize.

I. The reality of death. 1. Death is a reality that we must all face (Ecc 8:8). A. No man has control over the day of his death. B. There is no getting out of it - "there is no discharge in that war". 2. God alone determines the length of our lives (Job 14:1-5). A. Our days are determined by God. B. He has set bounds on them that can't be passed (Job 14:5). C. The days that we spend here on earth are few and full of trouble (Job 14:1). 3. Our life is short like a vapor (Jam 4:14; Job 7:7; Psa 78:39; Psa 89:47-48; Psa 144:4; Psa 103:15-16).

Vanity of Vanities, Saith the Preacher I. "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity." (Ecc 1:2) II. Vanity, vanity. 1. Vanity - 1. a. That which is vain, futile, or worthless; that which is of no value or profit. 2. Vain adj. - I. 1. Devoid of real value, worth, or significance; idle, unprofitable, useless, worthless; of no effect, force, or power; fruitless, futile, unavailing.

I. Defining the terms. 1. Unbelief n. - Absence or lack of belief; disbelief, incredulity. a. In matters of religion. 2. Belief n. - 1. The mental action, condition, or habit, of trusting to or confiding in a person or thing; trust, dependence, reliance, confidence, faith. 3. Unbeliever n. - One who does not believe; spec. one who does not accept a particular religious belief, an infidel. 4. Believer n. - One who believes. a. One who has faith in the doctrines of religion; esp. a Christian, Christian disciple.

Elder Conrad Jarrell preached a sermon on serving God in one's latter years and how God helps us to get through this life by strengthening, exercising, chastening, and encouraging us.

Image from theodysseyonline.com To Listen on YouTube, click here: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? Pastor Wagner does an extemporaneous Bible study on Why Bad Things Happen to Good People.

To Listen on YouTube, click here: Remembering My Grandma, Joy Wagner This sermon was preached in memory of my Grandma, Joy Wagner who was very dear to me and who died today, June 12th, 2016 at 94 years old.

A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To Listen on YouTube, click here: The Blessing of Abasement (Part 1) - Learning How to Abound The Blessing of Abasement I. Abundance and abasement are the two extremes in which we often find ourselves (Php 4:11-12). 1. As ministers and Christians, we must learn how to abound.

A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To Listen on YouTube, click here: The Blessing of Abasement (Part 2) II. The blessing of abasement for ministers 1. Abasement helps remind us of our weakness (2Co 11:21-30). 2. It reminds us that we are but mere earthen vessels (2Co 4:7).

Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Aliens A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. Aliens I. Abraham the alien. 1. Abraham was a man of faith (Rom 4:3). 2. Abraham is the prototypical man of faith in the Bible. A. Prototypical - Of the nature of or serving as a prototype; prototypal.

Image from: slideshare.net Bud Schaitberger preaches a sermon on the 23rd Psalm. There is no outline for this sermon.

Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: I Am With Thee The outline is attached at the bottom of this page. I Am With Thee I. In the scriptures, the LORD said to His people ten times, "I am with thee." 1. Before we look at this blessed promise, how do we know if it applies to us personally and individually?

Brother Austin Hatcher preached a sermon on the importance of being joyful.