Sermons on Fixed Focus:

What Do You Crave? What Does God Crave? (James 4:1-10) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jul 5, 2022

The verses make best sense through non-Western eyes, in a non-Western church. So talked about an African church plant. Also, on how/when to ask God for money.

Today's passage, James 4:1-10, was a real struggle for me at first. These verses, read as a whole, read as a response to a specific problem within the church, really don't make sense within the context of Western, white, evangelical Christianity. The way we tend to view the church, and ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Breaking Christmas Chains

Contributed by Don Hawks on Dec 14, 2002

Part 1 of a series based on Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol"

Slide 1—Advent Candles Welcome, to the beginning of our Christmas Celebration here at Bethany. This is the first Sunday in Advent—which means we are begiining a look forward to clebrating both the first and seconding coming of Christ. I’m Pastor Don and I’m especially honored to have guests ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:7-15, Titus 2:11

Denomination: Methodist

The Spirit-Filled Church

Contributed by Chris Talton on Jan 14, 2004

When a church possesses all the characteristics of a Spirit-filled church, it will attract new people to God and to the church

January 11, 2004 Acts 2:42-47 “The Spirit-filled church” INTRODUCTION Have you ever noticed how much time and energy we as a society spend on being attractive to one another? To get an idea, it only takes a quick trip into Wal-Mart. One very large section is labeled beauty aids. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Baptist

The Bridge That Builds Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Aug 19, 2006

7th sermon in an 8 part series on the Beatitudes. This series challenges us to "Shift" our thinking in what really brings true happiness. (*Rewritten and refreshed in 8/08 - Powerpoint and Video Clips available on request.)

Shift #7 THE BRIDGE BUILDERS MATTHEW 5:9 INTRODUCTION: (:33 intro) Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is one of my all time favorite movies. I wasn’t alone in liking it. The film won four academy awards and was nominated as Best Picture in 1970. It’s ranked as one of the top 150 movies on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Christian Church

Pray, Plan, Position Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on Oct 31, 2005

Second sermon in a series through the book of Nehemiah exploring the pursuit of God’s vision for our lives. Sermon addresses the need to pray, plan, and position yourself for the fulfillment of God’s vision in your life.

Have you ever felt like you were in the wrong place, at the wrong time? Hopefully not in the next few minutes, but four teenagers were arrested in the parking lot of a large mall in Lakeland, Florida, just before Christmas when, attempting to steal an automobile at random, they tried to break into ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-8

Denomination: Wesleyan

What Jesus Did About Seeking Sinners Series

Contributed by John White on Oct 14, 2006

The story of Jesus seeking and saving a lowly sinner.

What Jesus Did About Seeking Sinners John 4:1-15 This particular incident in the Life of Christ has come to be accepted as the ultimate example of skillful soul winning. For those who desire to learn to be effective and fruitful soul winners, studying and understanding this true story is ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer Principles Series

Contributed by Roy Newton on Nov 2, 2010

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, in giving them a pattern for prayer He gave them some valuable prayer principles. This sermon explores some of these principles.

A PATTERN FOR PRAYER PRAYER PRINCIPLES "When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, which is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

After The Resurrection Part 3 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Apr 24, 2010

Part three of this series focuses on the power we received from the Holy Spirit.

After The Resurrection Part 3 Scriptures: Romans 12:2; Philippians 2:5-8; Acts 1:4-8; John 14:16-17; 26 Introduction: This morning I will conclude this series I’ve titled “After the Resurrection”. To date I have shared with you that after the resurrections the first thing that ...read more

Scripture: John 14:16-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Godly View Of Motherhood

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 9, 2010

An exposition of the 113th Psalm that concludes with one of the strongest demonstrations of God’s grace and goodness--mothers.

PSALM 113:1-9 A GODLY VIEW OF MOTHERHOOD “Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! “Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! “The Lord is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 113:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Intentional Ministry Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on May 15, 2012

If we want to minister like Jesus we must be intentional, unconditional and relational.

There’s a story about a local fitness center, which was offering $1,000 to anyone who could demonstrate that they were stronger than the owner of the place. Here’s how it worked. This muscle man would squeeze a lemon until all the juice ran into a glass, and then hand the lemon to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Post-Resurrection

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Apr 8, 2021

This message demonstrates the importance of understanding why Jesus died and rose from the dead and why our joy should not be limited to just one "Easter Sunday" celebration.

Post-Resurrection Scripture: Luke 24:44-53; Isaiah 53; Romans 10:17 The title of my message this morning is “Post-Resurrection.” If you are familiar with the word “post” you know that it has several meanings. It could refer to a piece of wood or metal fixed in the ground in an upright ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-53, Isaiah 53:1-12, Romans 10:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Come Home Running Series

Contributed by Jacob Burdette on Aug 14, 2023

A look at what we as Christians and we the church must do.

Come Home Running If you have your Bible, please open it to Joel Chapter 2. John ordered flowers to be sent to the opening of his friend’s new branch office. When John`s friend got there, he was shocked to see the flowers with the inscription. “Rest In Peace.” He was so outraged that he stopped ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:12-17

Dead Dog Syndrome Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Nov 10, 2022

The Dead Dog Syndrome (a critical spirit) can infect us or the people around us and is destructive in whatever direction it is focused.

[the title for this sermon comes from another contributor, but the content is my own] THE VERY RELATABLE LIFE OF KING DAVID DEAD DOG SYNDROME 2 SAMUEL 16:5-14, 19:15-23, PSALM 3:1-8 #kingdavid INTRODUCTION... A Little Quiz (p) I would like to begin this morning with a little quiz. I need you to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:5-14, 2 Samuel 19:15-23, Psalm 3:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blueprint Of Repentance Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jan 15, 2024

As we look deeper into Joel 2:12-17, we are going to look at the heart of God’s people, the character of God, and the blueprint of repentance that we find.

Minor Prophets Major Message Blueprint of Repentance Joel 2:12-17 | #minorprophets INTRODUCTION… Background of Prophets In the Bible, when God wanted to get His people’s attention He would often do something demonstrative like speak from a burning bush or lead by a pillar of cloud or shake the ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:12-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Forward With Jesus PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 12, 2025

Abiding in Christ transforms our weariness into fruitful living, as we rest in His love, receive His care, and reflect His life to others.

Church family, welcome. If your soul feels like a branch after a long summer—tired, tangled, and thirsty—listen in. The Lord is kind, and His words today carry the weight of mercy. He talks to us in pictures we can feel between our fingers: vines and branches, sap and seasons, blossoms and baskets ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Topics: Progress, Growth