Sermons on Outward Focus:

High On Grass Series

Contributed by Ethan Muse on Apr 2, 2004

The first of sermons in a series on Luke 15, based on the parable of the lost sheep.

This is my adaptation of a sermon by Pastor Henry Wright I am not a theologian. I don’t claim to be, I don’t try to be, and I don’t want to be. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing necessarily against the theologian, I’m just not one. You see, theologians tend to be deep and profound, often ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Mark Of The Spirit Series

Contributed by Roger Thomas on May 25, 2004

Loving concern and actions toward one another is the true mark of the Holy Spirit’s presence.

Holy Spirit Series 2000 The Mark of the Spirit 1 Corinthians 13 Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO Complete this sentence for me: You know you have arrived spiritually when . . . . How would you finish that statement? Let me state it another way, The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Righting The Religious Rut Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Oct 8, 2005

4th in 5 part series on overcoming the obstacles and difficulties of life using five different Psalms. We used a "journey" or "road" metaphor in terms of the bumps of success, fear, guilt, the religious rut and grief, etc.

RIGHTING THE RELIGIOUS RUT Navigating the Bumps of Life - Week 5 PSALM 63:1-8 INTRODUCTION: (Faith Story - Beth Rampleberg) Thank-you Beth. Did you catch the words and phrases in Beth’s faith story? “Obligation,” “knowledge in my head but not my heart,” “something was missing,” “emptiness,” ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1-8

Denomination: Christian Church

Believing The Impossible Series

Contributed by Mark Batterson on Oct 18, 2005

Faith is believing the impossible.

The Physics of Faith: Believing the Impossible 03.24.05 Pastor Mark Batterson This evotional continues The Physics of Faith series. To check out old evotionals, visit the evotional archive @ www.theaterchurch.com. Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “A mind stretched by a new idea never returns to its ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Resurrection In The Present Tense Series

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Nov 10, 2005

Part II in a series of "Dumb Questions" Jesus’ opponents asked in Matt 22. Dumb not becuase of the information, but becuase they revealed the false assumptions about Jesus in the questioner’s minds...

Title: Resurrection in the Present Tense FCF: The power of the Resurrection, revealed b the Scripture, is power for living now. I. Intro: What question would you ask Jesus? a. My name is a question mark (Mi – ca – el) b. Sitting in the Starbucks talking with Jesus c. (May want to address, “why no ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:23-32

Denomination: Baptist

Isn't Anything Sacred Anymore?

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jan 16, 2005

This sermon discusses the need for change in our lives: From repenting and turning towards Christ to the willngness to step out of our comfort zones to follow Him.

January 23, 2005 Good morning. Let me start by saying that Diana and I could not wait to get back up here. It’s like that old John Denver song: ‘It’s Good To Be Back Home Again.’ And, we do consider this our home now. Thank you for inviting us to be a part of your church. I want to talk to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38

Denomination: *other

Emphasize A Biblically-Functioning Eldership Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Jan 31, 2005

The importance and function of the eldership in the church. Includes ordination service of a newly-elected elder at the end of the message.

SERIES: ‘THE CHALLENGE TO THE CHURCH IN 2005” TEXT: 1 TIMOTHY 3:1-7; TITUS 1:6-9; 1 PETER 5:1-3; ACTS 20:28-31 TITLE: “EMPHASIZE A BIBLICALLY-FUNCTIONING ELDERSHIP” INTRODUCTION: A. Two police officers respond to a call from the dispatcher concerning a bad traffic accident. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Five Ws Of Worship

Contributed by Chip Monck on Feb 15, 2005

A look at the Who, What, Where, When and Why of worship.

THE FIVE “W”S OF WORSHIP Sometimes you come across some information that you wish you would have seen before you took a given action, or moved in a certain direction. For instance, it wasn’t until just a few days ago that I came across these “Top Ten Questions to Ask Before Changing Your Churches ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 29:2, Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Wesleyan

Thinking Clearly About Marriage

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Mar 4, 2005

This sermon deals with the struggles associated with marriage and some of the pitfalls that we can avoid.

Thinking Clearly About Marriage 2/13/2005 Genesis 2:19-25 1 Corin 7:1-7 For Christians, The date you set for your wedding, should not be based upon how much money you need to save for an elaborate wedding. It should not be based on how many more years of school you have left. It ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Telling The Salvation Story Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Dec 2, 2004

We need to avoid spiritual arrogance and not look down on those who sin differently than we do.

The last two responses on that clip were pretty unsettling but they serve as summary statements for many today. The one guy believes that people can’t really change and that if we wanted to get rid of evil, we’d have to destroy the whole world and start over. Unbelievably, the woman replied that ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Have A Slice Of Humble Pie Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 9, 2003

God doesn’t cause trouble and adversity, but He uses trouble to refine some humility in us. While trouble causes some people to raise their faces to heaven and become bitter, others bow their knees before God and become better.

Have a Slice of Humble Pie Luke 14:1-11 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Maybe you’ve seen Jeff Foxworthy’s “Redneck” list. He says, “You know you’re a Redneck if…”: 1. Directions to your house include, “Turn off the paved road.” 2. You take your fishing pole to Sea World. 3. You have flowers ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Family T.i.m.e. Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 9, 2003

God says we should treasure time as a valuable commodity. The Bible gives us some great insight into how time can become your friend rather than your enemy.

Family T.I.M.E. Psalm 90:1-2, 4, 10, 12 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION One of my favorite stories is about the man who worked at a factory. One of his main jobs was to blow the factory whistle at 5:00 to indicate the workday was over. He walked to work each day and passed a jewelry store where a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-2, Psalm 1:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Misery Of Spiritual Mismanagement Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 10, 2003

Jesus entrusted us as His servants to do His work and be obedient to the truth we’ve received. If He came today, what kind of servant would you be?

The Misery of Spiritual Mismanagement Luke 12:40-48 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION According to Luke 12:40-48, Jesus is telling us we are all to be managers of important resources. Some people do a good job, and others are poor spiritual managers. Which kind are you? Beginning in verse 35, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:40-48

Denomination: Baptist

Taking Time To Give Thanks Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 15, 2003

When we think of God’s work in the lives of other believers, we should be moved to thankfulness for the faith, hope, and love that we see demonstrated in Christ followers.

Taking Time to Give Thanks Several weeks ago, when we were organizing our file cabinet, I came across some love letters from Beth that I’ve kept ever since we were dating. When I found this folder, I immediately stopped working, sat down in the middle of the floor, and started browsing through ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-8, Colossians 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Four Promises Of Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Apr 18, 2003

One of God’s favorite words is “forgiveness.” As we look at the first words of Jesus on that last day, we can’t help but say, “God really thinks this is important.”

But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you not seven times, but seventy-seven ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:34, Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Pentecostal