Sermons on Looking Up:

Looking Back, Planning Ahead

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 23, 2004

In preparation for the new year we must look back, but also plan ahead.

INTRO.- ILL.- Someone came up with these humorous observations or insights about life. 1) A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand. 2) I love cooking with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food. 3) If it weren’t for STRESS I’d have no energy at all. 4) Whatever hits the fan will not be ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Are You Looking For This Christmas?

Contributed by Bryan Fink on Dec 13, 2008

A message designed to make listeners aware that God wants to reveal himself to them this Christmas in a way that just might surprise them.

Before reading today’s text I want to give you a little background or context. The passage takes place on the Temple grounds about 40 days after Jesus’ birth. Joseph and Mary have gone to the Temple for a couple of reasons. First, it was customary for a family to dedicate their first born son to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-38

Denomination: Methodist

Looking Back, Gazing Forward

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jan 27, 2010

A sermon for the annual meeting for casting vision in the life of the local church. Principals could be well adapted to another church.

“Looking Back, Gazing Forward,” Genesis 9:8-17 Introduction One of the very special memories I have from my first trip to the Holy Land last year was that of swimming in the Dead Sea. It is a real adventure. First you head to pit which is filled with sticky and smelly mud. Against ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:8-17

Denomination: Christian Church

Don't Look Back

Contributed by Paul Fultz on Apr 10, 2008

Looking back freezes us in our past and keeps us from possessing our futures. Your past can deactivate you in the present and rob you of your future.

Don’t Look Back Introduction I. Don’t look... 1. In the early seventies a new fad broke across the nation. It really took off in sports arenas across the nation as the whole nation watched the unfolding of a new grass roots fanatic: The Streaker! 2. It was out of that movement that the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:12-17

Denomination: Charismatic

Look - The Chariots And Horsemen Of Israel

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Feb 12, 2008

Transfiguration (B) - Look, the chariots and horsemen of Israel. Believers live with confidence. Believers are taken into glory.

LOOK THE CHARIOTS AND HORSEMEN OF ISRAEL (Outline) February 3, 2008 - TRANSFIGURATION - 2 Kings 2:1-12a INTRO: At transfiguration we travel with Jesus to the mount of glory. Then we study Jesus’ suffering during Lent. On Easter Sunday you and I share in the joy of the resurrection of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Everything Looks So Good Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 1, 2005

As Christians, we are invited to have a spiritual perspective on life. Gluttony demonstrates our focus on the physical.

Philippians 3:7-21 “Everything Looks So Good” (Gluttony) INTRODUCTION This is an uncomfortable topic for a sermon. Not only for me, but for many people who are listening to this sermon. Food is a touchy subject. I have struggled with weight and with unhealthy eating practices for years. Many ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-21

Denomination: Lutheran

What Will Revival Look Like?

Contributed by Deborah Prihoda on Nov 6, 2006

We must remain watchful, knowing that God’s promise to pour out His Spirit in these last days is quickly coming for the church that desires to set their desires on His plans, purposes, and passion.

WHAT WILL REVIVAL LOOK LIKE? TEXT: Habakkuk 2:1-3 INTRODUCTION ILLUSTRATION: (From George Barna’s book The Second Coming of the Church) The Church in America is losing influence and members faster than any other major institution in the nation. If a massive spiritual revival doesn’t come within ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Stop Looking For The Answers In The Cemetery

Contributed by James Kirkland on Apr 25, 2011

Stop looking for the answers in the cemeteries, there is no life there, there’s no celebration there, there’s no music and there is no fire.

It is reported in Matthew 27:50-51, 54 (NIV) And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. Matthew 27:54 When the centurion and those with him who were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-8

Denomination: Nazarene

Looking Out For Number One Series

Contributed by Mary Lewis on Aug 3, 2003

Obeying the first commandment in a pluralistic society

Looking Out for Number One INTRODUCTION Once upon a time a little boy who built a little toy sailboat. He would take it to the park every day and sail the little boat on the pond. He liked watching it coast around in the breeze. Because he loved his boat, he was pretty careful not to let it go too ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Looking Out For Number One!

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Aug 14, 2011

Some people say, “If I don’t look out for me, for my best interest, for what’s best for me, then who will?”

Matthew 20:20-28-Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. 21-And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Baptist

The God You're Looking For Series

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Aug 30, 2006

The Creed says that we believe in "God the Father Almighty". Do we really?

French philosopher Blaise Pascal observed: "In every person’s life there is a God-shaped vacuum." Each of us tries to fill that vacuum with a god of some sort. Christians are almost atheists. There are thousands and even millions of gods we DON’T believe in. When someone tells you that they ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:15-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Looking Back And Moving Forward

Contributed by David Elvery on May 6, 2009

A Sermon for a church standing on the brink of a new era.

“Looking Back and Moving Forward” – Josh 1:1-11 Gladstone Baptist Church – 19/11/06 am S1 - Standing on the brink of something new is scary – there is uncertainty & fear. Have you ever been faced with something new and been scared? I can remember when Deanna and I were thinking about moving ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Look Back Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Mar 27, 2009

Don’t let the past hold you back

As a counselor you learn a lot about how the past affects people. I knew one woman in her thirties who had a terrible childhood. Her father left when she was a baby, her mother was terribly abusive both physically and verbally. She ended up in foster care where she was sexually abused by a foster ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

What Are You Looking At? Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Mar 4, 2009

The third message in a series on vision

(adapted from messages by Melvin Newland and Dave Stone) SERIES: “DISCOVER VISION: SEEING WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO SEE” TEXT: HEBREWS 12:2-3 TITLE: “WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?” OPEN: A. A blind man walks into a grocery store led by his seeing-eye dog. He goes to the middle of the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Looking For Hope In A New Year Series

Contributed by Chuck Moore on Jan 6, 2024

The New Year is often faced with anxiety and fear. Inflation, world conflicts, political unrest....the list goes on and on. So, where do we turn for real hope?

It’s normally not the Biblical story one associates with Christmas or the arrival of a New Year. But it is relevant. I’m thinking of the story that is normally associated with Easter in Luke 24. Jesus on the road to Emmaus. If you don’t remember the story, here are the highlights. Jesus has ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-13