We measure life more in seasons than in seconds, and last week we explored the three distinct seasons we go through—Separation, Cultivation, and Irrigation. This week, we turn to Jesus’ parable of the weeds and wheat in Matthew 13, an agricultural metaphor revealing kingdom truths. The enemy doesn't attack the seed but the owner, devaluing the harv…

In "The Lifecycle of a Seed," Pastor Mike begins the "The Speed of Seed" series by encouraging us through Galatians 6:9 not to grow weary in doing good, for a harvest will come if we persist. He reflects on how time feels fast in joy but drags in hardship, and how seasons of suffering, like Job's, often feel eternal. Job’s trials remind us of our o…

In "Miracles in Mass Quantities," Pastor Mike explores the powerful miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000, revealing how God turns our scarcity into overflow. Emphasizing obedience, he notes that faith and following God’s direction lead to supernatural results. Organization, too, plays a role as God often brings larger blessings when we structure our …

Pastor Nate Clarke's message "Living Ready" reminds us of the importance of using our God-given talents with purpose. Based on Matthew 25:14-30, we’re reminded that God is the Master, and we are His servants, called to steward His gifts well. As Spurgeon once said, “God will not ask what your church did—He will ask you what you did yourself.” The p…

God wants to be at the center of your life just like you want to be at the top of your kids’ inbox. He’s calling you to a deeper friendship through sonship, lordship, fellowship, discipleship, citizenship, stewardship, and battleship. You’re not just made by Him; you were bought by Him at a price. Let’s walk together in His grace and purpose. To co…

Pastor Mike preached this powerful message in Week 4 of our "How to Be Friends" series, focusing on The Fear of the Lord as a key element in deepening our friendship with God. Drawing from Psalm 25:14, Pastor Mike emphasized that true friendship with God requires a reverent submission—a healthy fear that acknowledges God's holiness and power. He re…

In Week 3 of the "How to Be Friends" series, titled "Friends on Fire," Pastor Mike challenges the congregation to rekindle their passion for Jesus, drawing from Revelation 2 and the example of the church in Ephesus. Though they were diligent in their deeds, the Ephesians had drifted from their first love, and Pastor Mike urges everyone to evaluate …

Do angels have free will like us and could the "devil" situation occur again?Greg and Mike による

In Week 2 of the "How to be Friends" sermon series, Pastor Mike dives into "The Moses Model of Friendship." Building on last week's focus on Abraham, Pastor Mike explores how Moses’ deep friendship with God can inspire us to seek a closer, more intentional relationship with the Creator. Through Moses’ story in Exodus, we learn that friendship with …

In the sermon titled "Adoption Day," Pastor Michael explores the story of Saul's transformation in Acts 9:10-19, focusing on the powerful moment when Ananias, an ordinary believer, is called to lay hands on Saul, the feared persecutor of Christians. Drawing parallels to our own spiritual journeys, Pastor Michael emphasizes that we are all in proces…

On Focus Church’s 12th birthday, Pastor Mike delivered a powerful sermon titled “How to Experience Restoration,” using the biblical significance of the number 12 to illustrate themes of divine authority and spiritual governance. He highlighted the connection between the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles, demonstrating God’s intentiona…

In his sermon titled "How to Remain Covered by Grace," Pastor Ed delves into the story of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel Chapter 4 to illustrate the profound implications of God's grace and the dangers of pride. He portrays Nebuchadnezzar not just as a powerful king but as a man consumed by pride to the point of considering himself a god. Pastor Ed …

In his sermon titled "A Purpose in the Furnace," Pastor Mike draws from the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the book of Daniel to illustrate how God's purpose often unfolds in the midst of our trials. He recounts how these three young men were thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar's idol, yet emerged unh…

In his sermon titled "How to Hear the Voice of God," Pastor Michael emphasizes the importance of recognizing and understanding God's voice, drawing from the story of Daniel in Babylon. He explains how Daniel's ability to hear God not only saved him and his friends but also demonstrated God's control over seemingly impossible situations. Pastor Mich…

Join Pastor Michael as he preaches a powerful sermon titled "How to Follow God in a Godless Culture?" Delving into Daniel 1, Pastor Michael examines how Daniel and his friends maintained their faith and integrity in the godless culture of Babylon. Through this narrative, he reveals three critical challenges faced by believers: identity confusion, c…

Join Pastor Mike for a powerful stand-alone sermon titled "How to Find the Fire." Drawing inspiration from the first church in the book of Acts, Pastor Mike shares insights from a staff meeting where he felt led to pray for the congregation. Reflecting on Stephen's defense of Jesus using the story of Moses, Pastor Mike emphasizes the importance of …

Join us for Week 3 of the "Kids Without Lids" series with Pastor Mike's sermon, "The 5 Seasons of Young Adulthood." Drawing from 1 Peter 5:5-9, Pastor Mike shares personal childhood and young adult photos, illustrating his journey through various phases of self-discovery and spiritual discipleship. This message outlines the five crucial seasons eve…

Join us for the second sermon in our series "Kids Without Lids," as Pastor Mike explores Genesis 17:7 and how to raise children who grow in wisdom, stature, favor with God, and favor with man. Building on last week's foundations of love for God, family, and church, this message delves into the often-overlooked years of Jesus' life, highlighting key…

Welcome to the first message in our new series, "Kids Without Lids," where Pastor Mike explores How to Unlock Your Kid's Potential. This foundational sermon is designed to guide us in understanding and unleashing the divine potential within every child. Whether your kids are out of the house, you don't plan on having children, or you simply seek to…

Join us for a powerful and inspiring Father's Day sermon by Pastor Mike titled "Act Like Men," based on 1 Corinthians 16:13. Pastor Mike explores the significance of fatherhood, both spiritually and physically, and the impact of father figures in our lives. He contrasts the portrayal of fathers in media over the decades and emphasizes four essentia…

Join us for Pastor Mike's powerful sermon titled "Grapes & Grasshoppers," as he delves into the story of the 12 spies from Numbers 13:25-33. Discover the profound lessons from this biblical account, exploring how our perspective can shape our reality and our journey towards God's promises. Pastor Mike unpacks the significance of the spies' scouting…

Pastor Mike delivers a transformative message titled "Vision For Provision" at our groundbreaking ceremony for our new East Raleigh location. Reflecting on Mark 8:22-25, where Jesus restores a blind man's sight, Pastor Mike emphasizes three key elements: The Presence of God 🔥, the People of Raleigh 📍, and the Provision to Build 🧱. Experience the po…

Join Pastor Mike for a powerful Pentecost Sunday message titled "A Mighty Wind." Discover the true significance of Pentecost, a festival meaning "50th" in Greek, marking the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the gathered believers, as described in Acts 2:1-4. Pastor Mike shares his personal experience of being baptized in the Holy Spirit, hig…

Pastor Ashton's sermon on Mother's Day titled "Rise Up & Build" stirred the hearts of the congregation as she delved into the story of Nehemiah, highlighting the power of ordinary individuals answering God's call to build a lasting legacy for His Kingdom. Drawing parallels between Nehemiah's role in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and the contemporary…

In the final sermon of the "Hidden Heroes" series titled "The Breakdown of a Blessing," Pastor Mike delves into the significance and practice of laying on of hands as a means of transmitting blessings and spiritual authority. Drawing from biblical passages and personal anecdotes, he highlights the importance of meaningful touch, spoken messages, va…

In the sermon titled "How to be Spiritually Healthy," Pastor Anthony explores essential principles for cultivating spiritual well-being. Drawing from biblical insights and personal anecdotes, he provides practical guidance on maintaining a healthy soul amidst life's challenges. Through reflections on characters like Mordecai from the book of Esther…

In the second week of the "Hidden Heroes" sermon series titled "The Man Who Saved A City," Pastor Mike delves into the often-overlooked story from Ecclesiastes 9 about a poor but wise man who saved his city through his wisdom. Drawing from the wisdom literature of the Bible, Pastor Mike explores the concept of wisdom and its importance in making be…

In the sermon titled "The Mother of Moses," part of the "Hidden Heroes" series, Pastor Mike explores the profound impact of Jochebed, the mother of Moses, on biblical history. Delving into the narrative from Exodus 2, the sermon highlights Jochebed's courageous act of hiding her son from Pharaoh's decree, ultimately leading to Moses' pivotal role i…

The sermon titled "I'm In Process" draws parallels between the biblical narrative of Naaman, a great commander who was afflicted with leprosy, and the challenges of maintaining public authority while struggling with private infirmity. Through introspective questions and vivid illustrations, the preacher explores the tension between outward success …

In his Easter sermon titled "Too Close To The Cross," Pastor Mike delves into the dangers of familiarity and indifference surrounding the symbol of the cross. Using contemporary examples of how crosses have become more of a fashion statement than a profound reality, he explores the repercussions of becoming desensitized to the significance of the c…

In his sermon titled "What Are You Wearing?" Pastor Mike concludes the "This is my Story" series by urging the congregation to reflect on the symbolic significance of laying down their cloaks for Jesus, drawing from the biblical narrative of Palm Sunday. He challenges believers to identify and shed the metaphorical "cloaks" of comfort, recognition,…

In Pastor Ed Clemons's powerful sermon titled "The Story I Want To Tell," he delves deep into the heart of the Corinthian church's struggle to live out the gospel amidst the pervasive influence of Greek culture. Urging believers to stop being deceived by the world around them, Pastor Ed passionately emphasizes the call to mimic Christ rather than c…

In the first sermon of the "This Is My Story" series, titled "How To Have A Repentant Heart," Pastor Mike Santiago delves into the profound encounter of Jesus on the cross with two criminals, highlighting the pivotal choice each one makes in their final moments. Drawing from Luke 23:32, 39-43, the narrative unfolds with one criminal scoffing at Jes…

In the fourth week of the "Missing Piece" series, Pastor Mike Santiago offers exploration of marital dynamics, identifying five crucial components often missing in marriages today. Grounded in biblical principles, Pastor Mike emphasizes the divine design of marriage as a union where a man and a woman become one flesh, highlighting the need for God'…

In the third week of the "Missing Piece" series, Pastor Mike Santiago tackles the sensitive topic of sex, aiming to dispel the misconceptions surrounding it and provide a biblical perspective on sexual purity. He acknowledges the importance of open conversations about sex, especially with young people, and introduces the theme: "God's System For Si…

In the continuation of the "Missing Piece" series, Pastor Mike Santiago preaches on the concept of "Becoming The One" by examining the relationship dynamics of the biblical couple, Adam and Eve. Acknowledging the prevalent pain in relationships, Pastor Mike challenges the common myth of "Finding the ONE" and advocates for a shift towards "Becoming …

In the first message of our new series "Missing Piece" by Pastor Mike Santiago, the focus is on relationships. The sermon addresses the critical role of communication in relationships, emphasizing that healthy connections don't happen accidentally but require intentional communication for a lifetime of transformation. Drawing inspiration from the b…

In Pastor Anthony Santiago's sermon, "Put Me In Coach," he weaves the passion of athletes wanting to be in crucial game moments with the biblical account of a persistent Canaanite woman seeking inclusion in Jesus' healing ministry. Using personal anecdotes, he navigates through the challenging passage where Jesus initially stays silent, and the wom…

In Pastor Michael Whitlock's sermon on Nehemiah chapter one, he delves into the historical context of Ezra-Nehemiah, which unfolds after the Babylonians devastate Jerusalem and its temple, leading to the exile of its people. The book captures the return of Israelites to Jerusalem 50 years later and their efforts to rebuild their lives. Whitlock out…

In Pastor Mike Santiago's "Vision Sunday" sermon, he outlines a three-part message focusing on who the church is, where they have been, and where individuals fit into the vision. Rooted in Habakkuk 2:2, the vision is to witness life change through Christ, encapsulated in the "FOCUS FIVE" mission encompassing encountering God, forming real relations…

In Week 3 of the "First Things First" series, Pastor Mike Santiago delivers a compelling sermon titled "How to Use the Old Testament to Pray New Testament Prayers." Anchored in Ephesians 6:18, Pastor Mike emphasizes that prayer is not confined to specific moments but is an ongoing conversation, an overflow of our relationship with God. He delves in…

In Pastor Mike Santiago's series "First Things First," focusing on "How to Pray Everyday," he explores the plan of prayer based on 2 Chronicles 7:14. Pastor Mike outlines the five components of prayer: Priority, Place, Plan, Power, and Persons. Specifically addressing "The Plan of Prayer," he introduces the model of the prayer of Jabez from 1 Chron…

In Pastor Mike Santiago's sermon on "The Priority of Prayer," he underscores the importance of making prayer a central focus in our lives. Grounded in Luke 11:1-10, he explores the components of prayer, emphasizing its priority, the significance of praying first and not as a last resort. Drawing inspiration from 2 Chronicles 7:14, Pastor Mike encou…

In this insightful message on "Why Was Jesus Born?" based on Isaiah 9:6, Pastor Mike Santiago breaks down the profound simplicity of the Christmas story. Amidst the complexities we often attach to the season, he highlights the three fundamental reasons for Jesus' birth. Firstly, Jesus came to dispel misconceptions about God, emphasizing a new kingd…

Welcome to Christmas at Focus. In Pastor Mike Santiago's sermon, "He's In The Room," he explores the birth of Jesus through the lens of Luke 2:1-20, drawing parallels to different life situations. He highlights the waiting room, emphasizing the value of patience and trust in God's sovereignty, and the situation room, likened to life's complexities …

Dr. Dave Martin brought the Kingdom Builder Series to a profound close, centering his message on generosity and drawing inspiration from the powerful verses in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. With these verses, he illuminated the remarkable example set by the churches of Macedonia, highlighting their extraordinary commitment to generosity amidst severe distre…

In the 3rd week of our Kingdom Builders Series, Pastor Mike Santiago delves into the intersection of "Cultural Tendencies and Kingdom Realities." With clarity and conviction, Santiago addresses five key financial tendencies prevalent in culture, contrasting them with eternal truths. From debunking the notion that "It's My Money" to emphasizing the …

In a dynamic message within the Kingdom Builders Series, Pastor Ed Clemons passionately explores the essence of "How To Seek God as a Family." Infused with energy, Clemons emphasizes the crucial role of trust, born from honor, and employs a relatable traffic analogy to convey the importance of families moving in the same spiritual direction. Drawin…

In Pastor Anthony Santiago's inaugural sermon for the "Kingdom Builders" series, titled "A Tangible Tale of a Physical God," he explores the profound concept of the incarnation through the lens of John 1:1-14. Drawing parallels to his own long-distance relationship and the eventual physical presence of his wife, Pastor Santiago emphasizes the trans…

In Pastor Daniel Malone's sermon, "The Power of Your Pain," he draws inspiration from Romans 5:3-5 and John 16:33 to convey a profound message about the transformative nature of trials and challenges in our lives. Using poignant illustrations, he underscores that life often comes with its share of hardships, just as the scriptures suggest. Malone e…