Sermons on Outward Focused:

How Can You Tell Who Is Ready To Receive God

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 6, 2013

A look at how we frequently judge the inward readiness by the outward appearance and why that doesn't work.

HOW CAN YOU TELL WHO IS READY TO RECEIVE GOD? Outward appearance is a poor indicator of inward readiness. - Jonah 3:5-10. - Focusing on outward appearance hurts our witnessing because we don’t want to be mocked. - There are many who appear to be far away from God because they are in fact very ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:5-10

Denomination: Baptist

Trusting In The Lord Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 16, 2011

Trust in the Lord. Inward trust and faith, outward obedience. If we truly put our trust in the Lord, giving up relying on our own intellect, than our outward appearance should reflect this faith and trust.

In Proverbs chapter 3, verses 1-10, Solomon teaches us about wisdom. My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-10

Denomination: Christian Church

At War

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 3, 2001

We must have a Biblical focus, an inward focus, and an outward focus in order to defeat that terrorist, the devil.

AT WAR Jude 17-23 INTRO.- ILL.- A man and his preacher were out on the golf course. He said to his preacher, "How do you let off steam with when you miss a shot and your ball goes into a sand trap?" His preacher replied, "I just the repeat the names of some of my church members with great ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:17-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Mugged By The Mirror Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on May 24, 2009

Talks about how to overcome trying to find your identity in your outward appearance.

Identity Theft…Mugged by the Mirror Are you at risk of having your identity Mugged by the Mirror Know what God Knows See how God sees Love who God Loves Reflect God’s Glory Slide Good morning. We are continuing our series this morning called Identity Theft Last week we spoke about how we can be ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:13-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Nobody That God Can Use

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Jan 16, 2007

The LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

_______________________________________________ + New PowerPoint Slide > Transition Within Slide _______________________________________________ - Samuel had to pass Gibeah + 1 Sam 15:34 — Map > Ramah - Samuel’s Home > Gibeah - Saul’s Home > Bethlehem - David’s home + Samuel’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Money Worries: What’s The Sign You’re Too Focused On Money? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 16, 2014

A look at how worry is a sign that money has too much of our heart as well as the first step toward fixing that.

MONEY WORRIES: If money is so important to me, how do I stop worrying about it? - Luke 12:22, 29 – “do not worry” - Worry comes naturally to us and worrying about money comes naturally to us. OUR WORRY FOCUS: You worry about things you love. - We don’t worry about ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:22-31

Denomination: Baptist

Focusing On Who God Is Rather Than Who "they" Are! (Psalm 27) Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 12, 2019

The Psalmist highlights the difference it makes in lives by focusing on the positives of knowing God and doing His Will rather than getting caught up in all the negatives around us.

MAKING MUSIC FROM SHARPS AND FLATS IN LIFE Sermons Based on Selected Psalms Psalms Sermon IV – Psalm 27 David the shepherd ...read more

From The Street Where You Live To The Faraway Towns

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 8, 2021

Jesus' ministry pulls him in two directions: very close to the person in need and outwards to encounter all people. Our first instinct is to keep Jesus solely for ourselves. But as his divine grace lifts us up, he calls us outward into our lives of purpose

February 7, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 1:29-39 From the Street Where You Live to the Faraway Towns Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. When I go for a walk along a neighborhood street, I like to look at the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:29-39

Denomination: Lutheran

The Depth Of Christ's Love Series

Contributed by Gary Landsberg on Jun 29, 2007

Stop trying to earn your salvation and righteousness, and yield to the Love of the Savior and His righteousness.

EPHESIANS SERIES EPHESIANS 1:1-6 THE DEPTHS OF THE LOVE OF CHRIST INTRODUCTION 1. Friends of Jesus, thank you for coming here today. I pray that you will see Jesus today, and know what call He has on your life. I also pray that you will allow The Holy Spirit to influence you to become more like ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Aunt Bee's Medicine Man Series

Contributed by Bob Hostetler on Jun 6, 2002

This was a short message given following a video episode of The Andy Griffith Show as part of an unorthodox summer outreach message series

Mayberry Moments: Aunt Bee’s Medicine Man Scripture Reading: 1 Cor. 10:12-13 Well, maybe you’ve never bought a bottle of Colonel Harvey’s elixir, but my guess is that every one of us here has been deceived a time or two, and that’s what I want to take a few minutes to talk about, based on our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Turning The Tables Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 20, 2007

Jesus’ story knocks us off balance. Position is nothing and relationship is everything. Possessions are not signs of God’s love but tools for God’s blessings

Luke 16:19-31 “Turning the Tables” INTRODUCTION Often times we go through life on auto-pilot. • We may spend most of a day in meetings with a person and not be able to describe what that person was wearing. • We driving down the highway. We reach a particular point in our journey and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Lutheran