Sermons on Checking Ourselves:

The Constant Gardener

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Oct 24, 2006

On of the great pictures of God that we find in scripture is that of a caring and meticulous gardener. He does to us whatever it takes to get us producing to our full potential, if we submit ourselves to his care.

Ever met someone who loves to garden. As soon as the season begins they are out churning the soil, carefully planting each seed, making sure the right plants are in the right places for optimum growth, there are so many things to think about if you are a gardener. It is an art and a good gardener ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-11

Un-Forgivenss Creates A Debt

Contributed by Sherry Proskine on Nov 21, 2007

Un-forgiveness says, "They owe me". When we don’t forgive, it creates a debt from what someone has done to us. We can even create a debt to ourselves.

Un-forgiveness Creates a Debt Illus. Hold up a glass of water. How heavy do you think this glass is? The total weight isn’t so important, it’s how long you try to hold it. If I hold it for a minute--not a problem. An hour--my arm will ache. Hold it for a day--you better call an ambulance. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thanking Your Way To A Strong Family Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 28, 2005

According to one researcher, one of the characteristics of a strong family is "appreciation" or thankfulness for others in my family. Why do we find this so hard to do, and how do we train ourselves to be appreciative?

OPEN: Back in the 70’s, a woman wrote an article I found interesting. She said that her cousin had invited them to “Come for a thanksgiving dinner on Saturday, March 20th.” She wrote: “She was not celebrating an early Thanksgiving. She was saying that all was well with her husband, who had ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17, Colossians 3:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When God Has His Hand On You

Contributed by Herman E. Wesley Iii on Nov 29, 2008

It is difficult, from time to time, to understand that as Christians we will find ourselves in some “interesting” storms.  What is even more important is to understand that the storms that come in our lives are allowed by the permissive decree of God. 

Evangelist Herman E. Wesley III When God Has His Hand on You Hebrews 12:4-11 PRELIMINARIES To my good friend and minister of this congregation of saints, Brother David M. Tillman, Jr., brother Arlester Johnson and others who are numbered among the leadership. Members of the Narrow Lane Church ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:4-11, Hebrews 12:4-12

Relating To Jesus Outside Religion Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on May 22, 2008

Helping ourselves and others relate to Jesus not as one who started a new religion… nor who can be known merely through religious tradition… but who defies religious confines… and who seeks relationship.

Intro – One of the more interesting dynamics in my own process of having ‘holy conversation’ is when someone asks what I do. When they discover I’m a pastor… I’ve seen all sorts of things go off. Discomfort with their behavior, discomfort with what they then expect from me, or even just ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Giving Thanks

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 20, 2005

Giving thanks loosens the grip of our anxious clenched fists, so that we might let go of ourselves and receive the fullness of God’s Spirit. Five steps toward learning to give thanks.

A few miles south of downtown Atlanta, away from the tall, shiny, steel and glass buildings, a street corner is occupied by a short, unassuming, old building made of brick and stone. It’s a church building. When I lived in Atlanta, early every weekday morning a line formed outside this building—a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

No Reputation Series

Contributed by J. Yeargin on Nov 30, 2006

Today I want us to experience the obedience Christ demonstrated going to the cross. We must identify ourselves with Christ, and His crucifixion. This message will be an attempt to take us on that walk with Christ. A journey to the cross.

NO REPUTATION Opening: We serve the one and only risen Savior, Jesus Christ. The living King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He is second only to the very throne of God. We have worshiped Him this morning in Spirit and in Truth. I am encouraged by what the Lord has been doing here in the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Starting Over With God

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 13, 2010

God, though He is a god of wrath, also gives Himself permission to start over with us; we ought to take a cue from that and give ourselves permission to start over in our relationship with Him.

Did you ever start something and then find that it was going so badly, it was such a mess, you just wished you could just start all over again? You started down some path, you knew it was a mistake, but you got so invested in it you felt you had to see it through, even though it was getting worse ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 11:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Life’s Major Pursuit

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Feb 24, 2010

Pursuing God ❶. Gives us a Desire to Be Like Him ❷. Reveals the Truth About Ourselves ❸. Enables Us to Interpret Our World ❹. Makes Us Stronger & More Secur

Trivial Pursuit board game - Created 1979 is a game in which progress is determined by a player's ability to answer general knowledge and popular culture questions - The object of the game was to answer a correct question in each of 6 categories such as Geography, Sports and Leisure, History, and ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24, Jeremiah 9:1, Jeremiah 9:23

Denomination: Baptist

I Did Not Sign Up For This (Life)! The Dilemma Of Our Lot In Life

Contributed by Kelly Durant on Jul 16, 2016

Many people are unhappy about the life they have to live. Even the rich are not satisfied. In life we have to learn to suppress our selves from high expectations and just content ourselves in God's service!

I Did Not Sign Up For This (Life)! The Dilemma of Our Lot In Life Kelly Durant Ecclesiastes 2:17 Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind. 2. How many of you have ever ordered a cheeseburger at a fast ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:17

Denomination: Salvation Army

When One Is Better Than A Crowd

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Mar 15, 2012

The church is one body and not many and yet unity is often hindered by such "diseases" as pride, self-sufficiency, ignorance and laziness. To "heal" we need first to die to ourselves and surrender to Christ who will change us.

This week I heard devastating news from a friend of mine who will soon be ordained as a pastor. His son was just diagnosed with cancer. This is a young man, 18 years old, graduating from high school in just a few months and having to now face stage three cancer. It’s heart wrenching – ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Are You Joy Full? Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 19, 2008

The joy of Christmas and the rest of the year is discovered in Jesus. He is the only source that can produce lasting joy in our lives. Joy is a choice and it centers on our willingness to choose to surrender ourselves to Jesus or not.

Are You Joy full? Opening Illustration: How to be joyful at work and make your co-workers wonder: 1. Page yourself over the intercom but don’t disguise your voice. 2. Find out where your boss shops and buy exactly the same outfits. Then where the outfits the day after they do. 3. Send an e-mail ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is The Lord Among Us Or Not?

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Jan 5, 2009

Without water we try to solve our needs our way — This is humanism - We turn to things — This is materialism - We try to please ourselves — This is hedonism — What we need is faith - This is called trust

- Ch 16 - Two and half months from Egypt - Saw Gods’s hand at the Red Sea- - v.2 - Murmured — Manna - Ch. 17 - traveled 40 miles — call it 2 weeks - Now there is no water - Last line in v. 7 - Is The Lord Among Us Or Not? - We need to answer this question - It has been asked since the beginning of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

How Great Is Our God

Contributed by Richard White on Jul 25, 2009

When we look at the universe we see how awesome and majestic our God is, now when we see ourselves we see how Great and Gracious He really is.

How Great is Our God Psalms 33 Last week we saw how great, massive, gracious and mighty the God we serve is. We looked at the universe and saw how vast it really is. We saw the expanse and we saw God’s fingerprint on the universe. Just to recap, here is a picture of the Grand Design Galaxy, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Remedy Part 5: The Remedy For Emptiness Series

Contributed by Stephen Collins on May 13, 2009

We can never lead fulfilling lives if we keep to ourselves and serve only our interests. God provides the remedy for emptiness when we find our purpose in His body, the Church.

Remedy The Remedy for Emptiness Scripture: Rom. 12:3-13 Main Idea: We can never lead fulfilling lives if we keep to ourselves and serve only our interests. God provides the remedy for emptiness when we live to serve our purpose in His body, the Church. Icebreaker: Today being Mother’s Day, I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-13

Denomination: Church Of God