Sermons on Dead To Self:

Putting First Things First

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 24, 2001

It has taken us generations of self-study to come up with 3 major "wants" in life. Yet Jesus knew it all along!

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN, BROWNSVILLE, TX A. Psychologists tell us that there are 3 major "wants" in life. The first "want" is to want comfort - to want food when we are hungry, to want something to drink when we are thirsty, to want a cool place when we are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

World Religions - 3 Buddhism

Contributed by Chris Surber on Nov 20, 2008

In Buddhism enlightenment is achieved through pouring one’s self out. In Christ, grace has been poured out unto us!

What About Buddhism? Titus 3:1-7 Introduction Frederick Buechner, in his book Now and Then, has a section on his comparison of the teachings of Buddha and of Jesus Christ, a topic he wrestled with when he was teaching at Phillips Exeter Academy: “Finally, lest students of comparative religion be ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:1-7

Denomination: Christian Church

The Strength Of Sacrifice Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 16, 2006

As we try to put ourselves into a position to be able to share the gospel with others, there are few things that will get their attention more than self-sacrifice.

A. Self-sacrifice. A word we are not too familiar with, right? 1. Certainly, we understand its meaning. It is not too hard to define, but it is hard to embrace and embody. Wouldn’t you agree? 2. And yet when we witness self-sacrifice, we are drawn to it. We are amazed by it. 3. Sacrifice ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Spirit-Filled Life

Contributed by Chris Talton on Mar 19, 2004

This sermon is on self-control and the Spirit’s role in enabling us to achieve the goals we have to gain control over our selves.

February 15, 2004 Galatians 5:22-23 “The Spirit-filled Life” INTRODUCTION In Scotland, during the early days of aviation, a stunt pilot was selling rides in his single engine airplane. One day he got into an argument with an old farmer who insisted upon taking his wife along on ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:23

Denomination: Baptist

The Nature Of The Flesh - Part 3 Series

Contributed by J. Yeargin on Nov 29, 2006

Today we find it awkward to operate in self sufficiency. That is, making decisions on our own without the Lord controlling our lives.

THE NATURE OF THE FLESH Part III of Christ in You Traditional view - Man is both (or either) good and evil; only 2 parts to every man. Biblical view - all that we are without Christ, and all that we are with Christ FLESH - all that we are without Christ; it only knows how to function in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:9-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Love Overcomes

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jan 16, 2006

Christ’s love in us overcomes the world, the fleshly tendency for self-centeredness and the devil’s attempts to demean, demoralize and defeat us.

Interpersonal Do’s and Don’ts John 13:34-13:35 Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you. By this will all men know that you are my disciples because you have love for one another." (John 13:34,35) Illustration: Let us consider one another ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I'm Pro-Choice

Contributed by Randy Trotter on Jun 14, 2009

Joshua said "Choose you this whom you will serve.." Choice is a necessary we must CHOOSE God’s will & souls over self.

“I’M PRO CHOICE!” LWC, June 14, 2009 AM INTRODUCTION: We’ve seen the “PRO-CHOICE” movement run from one end to the other in our society! We have seen politicians win & lose on the issue. We’ve seen presidential elections turn on a dime when it came to “PRO-CHOICE” Without a ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Feed The Dogs Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 16, 2009

Jesus is not impressed with an outward show of self-righteousness, but with an inner heart of dependence upon Him, which he found among the Gentile "dogs."

I like this thought posted by Mike Atkinson in his daily email humor list some time ago. If you can start the day without caffeine; if you can get going without pep pills; if you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains; if you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles; ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Joyful Generosity Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 17, 2015

If you want to develop joyful generosity, start by giving your self to the Lord. Then give your songs to the Lord, then your substance to the Lord.

Several men in the locker room of a private exercise club were talking when a cell phone laying on the bench rang. One man picked it up without hesitation, and the following conversation ensued: “Hello?” “Honey, It's me.” “Sugar!” “I'm at the mall two ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Humility Of Christ

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 30, 2013

The ultimate example of humility: the 'self-emptying' of Christ. The obedience of the Cross; the sacrifice accepted. "Let this mind be in you!"

THE HUMILITY OF CHRIST. Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus placed a little child in the midst of His followers telling them that they had to be like a little child in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. By this one symbolic act He teaches us to accept the kingdom of God with the humility and trust of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Blessing Of Brokenness Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 7, 2011

If we want to be truly blessed and be a blessing to others, we must let God break us of our self-sufficiency and our sin.

Recently, I came across an interesting set of statistics on sanity. According to the study, one out of every four Americans is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Now, think of your three best friends. If they’re okay, then it’s probably you. (Rita Mae Brown, Church Champions Update, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Servant Of The Lord

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 14, 2014

As we consider at Christmas the reasons Jesus came, service is near the top of the list, a self-giving service that led all the way to the cross.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem to serve, and servant-hood is the theme of this messianic prophecy. It has been called Isaiah’s “Servant Song.” The Servant is the anointed Messiah, the Lord Jesus, “Who being in very nature God...made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9

Denomination: Congregational

All To The Glory Of God

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 15, 2014

The biggest problem in churches today is not personnel, property, potential or financial. It is that we are too self consumed that we are not consumed and concerned with the Glory of God.

Intro: Dr. S.M. Lockridge was the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, San Diego CA from 1953 - 1993. He entered heaven in 2000. He is well-known for a passage out of his sermon titled “He’s My King”: “He’s enduringly strong, He’s entirely sincere, He’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31

Denomination: Baptist

Patterns And Motivations For Giving

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 31, 2014

How can we not be generous when Christ gave His very Self? We give thanks to God for His indescribable gift.

2 Corinthians 8:1-12. By the grace (charis = gift) of God, the Macedonian church had been particularly forward in giving (2 Corinthians 8:1-4). Paul challenged the Corinthians to demonstrate their love by also sharing in this grace of giving (2 Corinthians 8:7-8). The pattern of Christ's ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-12, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preparing For Bad Times Without Trusting In The World

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 28, 2023

Daniel sinks back into self-reflection, with symptoms reminiscent of what we today know as a “panic attack.” How does he escape?

Saturday of the Last Week in the Year (Dec 2) 2023 I heard a radio commentator say recently that he can’t remember a time when he heard as many people talking about the “end times” as he hears today. This being the last week of our Church year, we are hearing “end time readings,” particularly from ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:15-27, Luke 21:34-36, Psalm 146:3-5

Denomination: Catholic