Sermons on Justify Ourselves:

What Would Joseph Do? Series

Contributed by Peter Schmidt on Dec 20, 2004

As we consider all the things that must have been going through Joseph’s mind before the birth of Jesus, we ask ourselves: "What Would Joseph Do?" I. About a pregnant fiancee? II. About an angelic visit?

Advent 4 Matthew 1:18-25 I have a confession to make. What I am about to tell you is not something that I’m proud of, but it is true, and I feel you should know about it. The fact of the matter is: I’ve watched the Jerry Springer Show a few times. There, I said it. It feels good to get that off my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Tricking Or Treating God Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 22, 2021

We should all be “treating” the Lord with our devotion and reverence. But how many of us are trying to “trick” Him? How many of us are doing things to appease God, while at the same time we’re pleasing the world or ourselves?

Halloween is a holiday that most children look forward to, because they get to dress up as their favorite storybook character or superhero; and then go knocking on doors and hopefully come home with a big bag full of candy. And what’s that expression that kids say while they’re standing on ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:9-12, 1 Samuel 15:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

Hope In The Lord Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Nov 28, 2021

When we find ourselves in the depths of despair, we have the gift of Jesus … the very embodiment of God’s “hesed” … God’s steadfast love … and we have the cross to remind us of the greatest Christmas gift of all, amen?

Advent is a time of tension. There is the joy and anticipation of the season and the stress and strain of trying to prepare for it, amen? But the season itself represents an historical and theological tension as well and I am going to use songs from the Jewish song book and songs from our own ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 130:1-8, Romans 7:18-19, Romans 7:24, John 1:5, John 1:14-15, Matthew 16:26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Coming To God In Humility PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 23, 2025

True peace and acceptance come not from self-righteousness, but from humble, honest confession and receiving God’s mercy through Jesus Christ.

Some of us came in today with a smile that hides a sigh. Calendars are crammed, minds are noisy, and hearts carry the kind of weariness you can’t quite name. You’ve been faithful, you’ve been trying, and you’re hoping heaven hears. Others of us slipped in quietly, feeling a little out of place, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Topics: Listening, Humility

Sua Sponte!! Series

Contributed by Chris Carroll on Mar 29, 2007

Without God’s grace, their is nothing that we can do on our own to enter heaven. This sermon encourages us to choose to accept God’s grace

The year was 1992 I was playing baseball at Campbell (the fighting camels). I was playing shortstop a position I had played for about 13 years. I was fielding balls keeping my bottom down and I have to admit I thought I was a pretty good fielder. Yet all my life I had struggled with my batting. It ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-25

Denomination: Baptist

When Human Barriers Come Down, Heavenly Blessings Come Down! Series

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Jan 20, 2008

We all have built-in prejudices that God must break down before we be truly effective with the Gospel. We see Him doing just that in our text.

When human barriers come down, HEAVENLY BLESSINGS come down! Acts 10:1-34 Have you ever noticed that the guy driving slower than you is always a jerk, whereas the guy driving faster than you is always a maniac? By fallen nature, we’re all prone to justify ourselves and to condemn those who ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Grace Paradox Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 17, 2011

The Grace Paradox is that one who is good in man’s eyes who has not trusted in Christ will not be saved whereas a "bad person" who trusts in Christ will be saved.

The Grace Paradox Sermon 2 in the series, “Free Grace in Focus – A Biblical Answer to Lordship Salvation” Chuck Sligh / August 26, 2010 TEXT: Acts 10:1-8 INTRODUCTION I want to talk to you today about the greatest paradox in the Bible. That paradox is captured in this statement: “A good person ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Embracing Our Freedom In Christ SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 9, 2023

God, through Christ Jesus, has liberated us from our chains, yet often we fail to recognize this and instead burden ourselves with worldly concerns. This sermon aims to remind believers of the freedom granted to us by the Son of God, and to discourage the self-imposition of unnecessary burdens.

Freedom or Liberty has been considered as a basic human right throughout history. In today's world, the issue of freedom is highly discussed, especially in our country. However, we often fail to realize that God in Christ Jesus has already set us free from bondage. This sermon aims to encourage ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1

Topics: Freedom, Faith

The Purpose Of God

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Sep 17, 2011

A message of confident hope in times of trouble. When life makes no sense, we may boldly move forward, knowing that all things work according to the purpose of God. We don't have to understand it ourselves when we know that God does understand!

The Purpose of God Romans 8:28 May 29, 2005 OPEN: I stood dismayed in the kitchen of our newly acquired country home--I had accidentally submerged my left foot in a tray of fresh wall paint. A few minutes later, as I took off my comfortable, hole-in-the-toe painting sneakers, I regretted that I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Baptist

The Road To Victory

Contributed by John Dobbs on May 12, 2023

Romans 8:1 NIV "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." In the book of Romans, we find the path to the place where there is no condemnation - a place of victory in the spiritual war in which we all find ourselves. 

Introduction Romans 8:1 NIV Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. In the book of Romans, we find the path to the place where there is no condemnation - a place of victory in the spiritual war in which we all find ourselves.  Romans ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17, Romans 8:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Advent - Trusting In Jesus

Contributed by John Gullick on Dec 12, 2007

A sermon that uses the Isaiah 52 and 53 verses to remind ourselves of the incredible role Jesus plays in our world and our own lives. Uses a story from Alice’s encounter with Humpty dumpty and some heavy borrowing from the internet to illustrate these po

The reading this morning from Isaiah reminds us again of the one in whom we rest all our hope. Jesus christ. Strangely after 21 centuries many in the world put their hope in anything or anyone but Jesus Christ, Why else do you think everyone blames the Government for everything? There is a ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Grace Transforms

Contributed by David Swensen on Jan 9, 2002

As we allow ourselves to be moved and motivated by God’s amazing tranforming grace, wonderful, life-giving changes occur. Let us learn more about God’s Transforming Grace.

Victor Hugo wrote a great novel, Les Miserables. The novel opens with a young man named John Valjean, who had been unjustly imprisoned for seven years for a small offense. He left the prison with a rage in his soul. In the musical this is portrayed in the opening scenes as Valjean tries to find ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

Wonders Of The World

Contributed by Gary Bennett on Apr 9, 2001

Lessons from Babel. It is only in the act of praise and worship with our whole lives that we function as designed - not by building cities and names for ourselves - but by building up His people and honouring His name.

INTRODUCTION The Bible tells us that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" - with more fear than wonder I would suggest! In our relatively short history, we have developed science, engineering, medicine, economics, psychology and many other physical and social sciences to the extent that it is ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Belong Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Feb 26, 2002

When Jesus was crucified in the flesh, we lost our capacity to distinguish ourselves from one another based on what we can see. We belong because we belong to him.

You Belong Pastor Jim Luthy Ephesians 2:11-22 Let me introduce you to Dain. It’s not hard to tell that Dain is a Christian. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was a child and grew up in the church. He went to Sunday School every week, winning perfect attendance pins more often ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Family History Series

Contributed by Christopher Lanham on Nov 30, 2004

. Our stories as a community of faith -- as those who stand in the history of blessing, as part of the covenant -- are what teaches us about our God and ourselves. They inspire us to obey him out of gratitude.

Cascades Fellowship Deuteronomy 6:20-25 A Family History: This Is Who We Are Rachel and I have a tradition we follow every time we go back to the hills of West Virginia. We like to take a little time out of each visit to go and pray with my grandmother. When my grandfather was alive, he and ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:20-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed