Sermons on Sharp Focus:

Healing For The Hurting Church

Contributed by Arlen Payne on Jan 16, 2004

I preached this message early in 2003 after our church had come though a number of trials. I have left the messge intact. It’s main focus in on realigning priorities. BTW Today our church had healed and is going great for the glory of God.

Healing & Restoration 2 Corinthians 4:1-9 Nehemiah 1:1-4 If I could paint a picture of our church it would be like this. -Wounded --We have been attacked this year like we have never been attacked before. --We can let it break us or we can let it strengthen us. --We shouldn’t ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-4, 2 Corinthians 4:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Kingdom 101

Contributed by Johann Neethling on Aug 27, 2003

The Kingdom of God was the #1 topic of all Jesus’ ministry. He told us to seek first God’s Kingdom and righteousness, and in a world filled with so much bad news, we need to hear and focus on the Good News of the Kingdom so as not to live our lives withou

The Kingdom 101 Introduction: • Coming to the US from South Africa certainly had its cultural challenges. Even though we also grew up speaking English, some words meant very different things there from what they do here. • A lady friend of ours, newly from South Africa, was driving along the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34

Denomination: United Methodist

Thelema: Thelma's And God's

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 12, 2007

Funeral message for Thelma Green Mann, known for her direct manner and strong will. The name Thelma is derived from the Greek, "Thelema", meaning will. A turning point is reached when one no longer focus on her own will, but on God’s will. Takoma Park

Grandchildren will teach you much about life. One of mine, Jackie, age 5, taught me about human nature recently. My wife and I had gone to take care of the girls while their parents were away, and we came, as always, armed with things to do – arts and crafts, games, books, the whole gamut of ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Victory In The Church Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Jul 16, 2007

Paul uses a conflict in the church to teach us how to gain victory over trials by giving them to God. Joyfully remembering how God has relieved us of our trials in times past, we are to present our needs to God, and continually focus on things of God!

INTRODUCTION A. The SITUATION Epaphroditus, pastor of the Philippian Congregation, has given Paul a report that laid out a difference between two leaders (two women) of the church which has begun to cause dissension in the church. Hard to believe in a church isn’t it?! 1. What do you do when ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-9

Denomination: Baptist

Baptism: Christian Divider Or Fellowship Builder?

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Jan 15, 2009

This is 2 of 2 sermons that share some common elements. This one addresses the idea that many Christian churches add theology rather than focusing on what scripture teaches us. In short, we need to focus more on being one Christian church rather than ge

Introduction Baptism has become a part of every believer’s life. At some point, we make the plunge, we’re cleansed from our sins, and take on the name as a Christian. But, Christians, as a whole, cannot agree on the proper way to baptize and the effect that bestows on us. Tonight, I’d like you ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Don't Worry, Be Happy! Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 20, 2006

It’s easy to say, "Don’t Worry," but it’s better to give someone the tools Jesus provided here to win the war over worrying. The FATHER FACTOR, the FOCUS FACTOR, and the FUTURE FACTOR. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy! Matthew 6:25-34 "Don’t worry about it." Have you ever had those words said to you? Did it work? Probably not! Easy words to say, but hard to put into practice. In essence that is what the Scripture says in verse 25. [read] But it goes on to tell us how not to worry. It ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Baptist

If We Want To Lead, We Must Serve Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Sep 7, 2014

We must not hinder anyone from coming to Christ because it is in serving Jesus and leading others to Him that we find our true reward. However, if anything comes between us and Jesus we must cast it aside because He is worthy of our total focus!

Leading well means serving well Mark 10:32-52 - Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant” -- Beginning today, we will see that concept explained and really come into focus - Jesus’ teachings, while difficult for some to deal with, are always timely -- God ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-52

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Core 52 Week 11 - The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Mar 19, 2020

How we handle threats? People tend toward two very different responses to a threat. Our current cultural focus is on the threat of COVID-19. Some want to completely downplay it and ignore it and others are running around with their hair on fire. What is the Christian response to this current event?

You can hear the sermon on my podcast https://pastorlanny.buzzsprout.com/ Intro: • How we handle threats - rather like my paternal grandfather contrasted to my mother during thunderstorms. o Growing up in SW Oklahoma - “tornado alley” in the 60’s. No early warning, no radar on phones. Sirens went ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A New Heaven And A New Earth

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Nov 24, 2019

A lot of our focus is the here and now, because we want to serve Jesus faithfully here and now. But John's picture of our future in Revelation 21 inspires us to keep the faith and fight the good fight, because we know what tomorrow brings!

November 24 Sermon - Revelation 21:1-8 - New Heaven and New Earth If you’ve been here for the past number of weeks I hope you’ve enjoyed the look we’ve had at the churches of the book of Revelation. I’ve done a quick rat-a-tat-tat practical overview of the lessons to those churches and to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-8, Romans 8:19-22, 2 Peter 3:10-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Reset Of Your Mindset Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Sep 26, 2011

God wants to change the way we think and the way we live! Our primary focus is on the mind today, since that is where our actions originate. Let’s take a look at our mindset and ask God to help us change where we need to change.

The Reset of Your Mindset Romans 8:5-11 I. Evaluate your Mindset – search me, O God II. Surrender your Mindset – you are controlled by the Spirit III. Redirect your Mindset – things above, transform, capture, God-thoughts IV. Encourage your Mindset – The Spirit can help you change! Resurrection ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:5-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Living With Purpose

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Dec 13, 2011

What we have is given to us, they are not ours. We are given what we can handle by God's sovereign will. We are all different, designed to be that way. We are to invest what we have been given. Our focus is on doing our best, not in comparing or compe

Beginning from Chapter 24 (p.9), Jesus started to talk about the “signs of the end times”. • He will return one day, but just before He does, what can we expect to see. The disciples asked Him in 24:3. • Jesus went on describe the signs of the end times. Until 24:36 He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

In His Presence

Contributed by Troy Campbell on Oct 20, 2011

David cannot seem to get his mind wrapped around all of this injustice. But I want you to notice our text this morning. In verse 17 there is a big shift of focus. How does this shift come to be? David begins to realize that even though it seems as tho

Title: In His Presence Text: Psalm 73:1-17 I find our text very peculiar. David starts out this Psalm by getting his eyes on all the wicked in the world. Let’s pick out the highlights of this text: Verse 2, David starts out this Psalm feeling sorry for himself. “I know God is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

What's Love Got To Do With It? (Part Five) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Oct 25, 2016

Last week I shared about what love had to do with overcoming fear. Today my focus will be on what love has to do with overcoming unforgiveness. We've all struggled with this one. Overcoming being hurt by someone can be difficult. Forgiveness takes love.

WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? (Part five) INTRODUCTION: Last week I shared about what love had to do with overcoming fear. We looked at 1st John 4:18 that states perfect love drives out fear. Today my focus will be on what love has to do with overcoming unforgiveness. Let’s face it-we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A New Body

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Jan 16, 2017

This sermon is the first in a series for January 2017 called "Start Something New." Many focus on body image issues when making New Year's Resolutions. In baptism, we have "put on Christ," and God sees His perfect, sinless Son. THERE'S your new body!

It’s that time again—time to set lofty goals for yourself. Time to aim high for 2017. Time to dream that you might be one of only 8% of Americans who actually fulfill a new year’s resolution! Year after year, we do this to ourselves…no matter how many times we fall into the 92% failure category. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:23-29

Denomination: Lutheran

What About Joseph?

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Nov 26, 2014

When we talk about the Christmas story we typically focus on Jesus, Mary, the Magi or the shepherds, but what about Joseph? His words may not be in the bible but his deeds are; and they speak volumes. What can we learn from the man who raised Jesus?

WHAT ABOUT JOSEPH? INTRODUCTION: When we talk about the Christmas story we typically focus on Jesus, Mary, the Magi or the shepherds, but what about Joseph? It’s like he’s just part of the supporting cast; one of the lesser roles in the events of Christ’s birth. In fact, there is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ