In Sermon Illustrations: "Self Image"

Jim Always Thought He Was A Pretty Good Guy. Oh ...

Contributed by Fred Schaeffer on Dec 5, 2008

Jim always thought he was a pretty good guy. Oh ... he made some mistakes once in a while ... but overall he thought he was OK. He knew that he wasn’t a BAD person. Oh, he fudged on his income tax a little bit .. not really cheated he said .. just fudged a little bit. He would stay out on ...read more

Tags: Repentance, Self-Righteousness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Taking Your Cut

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 22, 2025

A lady lost her handbag in the bustle of Christmas shopping. It was found by an honest little boy and returned to her. Looking in her purse, she commented, "That's funny. When I lost my bag there was only a $100 bill in it. Now there are five $20 bills." The boy quickly replied, ...read more

Tags: Self Interest, Shrewd

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A New Perspective On Ugly Sweaters

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Nov 5, 2019

I am not stylish. I will never be named “best dressed” minister. I do not enjoy clothes shopping. Yet, even though shopping is a task, there are occasions when I do need to pick up an item or two and even though I don’t have an eye for what’s fashionable I can sense when something is absolutely ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10

Tags: Dignity, Humanity, Image Of God, Goodness, Love Neighbor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Boston Marathon

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 19, 2015

Around here in Boston, Patriots Day is famously known for “The Boston Marathon” in which runners from all over the world participate. I watched with keen interest as the gun shot went off for the 116th Boston Marathon. Upmost in every ones mind was the question “Who will get the grand prize worth ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Tags: Self-Control, Run To Win, Running The Race, Self-Discipline

Mad Mike Hughes

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Feb 26, 2020

Mad Mike Hughes had a mission, to launch himself into outer space. He believed the earth was flat, and the only way to prove it was to go up into space and take a photo of the flat earth. He did not trust others to document the truth, he would only believe it if he saw it with his own eyes. In ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:11-13

Tags: Flat Earth, Foolish, Self Importance, Self Righteousness, Sin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

At A Certain Moment, A Doctor Will Determine ...  PRO

Contributed by Howard Flynn on May 17, 2001

"At a certain moment, a doctor will determine that my brain has ceased to function and that, for all intents and purposes, my life has stopped. When that happens, do not attempt to instill artificial life into my body by the use of a machine. And don’t call this my "deathbed." Call it my "bed of ...read more

Tags: Death, Love, Self-Sacrifice

Denomination: Adventist

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, Relationship, Self Esteem

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: Right, Rules, Self Will, Wrong

Denomination: Baptist

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

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Refiner's Fire  PRO

Contributed by Tim Harrison on Apr 9, 2002

THE REFINER'S FIRE The story is told of a group of women that met for Bible study. While studying in the book of Malachi, chapter three, they came across verse three which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled the women and they wondered how this statement ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 66:10, Isaiah 48:10, Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:3

Tags: Character, God's Image, Refine, Purify, New Creation, Time  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: *other

God's Currency

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Mar 19, 2023

Jesus might have asked, when presented with the coin with Caesar's image on it: "Whose image do you bear, whose image is stamped on you?” And the answer would have been - or should - have been: "We are carrying God’s image, we are carrying God’s name.” He coined us in his image. He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:34-40, Matthew 22:19-21

Tags: Joseph G Donders, Jesus The Stranger, Image Of God, Coin, Circulation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Whose Are You?

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 5, 2023

Do you remember, how once in the gospel, the Pharisees, trying to trap Jesus, came with that question about paying your tax? And how he asked them, “Show me the coin used for paying the tax." And how then he asked: "Whose portrait is it?" And how they answered, "It bears the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:21

Tags: Money, Joseph G Donders, Jesus The Stranger, Image, Debts, Caesar  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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