Sermons on magnify vision focus:

The Sooners Vs. The Soft - Matthew 5:5 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 4, 2024

This passage describes one of the virtues of Jesus that he explicitly drew attention to because of how important it is, and yet it’s one of the least desired virtues even among Christians. This message reveals the meaning of meekness, and how to become more meek.

Matthew 5:1-12 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 comforted. 5 Blessed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Samson The Latter Years Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 12, 2024

Let’s remember that one of Samson’s problems was doing what was right within his own eyes too.

Series: Never Seen Before in 2024 Thesis: To see or experience something we have never seen before in 2024 requires us to do something we have never done before – So what is that “One Thing” you need to do that you have not done before? Maybe it is to read and study the Bible in 2024! Maybe study ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Should We Ask God Tough Questions, Or Not? (Isaiah 45:9-25) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jul 16, 2024

Some Christians think it's ok; others would never dare. Can questions make God angry, and put us in danger? Or does God welcome the questions?

I'd like to start today by reading the first five verses of our passage, using the NET translation. As I read, just try to think about one thing: Is it okay to challenge God, or to ask God questions about what He's doing? Isaiah 45:9-13 (NET): 9 One who argues with his Creator is in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:9-25, Job 42:7-8

Who Shall I Fear? Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 21, 2024

Title * We can trust God's Protection, Presence, Promises, and Power

Summer in the Psalms 2024 Psalm 27 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church?07-21–2024 Hola When I first finished seminary, I worked in a large psychiatric hospital's needs assessment call center. I would take calls, set up assessments, and answer questions from patients, family ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Success Is Never About Defeating Giants [*]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 2, 2024

Fighting and winning one battle does not define your life, any more than fighting and losing one battle defines who you are.

1 SAMUEL 17:34-37 SUCCESS IS NEVER ABOUT DEFEATING GIANTS “David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:34-37

Denomination: Baptist

An Investment In Hope

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 5, 2020

In a world which is increasingly unstable, what should the follower of Christ do? How shall we invest our lives to ensure that we accomplish something of eternal worth?

“The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar. At that time the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the guard that was in the palace of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:1-44

Denomination: Baptist

A Message For An Intellectual Age

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 9, 2020

Paul's message before the Areopagus forms the basis for a study of how to approach an intellectual audience. This knowledge is necessary if we are to succeed in presenting the Faith in the midst of our world today. This is the substance of a radio message at Easter.

“Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: “To the unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

The High Cost Of Sin Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 14, 2023

Sin has infected the race. It contaminates our lives, ultimately ensuring our death. The Son of God was born to offer His life as a sacrifice, taking the sin of all mankind upon Himself. This is the neglected message of Christmas.

“To the woman [God] said, ‘I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.’ “And to Adam he said, ‘Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:16-19

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Want To Go Away?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 4, 2023

As the message delivered by Jesus transitions for followers to embrace Him as Master, many chose to leave. The Lord questioned His disciples, asking, "Do you want to go away as well?" Peter answered for all who will follow the Saviour, asking, "Lord, to whom shall we go?"

“Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’” [1] Christ will never compel anyone to remain as one who is counted among the faithful. If a person is determined to “quit” pretending that ...read more

Scripture: John 6:67-68

Denomination: Baptist

Being Light Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Aug 14, 2023

The Beatitudes teach the qualities that God works in the character of Christ's disciples. Then in Matthew 5:13-16 the emphasis turns to the influence Christians are to have in the world around them. The point of our text is that we let our light shine.

Intro Immediately following the Beatitudes, Jesus uses two metaphors to declare the task given to his followers in the world. Those two metaphors are salt and light. We have examined the first one. Now we want to learn from the second metaphor, light. Our text today is Matt 5:14-16: "You are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-16, Ephesians 5:18, Romans 8:27-29, 2 Timothy 4:7, John 1:1-9, 1 John 1:1-9, Matthew 28:19-20, John 13:34-35, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 19:10, John 12:46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Spiritual Nature Of Work

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 30, 2023

A message for the Labour Day weekend, emphasising that the work we perform and the manner in which we work reflect our understanding of God.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” [1] The necessity of going to work Monday morning despite being exhausted from the “rest and relaxation” pursued ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do When Your Culture Is Destroying Itself [2nd Copy]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 25, 2024

When this message was planned this past winter, services were cancelled due to a blizzard. This is a second effort that has been revised and brought up to date. How shall Christians respond as our contemporary culture self-destructs?

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When You Lose Your Shepherd - Mark 14:25-28 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 4, 2024

What would you have done if you were following Jesus and one night a lynch mob shows up, arrests him, beats him to a pulp, and crucifies him? We know what the disciples did—what should they have done?

Mark 14:25 "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God." 26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:29-32, Mark 14:25-28

Take This Cup From Me - Mark 14:32-36 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 12, 2024

One preacher said, “Prayer is not about getting God to do what you want. It’s about getting you to do what God wants.” But if that’s the case, why make requests? What is the real purpose of prayer?

Introduction: Unanswered Prayer Does prayer work? We all know the right answer: “Yes, of course it works. Prayer changes things!” But what about when you pray and nothing happens? Let me ask you this: Did Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane work? To answer the question of whether prayer ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-36, Matthew 26:36-39

The Arrest Of Jesus - Mark 14:41-52 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 12, 2024

What's with the strange story about the young man fleeing naked at Jesus' arrest? Mark leaves out so many big aspects of that event, but he includes this. Is it a meaningless, throwaway story? Or is it Mark at his best, crafting a profound message in a vivid picture?

Jesus leads the 12 into battle even though he knows they will fail. When the hour comes, you’ll have to face the battle, ready or not. Jesus fights this battle on four fronts. Front #1: Judas (Jesus fights dis-couragement by calling out to Abba, Father). Front #2: the rogue disciple who jeopardizes ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:41-52, Matthew 26:45-56, Luke 22:46-53, John 18:2-12