Sermons on Damnation To Self:

Pontius Pilate: Stuck In People-Pleasing Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 21, 2009

Pilate was a classic people-pleaser, who found that his behavior produced popularity that masked contempt, pessimism, and powerlessness.

The story has it that during creation, as God was sitting up in heaven turning out all these creatures, some of the angels asked if they could help. It looked like fun, making plants and animals, birds and beasts. And so God, who had just finished fashioning something, said, "All right. Come ahead. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Matthew 5 - Part 4 - Gentle Jesus, Meek And Mild - Not! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 22, 2009

The only thing about Christmas that bothers me is that people see Jesus as a baby, meek and mild but they don’t see Him for all that He really is.

23/12/09 Pastorross | public entry | tags: , Gentleness, Self Control, Quiet strength, Matthew 5 | report Matthew 5 - Part 4 - Gentle Jesus, meek and mild - NOT! The only thing about Christmas that bothers me is that people see Jesus as a baby, meek and mild but they don’t see Him for all that He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Deadly Virus

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 3, 2010

Sin is not excused by good works, and unrepentant self-indulgence is destructive. Sexual integrity is not just a private matter; how we handle it will determine what happens with our church.

This has the potential for being the shortest sermon I’ve ever done. At first glance, it seems all I need to do with this text is to praise the church for doing so well, declare myself to be against sin, and wrap it up. The shortest sermon I’ve ever done, and maybe the shortest on record! Anybody ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

Living The Gospel: Speak Up!

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 20, 2009

We have not found our voices yet because we have low self-esteem, but Christ declares us to be light. The world is asking for light, but we must learn to read the signs and to be who we are. March 1988

As a child I was fascinated one day by’ the fact that when you open the refrigerator, there is always a light burning. I was fascinated by it because I wanted to know whether that light was on when the door was closed as well as when it was open. And so I began to experiment. First I tried to stick ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Watch And Pray

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 24, 2008

Prayer gives us the strength to face the challenges of life in the last days. It is our reliance on God that grants the victory. We need that resolve today.

Let’s look at the theme verse for the last Retreat. • 1 Peter 4:7 says, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” • There is an end to this world. And we are now nearer its end than before. • And therefore, Peter says, there are some ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Widow's Offering

Contributed by Rick Bezanson on Jul 31, 2008

Encouragement to use our abilities God has given us to serve Christ by serving others.

I was performing a wedding for a young couple. Before the wedding, the groom came to me and said, “Pastor, I will give you $100 if you change the wedding vows. When you get to the part to ask me to honor, love and obey, just leave that part out for me. Then, he handed me $100. During the wedding, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Lutheran

The Commitment Choice Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Feb 22, 2010

I am strongest when I choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ's care and control.

Title: The Commitment Choice Text: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 Thesis: I am strongest when I choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ’s care and control. Lenten Series: Life’s Healing Choices (Saddleback Resources) ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cost Of Discipleship

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Sep 14, 2003

The Text is the Gospel Reading for Common Lectionary, Year B, the theme is characteristics of a Disciple as seen in this text.

THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP—MARK 8:27-38 --by R. David Reynolds Billy Graham has said, “Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything we have” [--Edythe Draper, Drapers Book of Quotations for the Christian World (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992)]. In our text this morning ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38, Mark 8:28-33, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Deuteronomy 30:15

Denomination: Methodist

Have You Taken Your Spiritual Temperature Lately?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jun 8, 2012

2 Corinthians 13:5 tells us to examine ourselves to see if our faith is what it should be. Like Laodecia, many are unaware of their spiritual temperature. What about you? Have you taken your spiritual temperature lately?

Have You Taken Your Spiritual Temperature Lately? Revelation 3:14-20 The church at Laodicea was one of two churches in the opening chapters of Revelation that were apparently unaware of their spiritual temperature. The other was Ephesus. Laodicea is a picture of a worldly church that has all the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-20

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Jesus? Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 3, 2008

History records that he was a great man. Yet he had humble beginnings. He grew up in a small village, an ordinary boy who did nothing to draw attention to himself. Like most boys his age, he attended school. He also worked in the family business and did

A Great Man History records that he was a great man. Yet he had humble beginnings. He grew up in a small village, an ordinary boy who did nothing to draw attention to himself. Like most boys his age, he attended school. He also worked in the family business and did his best to grow up strong and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:13-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Illogical Fear Of Elijah - 1 Kings 19:3

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Aug 4, 2011

The Illogical Fear Of Elijah - 1 Kings 19:3 What it means to serve the Lord in the ministry without fear, but full of love, power and sound mind!

The Illogical Fear Of Elijah - 1 Kings 19:3 1 Kings 19:3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life; he took his servant and went to Beersheba in Judah. Leaving the servant there, What made fear of Elijah illogical? I. After killing 450 prophets of baal (1Kings 18:40, 1Kings 18:22 ) II. After ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Am Created To Work Series

Contributed by David Lange on Sep 20, 2013

God created us with responsibilities. We are responsible to work and earn the bread that we eat.

I AM CREATED TO WORK We are told in the Scriptures that we cannot work to earn our salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. We cannot do enough works to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Peace & Persecution

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Aug 28, 2019

Are you comfortable in being a follower of Christ? Countless Christians around the world face intense persecution for being followers of Jesus, but they're not alone. We share in the struggles of being a Christian. Why is that? Listen to Jesus' call to deny yourself and follow him.

Each year, a Christian organization called “Open Doors” publishes a list of the top 50 countries where Christians are most intensely persecuted for their faith. Physical violence, death threats, execution, imprisonment, rape, neglect, burning of homes, bombing of churches, abandoned by family, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Pray Humbly

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Oct 21, 2019

if we pray with an open heart, it will be heard and we will be forgiven

Last week we heard about the persistent widow, who by constantly praying and badgering an unjust judge, got the justice she deserved. And we were reminded that because of God’s love for us we can pray for justice in our own lives and it will be delivered. Today we heard another scripture that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Episcopal

Deny Your Dark Side Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Feb 1, 2021

Salvation is free but discipleship will cost you your life.

Trevin Wax writes, “Recent studies reveal 91 percent of Americans agree with this statement: ‘The best way to find yourself is by looking within yourself.’ In other words, if you want to discover who you are and what your purpose is, the place to look is inside your heart.” When I googled the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Denomination: Baptist