Sermons on Outward Focus:

The Two Messengers

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 22, 2015

Outward ceremony, shoddily performed, hardly compensates for a heart-not-right-with-God.

THE TWO MESSENGERS. Malachi 3:1-4. The name Malachi means ‘My Messenger’ (see Malachi 1:1). The Book of Malachi is the response of the LORD to the Complaints of His people. Not that they were complaining directly To Him, as honest people might occasionally do (Job 21:7; Jeremiah 12:1). No, they ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4, Malachi 3:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Pleasing Heart To The Lord

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 28, 2013

God does not look on outward appearance but on the heart; create in me a clean heart.”

1 Samuel 16:1-13 “A Pleasing Heart to the Lord” INTRODUCTION The Lord, God of creation, is a God of transformation. In the beginning, God transformed chaos into order by taking a formless void and creating sea, land, sky, sun, moon, and stars. God sent his son, Jesus the Christ ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Plan For Women

Contributed by Kelly Hudnall on Dec 12, 2001

What the Bible says about his plan for a woman’s life and for her ministry

GOD’S PLAN FOR WOMEN A Sunday school class was discussing King Solomon. People pointed out that though Solomon had been so wise, he made some foolish choices. Finally, the teacher asked, "Are we picking too much on Solomon?" One older saint replied wryly, "Ah, with all those wives, he ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:26-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

Soul-Lift

Contributed by Skip Alexander on Jun 30, 2008

Inward vs. outward change. We live in a world of face lifts when we need a soul-lift.

I. You Know You’re Getting Old When… • You and your teeth don’t sleep together. • You try to straighten out the wrinkles in your socks and discover you aren’t wearing any. • At the breakfast table you hear snap, crackle, pop and you’re not eating cereal. • You are on a first name basis with your ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Miss The Intent Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Aug 28, 2007

Just like the Pharisees, so many are concerned with outward appearances but Jesus teaches us that we need to be concerned with matters of the heart and that once the heart is under control, outward appearances as well as our actions will take care of them

I. INTRODUCTION A. Examples of Common Misunderstood Intentions In a world that is so full of evil, one has to be so careful in what he says because one never knows how someone else will interpret what was said. 1. The World of EMAIL I live in the world of email & love it. I can send a message ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-48

Denomination: Baptist

It's Alive! Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Sep 21, 2008

Purposefully practice love and grace.

IT’S ALIVE! WE ARE NOW THE CHURCH Acts 4.32-35 S: Community C: Unity Th: Never the Same Again Pr: PURPOSEFULLY PRACTICE LOVE AND GRACE. ?: How? How do we get it done? KW: Practice TS: We will find in our study of Acts 4 four practices that enable us to show love and grace in our community. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-35

Denomination: Baptist

Worship And Prayer PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 24, 2024

This sermon explores how the early church's commitment to passionate prayer, purposeful worship, and persistent fellowship can guide and inspire our faith community today.

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. It is always a joy to gather together, bound by our shared love for the Lord, and today, we find ourselves on familiar ground. We are returning to the book of Acts, to a passage that vividly paints the picture of an early church that was vibrant, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Topics: Worship, Prayer

Don’t Let The Troubles Of Life Cause You To Lose Your Focus

Contributed by Rodney Johnson Sr., on Feb 4, 2003

This message encourages the believer to stay afloat during the most turbulent storms by keeping a Heavenly focus.

The text;Colossians 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead (died), and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Priority One – Making Love Of God The #1 Focus Of Your Home Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 16, 2011

Our homes deserve our attention to making sure that our love for God is priority one. This message is to set the groundwork for a series on the family.

Matthew 22:35-40 Have you done your homework? Aren’t you parents glad that summer’s here and you can quit asking it? We expert parents know that you’re supposed to say that so that later you’re not saying, “What went wrong on this report card!?” Schoolwork is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:35-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dispel Your Doubts And Focus Your Faith - God Is Able To Do The Impossible Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 25, 2017

God is able to perform miracles today. Whatever our circumstances, situations or problems are today, we can trust our Heavenly Father to care, to bless, to move, to act, to deliver and to heal today. Dispel your doubts and focus your faith on God.

In many ways today is no different from any other day and perhaps that is where the problem is... Our Sundays can feel so routine - our expectation is the same - being church together is something we can do on autopilot. We know God is the same yesterday, today and forever - but we specifically ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:26, Ephesians 3:20-21, 1 Corinthians 15:57, Mark 5:36

Denomination: Pentecostal

Defending The Faith Sermon Iii: Focus On Grace And Truth Evidenceed In The Word Incarnate Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on May 6, 2020

In times of crisis when our Christian Faith is attacked by unbelievers and scoffers, mature Christians stand firm and stay focused on grace and truth evidenced in the Word that was in the beginning and became flesh.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE - FOCUS ON GRACE AND TRUTH EVIDENCED IN “THE WORD” INCARNATE John Arthur, my three-year-old great-grandson, calls me Paw-Paw. We call him Art. When Art comes to our house, he plays with toys Mee-Maw keeps in a bottom dresser drawer so he can get to the toys ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14-18, John 18:36-38

Restoring The Blessing Of Life Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Oct 8, 2010

The Blessing we are referring to is not that of some outward sign of health and wealth that we need to claim, but the blessing of God as Father.

Today we’re beginning a new series. We’ve entitled this series “Living in the Blessing.” The Blessing we are referring to is not that of some outward sign of health and wealth that we need to claim…. but rather something more foundational to life. It is the blessing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Good Manners Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 22, 2011

We've been brought up to say, "Thank You," when someone gives us something. With all of God's blessings our lives are one BIG "Thank you."

Luke 17:11-19 "Good Manners" INTRODUCTION Every Christmas season I enjoy watching the movie "Santa Clause," with Tim Allen. For me, the movie is filled with gems about life and faith. One such gem occurs early in the movie. Scott Calvin finds himself at Santa's workshop after his first ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Lutheran

Baptism Message (Adult)

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Oct 8, 2008

Baptism is an outward act, with visible elements, that is key to the inward attitude and acceptance into God’s kingdom.

Baptism Before performing a baptism, the pastor approached the young father and said solemnly, "Baptism is a serious step. Are you prepared for it?" "I think so," the man replied. "My wife has made appetizers and we have a caterer coming to provide plenty of cookies and cakes for all of our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:12-16, Acts 22:12

Denomination: Lutheran

Discover Purity Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Nov 6, 2011

Jesus told us that outward behaviour wasn't the only thing but it is still an important thing

Things were beginning to escalate. Up to this point Jesus had been criticized locally for some of his teaching but now they were bringing out the big guns. The news of Jesus and his preaching was spreading throughout Palestine; remember last week I mentioned that the news had reached Herod in his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-9

Denomination: Wesleyan