Sermons on Future Focus:

Count It All Joy

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 7, 2014

We’re going to look at James’ outrageous proposal, why Christians - above all others - are destined for trials, and how Christians should respond differently to them than other people.

COUNT IT ALL JOY James 1:1-4 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: EVOLUTION JOKE 1. Orangutan One day the zoo-keeper noticed that the orangutan was reading two books - the Bible and Darwin's Origin of Species. 2. Surprised, he asked the ape, "Why are you reading both those books?" "Well," said the orangutan, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Victory In The Valley Of Weeping

Contributed by Charles Holt on Jul 7, 2007

Based upon Psalm 84:5-7 this message seeks to encourage all who are passing through a "valley of tears," i.e., a place of sorrow, discouragement, mental and emotional loss. It’s focus is upon HOPE and HELP.

VICTORY IN THE VALLEY OF TEARS Psalm 84:5-7 Introduction: In 1838 and 1839, as part of President Andrew Jackson’s Indian removal policy, the Cherokee nation was forced to give up its lands east of the Mississippi River and to migrate to an area in present-day Oklahoma. They were driven from their ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:5-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Present Suffering Series

Contributed by Gary Moore on Feb 6, 2008

The believer’s future is connected with Christ’s. Christ is the faithful Son and is the Father’s rightful heir. The Christian by means of his adoption is a joint heir with Christ and may look forward to eternal glory in the presence of the Son (cp. John 1

For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too (2 Corinthians 1.5). Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God; they have received the Spirit of adoption whereby they approach God as “Abba! Father!” Their adoption is sealed ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Congregational

Faith In Three Letters

Contributed by Isaac Magsino on Jun 24, 2020

What if you could see the future, what will you do? This is the question of Clark Kent to his mom – Martha in Smallville series. Clark: Mom, if you could see anything, what would you do? Martha: Learn to close my eyes

FAITH IN THREE LETTERS Text: Habakuk 3:18 June 21, 2020 Riverside Church of Christ Intro: What if you could see the future, what will you do? This is the question of Clark Kent to his mom – Martha in Smallville series. Clark: Mom, if you could see anything, what would you do? ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Patient Urgency

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Nov 3, 2002

God calls us to apprenticeship. Evangelism (the mission) is more important than our own personal spiritual growth; demonstrated through Abraham, Moses, Peter, Paul; and with a focus on 1 cor 9.

A Patient Urgency Nov. 2/3, 2002 Intro: "Everyone seemed confident that the ship was all right," recalled first-class passenger Henry Sleeper Harper. At last, however, the call came for all passengers to come up on deck wearing their life belts, and soon after midnight, Captain Smith directed crew ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27

Denomination: Baptist

How The Holy Spirit Can Help Us Build Mutual Respect For Each Other

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. The Holy Spirit can help us build mutual respect for each other when we trust Him to help us focus on one another’s strengths rather than weaknesses.

1. The Holy Spirit can help us build mutual respect for each other when we trust Him to help us focus on one another’s strengths rather than weaknesses. God has given each person special strengths, abilities, and gifts which are unique to that individual. Rather than focusing your attention on what ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Church In Exile, And Our Response

Contributed by Matthew Oliver on Jan 7, 2002

In many ways the Christian church is a church in exile as many of our traditional power bases have been lost. We are not to focus on things of man, but things of God, in prayer and faith. Perseverance in prayer is the key.

A Church in Exile, and our Response. Sermon for Proper 29, Year C 21 October 2001 St John the Evangelist, Cold Lake Jeremiah 31:27-34 Psalm 119:94-104 2 Tim 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8 One of the joys of being a Lay Reader is the privilege of preaching God’s word before His people. The other part ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, Jeremiah 31:27-34

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Madmen And Falling Towers

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 13, 2001

When tragedy strikes where should we look? What would Jesus say to our hearts if we have ears to hear? Where would He have us focus our attention?

Madmen and Falling Towers 9-16-01 As I listened to all the comments and opinions about the horrible day this week in which the World Trade Towers fell I was disturbed. I was in shock at the sight and angry with the perpetrators but my spirit was troubled about something else. We will not forget ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9, Genesis 16:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Samson: Dealing With Fatal Flaws Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 26, 2003

In our series called, “Keeping the Story Alive,” we’ve looked at Hanna, Gideon, and Ruth. Today, we’re going to focus on Samson as we seek to deal with our own fatal flaws

Samson: Dealing with Fatal Flaws I love what happens when children retell Bible stories. Here are a few of my favorites: The first three books of the Bible are Genesis, Exodus, and Laxatives. Noah’s wife was called Joan of Ark. Lot’s wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Empowering The Church Through Creativity

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 27, 2003

Focus: The Holy Spirit desires to empower the church by unleashing His creative power into its life. We can be the conduits which God will use to unleash this power force into the lives of our church and community.

Empowering the Church through Creativity! By Michael McCartney Opening Illustration: Have Communion set up front with a light on it and have the power point playing of the pictures of Jesus. Also have the song by Mark schultz called Remember Me playing on the CD player. Focus of class: The Holy ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Give Me This Mountain

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Oct 25, 2006

Learn from the example of Caleb: (1) Don’t focus on your misfortunes, trust God; (2) Follow the Lord wholeheartedly and you will be rewarded; (3) Be strong in the Lord, because this will bring blessings to others.

Have you ever suffered because of someone else mistakes? • And you’ve wasted time, efforts, or even money, all because someone did not do it right. • You suffered because of another person’s mistakes. You feel that you have been treated unfairly. • But frankly, life is unfair. No one is immune ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 14:6-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Giving Money Series

Contributed by Mark Edwards on Apr 21, 2006

Focus on how giving to the church will help people find true joy in their financial, spiritual, and worship life rather than telling them what they need to give in order to help keep the church goin

1. Focus on how giving to the church will help people find true joy in their financial, spiritual, and worship life rather than telling them what they need to give in order to help keep the church going Money Money Money The last two weeks we have looked at money money, and this week we are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:40-42

Denomination: Baptist

How Jesus Taught That Faith In God Is Greater Than Any Problem

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 17, 2006

Jesus knew that faith would help people focus their attention on God’s power rather than their limited resources. Without an active means of expressing our faith, we are unable to grow in faith.

How Jesus Taught that Faith in God is Greater Than Any Problem Matthew 17:20-17:21 (NIV, NIRV, TNIV, KJV) Everyone struggles with problems that seem overwhelming and tend to stress us out. Jesus once told His disciples, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Gifts Did The Magi Give? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 18, 2006

Wise men came late to the party... but at least they showed up. Then - as now - many are too busy to bother. Why would so many people seek something else to focus on during the Christmas season?

OPEN: It was almost Christmas Day, and the mother of a 3 year old boy was furiously running from store to store trying to get her last minute shopping done. Suddenly she realized that her son’s pudgy little hand was no longer in hers. Frantically she began to look around and then not finding him ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Three Benefits Of Praise Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Oct 24, 2007

This sermon makes three points about praise. 1. Praise gets your FOCUS on God. 2. Praise increases your UNDERSTANDING of God. 3. Praise helps build your CONFIDENCE in God.

Three Benefits Of Praising God For centuries being a worshiper of God has meant offering the right sacrifices – following the right set of rules – obeying a certain set of guidelines and worshipping on the right day week or in the right place. Do you remember the woman at the well? ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational