Sermons on Focusing:

Growing In Faith: A Journey Through Psalm 1 SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 9, 2023

An in-depth exploration of Psalm 1, focusing on the theme of spiritual growth and deepening faith.

Read Psalm 1:1-6 The Psalm begins with the phrase, "Blessed is the man" or "Happy is the man." We all want happiness. But some look for it in all the wrong places and things. Some seek it in jobs, money, new homes and cars, sex, alcohol, and even drugs. These things are all temporary. What about ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Topics: Faith, Spiritual Growth

Finding Comfort In Faith SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 7, 2023

A comforting message for the bereaved, focusing on the assurance of salvation for the departed and the gospel message for the unsaved present.

As we gather here today to remember ______________'s life, we experience a mix of emotions. We feel sadness because we have lost a dear loved one, but we also feel joy knowing that ______________ is now in the presence of the Lord. Today is not a day of mourning but a day of celebration. We come ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Topics: Christian Funerals, Faith

Embracing A New Beginning SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

This sermon focuses on the teachings of Jesus as outlined in Matthew 6, providing guidance for the New Year.

Today, I want to talk about a section of the Beatitudes found in Matthew 6. This portion of scripture is not more important than the rest of the Beatitudes, but I believe that the Spirit of God is leading me to discuss it as a foundation for the rest of 2014. Matthew 6:1-4 says, "Be careful not to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-34

Topics: New Year, Jesus' Teachings

Going From Me To We

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 9, 2023

If our perspective was focused more on “We” instead of “Me”, this world would be a better place.

I hope that everyone’s year has started off in the right direction. One of the best pathways to take into the New Year is looking at everything through the eyes of God. It would certainly change our attitudes and our perspective on life. If our perspective was focused more on “We” instead of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:23-33, 2 Corinthians 5:20

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Joy In The Dark Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 20, 2023

Message 1 in an overview series through Philippians focusing on the theme that joy is not based on circumstances.

I hope that since we gathered together last time that your week has been filled with perfect people, perfect circumstances, a stream of positivity coming from your favorite news source. But just in case that is not reality for some of you, you are in luck. Here’s why. We are beginning a new series ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Developing A Mindset Of Joy Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 20, 2023

Message 2 in an overview series through Philippians focusing on the theme that joy is not based on circumstances.

Ray Stedman, who is now with the Lord, was one of the greatest Bible teachers in the past 50 years. In his teaching on chapter 1 verses 12-26, he opens up with these words. “I love this passage from the letter to the Philippians because it depicts the unmistakable marks of authentic ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

More Than I Deserve Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 20, 2023

Message 4 in an overview series through Philippians focusing on the theme that joy is not based on circumstances.

Since the early 1970’s there have been dozens of books and hundreds of articles written from a supposedly Christian perspective that tell us how to build our self-esteem, our mate’s self-esteem, and our children’s self-esteem. We have been assured by the supposed “experts” on human behavior that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

All The Wrong Places Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 20, 2023

Message 5 in an overview series through Philippians focusing on the theme that joy is not based on circumstances.

ILLUSTRATION – Doing the brakes on my daughter’s car…lost the lug nut key. After searching for DAYS in the garage, I eventually found it at the end of the driveway 100 yards away… I was looking in all the wrong places. And this illustration is the picture I want to paint this morning of our quest ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

This World Is Not My Own Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 20, 2023

Message 6 in an overview series through Philippians focusing on the theme that joy is not based on circumstances.

[BUMPER: Clip of Dorothy from Wizard of Oz] There’s no place like home! How many of you have NOT seen that clip before from the Wizard of Oz? Even if you haven’t seen this movie clip before, can we all agree with Dorothy that there’s just no place like home? Listen, you can go on your fancy ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Peace In The Midst Of A Pandemic Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 20, 2023

Message 7 in an overview series through Philippians focusing on the theme that joy is not based on circumstances.

A family had put their Grandma on her first plane flight, but she hadn’t been very confident about the experience of leaving the ground on this contraption. When they met her at the airport on her return, one of the family members kidded her by asking, “Well, did the plane hold you up okay?” She ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can't Steal My Joy Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 20, 2023

Message 8 in an overview series through Philippians focusing on the theme that joy is not based on circumstances.

An airline pilot was flying over the Tennessee mountains and pointed out a lake to his copilot. “See that little lake?” he said. “When I was a kid I used to sit in a rowboat down there, fishing. Every time a plane would fly overhead, I’d look up and wish I was flying it. Now I look down and wish I ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Marriage Part 1 – Leave, Cleave & Love Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 16, 2025

This is part one of my five part Marriage series. This message focuses on the responsibilitry of the husband.

Marriage Part 1 – Leave, Cleave & Love Scripture: Genesis 2:18, 24; Ephesians 5:25-28 “The best way to make a marriage last is to put it first.” Franklin Jones Good morning Strangers Rest. This morning, I am starting a series of messages on the topic of marriage. In this series I will ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-24, Ephesians 5:25-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Comfort Received, Comfort Shared: Living Out Compassion Together

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Sep 11, 2025

This is a reflection for an inner city mission for the mid-level leadership team. The reflection focuses on compassion

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NIV) “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” Paul calls God “the Father of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Treasures In Heaven Series

Contributed by Troy Mason on Apr 21, 2001

Seeking things of heaven vice things of earth helps keep us focused in the right direction

TREASURES IN HEAVEN Matthew 6:19-24 Eccl. 5:10-20 Introduction – Story of Rockefeller interview. I met a millionaire in Hyde Co. His automatic response to the question, “How are you,” was “If I could just make that next nickel, I believe I would be alright.”. In this world there are only two ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24, Ecclesiastes 5:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

Losing Sight Of The Goal

Contributed by Johnny Carver on May 17, 2001

This sermon encourages Christians to stay focused on the goal that God has designed for our walk with Him.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1 – 11 Title: “Losing Sight of The Goal” Introduction: It was a fog-shrouded morning, July 4, 1952, when a young woman named Florence Chadwick waded into the water off Catalina Island. She intended to swim the channel from the island to the California coast. Long-distance ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal