Sermons on Lose Focus:

'christian' Means 'like Christ'

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Oct 18, 2005

Too many church goers think they are Christians because they do not know the real definition of the word "Christian".

We were created by God to worship Him. That is our purpose. God’s plan is for us to worship Him. But, there is something else we are supposed to do, too. We are supposed to be like Christ. If you would take a random poll and ask people in America what they think being a Christian means, most ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:22-23

Denomination: *other

Seeing The Son In Our Storms

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Mar 6, 2006

(Evening Service) During our storms, we must keep focused on 1) God will not leave us 2) God’s timing is perfect and 3)we MUST remain faithful.

An old dog fell into a dry well. The farmer heard the dog yelping and went to look. He sympathized with his loyal dog, but decided that neither the dog nor the well were worth the trouble to save them. So, he hauled a large wagon of dirt to the well and, shovel by shovel, began to fill in the ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:10

Denomination: *other

Disciplines For Discipleship Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Nov 16, 2009

Looks at Paul’s closing to the first letter to the Thessalonians

Disciplines of Discipleship 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28 Be Joyful Be Prayerful Be thankful Fan into Flame the zeal of the Spirit Heed the Word of God Test the Truthfulness of Teaching Focus on that which is Good Avoid that which is Evil Slide Introduction Knowing God’s will. It is something that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Prodigal Son's Brother

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jul 6, 2012

Chapter 15 of Luke is the start of a new discussion as Jesus makes his way into Jerusalem to fulfill his ultimate sacrificial mission. It begins with the Scribes and Pharisees grumbling because Jesus always allowed sinners to listen to him and eat with hi

This would be similar to having a pastor who spent most of his time trying to reach the lost while neglecting those in the congregation who are just sitting around trying to be Holy. Often the people who are just in church to be served are the ones who complain when they don’t get enough of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Focusing On God Series

Contributed by Darrell Stetler Ii on Nov 23, 2004

What a powerful church; what was their secret? They had learned to make focusing on God in praise and thanksgiving a life habit -- they got the "gratitude attitude." *HANDOUT INCLUDED*

FOCUSING ON GOD (3rd in a Purpose Driven Series - "The Way the Church Ought to Be" NOTE: I am indebted to some sermoncentral.com users for some of the illustrations in this sermon. Ac 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Holiness

"...as I Forgave You"

Contributed by Chris Talton on Jan 27, 2003

This is a two-part message teaching our responsibility to forgive based on God’s forgiveness of us. This part deals with God’s forgiveness toward us.

January 12, 2002 Matthew 18:21-27 “…as I forgave you.” INTRODUCTION I want to start off with a verse this morning that is not in the text that we will be studying today. It will be the guiding principle for our services for the next several weeks, so pay close attention. The verse ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-27

Denomination: Baptist

Why Christians Should Give Thanks To God

Contributed by Tom Maines on Nov 26, 2001

Learning to thank God in everything will change the life of the Christian

Sermon: November 18, 2001 By Tom Maines – Pastor of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church Title: Why Christians Should Give Thanks To God Text: Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Introduction: Have we, as Christian, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:2

Denomination: Baptist

Forgetting The Past

Contributed by Kelly Hudnall on Dec 12, 2001

How to forget the good, the bad, and the ugly in our past.

FORGETTING THE PAST Philippians 3:12-21 Kelly Hudnall There is a very good reason why God instructs us through the words of the Apostle Paul, to be joyful always. And it’s not simply b/c God doesn’t like a sour puss! I remember when I was growing up, if I got upset or pouted over something ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

Someone To Live And Die For Series

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 6, 2017

In this sermon, we consider Paul's confidence, conviction and conflict that gave him someone to live and die for.

Introduction: A. Life can often be complicated and confusing! – How is that for an understatement? 1. In his famous “Peanuts” cartoon, Charles Shultz marvelously captured that reality of life. 2. In one cartoon, Lucy was front and center, delivering one of her characteristic lectures. 3. She ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Propelled By Passion

Contributed by David Dewitt on Jan 16, 2001

Passion is the driving force in the life of the church and the life of a Christian.

Propelled by Passion Mark 12:28-34 June 1999 Introduction I. W.E. Sangster A. Interviewing ministerial candidates 1. Interview process: Group of individuals interviewed ministry applicants, Sangster was a part of this group, this was a large task in the Methodist church 2. One specific pastoral ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Church Of God

The Half-Time Pep Talk

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Feb 26, 2008

Things can be pretty tough there in the first half of the game. Certainly Timothy was not having a really great time. So let’s listen in to Paul’s half-time talk.

Passage: 2 Timothy 2:1-13 Intro: Most team sports have some kind of intermission, half-time. 1. and if you have played on a crummy team, like the football team I played on in HS, you have heard the half-time “pep talk.” 2. supposed to energize, encourage, send the team back out with a “rah ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Beatitudes

Contributed by Timothy Finch on Mar 14, 2006

The attitudes as found in the Beatitudes.

The Beatitudes Matthew 5:1-20 1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

How Do We Influence Our Society?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 17, 2009

We’ve tried all sorts of ways of trying to impact our culture. What does Jesus have to say about the way to make a difference in society?

How Do We Influence Our Society? It’s not through programs. It’s not through politics. It’s not through buildings. It’s not through books. It’s not through ideas. - Only focus on the negative ideas here. 1. Programs. - “If our church could get more programs going, we could make a huge ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Monopoly: Dealing With Greed Series

Contributed by David Dewitt on Dec 29, 2011

Many times Christians deal with the issue of greed without even being aware of it

Monopoly: Dealing with Greed Luke 12:13-21 Series: Games of Life October 16, 2011 We are continuing a series of messages: The Games of Life. Greed has been called the plague of American society. The examples of greed in American society are almost limitless. Everything from televangelists ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Church Of God

What's In The Middle? Series

Contributed by Dan Willis on Sep 22, 2011

In today's society sense of identity is hard to come by. Where is the scriptural teen? Who are you? What makes a boy into a man? Is age all it takes?

We continue today on the series addressing the 3 Great Lies Satan has told the church. When last we spoke we discussed the important role children play within the congregation. We explained how children inspire the congregation, unite the family and sharpen the fathers. Today we are going to ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:2-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed