Sermons on Focused Faith:

Couldn't You Send Someone Else?

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Sep 4, 2008

God has a plan for us, and like Moses, we resist it, but God is persistent and patient.

“Couldn’t You Send Someone Else?” Romans 12:9-12; Exodus 3 and 4, Various Verses The Reverend Anne Benefield Geneva Presbyterian Church, August 31, 2008 Introduction: Today, we will continue the story of Exodus. We’ll hear the story of the burning bush and God’s call to Moses. Since the story ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Train Up: Parent Or Child

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 8, 2008

In raising children we soon come to realize each of our children are unique. We can’t raise our children with a cookie-cutter approach

Training Up: Parents or Children Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” I’m sure there are some Christian parents who would like Proverbs 22:6 to read this way: “Rear your children as moral, upright, God-fearing, church going kids. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Denomination: Free Methodist

Grace And Peace Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Sep 10, 2008

Intro to Galatians. Grace and peace go hand in hand. Grace produces peace. Jesus moves us though one are, the present evil age, to the next, the future era, by grace.

Helen brought her car down to the repair shop to have the mechanic fix her car. It seems that her car was slowly losing power and she was afraid that soon she would not be able to accelerate onto the freeway. It turned out to be this little electronic part that needed to be replaced, but the shop ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-9, Philippians 1:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Understanding Your Rights

Contributed by D. Marie Hamilton on Sep 13, 2008

Understand that you are given rights through Christ.

Understanding Your Rights I Peter 2: 2-10 (Contemporary English Version) 2Be like newborn babies who are thirsty for the pure spiritual milk that will help you grow and be saved. 3You have already found out how good the Lord really is. 4Come to Jesus Christ. He is the living stone that people ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

Cleansed And Washed

Contributed by Betty Johnson on Sep 14, 2008

A message about what we learn from Jesus’ baptism and how we prepare for communion from Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet. We had communion and adult baptism on the same day.

Cleansed & Washed Date: Sept 14, 2008 Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17; John 13:3-17. In our church we celebrate two sacraments, or ordinances, whatever you might call them. I prefer to call them sacraments. And I prefer that word because I do believe that Christ is spiritually present with us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

You Need A Big Black

Contributed by Steve Ely on Oct 1, 2008

5 Relationships You Can’t Live Without! Each of these relationships are crucial for you to live a healthy and successful life!

“5” Part 3 – You Need A Big Black The Rob and Big show helped MTV2 achieve its highest rated day in channel history on January 15, 2007. The first full season reached over 70 million total viewers, and was ranked #1 in its time period. Robert (Rob) Dyrdek was born in Kettering, Ohio and began ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 14:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Is Your Name

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Oct 2, 2008

Discovering your name sometimes requires experiences of dark nights and aloneness. God must test our behaviour. He pushes us to see things that are not good for us, things that must change. He loves us far to much to leave us to our destructive behaviour

The unknown author of the following story captures the value of a name. “After the American Civil War the managers of the infamous Louisiana Lottery approached Robert E. Lee and asked if he’d let them use his name in their scheme. They promised that if he did he would become rich. Astounded, Lee ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Salvation Army

Hands Holding Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 5, 2008

For World Communion Sunday: God restrains us from destructive behavior; but even if we ignore that, His hand continues to hold us back.

You may have noticed that I am a creature of habits. I do what I do according to the clock and by the book. If it is time for staff meeting, I will be here, seldom early, sometimes late because of traffic, but I will be here. It’s on the calendar, so I do it. I am a creature of habits. If it ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

How Great Leaders Serve Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Oct 7, 2008

God exalts leaders who humbly serve others.

Scripture Introduction As we have seen often in this book, in John 13 Jesus again acts out a parable to teach his disciples, and with them, us. Michael Card sings, The Basin and the Towel, to capture the text in music and poetry: In an upstairs room, a parable is just about to come ...read more

Scripture: John 13:12-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

We Have A Purpose Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 7, 2008

We Christians know who we are and why we are here and where we are going. God has given us both general purposes and specific purposes to live for.

A. One of golf’s immortal moments came when a Scotsman demonstrated the new game of golf to President Ulysses Grant. 1. Carefully placing the ball on the tee, the Scotsman took a mighty swing. 2. The club hit the ground and scattered dirt all over the President’s beard, while the ball sat waiting ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Precautions About The Spirit Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 1, 2008

I’m warned about "grieving" the Spirit of God. How would I do that, and how do I make sure I don’t do it?

OPEN: Back in the 15th century, bakers would bake their rolls, buns and cakes etc. in 3 rows of four --- and then they sold them batches of a dozen. Now, these days we have machines that measure the dough and run it through ovens. It’s all pretty standardized. But back then, baked goods were all ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas Is Coming! Are You Ready?

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Dec 10, 2008

This message is about how we are to be like John the Baptizer and simply point people to the true light, Jesus. The message has illustrations from Rick Warren, Hannity and Colmes (their interview with Rick Warren) and the Salvation Army bell ringers, etc

In Jesus Holy Name December 14, 2008 Redeemer Text John 1:6-8 “Christmas Is Coming! Are You Ready?” “It’s the largest celebration around the world each year. Other holidays get a single day, but Christmas gets an entire month. During the Christmas season, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-8

Denomination: Lutheran

'tis The Season To Live, But For What?

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 10, 2008

1- Tis the season to live for sin - not 2- Tis the season to live for self - not

INTRO.- ILL.- One man said: "Ever since we got married, my wife has tried to change me. She got me to stop drinking, smoking and running around until all hours of the night. She taught me how to dress well, enjoy the fine arts, gourmet cooking, classical music, even how to invest in the stock ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:21-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Vantage Point: Mankind Series

Contributed by Quint Pitts on Dec 17, 2008

Last of four sermons discussing Christmas from the vantage point of major contributors in the story of the incarnation.

Opening Set of Praise and Worship Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee Hark The Herald Angels Sing While I’m Waiting Do You Hear What I Hear? Your Grace Is Enough Welcome and Announcements Advent Candle VANTAGE POINT—MANKIND Vantage Point Christmas—Part 4 There is only one Christmas story. It was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-31

Denomination: *other

The Four "M's” Of Christmas Part 3 - The Mandate

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 27, 2008

Last of this Christmas series, this one about non-believers imitating the shepherds by checking out the message of the angels, and believers imitating the shepherds by spreading the word about Jesus.

The Four “M’s” of Christmas Part 3 - The Mandate Luke 2:8-20 December 28, 2008 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT IS BORROWED FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." Introduction It’s now the Sunday after Christmas, and I had originally intended to give this message last week ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Wesleyan