Sermons on Refocus:

What About Heaven? Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Apr 13, 2002

Some common questions about what heaven is like are addressed.

(Adapted from a message by Tom Holladay at Saddleback Church) There’s a story about a wealthy Christian who somehow got obsessed with the idea of taking some of his wealth to heaven. Now he knew the Bible clearly teaches that you can’t take it with you. But so obsessed was he with this desire that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-15, Revelation 21:4-5

Denomination: Methodist

How To Overcome Envy Series

Contributed by Randy Hamel on Jun 23, 2008

Sermon looks at the devastating effects of envy - using the life of Joseph in Genesis 37 as a backdrop

How to Overcome Envy Acknowledgement (Rick Warren - Breaking Free Series) We’re in a series we’ve been calling “Breaking Free” from those sins in our lives that are not readily evident. We looked at temptations, pride, anxiety, and today jealousy. These sins become wedged in our hearts. We ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:3-11

"Be Responsible Not Irresponsible" 1 Cor Pt 8 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 16, 2008

Paul warns the mature Christians in Corinth not to be irresponsible but responsible for the growth and spiritual well being of the babes in Christ.

“Be responsible not irresponsible!” Have Dr. Joe share about his mission trip? Summarize last week’s message: Lessons on marriage and family – Paul tells the church to be responsible and do things God’s way! Today he tells them to be responsible also in their relationships with others in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Going Out For The Sake Of The Name Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 21, 2010

Understanding our mission dictates embracing missions. Failure to understand the first leads to failure to fulfil the latter.

3 JOHN 5 8 GOING OUT FOR THE SAKE OF THE NAME “Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

Alive Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 30, 2013

What does it mean to believers to say that Christ is alive forevermore?

“[Jesus] laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” [1] On one occasion, returning from a fishing trip I had stopped for gas. As the attendant filled the tank, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

How Can Anything That Feels So Right Be So Wrong?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 12, 2021

A Valentine's Day message emphasising the sacred nature of marriage.

“God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in his own image, in the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Arrogance Of The Ignorant

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 12, 2023

Ignorant people attempt to mask their lack of knowledge through arrogance. Jesus pierced the facade of the Sadducees by pointing to what was written in the Word of the Living God.

“Sadducees came to [Jesus], who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, ‘Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. There were seven ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:18-27

Denomination: Baptist

An Interview From Hell

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 27, 2022

What would a person in hades ask of us if we were able to hear them? Jesus provides us insight into this dark situation when He reveals what a lost man asked.

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Excluded From The Celestial City

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 6, 2018

Everybody talkin' 'bout Heaven ain't goin' there. The Word of God is quite clear that many will be excluded from Heaven. The message is a plea to those who are casual about God to avoid this condemnation.

“[Christ, seated on His throne] said to [John], ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Common Tools; Uncommon Tasks

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 12, 2023

God calls His people to serve now. He delights to use us with what we have, and not after some long, extended preparation in the distant future.

“Moses answered [the LORD], ‘But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, “The LORD did not appear to you.”’ The LORD said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ He said, ‘A staff.’ And he said, ‘Throw it on the ground.’ So he threw it on the ground, and it ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Want To Go Away?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 4, 2023

As the message delivered by Jesus transitions for followers to embrace Him as Master, many chose to leave. The Lord questioned His disciples, asking, "Do you want to go away as well?" Peter answered for all who will follow the Saviour, asking, "Lord, to whom shall we go?"

“Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’” [1] Christ will never compel anyone to remain as one who is counted among the faithful. If a person is determined to “quit” pretending that ...read more

Scripture: John 6:67-68

Denomination: Baptist

Our Civic Duty

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 7, 2025

Christians must serve as salt and light in our world. As part of our responsibility in the world, we must be good citizens, fulfilling the will of the Lord by wise exercise of our participation in the civic process.

“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 16:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

A Different Time, A Different Place

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 25, 2025

Is the Sabbath Mandated for Christians? How should we approach the concept of the Sabbath?

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

How To Interpret Typologies, Metaphors And Prophecies

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 14, 2001

How to Interpret Typologies, Metaphors and Prophecies

HOW TO INTERPRET TYPOLOGIES 1. Definition - A type is a pattern, image, or a symbol of a person, place, or thing. For example, Adam was a type of Christ, baptism corresponds to the deliverance experienced by Noah and his family in the flood. Joseph was a type of Christ, as the people looked to ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Shall We Escape? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2012

Many professing Christians treat the Faith as though it were optional; God calls us to absolute commitment.

“We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist