Sermons on Focused Faith:

Finding Out Who Really Cares

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 31, 2003

Who really cares about you? Not those who, like Herod, are so scared they will do anything to save themselves. Rather those like the wise men, who give gifts for the future, or like Joseph, who make sacrifices for your protection. For Epiphany.

Some people have friends. Some people have enemies. Some people have acquaintances. But everybody has somebody you do business with. The people you do business with -- usually, that’s not an intimate relationship. It’s a distant relationship, limited just to transactions. Everybody deals with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Fear No One Bearing Gifts

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 6, 2003

Solomon built the Temple using foreign gifts and foreign artists. Each of us brings to today’s church the limitations of his own culture, and must learn to ask for and trust the gifts others can give. Working together we learn to savor God’s greatness.

The Latin poet Virgil, in his epic poem, The Aeneid, has one of the Trojan warriors murmur, when a giant wooden horse was offered as a gift by the Greek armies outside the city walls, “I fear the Greeks even when bearing gifts.” “I fear the Greeks even when bearing gifts.” That is a statement of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Creating A Passionate Marriage Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Aug 6, 2003

Our marriages bless God when passion is present.

Making A Masterpiece Marriage Series (2 of 3) "Creating a Passionate Marriage" February 9, 2003 FBC, Chester, IL Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: Once upon a time, in the region of Lebanon in the near east, there was a girl by the name of "Cindy." A Her father, who owned a large ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Last Call

Contributed by Thomas Baird on Jun 8, 2004

God is longsuffering.. and He offers a last call, but we must heed that call.

Last Call? 10/18/03 Have any of you ever ridden on a train? I have never been on a train before but I have seen shows and movies where people get on a train. You see all of these romantic movies where the man and the woman are standing outside ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 7:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Following The Grand Illusion

Contributed by Bill Huffhine on Jun 11, 2004

A message about the universal condition of human sinfulness and depravity and how we got to this point, taken from the first 3 chapters of Romans.

A few moments ago I performed for you a very poor illusion. My attempt was to so distort your perception of reality that you would believe with your mind that I had actually caused the band to disappear. I, however, am not an illusionist. Neither my techniques or presentation were ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1-32

Denomination: Free Methodist

Credentials Of A Committed Christian

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 13, 2004

Your life says something about your commitment to Christ or lack of commitment.

INTRO.- ILL.- The Indian in Arizona heard his first Christian sermon. Asked for his opinion, he replied, "Big wind! Loud thunder! No rain!" I’ve heard some sermons like that and I’ve preached many of them! ILL.- In 1974 when I went to try out for the church in Iberia, MO, elder Ralph ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:16-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Word Has Power To Change Lives

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 14, 2004

This message tells about the transforming power of God’s Word to change lives. Ideas for this message were glended from the "Ezra Network."

God’s Word Has Power to Change Lives Hebrews 4:12-13 2 Timothy 3:16 God’s Word has power to change lives because it message is about Jesus the World and Person Changer. How important is the Word of God to you? Is it something you take for granted? Is it something you can do without and all you ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 7:10, Hebrews 4:12-13

Denomination: Free Methodist

David: Series

Contributed by Alan Mccann on Jun 28, 2004

How David Fell

HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN – DAVID AND BATHSHEBA II SAMUEL 11-12; PSALMS 32 AND 51 I am sure you all recall the scandal which engulfed President Clinton a few years ago. It involved a liaison with a young intern called Monica Lewinsky. Some of the details were quite lurid and the press had a ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Mixing Politics And Religion

Contributed by Harold Orndorff on Jul 11, 2004

Election sermons were common, even expected, in early America. This is a 21st century election sermon. Here we explore, not party politics, but principles of politics from the word of God.

Mixing Politics and Religion Politics is the process by which we establish government. The word "politics" is derived from two words. The first, "poly", is a Latin word meaning many. The second, "tics", describes blood-sucking creatures. I’m kidding, of course, but - In my many years of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:4-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Proverbial Wisdom

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 2, 2004

Proverbial wisdom. 1- Pleasantness 2- Perversity 3- Patience

INTRO.- Quips and quotes. - We could learn a lot from crayons ... some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors ... but they all have to learn to live in the same box. - I have not yet begun to procrastinate. - It’s nice to be important, but ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

2. 3 Keys To Unlocking True Worship Series

Contributed by Don Jaques on Aug 3, 2004

3 principles found in God’s word for how to unlock deeper experiences of worship in your life.

The Heart of Worship 2. 3 Keys to Unlocking True Worship Don Jaques July 31/Aug 1, 2004 INTRODUCTION Have you ever been underwhelmed? You know what I mean, you hear a huge buildup for some big event or some great place only to find out it’s not what everyone said it should be. How many of you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Andrew Series

Contributed by Richard Pfeil on Apr 18, 2005

A biographical sketch of Andrew

ANDREW John 1:35-42; 6:5-9, 11-13; 12:20-22 March 21, 2004 Before I begin to talk about Andrew today, let me tell you that I was with your women folk for the first half of their retreat and they are, indeed, having a mountain-top experience which is Christian talk for beyond a great time! It’s ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-42

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The End Times - Signs Or Salvation Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 22, 2005

Jesus gives His disciples some signs to look for in the end times - but not so they would focus on the signs, but so that they wouldn’t panic and would do the Master’s will instead

Today we’re going to study the end times. No, I’m not going to set a date for Jesus’ return. No, I’m not going to answer all questions about the Tribulation or the Rapture. But what we are going to see is what Jesus tells us to think about the last days. And it might actually surprise you. 1 As ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-27

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Eyes Wide Open Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Apr 27, 2005

Bible Couples, Pt. 9 "Ananais and Sapphira"

EYES WIDE OPEN (ACTS 4:32-5:11) Stumpy and his wife Martha went to the state fair every year. Every year Stumpy would say, “Martha, I’d like to ride in that airplane.” And every year Martha would say, “I know, Stumpy, but that airplane ride costs ten dollars, and ten dollars is ten dollars.” This ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Seasoning The Season Series

Contributed by Richard Pfeil on May 11, 2005

The opeing message that kicks off a six part series on making Christ more central in our Christmas celebrations.

Seasoning the Season TEXT: Luke 2: 9-14; Hebrews 9: 1-10 Sunday, November 24,2002 I’m always confused about this service because there are two things that need to be accomplished at the same time. Advent begins next Sunday and if we are to get the most out of our Advent season, it is important ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:9-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed