Sermons on Looking Outward:

Where Do You Place Your Trust?

Contributed by Michael Luke on Nov 3, 2001

Our trust cannot rest in our heritage, our knowledge of the Bible, or outward symbols of faith but must rest in Jesus Christ.

TEXT: ROMANS 2:12-29 TITLE: “WHERE HAVE YOU PLACED YOUR TRUST?” INTRODUCTION: A. What if I asked you to go flying with me? You would probably ask me if I was a pilot. I say, “Sure.” You ask, “Where did you learn to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:12-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Complacent Life Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 10, 2008

Do not place your security in the outward forms of church life and neglect your walk with the Lord. Cultivate an authentic relationship with Christ.

The message to the church in Sardis was distinct from those we have seen earlier. • No words of commendation. Just a blunt statement: “you are dead”. • Jesus says He saw their deeds. There were activities going on in the church. • Jesus says “you have a reputation of being alive” – they were ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"Watch Them Dawgs" Series

Contributed by Ken Harris on Jan 29, 2006

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to WATCH-OUT and AVOID churches and religious leaders who are only concern about their outward appearance.

1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV) 29 January 2006 U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris CP Walker Multicultural Gospel Service Taegu, South Korea BIG IDEA: Churches and religious leaders who are only concern about how believers “outwardly look” should be avoided. REFERENCES: 1 Sam 13:14 – KJV (But now thy ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

The 4 Benefits Of Waiting On The Lord

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 8, 2025

Isaiah 40:31 outlines 4 benefits of waiting on the Lord: Inward strength, upward strength, outward strength, and onward strength.

THE 4 BENEFITS OF WAITING ON THE LORD INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR. Fishing season is almost here… 1.Q: Why are fish so smart A: Because they swim in schools! 2. Q: What does the pope eat during lent? A: Holy mackerel! 3. Q: What is the richest fish in the world? A: A goldfish 4. Q: What do fish use ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Tug Of War In The Church

Contributed by Jose Gomez Sr. on Feb 21, 2007

The word encourages us to not only think about ourselves but to consider others in our dicisions. Not only be inward but also outward focused.

Is there a tug of war in the church? Rev. Jose Gomez Sr. Play Audio *Phillipians 2:1-4 "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Clothes For The Wedding

Contributed by Lisa Skogsrud on Jun 16, 2019

More important than our outward wedding finery, the spiritual clothes we receive from God equip us for marriage.

Sermon for the Wedding of BQ and MM, June 8, 2019 It's not very often in the course of pre-marriage preparation that a pastor gets consulted as to what the bride should wear. But I was! It was quite an honor. And I have to say, M, that you made the right choices. You look lovely in your ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17, John 2:1-11

The Parable Of The Mustard Seed Series

Contributed by Dr. Tom Badia on Feb 15, 2024

This parable, like all parables, has one dominate lesson in it. The lesson is: “The Outward Growth of the Kingdom of God

05. The Parable Of The Mustard Seed Matt. 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19 INTRODUCTION From the first two parables that Jesus taught and then explained, it is easy to conclude that the disciples may have been discouraged by what they heard... • In “The Parable Of The Sower”, only one ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:30-32

Give And Take

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 26, 2023

Givers trust in God, rather than in themselves; they are focused outward. Takers have not learned to trust in God and focus on their own needs.

Anybody remember the televangelist scandals of the 80’s? Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Oral Roberts and his highly publicized plea for - what was it, $8 million? - to keep God from striking him dead. Remember the uproar in all the secular news media and the shame felt by so many evangelicals at being ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Not So Prodigal Son

Contributed by David Roth on Mar 19, 2016

Lent 4 (c) God's grace delivers us not only from the outwards sins of immorality, but from the inward sins of the heart.

Luke 15:11-32 “The Not so Prodigal Son” J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “The Not so Prodigal Son” Today we hear Jesus telling a parable. He is at a big banquet at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Lutheran

Sheep Or Goats

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Nov 22, 2014

We judge people by their outward appearance. God judges us by what we have done for "the least of these.l"

Sheep or Goat – Matthew 25:31-46 Intro: Raise your hand if you would: Like to loose 20 pounds. Like to be taller? Like to be seen as a prize Persian when you are really an old alley cat. Perhaps you know someone who thinks they are a prize poodle when they are really just a mangy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

We Are Looking At Our Life’s Situations From A Spiritual Perspective If… Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Aug 15, 2020

Age changed my perspective; financial responsibility changed my perspective and another thing that changed my perspective is coming to know Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life.

Introduction I remember as a young boy watching my daddy cut the yard with his gas pushed mower longing for the day that I could do that. Today, at 67 years old, I got to tell you that I dread cutting grass; I hate how long it takes to cut two acres. Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful that I got a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Pentecost Waters

Contributed by Jay Winters on Jun 5, 2006

A Pentecost sermon on the outward sign we are given today - not tongues of fire, but baptism. Focus on the transformative effects and the death/life dichotomy.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit – the Holy Three in One who provides us with the rivers of Living water through the Spirit. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, A Blessed Pentecost Sunday to all of you here in Chiefland. This Sunday, the Sunday where we celebrate ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-39

Denomination: Lutheran

Whitewashed Tomb Christians Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 10, 2025

This metaphor reveals the contrast between outward appearances and inner reality, exposing the hypocrisy that plagues many who claim to follow God.

In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus unleashes a scathing critique on the Pharisees, calling them "whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness." This metaphor reveals the contrast between outward appearances and inner reality, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-28, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

I Don't Look Like What I've Been Through PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 5, 2023

This sermon encourages trust in God's perfect timing and unseen work in our lives, even during trials, through the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

It's so good to be with you all today. We're about to open up the Good Book to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. You know, sometimes when we're going through tough times, it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But let me tell you, God has a plan and His timing is always ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:19-27

Topics: Identity, Overcoming

Come To The Celebration Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Sep 18, 2007

This is the first sermon in a series of five to help my congregation become more outward focused. It is based on the church outreach program titled - "Outflow".

Come To The Celebration – Overflowing Outreach We want to welcome you to our church service today. We are glad you are here! We don’t believe that you are here by accident. We believe that God has brought you here today for a purpose. Today is a special day in our church. Today is a day of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:12-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational