Sermons on Sharp Focus:

7 Lights Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 27, 2002

The seven lights of Christmas all focus their beam of light onto the true meaning of Christmas. These beacons of light illuminate Jesus “The Light of the World”- The Messiah born to die so that we could live! Born to die to create and intimate relationshi

The Seven lights of Christmas! Thesis: The seven lights of Christmas all focus their beam of light onto the true meaning of Christmas. These beacons of light illuminate Jesus “The Light of the World”- The Messiah born to die so that we could live! Born to die to create and intimate relationship ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7, Matthew 1:18-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Via Dolorosa

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 6, 2017

This morning as we begin to prepare our hearts for Easter, I would like us to focus on the trudging walk that Jesus took for us to the place where He was killed. To do that, we are going to look briefly in all 4 Gospels and talk about some important Trut

THE VIA DOLOROSA GOSPEL PASSAGES #NBCCEASTER2017 INTRODUCTION… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Via_Dolorosa The Via Dolorosa is a sacred destination and a street in Jerusalem. The words “Via Dolorosa” are Latin words which mean “Way of Grief" or "Way of Sorrow" or "Way of Suffering.” It is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-33, Mark 15:20-22, Luke 23:24-31, John 19:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How The Holy Spirit Can Help Us Build Mutual Respect For Each Other

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. The Holy Spirit can help us build mutual respect for each other when we trust Him to help us focus on one another’s strengths rather than weaknesses.

1. The Holy Spirit can help us build mutual respect for each other when we trust Him to help us focus on one another’s strengths rather than weaknesses. God has given each person special strengths, abilities, and gifts which are unique to that individual. Rather than focusing your attention on what ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Madmen And Falling Towers

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 13, 2001

When tragedy strikes where should we look? What would Jesus say to our hearts if we have ears to hear? Where would He have us focus our attention?

Madmen and Falling Towers 9-16-01 As I listened to all the comments and opinions about the horrible day this week in which the World Trade Towers fell I was disturbed. I was in shock at the sight and angry with the perpetrators but my spirit was troubled about something else. We will not forget ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9, Genesis 16:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Patient Urgency

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Nov 3, 2002

God calls us to apprenticeship. Evangelism (the mission) is more important than our own personal spiritual growth; demonstrated through Abraham, Moses, Peter, Paul; and with a focus on 1 cor 9.

A Patient Urgency Nov. 2/3, 2002 Intro: "Everyone seemed confident that the ship was all right," recalled first-class passenger Henry Sleeper Harper. At last, however, the call came for all passengers to come up on deck wearing their life belts, and soon after midnight, Captain Smith directed crew ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27

Denomination: Baptist

A Church In Exile, And Our Response

Contributed by Matthew Oliver on Jan 7, 2002

In many ways the Christian church is a church in exile as many of our traditional power bases have been lost. We are not to focus on things of man, but things of God, in prayer and faith. Perseverance in prayer is the key.

A Church in Exile, and our Response. Sermon for Proper 29, Year C 21 October 2001 St John the Evangelist, Cold Lake Jeremiah 31:27-34 Psalm 119:94-104 2 Tim 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8 One of the joys of being a Lay Reader is the privilege of preaching God’s word before His people. The other part ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, Jeremiah 31:27-34

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Focusing On The Positive! Series

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 5, 2001

How you look at something can make a world of difference in how you behave. Life is like that. What you focus upon in life will generally determine the kind of decisions you make.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2011) ILL. Have you heard the story of the farmer who was discouraged with his farm? So he decided to sell out & move somewhere else. He engaged a realtor to look the farm over & prepare a sales ad. But ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-26, Philippians 4:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Standing On The Rubbishes Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 17, 2004

For our Annual Theme focus: all that we have accomplished as a church, fine as it is, is flawed. Much remains to be done, but it requires different leadership. This pastor’s departure, however, will not diminish the bond of love.

Some things end, but are not completed. Other things are completed, but do not end. There is a world of difference between the two. Some things end, but are not completed. Some things stop, unfinished. The tragic accident out on I-95 the other day is a reminder of this. Several lives ended ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Empowering The Church Through Creativity

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 27, 2003

Focus: The Holy Spirit desires to empower the church by unleashing His creative power into its life. We can be the conduits which God will use to unleash this power force into the lives of our church and community.

Empowering the Church through Creativity! By Michael McCartney Opening Illustration: Have Communion set up front with a light on it and have the power point playing of the pictures of Jesus. Also have the song by Mark schultz called Remember Me playing on the CD player. Focus of class: The Holy ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Gifts Did The Magi Give? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 18, 2006

Wise men came late to the party... but at least they showed up. Then - as now - many are too busy to bother. Why would so many people seek something else to focus on during the Christmas season?

OPEN: It was almost Christmas Day, and the mother of a 3 year old boy was furiously running from store to store trying to get her last minute shopping done. Suddenly she realized that her son’s pudgy little hand was no longer in hers. Frantically she began to look around and then not finding him ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Jesus Taught That Faith In God Is Greater Than Any Problem

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 17, 2006

Jesus knew that faith would help people focus their attention on God’s power rather than their limited resources. Without an active means of expressing our faith, we are unable to grow in faith.

How Jesus Taught that Faith in God is Greater Than Any Problem Matthew 17:20-17:21 (NIV, NIRV, TNIV, KJV) Everyone struggles with problems that seem overwhelming and tend to stress us out. Jesus once told His disciples, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Give Me This Mountain

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Oct 25, 2006

Learn from the example of Caleb: (1) Don’t focus on your misfortunes, trust God; (2) Follow the Lord wholeheartedly and you will be rewarded; (3) Be strong in the Lord, because this will bring blessings to others.

Have you ever suffered because of someone else mistakes? • And you’ve wasted time, efforts, or even money, all because someone did not do it right. • You suffered because of another person’s mistakes. You feel that you have been treated unfairly. • But frankly, life is unfair. No one is immune ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 14:6-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Samson: Dealing With Fatal Flaws Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 26, 2003

In our series called, “Keeping the Story Alive,” we’ve looked at Hanna, Gideon, and Ruth. Today, we’re going to focus on Samson as we seek to deal with our own fatal flaws

Samson: Dealing with Fatal Flaws I love what happens when children retell Bible stories. Here are a few of my favorites: The first three books of the Bible are Genesis, Exodus, and Laxatives. Noah’s wife was called Joan of Ark. Lot’s wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What Do You Want For Christmas? Series

Contributed by Jeff Armbrester on Dec 22, 2004

Mary receives the announcement that she is going to have a baby. The focus of the message the excitement that comes with anticipating the birth of a child. We’ll explore the excitement and anticipation we have for Christmas. The title of the sermon will b

What do you want for Christmas? Have you made out your list? Have you been shopping to see what you may want this year? We enjoy gifts. I do. I still get excited about opening gifts. Gifts say a lot. They are windows into our soul because they reveal what our true desires are. Gifts tell us that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Methodist

Giving Money Series

Contributed by Mark Edwards on Apr 21, 2006

Focus on how giving to the church will help people find true joy in their financial, spiritual, and worship life rather than telling them what they need to give in order to help keep the church goin

1. Focus on how giving to the church will help people find true joy in their financial, spiritual, and worship life rather than telling them what they need to give in order to help keep the church going Money Money Money The last two weeks we have looked at money money, and this week we are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:40-42

Denomination: Baptist