Sermons on Present Focus:

A New Year A New You Part I

Contributed by Chris Carroll on Jan 14, 2008

New Years is always the perfect opportunity for us to reflect on the past to recommit to the present and to plan for the future. The great intellectual giant Socrates once said “an unexamined life is not worth living.” And so at the end of 2007 and the

A New Year, A New You. Part I Well Christmas came upon us so fast and now it has passed. And now comes the season of Deck the Halls with piles and piles of bills to help us remember what we did this Christmas season. Maybe you heard the story of the young college student and she came running in ...read more

Scripture: James 4:14

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Miss This Opportunity

Contributed by Jon Lipka on Dec 8, 2013

Secular observance of the pre-Christmas season focuses primarily on the First Coming of Christ that occurred 2,000 years ago. As Christians, our focus is on preparation for the Second Coming, which in turn readies us to remember Christmas.

Don’t miss this opportunity. Throughout the year, we get mailings from stores telling us of some special sale or event where they will save us tons of money on whatever it is that the stores tell us we need. It seems that quantity increases tenfold or more during the Christmas shopping time. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

The Family Of God

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jun 14, 2019

Being in God's family... 1. is a special present. 2. comes from a special power. 3. is for a special people. 4. comes through a special process. 5. is for a special purpose.

The Family of God Series: The Gospel of John John 1:10-13 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - March 30, 2016 (Revised June 14, 2019) *Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote the words to this very well-known song: "You will notice we say brother and sister 'round here, It's because ...read more

Scripture: John 1:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

Gifted (Part Four) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jun 4, 2018

In Romans 12:6-8 you see seven, what's known as, motivational gifts of the Spirit. Last week we covered the first three-prophecy, serving and teaching. Today we will focus on encouragement and giving.

GIFTED (part four) The seven gifts listed in Rom. 12:6-8 are: Prophecy, Service, Teaching, Encouraging, Giving, Leading, Mercy. Last week we looked at the first three. Prophecy is receiving and speaking God's message to his people, or in regard to a specific situation, person or culture. Prophets ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:26-28, Acts 11:19-24, Psalm 24:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Suffering Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on May 30, 2023

Are you experiencing the pain of suffering? Jesus is there if you have trusted Him as your savior. The suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory we have revealed in us. Job said, my redeemer lives.

Job is synonymous with suffering. He lost his wealth in one day. He lost his children in one day. He lost his health. He lost the love of his wife, and he lost the compassion of his friends. We could say that with the exception of Jesus Christ that no one has suffered more than Job. Suffering ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:1-29

Denomination: Baptist

Benaiah!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jun 2, 2015

I like the way Benaiah kills a lion in a pit on a snowy day! That is going to be our focus of study today, he went against all odds and slew the lion despite the snow!

Benaiah! 1 Chronicles 11:22”……Benaiah also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen.” People who are God-driven are not ‘ lazy couch potatoes’ but are gutsy people who would go out of their comfort and convenient zones to achieve ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 11:1-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Parable Of The Prayers Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 10, 2014

The focus is humility in prayer out of a realization that righteousness can not be reached by means of our own efforts. Prayers are heard & answered because of God's mercy not because of our self-justifying merits.

LUKE 18: 9-14 [PARABLES IN LUKE] THE PARABLE OF THE PRAYERS [Luke 11:39-11;54] In this section Jesus tells a story of a Pharisee and a tax collector. Both were sincere and devout. As a matter of fact, one kept the law scrupulously, or thought he did. The other was in a profession in which ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Resident Aliens

Contributed by David Roth on Sep 19, 2015

Proper 9 (b) Christ was rejected in his hometown. We, too, are rejected by the world. Focus on our status in the world distracts us from the truth of our citizenship in God's kingdom.

Mark 6: 1-11 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. “Resident Aliens” It has been quite a week. A week ago the Supreme Court redefined marriage within the legal and civic sphere. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

The King Is Coming

Contributed by Larry Grant on Dec 5, 2021

While Haggai focuses on rebuilding the temple, Zechariah does not focus on the tragedy of a broken city. He looks down the telescope of time and sees a day when Jerusalem will be visited by The King of Kings!

Intro: This morning I want to preach about our King. I want to point out three aspects of this prophecy: He is Personal, He is Powerful and He is Precise. When God sent Haggai and then Zechariah to deliver this His Word, Jerusalem was still in ruins. It had been destroyed by the Babylonians in ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 9:9

Denomination: Baptist

A New Beginning Series

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Dec 30, 2021

At the beginning of the new year many people make resolutions. Most focus on changing their lives, doing better, making improvements. A new beginning must begin with each one of us individually.

A NEW BEGINNING “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2Corinthians 5:17) 1. Many people want a change, and most people wish they could start all over with a whole new beginning. The good news is . . . you can! ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 1:12-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Flow Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Aug 2, 2022

The focus of this sermon is on Jesus proclaiming at the last day of the Feast of the Tabernacles that soon Living Water (i.e., the Holy Spirit) will be flowing to the people, and whether that the promise is still applicable to us today.

Good morning. Did everybody get a bottle of water when they came in? Don’t you think that was nice of us to give you water? How many of you would have preferred an air conditioner? We are going to take an offering right now for the air conditioning. Actually, the good news is we have ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-44, Isaiah 44:3

Denomination: Christian Church

Eclipse Of The Heart (March 27, 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 23, 2022

This morning let us strive to look at this story from a different angle as we give weight to the bitterness and indifference of the elder brother. Today we will focus on the hungry heart and the alienated heart.

ECLIPSE OF THE HEART Text: Luke 15:1 - 3, 11-32 Luke 15: 1 -3, 11- 32  Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.  (2)  And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: United Methodist

Under The Sun Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jul 1, 2022

The focus of this sermon is to introduce the series on the book of Ecclesiastes and the idea that life lived in the hear and now (i.e., under the sun) cannot compare to a life lived under the Son (Jesus Christ)

Good morning. It is great to be back in the ‘burgh rain and all. For some of you who don’t know, I was away for a few weeks for a sabbatical. It was a study time, and I was able to feel somewhat productive. I also had a time of rest. The better news is Debbie and I got to see our lovely ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3

Denomination: Christian Church

Psalm 122 - Going To Worship Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Feb 3, 2021

This sermon is part of series on the Psalms of Assent. The focus is on how the Jews would joyously go up to Jerusalem for worship, and how we can experience the same joy in going to the local church.

In case you haven’t been here the last few weeks, we talked about the idea that the Psalms of Ascents were actually believed to be sung by the Jewish pilgrims as they made their way up to Jerusalem for the various Jewish festivals. Although they were considered to be somewhat of a travel psalm, ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

The Love Of Jesus Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Feb 6, 2021

February is known for many things. President’s Day. Black History Month . Every four years - Leap Year! And Valentine’s Day! This month we are going to focus in on love.

THE LOVE OF JESUS Luke 7:1-16 Introduction February is known for many things. President’s Day. Black History Month . Every four years - Leap Year! And Valentine’s Day! This month we are going to focus in on love. I know it is cliche to say, but what the world needs now is love, sweet ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ