Sermons on Outward Focus:

Making It Home

Contributed by Arthur Miller on Aug 4, 2023

Sin so easily entangles us, but with difficulty we must chuck everything that hinders overboard so we will make it home.

Have you ever thought about Saul who would later become the Apostle Paul? What an outstanding young man Saul became. His parents had to be proud of him. We are able to piece together several things about his younger years. In Acts 22:1-3 we see that he is a Jew born in Tarsus. Now Tarsus was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:1-3, Philippians 3:4-6, Acts 22:4-5, Hebrews 12:1-3, Philippians 3:7-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Peter's Vision: Breaking Down Walls Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jan 12, 2024

Let God change the way you see people. Stop looking at outward appearances or misguided mindsets and start looking at the heart that needs Jesus.

Peter’s Vision: Breaking Down Walls Text: Acts 10:9-23 Introduction 1. Illustration: “Preacher isn't talkin' 'bout religion no more He just wants to praise the Lord People aren't as stuffy as they were before They just want to praise the Lord And it's very plain to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:9-23

Denomination: Methodist

The Humility Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 25, 2007

1. His focus was on the will of God, not his own. 2. His focus was away from himself, not on himself. 3. His focus was on serving, not being served.

It was January 30, 1994 and Super Bowl XXVIII was being played out at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The NFC champion Dallas Cowboys had just defeated the AFC champion Buffalo Bills, 30–13. Dallas scored 24 unanswered points in the second half, and Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith was named the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 11:16-19

Denomination: Methodist

You Shall Not Covet Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 21, 2021

In the tenth commandment, God’s searchlight moves from actions to attitudes. The commandment is not against an outward act but it is aimed at a person’s intentions.

Today I want to talk to you about a problem both the rich and the poor have – the problem of coveting. Remember we have divided the Ten Commandments into two categories: The first four are commandments directly related to God Himself – You Shall No Other gods Before Me… You Shall Not Make Any ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:17, Luke 12:15, Psalm 73:25

Denomination: Baptist

Attitude Counts

Contributed by Bruce Hadley on Mar 17, 2021

Many of us concern ourselves with the outward approach to sin, but are attitudes have not changed. Well, attitude counts tremendously in our walk with the Lord.

The other day, I was in the grocery store, and I noticed a lot of gloomy faces. I began thinking about my mother, who a year ago lost my father, her husband of over 60 years, and she seemingly has been in a funk ever since. I have tried cheering her up, but her mood stays the same. Now, I know ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:7, Ephesians 4:23, Nehemiah 8:10, Matthew 18:21-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Overcoming Life’s Challenges

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 31, 2011

(i) Focus on giants – you stumble. (ii) Focus on God – your giants tumble.

Opening illustration: Inevitably, trouble will invade our lives: A bad report from a medical test, the betrayal of a trusted friend, a child who rejects us, or a spouse who leaves us. The list of possibilities is long, but there are only two options: forge ahead on our own, or turn to God. Flying ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being A Gospel Centered People Series

Contributed by David Taylor on Mar 6, 2014

Open Doors Being a Gospel Centered People

Open Doors Being a Gospel Centered People 1 Cor 16:5-11 November 17, 2013 We started this series in Colossians, where Paul tells us to walk in wisdom toward those who do not know Christ by making the best use of our time. With this in mind, Paul asked the Colossian church to pray that God ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Stop Worrying And Start Living Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 21, 2001

The faith principles are:1. Focus on the fact that God will see you through anything. 2. Focus on what is unseen. 3. Focus on the fact that God is in control.

Kim Reichelm is the “extreme skiing” world champion. You may have seen her on television skiing down the peak of a treacherous mountain that looks like certain death for anyone trying to go down it on snow shoes, let alone skis. Some have died on these attempts, and others have become seriously ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Methodist

Where Do You Place Your Trust?

Contributed by Michael Luke on Nov 3, 2001

Our trust cannot rest in our heritage, our knowledge of the Bible, or outward symbols of faith but must rest in Jesus Christ.

TEXT: ROMANS 2:12-29 TITLE: “WHERE HAVE YOU PLACED YOUR TRUST?” INTRODUCTION: A. What if I asked you to go flying with me? You would probably ask me if I was a pilot. I say, “Sure.” You ask, “Where did you learn to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:12-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Watch Them Dawgs" Series

Contributed by Ken Harris on Jan 29, 2006

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to WATCH-OUT and AVOID churches and religious leaders who are only concern about their outward appearance.

1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV) 29 January 2006 U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris CP Walker Multicultural Gospel Service Taegu, South Korea BIG IDEA: Churches and religious leaders who are only concern about how believers “outwardly look” should be avoided. REFERENCES: 1 Sam 13:14 – KJV (But now thy ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sheep Or Goats

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Nov 22, 2014

We judge people by their outward appearance. God judges us by what we have done for "the least of these.l"

Sheep or Goat – Matthew 25:31-46 Intro: Raise your hand if you would: Like to loose 20 pounds. Like to be taller? Like to be seen as a prize Persian when you are really an old alley cat. Perhaps you know someone who thinks they are a prize poodle when they are really just a mangy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Not So Prodigal Son

Contributed by David Roth on Mar 19, 2016

Lent 4 (c) God's grace delivers us not only from the outwards sins of immorality, but from the inward sins of the heart.

Luke 15:11-32 “The Not so Prodigal Son” J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “The Not so Prodigal Son” Today we hear Jesus telling a parable. He is at a big banquet at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Lutheran

The Complacent Life Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 10, 2008

Do not place your security in the outward forms of church life and neglect your walk with the Lord. Cultivate an authentic relationship with Christ.

The message to the church in Sardis was distinct from those we have seen earlier. • No words of commendation. Just a blunt statement: “you are dead”. • Jesus says He saw their deeds. There were activities going on in the church. • Jesus says “you have a reputation of being alive” – they were ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Clothes For The Wedding

Contributed by Lisa Skogsrud on Jun 16, 2019

More important than our outward wedding finery, the spiritual clothes we receive from God equip us for marriage.

Sermon for the Wedding of BQ and MM, June 8, 2019 It's not very often in the course of pre-marriage preparation that a pastor gets consulted as to what the bride should wear. But I was! It was quite an honor. And I have to say, M, that you made the right choices. You look lovely in your ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17, John 2:1-11

Jesus, First, Last, And In Between. A Message About Keeping Things In Focus. Matthew 6:33

Contributed by David Cramer on Apr 5, 2025

A message about following the Lord in our life every day regardless of whether it is the morning, afternoon or evening.

Stand with me now and repeat after me. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I can do what it says I can do. I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be. Today I will learn more of the word of God. The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God. I will never be the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational