Sermons on Ambition:

He Must Increase, I Must Decrease

Contributed by Randy Crawford on Apr 24, 2025

Every believer faces the battle of self—pride, ambition, and the longing for recognition. John the Baptist’s profound statement in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” cuts straight to the heart of what it means to follow Christ.

He Must Increase, I Must Decrease” Introduction: Every believer faces the battle of self—pride, ambition, and the longing for recognition. John the Baptist’s profound statement in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” cuts straight to the heart of what it means to follow Christ. In a ...read more

Scripture: John 3:30-35

Be Careful What You Ask For

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Mar 28, 2009

Lent 5: James and John ask Jesus for seats of privilege at his right and left. Ambition, power and glory are often pursued - but at a cost. Glory to Jesus is much different than what we see... Be careful what you ask for!

One of my favorite movies of all time is The Christmas Story. The character around whom the story revolves is nine year-old Ralphie. Now more than anything else in the world, Ralphie wanted a Red Ryder BB gun. But every time he mentioned it, he would be rebuffed. Ralphie asked his momma for the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-40

Denomination: Lutheran

John: The Apostle Of Truth And Love Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Aug 6, 2018

There is no one kind of personality that is the best to serve God but as we learn from Apostle John balancing the truth with love goes a long ways towards being effective in our witness of Jesus!

John: The Apostle of Love 2 John Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 Ever wonder what kind of personality is best to have to serve God in His kingdom? While those who have a passionate, zealous and ambitious personality have the drive to “push” others to obey ...read more

Scripture: John 14:23-24, John 3:5-6, 1 John 4:7-8

Denomination: Baptist

Joy In Perspective

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Jun 15, 2022

No wonder Paul had such joy. Through his circumstances, Christ was known, preached, and magnified. Joy in perspective. It doesn’t matter if I get my way. It doesn’t matter if my personal ambition is met. What matters is that Christ is magnified

A Discontented Homeowner I’d like to tell you a story about a home-owner who was tired of his house. He’d lived there for many years, and the more he looked around at the house, the years, the neighborhood, the more he wanted to be somewhere else. Can you relate? His eyes eventually grew critical ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christianity's Best Kept Secret Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 20, 2019

Jesus Christ our Savior set us free from the penalty of sin. Jesus Christ our Lord set us free to minister in HIs Name, but without selfish ambition of gaining position, prestige or power in God's kingdom.

GOOD NEWS PRESENTED BY MARK Study of the Gospel According to Mark As you read Mark, be aware that you are reading the very first written account of the ministry ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-42

The Truth About Truth

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jul 26, 2012

It may take a crucified church to bring a crucified Christ before the eyes of the world. Christ’s cross makes foolish human wisdom. The cross insults our intelligence (too simple), ability (nothing to do), and ambition (not glory for self).

Opening illustration: When Harvard University was founded, its motto was Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae —“Truth for Christ and the Church.” Its crest showed three books, one face down to symbolize the limitation of human knowledge. But in recent decades that book has been turned ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

2012: The End Or A New Beginning? Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Mar 14, 2012

Will 2012 mark the end of the world or will it be yet another opportunity for us to surrender our plans, hopes and ambitions to God. This expository sermon suggests we Surrender our plans, Savor each moment, and Seek God's will. Custom PowerPoint is avail

New Years 2012 Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 1/1/2012 Today is the first day of a new year and, according to certain prophecy pundits, it could be your last year on earth! Both soothsayers and science-fiction scribes have been predicting the end of the world in 2012 based ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-15

Denomination: Christian Church

The Power Of Your Dreams

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 19, 2025

The dreams that God places in your heart are not there by accident. They are part of His divine plan for your life. Like Joseph, you may face challenges, but hold on to your dream because God is faithful.

THE POWER OF YOUR DREAMS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 37:5-11 Supporting Texts: Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 29:18, Habakkuk 2:2-3, Ephesians 3:20, Joel 2:28 INTRODUCTION: Dreams are powerful. They are not just the things we see when we sleep, but they are visions, divine revelations, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:5-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Pursuing Destiny With Determination Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 23, 2025

Reaching your God-ordained destiny requires more than wishful thinking—it demands determination, discipline, focus, and faith.

PURSUING DESTINY WITH DETERMINATION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Philippians 3:13-14 Supporting Texts: Jeremiah 29:11, Hebrews 12:1-2, Proverbs 4:25-27, Genesis 37:5-11, 2 Timothy 4:7-8 INTRODUCTION: Destiny is God’s predetermined plan and purpose for an individual’s life. It is not a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

I Was Just Thinking Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Mar 13, 2019

As James points out, there are two kinds of wisdom: Godly wisdom (from above) and worldly wisdom. True wisdom is a gift from God and what we are doing with it today is not how God intended us to use it.

As many of you have probably heard before, the Greeks had three different words to describe three different kinds of love: “Eros” … where we get our English word “erotic” from. It denotes a sexual sort of love. “Agape” … denotes a spiritual or unconditional type of love … usually used to ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18, 1 Corinthians 1:20-21

Denomination: United Methodist

How Can I Be The Greatest In God's Kingdom? Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Sep 25, 2023

It was great for me, a breath of fresh air in fact, to escape that rat race, and find myself in an entirely different system, a system called the kingdom of God.

We’re coming into the primary season that will lead up to a presidential election in about a year, and there was a debate recently, and many interviews on television, and Trump and tucker talking on Twitter, and Biden and RFK Jr. and various others on both sides of the political debate getting ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:37

Denomination: Salvation Army

Aligning Ourselves With The Will Of God, Not Our Own - By Pastor Joseph Ondu

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Feb 17, 2025

One of the greatest struggles in the Christian life is aligning our will with God’s. Many times, we have our own plans, desires, and ambitions, but God calls us to surrender them to Him. Walking in alignment with God's will is not always easy, but it is always best.

Aligning Ourselves with the Will of God, Not Our Own Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Introduction: One of the greatest struggles in the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Malware In The Church

Contributed by Monty Newton on Oct 19, 2015

A healthy faith community is characterized by Christ-like humility and mutual consideration.

Title: Malware in the Church Text: Mark 10:35-45 Thesis: A healthy faith community is characterized by Christ-like humility and mutual consideration. Introduction This week I began reading The Girl In the Spider’s Web… another Scandinavian mystery novel. It is the 4th book of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Forgetting And Focusing Series

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Oct 8, 2017

Release your past to Christ, both successes and failures. Reach toward your glorious future, living with one foot in eternity as you remember where you’re heading. And daily seek to grow closer to Christ. Make it your daily ambition to know Christ better.

Philippians 3:10-14 Forgetting and Focusing I noticed an odd phenomenon in the military. When people were drawing close to retirement or their discharge date, their whole demeanor changed. They started dragging to formation. Their PT efforts became weakened. Their work grew subpar, or average at ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

Staying On Track (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 7, 2020

Many Christians begin with zeal, but get sidetracked along the way. Some are distracted with career ambitions. Others let hobbies or other interests take more and more time. The most heartbreaking is when someone is sidetracked by a false doctrine. Message expounds Philippians 3:15-21.

Intro In our study of Philippians, we find ourselves in the last seven verses of chapter 3. In the verses just prior to this text Paul introduced the metaphor of running a race like they run in the Olympics. His instruction there was that we keep our focus on the finish line; we do not look back; ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:4-8, Galatians 6:14, Luke 9:23, Hebrews 10:29, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Luke 12:48, Proverbs 4:23, Galatians 1:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic