Sermons on Exalting Self:

He Must Increase, I Must Decrease

Contributed by Randy Crawford on Apr 24, 2025

Every believer faces the battle of self—pride, ambition, and the longing for recognition. John the Baptist’s profound statement in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” cuts straight to the heart of what it means to follow Christ.

He Must Increase, I Must Decrease” Introduction: Every believer faces the battle of self—pride, ambition, and the longing for recognition. John the Baptist’s profound statement in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” cuts straight to the heart of what it means to follow Christ. In a ...read more

Scripture: John 3:30-35

Downward Leads To Upward Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 6, 2005

If you want God to exalt you, you must humble yourself.

Downward Leads to Upward (Philippians 2:5-11) 1. Most of us have heard of Reverse Psychology…. Tom LaForce describes it: “When using reverse psychology, you ask for or do the opposite of what you want and through the magic of human nature, you end up with what you really wanted.” 2. There is a lot ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You Are God's Weapon SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 12, 2023

In the spiritual battlefield, God views each believer as His weapon. If you have been reborn in faith, you are God's instrument in this war. Understanding this role is crucial for every believer.

When a warrior prepares for war, he carefully considers his weapons of warfare. In the same way, God is a warrior, and as a believer, you are His chosen weapon of warfare. If you have been born again, you are God's battle axe. Scripture Passage: Jeremiah 51:20-23 (NIV) "You are my war club, my ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 51:20-23

Topics: Self-Realization, Spiritual Warfare

A Prayer Of Praise Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 22, 2021

Our praise and adoration cannot exalt God objectively for He is already the highest and ultimate in majesty, but it does exalt Him subjectively by placing God in His rightful place in our lives and thinking

The point of interest in this passage is not the fact that Daniel and his friends prayed. This is neither unusual nor surprising under the circumstances. Their lives were at stake unless they had a direct revelation from God. One would be shocked if they did anything else but pray. One does not ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:19-23

True Leadership

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 31, 2017

When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good?

Prelude When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good? Let’s look at Jesus’ blunt assessment of human religious leadership in Matthew 23:1-12 and see if we can learn a better ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Call Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Jun 16, 2025

While Jesus announces for the first time to his disciples his call to the cross, He calls us to confess who he is and calls us to live a crucified life.

I would guess that we are probably similar in that we get so many unwanted calls each day. Somehow, I’ve been getting calls for some group who says they can get me on Social Security Disability. Other times I’ve been on the list for VA loans - except I’m not a veteran. I’ve received calls for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-27

Denomination: Baptist

Deny Yourself

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 7, 2014

Jesus said some radical things, radical things in his day and in ours. One of those things was, "Deny Yourself."

Back in my teenage years I did volunteer work with the Harris County Emergency Corps. I rode and drove ambulances and that kind of thing. Though it was a volunteer group, working with them had its perks. As part of our needed fund-raising efforts, we staffed the first aid station at various events ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Methodist

What About Me?

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Mar 20, 2015

A sermon about Christian service and dying to self and living for Jesus.

What about me? Living the selfless life Introduction: Today we begin our march to the cross. Next Sunday will be Palm Sunday and then of course Easter Sunday, the following week. This message is not filled with eloquence or syrupy words, but if you take it to heart, you won't hear another ...read more

Scripture: John 12:23-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do We Really Get It?

Contributed by Timothy Enns on Aug 27, 2013

God knows us, loves us and cares for us before time began, what is our response?

When the 1960s ended, and San Francisco became very expensive to live, many of the hippies moved down the coast to Santa Cruz. They had children and got married, but in no particular sequence. They didn’t name their children Melissa or Brett. People in the mountains around Santa Cruz grew ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Denomination: Nazarene

A God’s-Eye View Of An Unbeliever’s Mind Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Feb 28, 2016

Paul describes the horrible effects of sin and urges us to live according to our new self.

Have any of you seen this ad from the 80’s produced by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America? An actor held up an egg and said, “This is your brain.” He then cracked the egg into a hot frying pan where the egg sizzled, bubbled, and turned brown at the edges before the actor ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Welcome To The "Post-Truth” World!

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Mar 31, 2017

Those with discernment know that we have been living in a spiritual “Post Truth” world for a millennia. God's facts and truths have been less influential in shaping individual public opinion than have appeals to emotion, personal reason and perspectives.

Welcome to the “Post-Truth” World! You may have heard that, back in December, the Oxford Dictionary announced that "Post-Truth" is its 2016 word of the year. According to the Dictionary's website, the word is "an adjective defined as 'relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Finding Our Worth In Christ

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Mar 26, 2019

In a culture obsessed with self-image, how do we find our self-worth and redefine ourselves in the image of Christ?

American Individualism I want you to take a moment, as we reflect on this verse, to think about the culture we find ourselves in today. At its heart, it is a very individualistic, self-centered and image obsessed culture. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love this country and the people in it. But we ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

Denomination: Nazarene

How To Possess Your Vessel In Holiness And Honor

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Oct 2, 2015

This message explores the great need for discipline in the lives of all believers.

HOW TO POSSESS YOUR VESSEL IN HOLINESS AND HONOR TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-4 1 Thessalonians 4:1-4 KJV Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. [2] For ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Alive - But Not Productive

Contributed by Bryan Beverly on Jan 29, 2019

This sermon examines why Jesus cursed the fig tree, and what that means for followers of Christ.

INTRODUCTION A while back, I visited an old family friend. This person had not seen me for a long time. Let me reenact our encounter (place and then slowly take off cap). The reason why my friend’s voice trailed off at the end is because my afro had taken an extended vacation. Oh mind you, my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:18-19, Mark 11:12-14, Luke 13:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Never Steal God's Credit. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 19, 2024

As humans, we often struggle with the desire to take credit for our accomplishments and successes.

1 Corinthians 4:7, Psalm 100:5 As humans, we often struggle with the desire to take credit for our accomplishments and successes. However, as Christians, we must remember that everything we have and everything we achieve is a gift from God. When we take credit for what God has done, we risk ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:7, Psalm 100:5, Proverbs 25:27