Sermons on Outward Focus:

Unlocking The Mystery Of Honor (Inspired By A Blog From Rabbi Curt Landry)

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on May 20, 2015

Honor can be mystery, shrouded in questions, defying a definite definition . . .HOW DO YOU DEFINE “HONOR”? 1 Tonight, honor will mean that you have a good name, outward respect of others, and that you walk in integrity.

Unlocking the Mystery of Honor (Inspired by a Blog from Rabbi Curt Landry) 4.29.2015 CFBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: A Honor can be mystery, shrouded in questions, defying a definite definition . . .HOW DO YOU DEFINE “HONOR”? 1 Tonight, honor will ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12

Denomination: Baptist

Dumb Dogs Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 14, 2013

Jesus is not impressed with the outward trappings of self-righteousness. He is impressed with a heart full of simple faith, which we find most often in the hearts of those we least expect. So like Jesus feed the "dogs" and touch the "dumb."

Dumb Dogs (Mark 7:24-37) I like this thought posted by Mike Atkinson in his daily email humor list some time ago. "If you can start the day without caffeine; if you can get going without pep pills; if you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains; if you can resist complaining and boring ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Psalm 5 - Get The Inside Right First Series

Contributed by Rob De Jongh on Mar 15, 2021

God wants us to be right from within, and no amount of flattery on the outside will cover a rotten inside. We need to work on our own inner thoughts and desires first, so that the outward words and actions flow naturally from within.

In Psalm 5, David says this: "For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue." (Psa 5:9) Notice here that there are people who can flatter you and seem great on the outside, but ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:9, Psalm 51:6

Sacrificial Giving Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Sep 23, 2023

These two are pleasing sacrifices to God. The fruit of the lips, the fruit of the hands. Both are outward expressions of the inner heart. The words of the lips and the deeds of the hands have come from the bottom. Your inner heart is expressed through your outer face.

Text: Hebrews 13:15-21 Theme: Sacrificial Giving Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever! Illustration: Today, I would like to leave with you three spiritual principles based on Hebrews 13:15-21. The pleasing sacrifices, pleasing lives, and pleasing works of a believer in ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:15-21

Denomination: Methodist

Mercy Instead Of Sacrifice

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 11, 2022

The Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors. They thought they were better than Matthew, as they went around acting holy. Outward show doesn’t determine a person’s relationship with God. It's about the heart.

This morning I am going to touch on the subject of “hypocrisy.” It’s difficult to preach on this subject matter because none of us are without some form of hypocrisy in our life. Jesus told us not to point out the splinter in our brother’s eye until we have removed the log in our own eye (Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

What Kind Of Savior Was Jesus Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jun 26, 2015

ONE IMPORTANT TRUTH FOR US TO REALIZE AD EMBRACE IS THAT WHO WE ARE IS BASED ON WHAT WE ARE. IN OTHER WORDS THE OUTWARD US IS BASED O THE INWARD US. JESUS ALLUDED TO THIS WHEN HE TAUGHT THE DANGER AND REALITY OF SIN BEING IN OUR THOUGHTS, NOT IN OUR ACTIONS.

WHAT KIND OF SAVIOR WAS JESUS PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11 INTRODUCTION: ONE IMPORTANT TRUTH FOR US TO REALIZE AD EMBRACE IS THAT WHO WE ARE IS BASED ON WHAT WE ARE. IN OTHER WORDS THE OUTWARD US IS BASED O THE INWARD US. JESUS ALLUDED TO THIS WHEN HE TAUGHT THE DANGER AND REALITY OF SIN BEING IN OUR ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Partial Kingdom 2 - Three Kings Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 22, 2007

Good leadership is more than just giftedness. It also involves faithfulness to God, a right focus and direction for God’s people.

If you go to the book shop and browse the shelves in the management area, chances are you’ll find a host of books focusing on leadership as the critical factor in the success of a business. And when you think about it, it makes sense. If the person at the top is a good leader then the organisation ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Anglican

Godly Communication With God And Unbelievers Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Jul 4, 2001

UNION WITH CHRIST MANIFESTS ITSELF IN CONSISTENT PRAYER, MISSIONARY FOCUS, EFFECTIVE TESTIMONY, AND GRACIOUS SPEECH

BIG IDEA: UNION WITH CHRIST MANIFESTS ITSELF IN CONSISTENT PRAYER, MISSIONARY FOCUS, EFFECTIVE TESTIMONY, AND GRACIOUS SPEECH INTRODUCTION Lucas: sees a twofold division: 1) speaking to God about people (:2-4) 2) speaking to people about God (:5-6) I. (:2-3A) CONSISTENT PRAYER – (directed to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Overcoming Life's Problems

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 14, 2000

All of us are faced with problems. We must have a right spiritual focus in order to overcome.

OVERCOMING LIFE’S PROBLEMS Jude 17-23 INTRO.- Is life ever stressful? Do we ever experience problems and pain in life? I say, when don’t we? ILL.- A violinist was told by a surgeon that he needed an operation "But, doctor," said the violinist, "I have concerts booked ahead. If you operate, ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:17-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Everyone Loves A Love Story

Contributed by Charles Holt on Aug 2, 2005

The focus of this message is the great love of God as illustrated in the life of the Prophet Hosea and his wife Gomer.

Charles W. Holt Community of Grace Vinton, LA Email: cholt@gt.rr.com EVERYONE LOVES A LOVE STORY Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (Jn. 15:13). Scripture text: Hosea 1:2,3 and 3:1-3 Perhaps one of the most famous love poems every penned was ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 3:1-3, Hosea 3:1

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Everything Looks So Good Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 1, 2005

As Christians, we are invited to have a spiritual perspective on life. Gluttony demonstrates our focus on the physical.

Philippians 3:7-21 “Everything Looks So Good” (Gluttony) INTRODUCTION This is an uncomfortable topic for a sermon. Not only for me, but for many people who are listening to this sermon. Food is a touchy subject. I have struggled with weight and with unhealthy eating practices for years. Many ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-21

Denomination: Lutheran

God Our Provider (Jehovah Jireh) Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 3, 2005

This morning our focus is on another name for God. He is Jehovah Jireh, God our Provider.

You may have heard about the guy who fell off a cliff and on his way down he was able to grab onto a tree branch jutting out from the face of the rock. As he hung there reviewing his options, he started yelling, “Is anyone up there?” He was surprised to hear a voice say to him, “Yes, this is God.” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:14

Denomination: Baptist

God The Healer (Jehovah Rapha) Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 3, 2005

This morning our focus is on yet another name for God – Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals.

Beth and I were out on a driving date Monday night. It’s one of our favorite things to do. We just get in the car, pick up a couple decafs and talk while we cruise the town. As we were going down one street, we saw three young women walking to their car. I slowed down because it was icy and just ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:26, Isaiah 53:5

Denomination: Baptist

For The Love Of Christ

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Dec 7, 2005

A sermon that reminds us to keep our focus on the destination: The eternal life in worshiping the Lord in Heaven.

We have all heard that Jesus is coming back. That should be the best news we will ever hear, but for many Christians, it is just a story. A story from a book that is more like fantasy than reality. A story they hear, but do not really believe. And because they do not believe it, they have missed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:42-51

Denomination: *other

The Miracle Of The Virgin Birth (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Joel Santos on Dec 1, 2004

The focus of the miracle of the Virgin Birth is not on Jesus’ birth but on Jesus being conceived without the male counterpart.

The Miracle of the Virgin Birth Declares Jesus Christ’s Uniqueness and the Sureness of our Salvation Luke 1:26-35 (Christmas Series) Luke 1.26-35 reads as follows: (RSV) 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational