Sermons on Focused Faith:

Are You Plugged In To Support God's Work? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Mar 31, 2003

After almost a century of exile, the Jews returned to find Jerusalem in ruins. They were spiritually unplugged. Ezra is a great story of how they plugged in to what God had for them. Giving an offering was an important step in getting plugged in.

Are You Plugged in to Support God’s Work? Ezra 3:5-7 by Dr. David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Before I get started, I just remembered we are taking some friends out to lunch, and I’m out of cash. Can anyone help me? ... Will you loan me some money for lunch? “How much do you need?” How much do you ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:5-7

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Plugged In To Study And Obey God's Word? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Mar 31, 2003

Ezra is the story of the Jews’ return to Jerusalem after almost a century exile in Babylon. When they returned, all they found were ruins. There was no temple, so the people felt spiritually unplugged. Ezra is a story of how they got plugged in.

Are You Plugged In to Study and Obey God’s Word? Ezra 3:1-3 By Dr. David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Over the next three weeks, I will be sharing from the book of Ezra about the importance of being plugged in to the best God has for you this year. Today I want to talk about the importance of being ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Conspiracy Of Kindness

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 3, 2003

Showing kindness to others is not only God’s command, but it also is the character of God. Perform acts of kindness toward strangers who cannot repay you and do it in Jesus’ name instead of your own.

The Conspiracy of Kindness Ephesians 4:29-32 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION This world could use a little more kindness and love. Judson College in Alabama is a Baptist college for women. A few years ago, the chaplain from Judson told about the time he was leading in prayer in the all-female ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29-32

Denomination: Baptist

Have A Slice Of Humble Pie Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 9, 2003

God doesn’t cause trouble and adversity, but He uses trouble to refine some humility in us. While trouble causes some people to raise their faces to heaven and become bitter, others bow their knees before God and become better.

Have a Slice of Humble Pie Luke 14:1-11 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Maybe you’ve seen Jeff Foxworthy’s “Redneck” list. He says, “You know you’re a Redneck if…”: 1. Directions to your house include, “Turn off the paved road.” 2. You take your fishing pole to Sea World. 3. You have flowers ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Have You Found Heaven's Narrow Door? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 10, 2003

There are two doors after death: destruction or delight and we choose which door we will pass through while we are alive; either the narrow door to heaven or the wide door to hell.

Have You Found Heaven’s Narrow Door? Luke 13:22-30 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Since I first learned about heaven as a child, I’ve been fascinated with the thought of living with Jesus forever. When I was a senior in college I was the Youth Minister at First Baptist Church in Prattville, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Fired Up For Jesus? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 10, 2003

Jesus desired to bring a burning, exciting, dynamic presence of God in the lives of people. God’s fire is dazzling and powerful and can work wonders in your life.

Are You Fired Up for Jesus? Luke 12:49-50 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Sometimes sermons can be too long. A bishop spoke in Chapel at Yale University. He spoke for 15 minutes on how the Y in Yale stood for “Youth” then for another 15 minutes about how A stood for “Ambition,” the L stood for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-50

Denomination: Baptist

Why Worship Jesus (Pt. 2)

Contributed by Chris Talton on Apr 16, 2003

This is the second of a two-part message on the clear teaching of Scripture that Jesus is God.

April 6, 2003 Colossians 1:15-20 “Why worship Jesus?” (pt. 2) INTRODUCTION Last week, we began to look at Colossians 1:15-20 and the top ten reasons to worship Jesus. Worship is the key to the health of any church and every Christian. It is central to who we are and should impact ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Four Promises Of Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Apr 18, 2003

One of God’s favorite words is “forgiveness.” As we look at the first words of Jesus on that last day, we can’t help but say, “God really thinks this is important.”

But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you not seven times, but seventy-seven ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:34, Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Pentecostal

Dreaming A God Sized Dream Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on May 7, 2003

50-DAY SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE - PETER Don’t let yourself get penned in by the fences of your mind. Let God set you free to dream His divine daring dream!

In the movie, Chicken Run, dozens of chickens are held captive in the prisoner-of-war-like camp at Tweedy Farms. Ginger is the chicken mastermind who keeps devising new plans to help her fellow chickens escape. Ginger knows that when a chicken’s egg production is down they will face the chopping ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Peter 3:8-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Once Bitten, Twice Shy Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 22, 2007

Kings of Judah, Pt. 3

ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY (2 CHRONICLES 17:1-19:11) The week heading into my 45th birthday was a rich and sweet experience, in more ways than one. Four days before my birthday I was invited to an all-you-can-eat seafood and steak dinner. I ate four helpings, five pieces of chocolate for dessert and a ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Bless The Lord?

Contributed by Larry Trotter on Jun 12, 2008

REASONS FOR PRAISE

Why Bless The Lord? Sunday June 8, 2008 Psalms 103:1-5 (KJV) 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Realizing The Vision Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Jun 26, 2008

How do we realize the vision of God in face of challenges?

Realizing the Vision Facing the Challenges of Leadership Nehemiah Faced those who wanted to Destroy He Faced them in Prayer He Faced them in Practice Nehemiah Faced those who were Discouraged He faced them with his Action He faced them with Encouragement Nehemiah Faced those who ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It's A Wonderful Christian Life Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 29, 2008

As we look at the classic movie It’s A Wonderful Life, we discuss the impact that each of our Christian lives can have on the world around us.

Introduction: A. I hope and pray that you had a wonderful Christmas, we sure did. 1. I also hope you gave and received some special gifts. 2. I received a special gift from one of my daughters that will aid my preaching preparation. The title of the book is The Best of the Good Clean Jokes, by ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jonah Finds A Calm Place In The Storm Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on May 25, 2009

Jonah like the rest of us is ready to pray as he sees the end at hand.

Jonah finds a calm place in the storm. Jonah 3 As I read the account of Jonah I can’t help but wonder exactly what happened that day. I mean it almost seems from what the scripture says that the second Jonah hit the waters the raging sea became as calm as glass. It doesn’t ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Problems And More Problems Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Jun 11, 2009

Dealing with perplexing problems

BE SATISFIED “PROBLEMS AND MORE PROBLEMS” ECCLESIASTES 5:8-20 OPEN A woman’s husband had been slipping in and out of a coma for several months, yet she stayed by his bedside every single day. When he finally came to, he motioned for her to come nearer. When she leaned closer to him, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ