Sermons on Outward Focus:

The Child Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 16, 2021

An Advent Meditation on the birth of Christ and what that birth means for mankind.

“To us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Good News Of Great Joy Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 17, 2021

1) Joy in Watching (Luke 2:8), 2) Joy in Wonder (Luke 2:9-14), 3) Joy in Worship (Luke 2:15-16), 4) Joy in Witness (Luke 2:17-20

Luke 2:8-20. [8] And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. [10] And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Other

What Is Your Integrity Quotient? - Genesis 20 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jul 24, 2021

Did you know that there are only three people in the Bible that are said to have integrity.

Did you know (I didn’t know this before this week) that there are only three people in the Bible that are said to have integrity. Now there are lots of people who had integrity in the Bible, don’t get me wrong. But only three people the word ‘integrity’ is used to describe them. One of them is Job. ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus "i Am" The Good Shepherd! Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 25, 2021

: Jesus is the Good Shepherd because he laid down his life to save the sheep. He lead’s the sheep to safety, security, pasture and the good life but not to slaughter or harm. Jesus guards, encourages, supports and protects His sheep because He loves them.

I am playing these videos to get your mindset focused on Shepherding – agriculture lifestyles – a common sight in the time and teaching of Jesus – not so much today – as a matter of fact you would be hard pressed to find many sheep farms in this area of Illinois! Opening Video Transition (2 ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-42, John 10:11, John 10:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Touches You, Does It Hurt? - Genesis 32-33 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jul 25, 2021

A family was sitting around the dinner table having a discussion and the conversation turned to a man. One of their friends had recently become a believer. The dad said in the comment, “Yeah, God touched his heart.”

A family was sitting around the dinner table having a discussion and the conversation turned to a man. One of their friends had recently become a believer. The dad said in the comment, “Yeah, God touched his heart.” The seven-year-old girl paused for a moment and she said, “How does God touch ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Don't Be Afraid To Wear The Coat - Genesis 37:1-4 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jul 25, 2021

God gave him dreams and as these dreams kind of guided him in the beginning, later on he gets thrown in a cistern and he’s taken off to Egypt.

Well I’m excited today because today we get to start the story of Joseph. Now the story of Joseph is a story that takes up a quarter of the book of Genesis from chapter 37 all the way to the end. More than a quarter of the whole book. So we’re going to spend some time learning about Joseph. We ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You Don't Have To Be A Star To Be In My Show

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 23, 2021

Recognition of those who advance the cause of Christ through quiet service within the assembly of the righteous.

“Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:3-16

Denomination: Baptist

Hostile Desires - James 4:1-3 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 3, 2021

If you struggle with anger or are having conflicts with people, this is an important message for you. It shows how good desires become hostile desires and how to fix the problem.

James 4:1 What causes wars and battles among you? Don’t they come from your desires that wage war within you? 2 You covet something but don’t get it – you murder. And you envy, but you cannot have [what you want] - you battle and war. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 When you ask, you do ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-3

On The Death Of Heroes

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 8, 2014

Encouragement to memorialise the sacrifice of those who serve the nation.

“Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. “You mountains of Gilboa, let there be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:17-27

Denomination: Baptist

A Church With An Open Door Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 31, 2014

We’re all so different. We come from different backgrounds, different convictions. But when we all love each other and open arms to all kinds of people, that’s when the beauty of unity is seen. And God wants that here.

INTRODUCTION Open your Bibles to Romans 15. I am preaching through the book of Romans verse after verse. We are actually coming down to the last two chapters. Paul is trying to get very practical as he speaks to the church there in Rome. And you’ve got to remember, there are all different ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

Building Faith In Our Children Series

Contributed by Ken Ritz on Mar 1, 2016

Part 1 of the series Passing On The Faith

Building Faith In Our Children Passing on the Faith (2 Timothy) Have you ever thought about how the Christian faith is passed along from person to person, from generation to generation, like links in a chain? Whether you realize it or not, your faith is the result of the faithfulness of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Get Sidetracked Series

Contributed by Peter Toy on Feb 13, 2019

A life without a mission is a life without meaning. First sermon in a series on the Book of Haggai.

Don't Get Sidetracked -- Haggai 1:1-11 A life without a mission is a life without meaning. Fritz Kreisler was one of the most famous violin masters of his or any other day, and regarded as one of the greatest violinists of all time, he was known for his sweet tone and expressive phrasing. To ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

They’re Not Them

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Feb 22, 2019

A study in the book of Ezra 5: 1 – 17

Ezra 5: 1 – 17 They’re not them 5 Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. 2 So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 5:2

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Not The Ones

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Feb 22, 2019

a study in the book of Ezra 5: 1 – 17

Ezra 5: 1 – 17 Not the ones 5 Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. 2 So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 5:5

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Not The Ones

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Feb 22, 2019

A study in the book of Ezra 5: 1 – 17

Ezra 5: 1 – 17 Not the ones 5 Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. 2 So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 5:3

Denomination: Calvary Chapel