Sermons on Wrong Focus:

The Separational Season

Contributed by Maria Saunders on Dec 14, 2007

God isn’t a God of normalcy. He doesn’t perform according to the standards of the world. Therefore, we at times will endure the Separational Season (a season of the wilderness).

The Separational Season (Matthew 1:18-25) At a Friday Night Prayer Service, I received confirmation that the message this morning is truly not only for me, but also for the House of Transformation. This year we’ve experienced some wonderful times and some low times. There’s some stuff that many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Alpine Christianity

Contributed by Stephen Evoy on Dec 14, 2007

Applies a "mountaineering" metaphor to the Christian journey to illustrate the difference between a burden ("boulder") and a load ("backpack"). First person perspective, honest illustrations from my own experience. Engaging stories, easy applicability,

In 1953, John Hunt organized an assault-style expedition to Mt. Everest. He enlisted an army of Sherpas to serve as porters. The porters established the climbing route, built bridges across the glacier, and stockpiled supplies at strategic locations up the mountain. One of the Sherpas was named ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:2-5

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Ascension Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 17, 2007

Like many of the other important events in Jesus’ life, the ascension is also important for a number of reasons. In this sermon we look at four reasons why the ascension was an absolute necessity.

Introduction: A. Goodbyes aren’t easy. Especially if we or they will be gone for a long time. 1. There are some very memorable goodbyes in history. 2. On June 13, 1948, Babe Ruth stood in Yankee Stadium, eaten up with cancer and with tears in his eyes, said goodbye. He died two months ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Make Me A Blessing Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 18, 2007

Abraham, Pt. 7

MAKE ME A BLESSING (GENESIS 20) A non-profit organization’s survey of 81,355 people 18 and older, reveals that Americans are a neighborly lot, says a national study that finds 76% trust most or some neighbors, 16% say they trust them all, 44% talk to them frequently and 65% exchange favors. The ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 20:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Have Thine Own Way Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 18, 2007

Apostles, Pt. 8

HAVE THINE OWN WAY, LORD (MARK 8:27-33) One of the most acclaimed Jim Carrey movies was “The Truman Show,” an inside look into future reality TV shows, a stunning prediction of the format’s runaway success and a biting commentary on its unrestrained excesses. The movie was about a man who was born, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-33

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God's Easy Yoke And Light Burden Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 19, 2007

Moses, Pt. 9

GOD’S EASY YOKE AND LIGHT BURDEN (NUMBERS 11:4-33) A lady from a church I had preached before once approached me and asked me to retell a story that I had supposedly told her congregation. I said, “What story?” She told me the gist of the story and I said, “I did not tell it.” The story was ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 11:4-33

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Enjoy Fortune Together, Endure Misfortune Together Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 19, 2007

Couples, Pt. 2

ENJOY FORTUNE TOGETHER, ENDURE MISFORTUNE TOGETHER (GENESIS 12:1-13:1) Larry's barn burned down and Susan, his wife, called the insurance company. Susan told the insurance company, “We had that barn insured for fifty thousand and I want my money.” The agent replied, “Whoa there, just a minute, ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Eyes Wide Open Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 19, 2007

Couples, Pt. 9

EYES WIDE OPEN (ACTS 4:32-5:11) Stumpy and his wife Martha went to the State Fair every year. Every year Stumpy would say, “Martha, I’d like to ride in that airplane.” And every year Martha would say, “I know, Stumpy, but that airplane ride costs ten dollars, and ten dollars is ten dollars.” This ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

One Thing I Know Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 19, 2007

Crisis and Choice, Pt. 2

ONE THING I KNOW (JOHN 9) One embarrassing game day, after giving up nine home runs in a row, Charlie Brown cried out in despair, “What can I do?!!” He complained to his catcher, “We’re getting slaughtered again, Schroeder. I don’t know what to do. Why do we have to suffer like this?” Schroeder ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-39

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It's What You Are On The Inside: Shrek Series

Contributed by J John on Dec 20, 2007

Shrek is directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, and is based on the children’s book by William Steig. This is an astonishing, delightful computer animation, and it’s no surprise that the film took five years to make.

--note-- 2001, PDI/Dreamwork Director: Andrew Adamson & Vicky Jenson Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow - - - - - Shrek is directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, and is based on the children’s book by William Steig. This is an astonishing, delightful computer ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7

Denomination: *other

Win The War, Not The Battle Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 20, 2007

Saul, Pt. 3

WIN THE WAR, NOT THE BATTLE (1 SAMUEL 13:5-15) There are many tests in life: death of loved ones, getting the pink slip and losing a stable job, to name the most stressful. One of the most stressful periods of my life was when I returned to full-time continuing theological education. My savings ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:5-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Faith Alive And Kicking Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 20, 2007

Miracle of Faith, Pt. 1

FAITH ALIVE AND KICKING (LUKE 5:17-26) Faith is alive and well in the 21st century. Science, technology and reason tried but they could not bury faith. Without faith, life is like a house without sunlight, without window or occupants. A life without faith is a murky existence, all doom and gloom, a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

All Is Vanity Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 22, 2007

Solomon, Pt. 3

ALL IS VANITY (1 KINGS 11:1-14) A Jewish story tells of Alexander the Great’s presence before the gates of paradise on his journey home after he had conquered the whole world. Seeing that the gates would not open for him, he asked for a token to prove that he was there. All he got was a human eye. ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You Only Live Once Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 22, 2007

Parables for Seekers, Pt. 6

YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE (LUKE 16:19-31) A Sunday school teacher told his class the story of the rich man and Lazarus. He explained that the wealthy man had wonderful clothes, lived in luxury and had all the food he could eat; but he had no compassion for the beggar, who longed for a few crumbs from the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Pay Up Or Pack Up Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 22, 2007

Parables for Seekers, Pt. 8

PAY UP OR PACK UP (MATTHEW 21:33-44) US News and World Report (3/31/97) polled 1,000 people several years ago on who they thought were people “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to go to heaven. The person most likely to go to heaven was none other than Mother Teresa, who garnered 79 percent of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:32-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible