Sermons on Checking Ourselves:

Everything She Had: A Life That Matters Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Nov 6, 2021

The first attribute of a life that matters that we will examine in this series of sermons this month is generosity. Generosity, as reflected in our gospel text this week, is about how we hold the stuff of this life lightly, even as we hold people and Christ tightly.

A well-known hymn that captures this idea of generosity is “Take My Life, and Let It Be,” 399 in The United Methodist Hymnal. The middle verse often catches us singing with our fingers crossed: “Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.” In this text of the widow’s mite, we need to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: United Methodist

Forgiveness

Contributed by Michael Durst on Dec 13, 2006

A holistic examination of forgiveness and three areas where it is essential in our lives: God’s forgiveness of us, our forgiveness of others, and the importance of forgiving ourselves.

I normally like to begin my sermons with a good story to grab your attention. Recently that has meant sharing some story from my childhood that we all laugh at. I do want to tell you a story today, but in my opinion it isn’t very funny. It begins on October the 10th, just shy of a month ago. My ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12-14

Denomination: Holiness

Save Me From Myself Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on Jul 18, 2006

Fifth, and final in a series on Spiritual Warfare. This message explores how a lack of repentance, and humility can make ourselves our own worst enemy.

There is a great rivalry in this part of the country. The UK/U of L Rivalry. From a mascot standpoint, it isn’t much of a fight. A Wildcat versus a Cardinal. My Grandma Ulmet lived a number of years in Louisville. She loved the city, and loved the U of L Cardinals. It grew into a love of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:23-26

Denomination: Wesleyan

God's "Go To" Guidance Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Jul 31, 2014

We need to learn how to trust in the Lord and not in ourselves. Only then can He show us his will and the path our lives should take.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Out of the mouth of babes?” It comes from the truth that sometimes it takes a child to reveal lasting wisdom. For example: · Patrick, age 10, said, “Never trust a dog to watch your food.” · Michael, 14, said, “When your dad is mad and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Foursquare

Goal Line Stands

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Nov 26, 2007

if we’re going to find fulfillment, peace, or satisfaction, it’s by aligning ourselves with God’s purposes and living intentionally that way.

Goal Line Stands Philippians 3:10-16 October 7, 2007 I believe the apostle Paul would have been one of the biggest fans of ESPN if it was around in the days of the early church. There are a number of scriptures in which he uses sports analogies, and this is one of them. As I read this passage I ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-16

Denomination: Baptist

Deny, Take, Follow

Contributed by David Buffaloe on Nov 2, 2011

Though salvation is a free gift, Christ requires we deny ourselves, take up our Cross, and follow Him to be saved.

Mark 8:34-38 (KJV) And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Denomination: Baptist

Investment Guidelines From The Master - Matt 6:19-21

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 23, 2002

Why It is Important to Store Up for Ourselves Treasures in Heaven Instead of on Earth - Matt 6:19-21

Why It is Important to Store Up for Ourselves Treasures in Heaven Instead of on Earth It is estimated that the United States has 276 billionaires, more than 2,500 households with a net worth exceeding $100 million, 250,000 individuals with a net worth of $10 million, and 500,000 individuals with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Is Our God And Who Are We Series

Contributed by Charles Scott on Jun 24, 2002

The nature of our God and of ourselves is revealed in God’s acts in history that culminate in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

WHO IS OUR GOD? And, who are we. The readings from Holy Week sums up the heart of our faith and reveals God to us. In your private devotions this week, please re-read the last chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John that retell the events from the Triumphal Entry of Christ in to Jerusalem for ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

A Course Of Discipline Series

Contributed by Kyle Meador on Nov 16, 2001

We train ourselves to run the race ’marked out for us’ if our children are to run this race of faith!

What Parents Owe Their Children A Course of Discipline November 11, 2001 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-6, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When There's Nothing Left

Contributed by Lynn Loe on Sep 12, 2001

What do we do when there seems to be no alternative to the dire circumstances we find ourselves in.

When There’s Nothing Left 2 Cor 12:7-10 7 And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me— to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I entreated the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Methodist

Safe In The Arms Of Jesus

Contributed by Douglas Bryan on Jan 14, 2003

When we find ourselves in one of the storms of life, we need to remember who is in the "boat" with us.

SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS Luke 8:22-25 INTRODUCTION: A. Have you ever been so scared that you weren’t sure what action to take next? How do you handle the storms of life? ILL> That was the situation that a little boy found himself in. He had diligently rehearsed for his role in the Easter ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25, Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Are All Going To Need Some Help!

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Apr 24, 2001

God does not call us to do everything by ourselves. Even in ministry we are going to need help.

We All Are Going To Need Some Help Psalm 130 Galatians 6:1-10 Text Exodus 17:8-16 July 15, 1995 How many of us here have discovered that life is full of opportunities in which we are going to need some help? Jesus faced this reality, one dark and lonely, evening as he ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10, Exodus 17:8-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Deny, Take Up, & Follow Series

Contributed by Robert Clark on Mar 16, 2003

What it means to deny ourselves, take up our Crosses and Follow our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mark 8:31-38 Jesus Predicts His Death 31He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Methodist

Cross Carrying

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Mar 17, 2003

Jesus instructs us, if we want to be a follower, to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow.

2 Lent B Mark 8:31-38 16 March 2003 Rev. Roger Haugen Just verses before we have Peter declaring, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God!” Jesus is the Messiah, the one who has come to save his people, to lift them above the “oppressor’s rod”, to bring about the Kingdom of God where the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Lutheran

Joy In Serving God And Others Series

Contributed by Stephen Todd on Apr 19, 2003

True joy does not come from pleasing ourselves, but from pleasing God and from serving others.

Philippians 1:19-26 Sunday, February 3, 2002 There are times when we make Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome seem like it was a rather comfortable situation. He lived in his own home. He could have visitors whenever he chose. We even seem to take his eventual release as a foregone ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19-26

Denomination: Baptist