Sermons on Present Focus:

The Entrance Of Sin

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Apr 14, 2002

One of the great mysteries that puzzles philosophers is solved in Genesis 3. Sin is no unexplained remnant of humanity’s supposed rise from beastiality, but a heritage flowing from Adam’s fall. Yet the focus in these two chapters is not on the fact of sin

THE ENTRANCE OF SIN Genesis 3–5 “I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid” (Gen. 3:10). One of the great mysteries that puzzles philosophers is solved in Genesis 3. Sin is no unexplained remnant of humanity’s supposed rise from beastiality, but a heritage flowing from Adam’s fall. Yet the focus ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Our Quick Change Society

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Aug 17, 2005

Society seems to go by us so fast we do not have the time to assess it or where we are in it. We are admonished to focus on the Lord, not on our ever-changing world. (From a wonderful sermon I read on Sermon Central.)

Incredible changes have taken place in the past hundred years. We are experiencing more change than ever in history. The rate of change is so great that we barely catch our breath before another blast of change slams into us. Everything we’re familiar with is changing, right before our eyes. We ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6

Denomination: *other

Preparing For Your Next Blessing.

Contributed by Harold Wanton on Oct 23, 2005

The focus of this message is to remind Christians that in this kingdom battle we must not forget to return to our staging post to regroup and renew our strength and receive furhter instructions from our commander-in-chief (The lord Jesus Christ).

Jericho is the door-way to all the blessings that God has promised Israel. The door-way to the land flowing with milk and honey. Today it symbolizes to the Christian all the spiritual blessings that God has promised us. But, before we can receive our blessings we must be prepared for them. I ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:1-9

Denomination: Apostolic

Attending Your Own Funeral Conclusion Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 1, 2004

It’s A War! Christians should not take sin lightly, but need to focus on developing their relationship to God as the best way to win the battles. Paul offers several arguments to convince us of this. There are other motivations besides merit and fea

Please note: this is part two; part one is simply called, "Attending Your Own Funeral." In part two, I summarized material I covered in part one and added some new material. Attending Your Own Funeral Conclusion (Romans 6:1-23 concluded) 1. The War in Iraq keeps dragging on. 2. We hear both ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Thanksgiving Living

Contributed by Tim Diack on Dec 12, 2011

When we lose sight of God, and focus on our circumstances, our gratitude turns to grumbling. But practicing an attitude of gratitude in all things transforms the way we understand God and the way in which we see the world around us.

Thanksgiving Living - Luke 17:11-19 - October 9, 2011 (Thanksgiving) Ten men. Ten life changing experiences. One transformed life. Open your Bibles with me please to the Gospel of Luke. Luke, chapter 17, beginning in verse 11. We are taking a step back from the Sermon on the Mount this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: *other

The Big Story: Magnificat Series

Contributed by Danny Davis on Feb 7, 2014

Mary, a young virgin girl, is pregnant. Though the pregnancy is of divine action she is still in danger of human repercussions. Yet in the midst of what could be a tumultuous time for this young girl she chooses to focus on God and make Him bigger.

(ME) Good morning Odessa First! Merry Christmas! We are so blessed with all the Christmas decorations – it just looks beautiful around here. I guess you could say, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!” First Time Guests – Introduction Christmas is my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Finishing Strong Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 25, 2010

We are called to finish the race, and it takes endurance. We need to be (1) prepared for the struggles that will come, and (2) focus our attention on Jesus. Ministry flows out of a love relationship with Christ. Our vision of Him will enable us to fini

[Some of the thoughts in this sermon are taken from Max Lucado’s book Just Like Jesus.] Let’s learn about endurance today. We want to finish strong, not just starting well. I don’t always finish what I start. Chances are I am not alone. • We have unfinished tasks lying around - like a book ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How’s Your Heart? Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Dec 9, 2009

It was the practice of Jewish teachers to try to sum up the hundreds of laws into great overarching principles that people could focus on. In Mark 12 we see an encounter a teacher of the law had with Jesus in this hope of discovering the great “one thing

WHAT THE BOOK SAYS ABOUT LOVE Part 1 HOW’S YOUR HEART? Mark 12:30 Ezekiel 36:26-27 Sunday, February 8, 2009 Pastor Brian Matherlee In the movie City Slickers 39th birthday of Mitch Robbins (Billy Crystal) and he is not happy about it. His two friends are having crises of their own and they buy a ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26-27

Denomination: Wesleyan

How We Pray Is Important

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on Sep 23, 2012

I pray we will fail in our pursuit of happiness and that as our focus transforms from the selfish to the holy we will become more and more in tune with His Spirit, with His mission to reach and serve the world around us for His Son.

For the last two weeks we’ve been talking about prayer. The first week we discussed Daniel and how he showed us through his story that prayer matters. We discovered that prayer matters because it helps us to rely on God’s mercy. Because it helps us to confess sin and ask for mercy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Slave Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 29, 2015

In this overlooked parable Jesus describes the life of discipleship in terms of service. Rather than focusing on our rights and needs, and deciding what we'd like to do, we need to focus on how we can serve our Master.

This has been called “the most troubling parable” in the Bible. Why does Jesus say we are like unworthy servants? I know I must have read this before, but somehow I glossed over it. I've got a lot of books on the parables of Jesus and most omit this one. A year ago an article in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:7-10

Denomination: Congregational

A Compelling Conclusion (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 24, 2016

Life is often difficult, even for the strongest believer. It is easy to focus on the trials we endure instead of the Lord. While we are unable to fully comprehend all our Lord is, our faith is increased as we look at Him by faith.

A Compelling Conclusion (Part 2) 1 John 5: 13-21 As we continue to consider the closing words of John in his first epistle, we are mindful of the many difficulties and obstacles the early church faced. John has dealt with false doctrine, the spirit of antichrist, personal sin, and the great need ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:18-21

Denomination: Baptist

Overcoming Spiritual A.d.d. Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Sep 11, 2015

It can be hard to stay focused on our spiritual disciplines. When we have purpose behind what we are doing, it will help us to focus on what is important. (This was built on the Next Steps series available on Sermon Central for purchase)

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • A.D.D. Attention Deficit Disorder. It is defined as, “a condition, usually in children, marked by inattentiveness, dreaminess, and passivity.” • The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as, “a condition in which someone (such as a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:8-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Warnings Of The Heart Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 9, 2022

The human heart is in full view in the Book of Ecclesiastes and the human heart takes a final bow at the end of chapter 11. Solomon is not wrong to focus on the human heart. Our hearts are an important part of our identity and how we view the world.

WISE LIVING: WARNINGS OF THE HEART Ecclesiastes 11:1-10 #wiseliving2022 READ ECCLESIASTES CHAPTER 11:1-10 [Person from the Congregation] INTRODUCTION… ‘The Heart Ramon’ (retelling of Final Duel from ‘A Fist Full of Dollars’) In the best western movie scene ever written and acted in the history of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Lord’s Supper (Luke, Part 11) Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 4, 2022

The communion, the covenant, the denial, the sifting, the charge, all of these things pointed to Jesus fulfilling His ultimate purpose (to die for us), and the focus of the disciples was still on earthly things. Will we see the lesson Jesus was teaching and apply it to our lives?

The Lord’s Supper (Luke, Part 11) Luke 22:1-38 Introduction / Recap - Last week, we discussed the teachings of Jesus surrounding His return - Bottom line: We DO NOT fear His return, but we can’t misunderstand it either -- We should know the signs behind His coming, and be ready to explain ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:1-38, Colossians 3:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

#65 Buried, He Carried My Sins Far Away Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 10, 2022

People love to fast forward through commercials during recorded TV shows and podcasts. That’s what we often do with the burial of Jesus. We focus on the cross and fast-forward to the resurrection. But the burial of Jesus is part of the Gospel.

#65 Buried, He Carried My Sins Far Away Series: Mark Chuck Sligh April 10, 2022 TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Mark 15:42 INTRODUCTION Illus. – When I was a kid, the only kind of recordings we had were vinyl records. With modern inventions, like cassette tapes and 8-track tapes came an ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:42-47

Denomination: Baptist