In Sermon Illustrations: "Self righteousness"

Have You Ever Seen Those Frequent Flyer Programs ...

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Sep 14, 2009

Have you ever seen those frequent flyer programs that the airlines have? Fly with us and you will earn points that can get free flights (of course with the restrictions on when you can use those points and on what flights, the only way to redeem them is on a one way flight to Butte, Montana ...read more

Tags: Church Growth, Self

Denomination: Church Of God

Cowardice Never Wins Against Temptation, Only ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 27, 2010

Cowardice Never Wins Against Temptation, Only Courage On May 21, 1946 in Los Alamos, NM, a young and daring scientist, Louis Slotin, was carrying out a necessary experiment in preparation for the atomic test to be conducted in the waters of the South Pacific. He had successfully performed the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13

Tags: Heroism, Self-Sacrifice

Christian Caste System

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 26, 2011

CHRISTIAN CASTE SYSTEM Division is the opposite of unity. When we exclude or separate others based on race, socioeconomic status, age, appearance or personal hygiene we are dividing. In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:17

Tags: Racism, Self Cleansing

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

Chronic Frustrations

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 18, 2014

CHRONIC FRUSTRATION Have you heard the story of a majestic eagle that lived in the safety of the high cliffs, and often flew to great lofty heights. He could dive at great speeds. HE OFTEN FELT HE WAS INVINCIBLE, NOTHING COULD TAKE HIM DOWN. A hunter studied the eagle day after day, and prepared ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 4:5

Tags: Hurting Self, No Weapon

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Emporer's Clothes

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Dec 19, 2014

Do you remember the story of the emperor’s clothes? If I am recalling it right, someone persuaded the emperor to buy a suit of clothes that only people with the most exquisite taste in fashion could see. Of course, the emperor could not see the clothes, nor could anyone else – because the peddler ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11

Tags: Flattery, Self Deception

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Freedom

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 11, 2020

Freedom: “You feel you were hedged in you dream of escape; but beware of mirages. Do not run or fly away in order to get free: rather dig in the narrow place which has been given you; you will find God there and everything. God does not float on your horizon, he sleeps in your substance. Vanity ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:39

Tags: Freedom, Future, Self

Denomination: Pentecostal

An Important Hebrew Name Of God

Contributed by William Nickoley on Feb 4, 2017

“The days are coming,” says the LORD, “that I will raise up a righteous Branch for David, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the earth. 6 . . . And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.’” Jeremiah ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:5-6

Tags: God's Name, God's Righteousness, Relationship With God, God Our Righteousness, Handout  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Is The Biggest Problem In The Church?

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 1, 2008

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN THE CHURCH? Relevant Magazine, in their May-June 2008 issue, asked a bunch of church leaders this question: "Faith: What is the biggest problem facing the church today?" Here are some of their response from pages 73, 74: a. Shane Claiborne: "One of the most dangerous ...read more

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ivan The Terrible

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 11, 2014

THE BURIAL CLOTHES OF IVAN THE TERRIBLE In 1547 Ivan the IV became Grand Duke of Russia, and he proclaimed himself "Czar" which is a form of the word "Caesar." He actually claimed to be god on the earth. He later became known as Ivan the Terrible, because he was a cruel, vicious leader. He not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Tags: Righteousness, Jesus Parables, Wedding Banquet

Alex Navalny - Russian Dissident

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Feb 19, 2024

Russian opposition leader and outspoken Christian, Alexei Navalny. Navalny voluntarily returned to Russia - knowing he would be arrested and imprisoned. Navalny, 47, dies while serving a 19-year sentence in a penal colony north of the Arctic Circle. In Navalny’s closing statement during his 2021 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6

Tags: Integrity, Sacrifice, Righteousness, Sermon On The Mount

Denomination: Pentecostal

Good For Goodness' Sake

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 26, 2010

GOOD FOR GOODNESS' SAKE “You better watch out, you better not cry Better not pout I'm telling you why - Santa Claus is coming to town He's making a list and checking it twice; Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice Santa Claus is coming to town He sees you when you're sleeping - He knows when ...read more

Tags: Christmas

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

A Prayer For Deliverance  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 26, 2005

A Prayer for Deliverance 1. Personally affirm your faith in Christ: “Lord Jesus Christ, I believe You are the Son of God and the only way to God – that You died on the cross for my sins and rose again so that I might be forgiven and receive eternal life.” 2. Humble yourself: “I renounce all ...read more

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