Sermons on Outward Focus:

How We Pray Is Important

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on Sep 23, 2012

I pray we will fail in our pursuit of happiness and that as our focus transforms from the selfish to the holy we will become more and more in tune with His Spirit, with His mission to reach and serve the world around us for His Son.

For the last two weeks we’ve been talking about prayer. The first week we discussed Daniel and how he showed us through his story that prayer matters. We discovered that prayer matters because it helps us to rely on God’s mercy. Because it helps us to confess sin and ask for mercy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Big Story: Magnificat Series

Contributed by Danny Davis on Feb 7, 2014

Mary, a young virgin girl, is pregnant. Though the pregnancy is of divine action she is still in danger of human repercussions. Yet in the midst of what could be a tumultuous time for this young girl she chooses to focus on God and make Him bigger.

(ME) Good morning Odessa First! Merry Christmas! We are so blessed with all the Christmas decorations – it just looks beautiful around here. I guess you could say, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!” First Time Guests – Introduction Christmas is my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Overcoming Spiritual A.d.d. Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Sep 11, 2015

It can be hard to stay focused on our spiritual disciplines. When we have purpose behind what we are doing, it will help us to focus on what is important. (This was built on the Next Steps series available on Sermon Central for purchase)

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • A.D.D. Attention Deficit Disorder. It is defined as, “a condition, usually in children, marked by inattentiveness, dreaminess, and passivity.” • The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as, “a condition in which someone (such as a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:8-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Can I Live In Christ Permanently? - Only In Christ Can I Bear Fruit

Contributed by David Leach on May 28, 2014

For a Christian to live "ln Christ" is the central doctrine of the New Testament. Except for limited portions that focus on the start of the Christian life by being born again, most of the New Testament is addressed to and can only be understood by Christians living "ln Christ".

Can I live in Christ permanently? - only in Christ can I bear fruit The following three verses from John chapter 15 state three of the most central truths of Christianity (1) God's purpose for the Christian (2) The only way God's purpose can be fulfilled, and (3) The reason why many a Christian's ...read more

Scripture: John 15:4-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finishing Strong Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 25, 2010

We are called to finish the race, and it takes endurance. We need to be (1) prepared for the struggles that will come, and (2) focus our attention on Jesus. Ministry flows out of a love relationship with Christ. Our vision of Him will enable us to fini

[Some of the thoughts in this sermon are taken from Max Lucado’s book Just Like Jesus.] Let’s learn about endurance today. We want to finish strong, not just starting well. I don’t always finish what I start. Chances are I am not alone. • We have unfinished tasks lying around - like a book ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How’s Your Heart? Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Dec 9, 2009

It was the practice of Jewish teachers to try to sum up the hundreds of laws into great overarching principles that people could focus on. In Mark 12 we see an encounter a teacher of the law had with Jesus in this hope of discovering the great “one thing

WHAT THE BOOK SAYS ABOUT LOVE Part 1 HOW’S YOUR HEART? Mark 12:30 Ezekiel 36:26-27 Sunday, February 8, 2009 Pastor Brian Matherlee In the movie City Slickers 39th birthday of Mitch Robbins (Billy Crystal) and he is not happy about it. His two friends are having crises of their own and they buy a ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26-27

Denomination: Wesleyan

Is The Pastor Eligible?-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 13, 2010

Part 2 of a 2-part sermon. Paul told Titus that the focus of his work on Crete was to bring order to the churches & appoint qualified elders. Pastors must meet certain qualifications. But What are they? Pastoral eligibility is measured by...

Is The Pastor Eligible?-II—Titus 1:5-9 Attention: The churches of Crete were saved but were lacking the finesse necessary to accomplishing their mission. They were not yet organized for ministry. A pastor by the name of Titus, was charged with the fortunate task, of straightening out those ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:5-9

Denomination: Baptist

Three Traits Of A Good Soldier

Contributed by Jerry Flury on May 30, 2011

“What makes a good soldier?” I believe that there are three common traits that every good soldier possesses which are necessary in our lives if we are to be good soldiers for the Lord – Fidelity, Focus, and the ability to Follow Orders.

Three Traits of a Good Soldier 2 Timothy 2:3-4 Introduction: As we think of soldiers past, who have sacrificed so valiantly, I want you to realize that if you are a Christian you too are a soldier, a soldier in the army of the Lord. Looking at our country’s soldiers past and present I ask ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Slave Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 29, 2015

In this overlooked parable Jesus describes the life of discipleship in terms of service. Rather than focusing on our rights and needs, and deciding what we'd like to do, we need to focus on how we can serve our Master.

This has been called “the most troubling parable” in the Bible. Why does Jesus say we are like unworthy servants? I know I must have read this before, but somehow I glossed over it. I've got a lot of books on the parables of Jesus and most omit this one. A year ago an article in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:7-10

Denomination: Congregational

A Compelling Conclusion (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 24, 2016

Life is often difficult, even for the strongest believer. It is easy to focus on the trials we endure instead of the Lord. While we are unable to fully comprehend all our Lord is, our faith is increased as we look at Him by faith.

A Compelling Conclusion (Part 2) 1 John 5: 13-21 As we continue to consider the closing words of John in his first epistle, we are mindful of the many difficulties and obstacles the early church faced. John has dealt with false doctrine, the spirit of antichrist, personal sin, and the great need ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:18-21

Denomination: Baptist

This Is The Day: Rejoice!

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 3, 2016

To rejoice is a choice. People with far less are happier than we are. Why? Because they focus on enjoying today and don't fret about tomorrow. Jesus said to do that! We need to be grateful for what we have.

THIS IS THE DAY: REJOICE! Ps. 118:24 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE SOUR INTERVIEW 1. Some people have a knack for picking things. Hannah went to a citrus Farm and asked Henry, the manager, if there are any jobs available at the farm. 2. He told her that the only job available was for a part-time ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Path Of Wisdom - Our Relationship With God

Contributed by Rodney Fry on May 29, 2022

Proverbs focuses much attention on the contrast between the righteous and the wicked. Starting at chapter 16 the focus shifts to highlight the contrast between human righteousness and divine righteousness and also to give evidences of how the Lord intervenes in our daily lives,

The Path of Wisdom: Our Relationship with God Scripture: Proverbs 15:30–16:30, especially 15:31, 32b The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise … he who heeds rebuke gets understanding. Introduction: From chapters 1–15, Proverbs focuses much attention on the contrast ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

I'm Not Going To Miss You Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jun 30, 2022

This sermon continues to focus on Solomon's melancholy view of life and his conclusion to: "Remember God in the days of your youth" because there will come a point where you will no longer remember or enjoy very little.

The passage we will be looking at today is kind of a lengthy one. It is Ecclesiastes 11:7 going all the way down to Ecclesiastes 12:8. This particular chunk of passage is actually considered probably the last words that Solomon wrote at least in this book. Even though there are words that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21

Denomination: Christian Church

8. Discernment – Separating Friends From Foes Series

Contributed by Shingirayi Gwete on Feb 26, 2022

There are enemies who are within the camp of God and pretend to be serving Christ, yet they are deceivers who have been sent by the devil to abuse the flock. In this sermon we will focus on how to identify whether a person has been sent by God or by the devil.

In the previous chapter we learnt that there are some enemies who are within the camp of God and pretend to be serving Christ, yet they are deceivers who have been sent by the devil to abuse the flock. In this chapter we will focus on how to identify whether a person has been sent by God or by the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1, Revelation 2:2, 1 Corinthians 2:14, John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Kings 14:1-6, Jeremiah 33:3, Deuteronomy 18:22, Matthew 7:22-23, Jeremiah 14:14, Ezekiel 13:3, Ezekiel 13:6, Jonah 3:4, Matthew 24:24, Acts 16:16-18, Deuteronomy 13:1-3, Isaiah 8:20, 1 Corinthians 14:33, Malachi 3:6, 2 Timothy 3:16, Genesis 2:17, Matthew 7:16-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Adventist

Warnings Of The Heart Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 9, 2022

The human heart is in full view in the Book of Ecclesiastes and the human heart takes a final bow at the end of chapter 11. Solomon is not wrong to focus on the human heart. Our hearts are an important part of our identity and how we view the world.

WISE LIVING: WARNINGS OF THE HEART Ecclesiastes 11:1-10 #wiseliving2022 READ ECCLESIASTES CHAPTER 11:1-10 [Person from the Congregation] INTRODUCTION… ‘The Heart Ramon’ (retelling of Final Duel from ‘A Fist Full of Dollars’) In the best western movie scene ever written and acted in the history of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ