Sermons on Sharp Focus:

Wounded For Us

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Oct 9, 2008

The message identifies Jesus and talks about ways we wound Him.

Text: “He was wounded (pierced) for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5). The King James Version of God’s Word uses the word “wounded” while the New International Version uses the word “pierced” in reference to our transgressions. When we speak of a “wound”, we usually refer to an injury in which ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:3-9

Denomination: Christian Church

The Strength Of Being Tender ~ Gentleness Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 13, 2008

Gentleness is the character that will show humility, calmness, personal care, tenderness and the Love of Christ in meeting the needs of others. It is to be more than just a personality; it is to be who we are from the work of the Spirit within us.

Opening illustration: There is a story of a corporal at Valley Forge who was directing three men as they tried to lift a log into place. It was too heavy, but the corporal commanded again and again, “All right, men, one, two, three, lift!” A man in an overcoat came by and said to the corporal, ‘Why ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"We Will Give Account" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 25, 2008

Sermon 11 in a study in HEBREWS

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-13

Denomination: Orthodox

The Royal Law - James 2:8-9 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 28, 2021

We tend to disguise our sinful favoritism under the guise of loving our neighbor. Favoritism seems like love towards those we favor, but James shows that it’s really a violation of the royal law of love.

James 2:8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. The Importance of the Command Is anybody here interested in seeing the most important ...read more

Scripture: James 2:8-9

Is It The Thought That Counts?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 6, 2009

Jesus’ parable of the dishonest but shrewd steward shows us that what people want is something real, not just nice thoughts; and that the use of God’s money is our finest responsibility.

My brother-in-law has a unique ability, a very special talent. He has the ability to go into a men’s clothing store, size up all the merchandise available, and cane out with the very worst, the most atrocious looking stuff that money can buy. What is worse, he does that when he is shopping for me. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Idol Of Laissez Faire: Pergamum Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Nov 2, 2009

The Pergamum church was accommodating those within its body that taught doctrines and lived lives which offended God; their open-minded, laissez-faire attitude was a cancer on the church.

AMERICAN IDOLS: LOOKING AT OURSELVES AND OUR LOYALTIES THROUGH THE EYES OF JESUS THE IDOL OF LAISSEZ FAIRE: PERGAMUM REVELATION 2:12-17 Sermon Objective: The Pergamum church was accommodating those within its body that taught doctrines and lived lives which offended God. Their open-minded, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Nazarene

Buffeted But Blessed

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Nov 2, 2009

Life sometimes seems to be giving us a good beating. But God’s purpose in permitting trials and troubles in our lives is not to beat and burden us, but rather to build and bless our Christian life.

Buffeted But Blessed Text: 2 Cor.12: 9, 10 Intro: Most of us would think the ideas of buffeting and blessing are totally foreign to one another. It’s difficult to wrap our limited insight around the biblical idea that the former could actually produce the latter. As a matter of fact, the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

A Church The World Needs, Not Wants--Pergamum Pt6 Series

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Oct 14, 2010

“Be the church would ya!” Young people practice faith in the same way their parents practice faith. Studies today call this “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism”. It is a very self-centered spirituality; a self-absorbed Christianity.

Title: “A Church The World Needs--Not Wants--Pergamum” Introduction: I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN and I can tell you—kids, are smart—they know when you aren’t living up to what you believe and what you say! I worked with inner-city, street-wise kids for several years and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Methodist

Trinity And Controversy Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Aug 10, 2010

A sample of trinitarian controversy in church history and its application to Jehovah’s Witnesses and the book "The Shack".

I remember a less than flattering incident when I was young. My sister and I wanted to watch different programs on TV. I think she wanted to watch ‘The Patty Duke Show’ and I wanted to watch ‘Lost in Space’. This was before the days of remote controls. So we sat in front of the TV for a whole hour ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Law -> Sin -> Death

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Nov 25, 2013

To show that Grace is to be received by faith as GOD's Gift.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you receive GOD's Grace? Ice breaker: Bring a large needle. Ask the help of a brother that if he can "fake" a sound of pain for other to hear and then show them the large needle. Line them all up in a straight line all facing you. Let them all close their eyes but for the one ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:56

Denomination: Pentecostal

Lessons From A Suffering Church Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 14, 2014

The Church at Smyrna was a suffering church. They had experienced past afflictions and were going to encounter sever trials so they are encouraged to endure. A suffering church needs to look to their Lord and look to their future.

Lessons from a Suffering Church Revelation 2:8-11 8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty-- yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Spiritual Spinach

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 1, 2016

What spinach did for Popeye physically is what God can do for us spiritually. However, that doesn’t mean it will be instantaneous like Popeye's reaction; but it will be supernatural nonetheless. Let's see how we can get some of God's spiritual spinach.

SPIRITUAL SPINACH Isaiah 40:27-31 Popeye. What spinach did for Popeye physically is what God can do for us spiritually. Now, I need to incorporate a disclaimer here: just because the Lord is the source of supernatural power doesn’t mean there’s going to be an instantaneous reaction ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:27-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Second Seal Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 8, 2017

The horse imagery is probably related to the vision described in Zechariah 1:7-17. Horses represent God’s activity on earth, the forces He uses to accomplish His divine purposes.

Second Seal: the Red Horse and Its Rider Commentary on the Book of Revelation By: Tom Lowe Date: 9-9-15 TOPIC # III: VISIONS OF JUDGMENT AGAINST JERUSALEM (4:1-11:19) Subtopic B: The Opening of Seven Seals (6.1-8.1) ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Where Was God When I Went Through That? Series

Contributed by Daniel J. Little on Nov 15, 2011

The Necessity of Suffering. Wounded healers only become so by the wounds suffered in their own life, while un-wounded healers have little to offer.

“Where was God when I was going through that?” I want to talk about the bruises, wounds and scars and disappointments that we all accumulate over a lifetime and the question that we all have from time to time (or maybe most of the time)... “Where was God when I was going through ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 1:1-3

Denomination: *other

Essential To Implementation-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 16, 2010

Part 1 of a 2-part sermon. Paul highlighted/elucidated the necessity of agape love to the application of Christianity. Thus agape love is essential to the implementation of Christian belief. But how is agape love essential to my Christian faith?

ESSENTIAL to IMPLEMENTATION-I—1Corinthians 12:31-14:1 Attention/Need: Valentine’s Day is upon us. Our society is confused about the meaning of love. “Love” can actually carry a variety of meanings in our society. Most often love is portrayed in a romantic, sexual or setimental sense. Paul ...read more

Denomination: Baptist