In Sermon Illustrations: "Self Honesty"

Whitney Houston ...

Contributed by Bret Toman on Dec 10, 2012

Whitney Houston sang "Because the greatest love of all is happening to me I found the greatest love of all inside of me The greatest love of all Is easy to achieve learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all" Learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all. I’ll admit I’m ...read more

Tags: Love For God, Self Esteem

Denomination: Baptist

Oswald Sanders Said, "Only The Disciplined ...

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Dec 22, 2012

Oswald Sanders said, "Only the disciplined person will rise to his highest power. He is able to lead ...read more

Tags: Disciplines General, Self-Discipline

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Have To Stop Trying To Save Yourself

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 13, 2014

You Have to Stop Trying to Save Yourself Watchman Nee relates a story from one of his experiences as a Christian leader in China. A group of young Christian brothers were gathered together to take a swim in one of the many creeks that run throughout the countryside there. Since most were not good ...read more

Tags: Self-Sufficient, Rock Bottom

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Secure In My Pocket

Contributed by Larry Turner on Jul 28, 2014

My phone was secure. I had it shoved far down into my pants pocket. There was no way it could fall out; no way could I lose it. I denied it at the time but I saw the signs. They read “Please put any items that you do not want to lose in the bins or lockers before getting on the ride.” I chose to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:35

Tags: Dying To Self, False Confidence

Denomination: Foursquare

Distractions Along The Way

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“I live in Charlotte, North Carolina, 200 miles from the coast. And yet our local Wal-Mart has a random smattering of seagulls that soar overhead and eat French fries and other debris from neighboring fast food restaurants. The truth is the seagulls are lost. They’ve taken a wrong turn. And instead ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:14

Tags: Lust, Distractions, Self Discipline

Denomination: Charismatic

Who Needs Twitter!

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Aug 20, 2019

We all want our lives to matter, and we believe they only matter if they are noticed by someone. I wonder if this desire for a witness isn't what fuels a lot of blogs, Facebook, and especially Twitter. We want someone, anyone, to take notice … to care about us … to watch us and by their ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-12

Tags: Communication, Self Esteem, Relationship

Denomination: Pentecostal

Who Wants To Play By The Rules?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 3, 2020

Wouldn’t life, or sporting events, be easier if there were no rules? Nobody to tell you what you can or can’t do, no restrictions, and anything goes. Easy, right? I can recall a couple of times when it sure seemed that some folks either didn’t want to play by the rules. Maybe they just plain ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:31

Tags: Wrong, Right, Rules, Self Will

Denomination: Baptist

Praying For Unity

Contributed by Jw Worcester on Feb 8, 2021

As I think of the unity of God’s Gospel to us, I’m reminded of the unity I’ve experienced over the years with other saints on short term mission trips, volunteer positions at a crisis pregnancy center and a “Rescue Mission”, Promise Keepers (Men’s nationwide Ministry), and the Urban-Suburban ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14

Tags: Self Image, Reflecting Christ

Can You Conquer Yourself?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 27, 2023

GREAT QUOTES ON SELF-CONTROL Edmund Hilary the first man who conquered Mount Everest was asked by an interviewer about his passions for climbing mountains. He gave this reply: "It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves." Peter the Great of Russia is quoted as saying, "I have ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Works Of The Flesh, Self Control, Holy Spirit, Self, Self Denial, Crucified With Christ, Fruit Of The Spirit, Discipline  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Reuben Gonzales Was In The Final Match Of A Pro ...  PRO

Contributed by Ed Doss on Oct 24, 2000

Reuben Gonzales was in the final match of a pro racquetball tournament. In the 4th and final game, at match point, Gonzales made a super kill shot into the front wall to win the game. The referee called it good. Two linesman affirmed that the shot was in. But Gonzales, after a moments hesitation, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 26:1-12, Job 31:6, Acts 5:1-11

Tags: Integrity, Leadership General, Honesty, Faith, Value, Truth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas Disappointment

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 8, 2020

One Christmas my husband put an assortment of beauty products in my stocking. I tried one of the facial masks, and was about to wash it off when my eight-year-old son, Callum, walked in. I explained to him that it was a present from his dad and it would make me beautiful. He patiently waited by my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-18

Tags: Christmas, Children, Cute, Honesty, Gifts, Christmas Present  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Accountability

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 10, 2023

Sometimes women are overly suspicious of their husbands. When Adam stayed out very late for a few nights, Eve became upset. “You’re running around with other women,” she charged. “You’re being unreasonable,” Adam responded. “You’re the only woman on earth.” The quarrel continued until Adam fell ...read more

Tags: Adultery, Cheating, Husbands, Wives, Accoutability, Marriage, Honesty  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

British Statesman Edmund Burke Argued, "Men Are ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

British statesman Edmund Burke argued, "men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains on their own appetites. Society cannot exist unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere, and the less of it there is within, the more ...read more

Tags: Self-Control, Christian Disciplines, Disciplines

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cost Of True Greatness Is Humble, Selfless, ...  PRO

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Aug 12, 2006

“The cost of true greatness is humble, selfless, sacrificial service. The Christian who desires to be great and first in the kingdom is the one who is willing to serve in the hard place, the demanding place, the place where he is not appreciated and may even be persecuted. Knowing that time is ...read more

Tags: Humility, Discipleship, Criticism, Self Denial

Denomination: Baptist

What Alcoholics Can Teach Us

Contributed by Davon Huss on May 31, 2014

Philip Yancey interviewed a young alcoholic who had formerly been an active church member, but had allowed Alcoholics Anonymous to replace the church. When questioned why, the young man responded, "Mainly I'm trying to survive, and AA helps me in that struggle far better than any church." ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:5

Tags: Accountability, Authenticity, Dependency, Self-Righteousness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Looking In A Mirror

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Aug 28, 2021

Here is part of a story by Gabrielle Moss? I've been known to waste massive amounts of time using mirrors to do respectable, adult things, like trying to straighten my bangs. Surely you've had the pleasure of breaking a mirror and having some helpful person inform you that you have now ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-27

Tags: Examination Of Self, Seeing The Real Person

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Tolerance Has Its Limits?

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 22, 2025

Some people can be too tolerant. One blogger complained. She writes: “Today, my new roommate took a shower. This would be a good thing, except for the fact that it's apparently taken her two ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-6

Tags: Tolerance, Confrontation, Rudeness, Asserting Self

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Rationalizing (Justifying)

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 1, 2022

Morris Siegel, the owner of a small Kosher New York deli, was being questioned by an IRS agent about his tax return. He had reported a net profit of $60,000 for the year. Why dont you people leave me alone? the deli owner said. I work like a dog, everyone in my family helps out, the place is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Tags: Honesty, Shrewd, Deceit, Cover Up, Rationalizing, Quick On Feet  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Cleveland Stroud Had Coached The Blue Collar ...  PRO

Contributed by Lance Ladd on Aug 14, 2001

Cleveland Stroud had coached the Blue Collar Bulldogs for 18 years before his basketball team made it to the state championship. Stroud recalls that "it was the perfect night" when they won. "A night you dream of." He was carried around the gym on the shoulders of his triumphant players and their ...read more

Tags: Leadership General, Integrity, Honesty, Faith, Christian Love, Character, Truthfulness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Leaders And Followers  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 7, 2002

LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS S. I. McMillen, in his book "None of These Diseases," tells a story of a young woman who wanted to go to college, but her heart sank when she read the question on the application blank that asked, "Are you a leader?" Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote, "No," and ...read more

Tags: Follower, Follow, Hypocrisy, Honesty, Knowing God's Will, Leadership, Obedience, Risk  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal