Sermons on Lose Focus:

The Real Abusers

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 24, 2010

Jesus warns against abusing His "little ones." The study of this saying becomes vital to the welfare of contemporary congregations.

“The disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

There Is Great Benefit To A Working Faith (James 2:14-26) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jun 6, 2022

So add good works to your faith.

This morning we find ourselves in James 2:14-26. Let's start by just reading James 2:14: (14) What is the benefit, my brothers, if faith, someone says he has; ["faith" is focused in Greek] now, works, he doesn't have. ["works" is focused] That faith isn't able ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Gaslighting God

Contributed by Robert Walderman on Jan 9, 2024

This chapter can be a case of Gaslighting and false repentance by the people in an attempt to change the reality of their situation by minimizing their responsibility and blaming God. Some say it is a “Straw man” set up by the Prophet to be demolished by God’s answer in the next chapter.

Well, it feels good to be back in this particular pulpit after 25 years! I want to thank Pastor Caleb for the opportunity. Please turn to Isaiah 64. Hear now the word of the Lord. May God be blessed with the reading of His word. Please join in prayer. Before I get to looking at the chapter, I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Failure To A Future

Contributed by Jimmy Seibert on Jul 8, 2014

Because of the resurrection there is now power in the midst of our failure.

I'm Jimmy Seibert and I'm the senior pastor here for the Antioch community and family. You guys already know me but for those that are guests here, I'm so glad that you would choose to celebrate this weekend with us. This weekend is what we call Easter but is simply celebrating the death, burial, ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Breaking Out Of A Slump Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Oct 14, 2005

In this message I will share what God taught me in the midst of a recent slump, if you are in one I pray it helps. It helped alot of people at Central (I Am Jesus 22).

Breaking Out Of A Slump I Am Jesus – part 22 HEY – are there any sports fan out there? OKAY – on a count of three just shout out your favorite sport…. NOW – my favorite sport to watch is the NFL. AND – let me tell you, I can’t wait for the season to kick off again. This year Anthony & I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Watch Out! - Mark 13:5-6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 10, 2024

What the structure of the Olivet Discourse tells us about the way we should interpret it.

Mark 13:1 As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!" 2 "Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Je-sus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:5-6, Matthew 24:4-5, Luke 21:8

The Right Attitude Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 16, 2007

In a closing litany of exhortations the apostle leads his readers to consider essential Christian attitudes of: 1) submission, 2) humility, 3) trust, 4) self-control, 5) vigilance, 6) fortitude, 7) hope, 8) worship, 9) faithfulness, & 10)Love

Ralph Waldo Emerson said: ‘A man is what he thinks about all day long.’ How could he possibly be anything else?” Why? An old maxim states: “Thoughts produce acts, acts produce habits, and habits produce character.” The Roman philosopher Marcus Aurelius said, “Our life is what our thoughts make ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-14

Denomination: Other

Your Destiny Is Greater Than Your Disaster

Contributed by Apostle Bobby Hogan on Sep 21, 2011

What is in you is greater than anything that has happened to you, you can recover from any disaster because your destiny is greater..

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6 The Jewish Bible says it this way: “I am sure of this, that the one who begun a good work among you will keep it going until it is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:6, Galatians 6:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

To The Church Of The Namby Pamby

Contributed by Jeremy Long on Jul 19, 2025

If John could have seen the Church today when writing the Revelation, I think he wouldn't have been quite so biblically polite in the Letter he would send to it.

To the Church of the Namby-Pamby I’ve been somewhat bothered with something lately and can’t seem to get it off of my mind. A feeling that God is pushing us to get things sorted quickly because His return is VERY SOON. Anyone else felt this? Felt the urgency of the church’s mission? Felt like ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: *other

The Perfect Father Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 19, 2017

The Lord's Prayer tells us God is our "Heavenly Father". That implies that God uses the better tendencies of earthly fathers to communicate who He is. So, what are the traits of decent Earthly fathers?

(Explanation of opening: The traditionally memorized version of the Lord’s Prayer is found only in the KJV. Since we have ESV pew Bibles – which leave off the last verse – I felt that would create confusion as to why that verse was missing. I didn’t want to go there, so I put the KJV on screen and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Loves The Little Children Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 21, 2023

The difference between the world and God is very harsh when it come to children. God considers them precious, while the world often considers them expendable. What is God's attitude toward abortion and what can we do for those who struggle with that decision?

The passage I read this morning is intriguing. The story is recorded here in Luke as well as in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. And what I find interesting is that there’s this contrast between the views of the disciples… and Jesus. There’s this group of parents who are bringing “infants” to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:15-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Clothed With Fire Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 14, 2017

There's part of this story of the fiery furnace that I'd always missed. There was one question upon which everything else hinged - not only in this story but also in our lives. Do you know what that question is?

When my sister Barbranne was in her early 20’s she left the Church and Jesus behind and went off to live the “wild life.” At age 55 she decided she’d hurt herself in that decision and started going back to church. One of the first things she did was to buy a Children’s Bible because she wanted to ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Wonder Of Jesus Accepting Us Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 10, 2013

It’s become fashionable for churches to "target" a specific audience in their messages and ministry. But is that really such a good idea? Is it possible that in targeting specific groups we might be undermining our real ministry?

OPEN: In my files I ran across these nuggets of wisdom from little children: Patrick, age 10 - "Never trust a dog to watch your food." Hannah, age 9 - "When your dad is mad and asks you, ’Do I look stupid?’ don’t answer." Taylia, age 11 - "When your mom is mad at your dad, don’t let her brush ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who's The Boss? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 22, 2020

I need to submit to "that person?" Seriously? Why?

A man once said: “I am not the boss of my house. I don’t know HOW I lost it. I don’t know WHEN I lost it. I don’t even think I ever had it. But I’ve seen the boss’s job, and I don’t want it.” The text we’re looking at today has been debated for centuries. It seems that the only part anybody is ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Centurion At The Feet Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 11, 2018

The story of this Centurion is listed in 3 of the Gospels because God wants us to see what he saw. What did the centurion see that day, and why did he cry out "Surely this was the Son of God"?

In the days of Jesus the most feared soldiers on the face of the earth were those of the Legions Of Rome. These men were practically invincible. It seemed to no nation of the day could stand against them. And one of the reasons they were so powerful and so feared was because their armies were led ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:33-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ