Sermons on Wrong Focus:

The Great Catch Series

Contributed by Keith Bowman on Jun 5, 2007

The fourth sermon in the Lenten Series "The Signs of John." In this sermon we look at the fishing trip the disciples took after the resurrection and focus on how Peter’s reaction illustrates the change in his and Jesus’ relationship.

Large Catch of Fish I. Introduction A. I’d like to start out this evening with a passage from another Gospel that recalls a similar incident between the disciples and Jesus B. Luke 5:1-8 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

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

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

Don’t Take The Bait Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jun 16, 2022

Don't take the bait.I'm doing a great work and I cannot come down. I'm going to focus on the great work that God has given to me.

Each time we have new members come into GraceWay we like to acknowledge them. And we have a couple that has joined us here at GraceWay. That couple is my wife, Carrie, and me. So congratulations. So we are officially members here at GraceWay. I just want to tell you, things are going very well and ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Go Thy Way-Jesus And The Rich Young Ruler Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 6, 2020

He had all the "right stuff", humanly speaking, but he knew something was wrong. He ran to Jesus, listened to Jesus, but walked away. "Go thy way" wasn't something he wanted to do.

Based on a message preached at First Baptist Church, Glasgow, MO, 2014 This is not an exact transcription Background: When an event in Scripture is recorded once, it’s clearly important. This event was mentioned in three of the four Gospels! This event took place shortly before the Lord Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-22

Denomination: Baptist

"do Not Be Offended."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on May 15, 2025

Choosing not to take offense when wronged demonstrates strength and patience. Practicing this mindset enhances our emotional well-being and strengthens our relationships. By fostering self-control, compassion, and mindfulness, we can cultivate a culture of love and harmony within the body of Christ.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Matthew 18:7) “Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes.” (Matthew 11:6) “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:6, Proverbs 19:11, Colossians 3:12-13, Matthew 18:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Am The Bread Of Life Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 2, 2022

When we focus only upon temporal physical and superficial longings – represented by physical bread – we neglect our eternal deep spiritual needs, represented by spiritual bread, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

I Am the Bread of Life (John 6:35-51) 1. Most writers know not to use mixed metaphors. Here are some examples: 1. She was a couch potato in the gravy boat of life, flopping dejectedly on the sofa. 2. All at once he was alone in this noisy hive with no place to roost. 3. The little boat gently ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35-51

Denomination: Independent/Bible

3 Questions About Testing? Series

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 19, 2002

We teach that the testing process is part of daily living.

THREE QUESTIONS ABOUT TESTING By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com TEXT: James 1: 2 My brethren, COUNT IT ALL JOY when you fall into many tests and trials. 3. Knowing that the trying of your faith works PATIENCE. Proverbs 24:10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:10, James 1:2-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Judgement On The Oppressor Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Feb 14, 2014

When things get tough we sometimes wonder whether God is present with us. Bot God is always here and his promises never fail. He will judge those who do wrong in his world. He is constant in his judgements.

Well let me begin by saying this is a difficult reading.It’s a difficult reading not only because we need to understand something of the complex history between Assyria and Judah and the covenant relationship between God and the people of Israel … but even more fundamentally it’s ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 10:5-19

Denomination: Anglican

Our Response To The Unexpected

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Aug 15, 2024

This message is about how we respond to the unexpected events of our lives. As children of God, our core responses should always focus our attention on the One with the answer, not the problem before our eyes.

Our Response to The Unexpected Scripture: Mark 4:35-41; First John 3:21-22; Second Chronicles 20:1-29 Good morning Strangers Rest. The title of the message this morning is “Our Response to the Unexpected.” I am going to open with a story recorded in the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus and His ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41, 1 John 3:21-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let's Get Ready To Go For Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jun 7, 2023

We must: 1. Watch out for the devil's deception (vs. 11-15). 2. Focus on following the Lord (vs. 16). 3. Keep worshiping the Lord (vs. 17a).

Let's Get Ready to Go for Jesus Christ The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 28:11-17 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared June 7, 2023) BACKGROUND: *Today in Matthew 28 we will continue to explore what happened after Jesus Christ rose again from the dead. And one of the words that stands out the most ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

Your Legacy Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 16, 2014

The goal of time management according to Jesus and His parables is to use your time wisely and not waste it on the wrong thing. We need to be focused on the Kingdom of Heaven/The Kingdom of God. We need to build on its foundation the rock which is Jesus.

Video Illustration to open series: Your Time Is Right Now Our new theme for this next quarter centers on this question, “How are you using your time?” Theme: Time Management Introduction to the new theme: Benjamin Franklin said, “Do you love life? Then do not squander time, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Story Of God: Regeneration

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Feb 15, 2008

It all went wrong, only God could make it right. We all sinned, only God could restore us again. The story of regeneration is often never told. So sit down in the old chair and listen again to the story from God.

THE STORY OF GOD: CREATION-RECREATION THEME: GOD CREATED BY MAN AND CONTINUES TO RECREATE MAN. TEXT: TITUS 3:3-7 It always seemed like hours in that chair. In a small kitchen in an old farm house, the chair was always located on the right side of the table. Grandmother always sat on the ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:3-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do I Offend Thee Lord?

Contributed by Ervin Kosch on Aug 27, 2002

The focus of this message is ’Do you love the Lord’, ’Do you offend others’, ’How can you hate the God’s children’, ’What price will I pay for my offence’.

1. Whom do you Love? a. Do you love the Love? b. Do you love the pleasures of this world? c. Do you love the things you’ve achieved, the things you own? d. Which rules your world, the love of our Lord and God, or you?(Jeremiah 51:17) 2. Do you offend others? a. Do you ignore others ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:42

Denomination: Baptist

The Distinctive Difference Of Jesus Our Lord Series

Contributed by Michael Milton on Sep 25, 2001

From Mark 1.1, this Introduction to the Gospel of Mark seeks to focus our eyes on the surprising Savior we come to know in Mark and to fire our souls with the reality of God with us.

INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES AND THE READING It was a day that would live in infamy. Not September 11th, 2001 or December 7th, 1941, but Summer of AD 64: The Great Fire of Rome. If you were alive during that time, it would have had the sort of shock value that we all experienced in our own national ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed