Sermons on Exaltation Of Self:

Avarice Series

Contributed by Aneel Aranha on Jan 20, 2021

Avarice is the self-serving and inordinate love of and desire for money, wealth, power, food, or other possessions. Are we an avaricious people?

Leo Tolstoy once wrote a story about a successful peasant farmer who was not satisfied with his lot. He wanted more of everything. One day he received a novel offer. For 1000 rubles, he could buy all the land he could walk around in a day. The only catch in the deal was that he had to be back at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Agents Of Grace: Saul Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Sep 27, 2015

Saul was the anvil on which God pounded David for 13 years. Why? To remove the sinful impurities of self-sufficiency and pride.

The Japanese samurai sword is thought by many to be the best in the world. It can take 15 men, 6 months to make 1 sword—a sword that can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars! Why does it take so long and cost so much? Well you can’t just go out into the mountains where there are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:8-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Parable Of A Father's Love

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on May 26, 2016

The awesome love and forgiveness of a Father for his wandering son and the contrast between a repentant sinner and a self-righteous older brother.

TITLE: Parable of a Father's Love TEXT: Luke 15:11-32 INTRO: The Bible is full of wonderful stories. There are stories of Adventure, Romance, Tragedy and Triumph. Today, we look at one of the best known stories in the entire Bible. It has been called "The Parable of the Prodigal Son," but it is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Love Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Nov 7, 2018

Biblical or divine love is a self-sacrificing, caring commitment that shows itself in seeking the highest good for the one being loved.

According to the musical wisdom of John, Paul, George, and Ringo … “All you need is love, love … love is all you need.” Well … that and food … and shelter … and air … and sleep … Love is literally in the air. You hear that word everywhere. It’s been the subject of plays and novels and poems, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-11

Denomination: United Methodist

The Rush Of Communion

Contributed by Perry Anderson on May 4, 2014

Holy Communion is more than a ritual. Communion is a time of Remembrance; A time of Unity; a time of Self-Examination & a time of Hope.

The RUSH of Communion 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 & 11:23-32 Do we rush through Holy Communion or do get a "RUSH" when we celebrate Holy Communion? Let's take a look at what Holy Communion is all about. We know the different names: Holy Communion – Lord’s Supper – Eucharist. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Zeal And Jealousy And Envy--O My!

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 13, 2022

We learn from this story a lot about jealousy. It can be confused with righteous behavior, as in this story. It is essentially self-centered.

Saturday 4th Week of Easter Jealousy. Envy. These are two attitudes that literally can tear a community apart–a church, a political body, a family. We can learn a great deal about these sins from the Scripture. Here we see two results of the preaching and healing done by Paul and Barnabas on their ...read more

Scripture: John 14:7-14, Acts 13:44-52

Denomination: Catholic

What Is It You Want?

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 23, 2006

A stewardship sermon on taking up a life of service rather than self-centeredness. Includes time, talent as well as money.

What Is It You Want? Mark 10:35-45 The Scripture reading today contains a very interesting story. What is even more interesting is that just before this story, we read that Jesus was saying to the disciples, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Methodist

What Makes For Jaw-Dropping Faith?

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Jun 11, 2007

What Makes for Jaw-dropping Faith? 1) A God-given view of self; 2) A God-given view of Christ

It’s usually on Saturday afternoons. You know the infomercial. It’s the one that promises to give you a jaw-dropping physique for only 48 monthly payments of $9.95. It’s hard not to pick up the phone and order that rowing machine, the stair-stepper, or whatever it is they’re selling that week ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Negative To Positive Series

Contributed by Troy Walliser on Feb 23, 2023

Turning a negative situation into a positive profession means releasing the impulse of SELF-PRESERVATION and being motivated by the attitude of SELFLESS LOVE.

Turning A Negative Into A Positive Acts 21:27-22:29 All of us deal with negative situations from time to time; it's a part of being human, right? We face them at work, at school, at home, in our neighborhoods and even sometimes at church. Sometimes there are those people who it seems just ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Is Very Much The Light Of The World

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 10, 2024

All of us are called to be evangelists to the folks around us. That means all of us must practice self-control, moderation.

Friday of 23rd week in course 2024 Today’s Scriptures need to be read with the saying of Jesus found in the Gospel of John. Jesus said “I am the Light of the world.” We see it again in the Book of Revelations, as the description of the eternal city of God tells us that there is no need for lamps ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 1 Corinthians 9:22-27, Luke 6:39-42, John 8:12

Denomination: Catholic

The Hidden Life (Risen In Christ)

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jun 19, 2023

When you come to Christ there is a change and you become more Christlike and desire to please God rather than self.

The Hidden Life (Risen in Christ) Colossians 3:1-8 Good Morning everyone, Glad that you have chosen to join us in the study of God’s Word- Please turn to Colossians 3 and as you are turning, please bow your head for prayer. Prayer- Apostle Paul writing to the church in Colossae- (Modern ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-10

Denomination: Nazarene

The Purpose Of Temptation PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 5, 2024

This sermon explores the transformative power of knowing God, the strength to resist temptation, and the honor found in self-denial for Christ's sake.

Good morning, beloved family of God. It is a joy and a privilege to stand before you today, to share the living Word of God, to engage in a conversation with the Holy Scriptures and to let them speak to our souls. We gather here, not as strangers or mere acquaintances, but as brothers and sisters ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:24

Topics: Temptation

God Would Not Have Listened PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 5, 2024

This sermon encourages self-examination of our hearts for hidden sin, emphasizing the importance of purity and honesty in our relationship with God.

Beloved congregation, as we gather together in the unity of our faith, our hearts beat with a shared rhythm, a rhythm that echoes the love and grace of our Savior. We are bound by a sacred tapestry of faith, woven together by the threads of God's Word. It is this Word that we turn to today, as we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 66:18

Topics: Heart Examination

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 12, 2025

Jesus wasn’t offering comfort or bling, but blood — a cross that kills self and births love, the heartbeat of true discipleship.

Prologue — The Little Athens of Palestine They had followed Him north — away from the dust and clamor of Galilee, away from the familiar crowds pressing for healing — into a region strange and foreign. The road climbed toward the foothills of Mount Hermon, where the air cooled and new sounds ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-34, Matthew 16:24-26, Luke 9:23-26, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 3:7-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Overcoming Worldly Wisdom With Godly Living

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Aug 20, 2025

This sermon shows us how to seek Godly wisdom life in a world that is self centered and focused on looking out for ourselves.

In today’s fast-paced, self-focused culture, we are constantly bombarded with messages that push us toward self-promotion, that push us toward material success, and personal achievement. We are living in a time ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational