In Sermon Illustrations: "Selfish" showing 21-40 of 325

Ayn Rand Vs. Christian Community

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2014

What we observe in that early community of Christians stands in stark contrast to the philosophy of Ayn Rand, who has been getting a lot of press lately. She is known for her belief in what she called Rational Egoism which translates Rational Self-Interest which she described as "The Virtue of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Tags: Selfishness, Atheism, Capitalism

Grandfather And The Dog

Contributed by Dr. David Hallum on Sep 11, 2019

When my grandchildren were young, introduced them to my dog, Chuey. They were not well received by the old Chow. The dog would stalk around and shoot dirty looks when the kids were present. He finally got used to them and now pays them no attention. The other day, we were all in the back yard. ...read more

Scripture: James 3:6, Ephesians 4:14

Tags: Obedience, Selfishness, Immaturity

Denomination: Baptist

No One Thanked Him.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 2, 2020

Back in 1860, an excursion boat on Lake Michigan collided with a freighter and began to sink less than a mile from the shore. Hundreds of passengers began screaming as they leaped into the icy water. Edward Spencer was a student at a nearby seminary, and he ran down to the beach to see what he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Thanksgiving, Gratitude, Selfishness, Depression

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Anger Where There Should Be Joy

Contributed by Christopher Sweeney on Feb 19, 2017

When I was five years old, my sister was born. My brother’s birthday was March 7 and mine was October 6th. The logic of a five-year-old was that the older person’s birthday came earlier in the year. So when my little sister was born on August 9th before my birthday, I was naturally upset. Instead ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Tags: Joy, Anger, Selfish, Jealousy, Jealously  (view more)  (view less)

Right Prayer For The Wrong Reason  PRO

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Nov 18, 2011

RIGHT PRAYER FOR THE WRONG REASON I began teaching during the Wednesday night prayer meetings seven months ago. Suppose I prayed every day for all those months for God to make us into a praying church. Suppose I prayed morning, noon, and night for God to make us a praying church. Suppose I prayed ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-3

Tags: Prayer, Selfishness, Prayer How To, Motives

Denomination: Baptist

Someone Has To Grow Up  PRO

Contributed by Dru Ashwell on Dec 19, 2001

SOMEONE HAS TO GROW UP “We’re all selfish. Selfish to the core. God sometimes chooses to deal with our selfishness by giving us someone to care for who is infinitely more selfish than you. Babies are not only the cutest creatures on the face of the earth, they are by far the most selfish. ...read more

Tags: Marriage Obligations, Christian Disciplines, Father's Day

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sowing And Reaping

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 16, 2023

John Smith was a loyal carpenter, working for a very successful building contractor who called him into his office one day and said, "John, I'm putting you in charge of the next house we build. I want you to order all the materials and oversee the whole job from the ground up." John ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7, Numbers 32:23

Tags: Stealing, Sowing, Selfishness, Reaping, Judgment, Cheating  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[015] A Message From A Poem - All About Me But What About The Lord?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 18, 2024

[015] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ALL ABOUT ME BUT WHAT ABOUT THE LORD? This is a very serious poem even though it is written in a partly informal way. The title says it all. “Everything revolves around me, and the Lord should be grateful for the time I give to Him.” Of course that attitude is ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:15-17, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Tags: Communion, Commitment, Study, Excuses, Selfish, The Bible  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Today's Clip Comes From The Movie "Bella" It ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 10, 2008

Today’s clip comes from the movie “Bella” it addresses the subject of selfishness – In the clip one brother challenges the other brother about how selfish he is – his leadership in running his restaurant is all self-centered – he is selfish and ...read more

Tags: Self

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Never Enough  PRO

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 27, 2002

NEVER ENOUGH The story is told of two old friends who bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, "What has the world done to you, my old friend?" The sad fellow said, "Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, an uncle died ...read more

Tags: Miss The Point, Money, Peace, Joy, Selfish, Blind  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Mennonite

The Titanic And The Importance Preparing Ourselves For Growth

Contributed by David Simpson on Apr 17, 2018

Growth is a natural part of growing up! The Lord wants us to grow up…to feed on Him and get growing! Ephesians 4:15 "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." Col. 1:10 "And we pray this in order that you may live a life ...read more

Tags: Immaturity, Be Prepared, Growth, Preparation, Maturity, Selfishness, Disaster  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

The Rich Man And The Mirror

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 10, 2024

One day a certain old, rich man of a miserable disposition visited a rabbi, who took the rich man by the hand and led him to a window. He said, "Look out there my wealthy friend." The rich man looked into the street. "What do you see"? asked the rabbi. "I see men, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:10

Tags: Money, Wealth, Greed, Riches, Gold, Selfishness, Silver  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Indulgence Of Passion Destroys The Spiritual ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

No indulgence of passion destroys the spiritual nature so much as ...read more

Tags: Self

Great Achievement Is Usually Born Of Great ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never ...read more

Tags: Truth

All The Trouble In The World Is Due To ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

All the trouble in the world is due to selfishness. It always has ...read more

Tags: Self

In The Spirit Of Jeff Foxworthy, The Guy Who Does ...  PRO

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 16, 2006

In the spirit of Jeff Foxworthy, the guy who does “You might be a Redneck if…” is this useful list, “You might be selfish if...” So, just listen, and you judge whether or not this sounds like you. If so, you might be selfish. You might be selfish if… • You have a genuinely difficult time ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Tags: Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Friendship Is The Great Opportunity To ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

Friendship is the great opportunity to demonstrate our capacity for lofty and ennobling relationships ...read more

Tags: Compassion

Love Does Not Behave In A Discourteous Manner. ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

Love does not behave in a discourteous manner. Greed does; selfishness ...read more

Tags: Christian Love

How Sickness Enlarges The Dimensions Of A Mans ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

How sickness enlarges the dimensions of a mans self to himself Supreme selfishness is ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Jas 3:14 But If You Harbor Bitter Envy And ...

Contributed by Steven Cannon on Jul 27, 2007

Jas 3:14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ