Sermons on Sharp Focus:

Part 3 - What Is Our Purpose As God's People Series

Contributed by Rev. Bruce A. Shields on Feb 11, 2005

Part 3 of our Finding Purpose series will focus on the top commands from God to us on how we are to be. Loving God with all of our heart, mind and soul and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.

FINDING PURPOSE Part 3 – What is our Purpose as God’s People? † SCRIPTURE READING This week we will be looking at what our purpose as God’s people is. This very question was posed to Jesus in our scripture reading today, an expert in religious law asking Jesus this question trying to test Him ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:36-38

Denomination: Bible Church

"Only The Weak Survive"

Contributed by Jess Bousa on Apr 26, 2006

In this world, people believe that you need to focus on your strenghts to be a great leader. In God’s Kingdom it is the exact opposite. God see’s potential in weakness and is able to transform our weaknesses into our most powerful strenghts.

INTRO: By the show of hands, who here, knows somebody that is perfect or thinks that their perfect themselves? Just raise your hand! If anybody raised their hands, that action alone would qualify you as being imperfect. I want to let you in on a little secret. We are never going to be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

What To Do When... You Are Confused Series

Contributed by Brian Moon on Aug 8, 2002

Life is an ever changing mix of good times, and bad times, and in the mix we take our focus off of God. This series will show you how to keep your eyes focused on God no matter what is going on.

What to Do When… part 1 “When you are confused” Story – when I was little I had a bad habit of sleep walking. One night I guess I got really confused and I walked into our spare bedroom and thought it was the bathroom… this might not have been a big deal accept I was having a dream that I was ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Hope In Christ's Return Series

Contributed by Clark Frailey on Dec 4, 2002

On the first Sunday of Advent we light the candle of prophecy. It reminds us of the hope we have in the return of Christ. This sermon shows obvious false prophecies in contrast witht the prophecy of Christ’s return - that the focus is not a day or time

Introduction: In the late 19th Century in America, there was a wave of enthusiasm for prophecies predicting the actual date for Christ’s Second Coming. One such prophet was an Adventist leader William Miller (1782-1849). And it is in his movement that both the JW’s and the Seventh Day ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Baptist

Over The River And Through The Wood Series

Contributed by Jeff Armbrester on Dec 22, 2004

The theme is final preparations. This worship experience will focus on the excitement and stress of the final week before the big event. Mary and Joseph had to make a long journey to Bethlehem. We have last-minute shopping and dinner plans to make. And in

The Crandles are not as bad as we thought. They have decided to have a Merry Christmas by putting forth the effort to get along and enjoy each other. What about you? How are your Christmas plans coming? Are you getting excited? Or, is worry and fear getting a grip on you? As you travel “Over the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

It's Not Over Until It's Over

Contributed by James May on Jul 31, 2005

Let us not get our focus drawn to the things of this world and let them keep us from remembering that there is a Day of Judgment coming. Prosperity in this life isn’t worth losing the promise of Heaven in the eternity that lies ahead.

It’s Not Over Until It’s Over By Pastor Jim May I received an email this week from a young man who realized that so much of the “gospel messages” that we hear today are not gospel at all. He has come to a realization that the messages preached by most TV and radio evangelists are no longer a ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Unity Is Oneness, Not Sameness

Contributed by Christopher Roberts on Oct 29, 2003

Jesus prays for unity in the Church that is to come. Yet, His prayer indicates He knows we will struggle. As long as we keep our focus on God we will overcome our denominational differences and find our oneness in Christ.

Ruth Bell once said, “If two people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary” She went on to say, “If two people agree on everything, they double their chances of being wrong.” Now, Ruth Bell was not referring to the diversity of thought in the Christian church, she was instead talking ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-23

Denomination: Methodist

Dealing With Disappointment

Contributed by Don Jaques on Jan 24, 2007

All Christians can find renewed hope in times of disappointment by 1)keeping an eternal focus, 2)cast your anxiety upon the Lord, 3)be self-controlled and resist the devil, and 4)offer a sacrifice of praise.

If there is anything I’ve learned in my years working as a pastor it is that things don’t always go the way we think they should go. I’ve been witness to more tragic stories than I wish – and the truth is, life is hard. God has chosen to use people just like us to be his ambassadors on this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Church; Grow Up! Series

Contributed by Neil Olcott on Sep 10, 2009

Today’s Scripture is God’s Word to churches to be focused on building up the church to be mature and healthy! The Scriptures are directly telling us to focus on ourselves. Give attention to the church body and do what is necessary to make it healthier.

Date: July 12th, 2009 Bible Text: Ephesians 4:7-16 Subject: Complement: Main Idea: Intro: Imagine for a moment going to the doctor and after a battery of tests she comes out and tells you, “Look, you need to stop doing all the things you’re doing!” Your volunteer work in the community, your ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-16

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be Invisible Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 13, 2009

There is a way to do wonderful things for God and fade into the background. Our human nature wants to get the credit and be the focus. Our godly nature tells us otherwise. Learn how to be an active part of God’s plan by disappearing.

Where have we been so far? Chapter 5: rely and focus on the Lord, not on ourselves. Make, keep, and fix broken relationships as God fixed the broken relationship with us. Now in Chapter 6 we move to being an active part in focusing others on God—the source of life. What’s the use of having ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How Should We Then Live? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 25, 2010

While most people --including many professing Christians -- indiscriminately follow the popular culture and focus their lives on either looks, materialism, popularity, success, power, prestige, or social acceptance -- why should we pursue God and godlines

How Should We Then Live? 2 Peter 3:11-12, 17-18 1. I just came back from a pastor's conference, and I had a good time. We did not have too much free time, but I was able to work in a sermon outline and borrowed my room mate's computer to send the outline to Jane. . I brought two commentaries with ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:11-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus Appoints The Twelve Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Jul 5, 2010

Is your faith totally inward focused or does it have a gospel shaped outward focus as well? Are you one of Jesus disciples so you can serve him or just yourself? Are you not just a disciple but an apostle as well?

Imagine Jesus appeared in Melbourne today and was looking to form a band of disciples. What sorts of people do you think he might look for? People with influence? Media savvy types? University trained professionals? People who are good with words, good at presenting the right image? It’s ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:7-19

Denomination: Anglican

Know Thyself Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Oct 26, 2009

This week we turn the focus on understanding ourselves and gaining emotional awareness so that we may know God. Four competancies will be shared to help us become emotionally aware so that we might be emotionally healthy spiritually.

Back to School Know Thyself Psalm 55:1-5, 16-17 October 25, 2009 This week and next week we are going to look at several emotional health competencies. These are qualities that emotionally healthy people cultivate and display. These give us plenty of things to work because none of us have all of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:1-5

Denomination: Church Of God

Earthen Vessel, Feet Of Clay

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 29, 2009

Ordination of Troy L. Dixon, Nov. 1989: We pursue the trappings of religion instead of what is truly value. As a common clay vessel, be wary of power games, know that your foundation can crumble, focus on the treasure of the Gospel.

Somehow in men’s minds the paraphernalia of religion get to be more important than the faith itself. It is one of the enduring problems of religious life, how it is that we get far more caught up and invested in the trappings of religion than in the faith itself. In your average church, you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-18

Denomination: Baptist

Give Back Christmas

Contributed by Doug Bolles on Oct 20, 2007

Our celebrations of Christmas should be an extension of our celebration of Christ every other day of the year. If we give special attention to his birth and use the focus of the world on this adopted holiday to show and share the love of Christ and the t

Give Back Christmas This message may strike some as controversial and others as stating the obvious. I have to confess that for me, Christmas, as we know it today, has largely become something to survive, not celebrate. And before you judge me too severely, I would suggest I may be in good ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational