Sermons on Not Our Own:

Bowing To The Great Idol Of Self

Contributed by Mark Adams on Jan 13, 2007

The OT has a lot of interesting stories about idolatry, but is that really just a problem of the past? This sermon addresses the very real problem that our culture has in worshiping our own desires above all else.

To the reader: What inspired this sermon was a quote I read in R.C. Ortlund’s book, When God Comes To Church, p. 194. "Self is the great idol standing at the center of our conceptual world, to which all bow low. We even have a duty-to-self ethic, as if self-denial were harmful, immoral, and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stranger In A Strange Land

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 27, 2010

For Prayer Breakfast given by a Francophone African church. We must respond to immigrants because God commands it, our history demands it, it serves our own best interests, and the Gospel includes it.

Valentine Michael Smith was born on Earth, raised on Mars, and returned to Earth. He never felt fully at home in either place. But his interaction with Earth, when he returned as a young adult, transformed Earth culture and impacted many lives. His most important contribution to Earth was the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

All Things

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 14, 2010

Final message on the church's vision statement. Christ's lordship over all things means that there is nothing worthy that we can leave out of our work, but it will succeed if we are focused on Him and not on our own success.

At the very center of the Christian faith there is Christ. That sounds self-evident: it seems obvious. But we keep forgetting it. We keep on trying to live without a center. Think about a wheel which has no hub; if you try to roll that wheel, its spokes will collapse. And no church will hold its ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-39

Denomination: Baptist

Courageous Love Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Apr 15, 2024

God loves us with a brave and sacrificial love, and this love should overflow from our hearts into the lives of others. To love courageously means putting others' needs before our own and being moved with compassion.

Hey guys! You know how we all love superhero movies, right? The hero always sacrifices for others, fights the bad guys, and saves the day. Well, guess what? We have a real-life superhero, and His name is Jesus. He showed us the ultimate love by giving up His life for us. And He wants us to be ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-24, Luke 10:30-35, Philippians 2:5-8

Topics: Divine Inspiration, Selfless Love, Spiritual Courage, God's Love

Walls

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Apr 4, 2022

The greatest wall that sin erected was a wall between us and God. Our relationship with God was bricked off and blocked and there was nothing we could ever do on our own to tear one brick out of that wall.

TITLE: WALLS SCRIPTURE: JOSHUA 6:1-5 (Some text used from Rev. Shawn Drake message and expanded upon) The narrative of Joshua leading the Israelites to bring down the walls of Jericho is a powerful account that demonstrates the faithfulness and might of the lord. This narrative is part of the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For Christ

Contributed by Jon Lipka on Apr 22, 2012

When we build our lives upon the only foundation that can be laid, Jesus Christ, rather than on our own designs, we will find true and lasting life that will not be taken away from us.

Who’s got children, grandchildren, or nieces and nephews? Well, then you know that every child is different, and what pleases one doesn’t please another. My sister’s older boy, ****, is very cautious and hates to get pushed high on the swings. His brother, ****, is fearless and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Anglican

The Buck Stops Here Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Oct 1, 2013

This is the eleventh message in a series over Romans 6-11. The series examines how we now live under God's grace. This looks at how the responsibility for the choices in our lives weigh on our own shoulders.

Introduction: "The buck stops here" is a phrase that was popularized by U.S. President Harry S. Truman, who kept a sign with that phrase on his desk in the Oval Office. The phrase refers to the fact that the President has to make the decisions and accept the ultimate responsibility for those ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"i Don't Get Anything Out Of Church." Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 7, 2019

People come to church with certain expectations. But are those the expectations that God wants us to come with, or are they are our own expectations? See how God's promises far exceed our expectations for church.

“I don’t get anything out of it.” You’ve probably heard it as a reason for someone no longer going to church and maybe you’ve actually had the thought yourself. You walked out of church and thought, “I just don’t feel like I got anything out of it.” People come to church with certain ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:14-17, Luke 18:15-17, Isaiah 55:8-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Steps For Exercising The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

We should make sure they are from the Holy Spirit and not our own will and determination. If we don’t have the fruit of the Spirit, but have the fruit of the flesh, then we really need to question, the source of our “gift.”

Opening illustration: Have you ever felt torn in two or more directions when considering how to serve in your church or what job to take? Since you probably can’t do everything you’re asked to do, how do you decide which opportunities for service are best suited for you? Many will be able to relate ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unity: The Power Of Teamwork SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

A sermon that emphasizes the transformative power of teamwork in our families, churches, communities, and workplaces. It encourages unity and cooperation to fulfill not only God's plan and purpose for our own lives, but also for the lives of those around us.

How many of you dream of seeing this church packed every Sunday? People saved and equipped to achieve greatness on a regular basis? How about living in a peaceful and purposeful community that works together in harmony? Or enjoying a successful and happy family? And what about job satisfaction in a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:16

Topics: Unity, Teamwork

Serving In God's Garden SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 9, 2023

When God instructs us to serve in His garden, He is asking us to prioritize His needs over our own. This means stepping out of our comfort zones to reach out and minister to others.

Title: Occupying for the Lord Introduction: In Matthew 21:28-31, Jesus shares a parable about Christian service and the attitude that pleases Him. A father approaches two sons and instructs them to go and work in his vineyard. Although they receive the same assignment, their responses and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32

Topics: A Rewarding Life, God's Needs

A Plea For Onesimus (Philemon)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 17, 2024

How should we act in a politically and socially corrupt world? Should we honor our obligations, to our own hurt? Let's find out in Paul's letter to Philemon.

How do we act as Christians in the midst of political and social corruption? How should Philemon handle the delicate matter of a runaway slave, now converted and a brother in Christ, yet who was still under some kind of legal obligation to serve out his term as a slave? Was Philemon the host of a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

All He Does Is Win! Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Feb 12, 2025

Jesus never fails. A persons faith is only as good as the object they place it in. We must make sure that our faith in Jesus as He is revealed in Scripture. Not a "Jesus" of our own imagination.

All He Does is Win! Text: John 18:12-27 Before we get into our text this morning, I’m just going to tell you that what we’re going to be looking at sounds like something that could be pulled from our modern-day news cycle. Solomon said, “There’s nothing new under the sun.” So, the next time ...read more

Scripture: John 18:12-27, Luke 22:31-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Heavenly Provisions For High Expectations

Contributed by Jonathan Busch on Jan 6, 2003

How do we reconcile the gulf between where God is demanding we be, and how far our own ability will get us. The answer for this is found in God’s word!

“Heavenly Provision to meet High Expectations,” Text: Romans 1:16-17 Intro: Tonight I would like to bring you a message entitled “Heavenly Provision To Meet High Expectations.” I started out with a title simple called “Expectations,” but the more I worked on it, the more I realized that there is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Listening For Abuse Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 6, 2003

Many of us are only a short step from the abuse of other races, of women, or of children. We must listen to our own hearts and must correct this by exposure to others and to the power of Christ.

I For the last several Sundays we’ve been doing an exercise in listening to ourselves. We’ve put ourselves into Moses’ life and we’ve listened to what we feel about ourselves. I hope it’s been productive. It certainly has spoken to me. I hope you’ve been able to listen to yourselves under the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 22:21-23, Colossians 3:5-11

Denomination: Baptist