Sermons on Ourselves:

A "persian Flaw": How Peter (And The Rest Of Us) Need To Learn To Forgive Ourselves

Contributed by Jessica Linde on Aug 29, 2024

Looking at the example of Peter and his denial of Jesus, this sermon's ultimate message is that God has long since already forgiven us of our mistakes, so now it's time that we forgive ourselves.

When I was conversing with colleagues earlier this week about the theme of today’s service, I was reminded of an idiom that we have in the English language: for something to be a “Persian flaw”. Have any of you heard this idiom before? Right… okay. A couple of you. It’s one that isn’t as common ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:33-35, John 21:15-22

Do We Submit Ourselves As We Should So That We Can Have A Healthy Christian Relationship?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jul 2, 2023

Submission is a frequently abused word, but it does not mean turning oneself into a doormat. Unfortunately, many do not see it that way.

Submission is a frequently abused word. It does not mean turning into a doormat. Christ, at whose name "every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth" (Philippians 2:10), presented His will to the Father, and we honor Christ by following his ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Very Difficult Task For The Lord Jesus (Sermon On The Incarnation Of Christ)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 2, 2025

Many of us are familiar with having to identify ourselves with a driver’s license or a birth certificate in order to identify ourselves to prove that we are who we say we are.

Intro: We read in the gospels where the Lord performed all kinds of miracles. For example: • He turned water into wine. • Cast out demons • Healed Peter’s mother-in-law • Healed the lepers • Healed a paralyze man • Healed a man with a withered hand • Healed the deaf • Healed the blind ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:9-11, Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiveness

Contributed by David Moore on Jan 17, 2007

This is a sermon on more than forgiving other, and God forgiving us. It deals with the need of forgiving ourselves. We must forgive ourselves, so God can forgive us.

Forgiveness Note for my church: • We need to be careful of our vision. • We have just built this wonderful building. • We have a vision to expand, by knocking out that wall. • We see a “crowd” of people coming through that door. • See… We need to stop watching out for the crowd, and focus on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Put Your Hope In God Series

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jun 11, 2006

We may find ourselves asking God where He is, but we must remind ourselves that God loves us and God is with us all day long.

Put Your Hope in God Psalm 42 The writer of this psalm is a Korahite That means a few different things. He was a highly respected Levite who was part of a rich family tradition of music and worship. He was a man of status, deeply embedded in the tradition of Temple worship. It means that his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-11

Denomination: Mennonite

It's Really Me, Really

Contributed by Roy Probus on May 17, 2008

We must first love ourselves before we can love others. Looking at our friends should help us define who we are but not at the expense of ourselves.

Nornan, what a mess. Jim burns tells a story of a friend of his named Norman. Some of you know someone like him. Norman was the type of person to change fads and friends very quickly. During his high school years, Norman was a: i. Surfer ii. Punk rocker iii. Football team manager iv. Cross ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:21-39

Denomination: United Methodist

Defusing The Bomb Of Conflict

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Nov 29, 2011

The key to defusing the dangerous and destructive bomb of conflict is humbling ourselves before God and our neighbor. This will result in blessing for ourselves and is the one thing that can change our neighbor.

The setting is modern day Iraq. A soldier specially trained is cautiously approaching a large torpedo shaped bomb capable of destroying the lives of anyone within half a block. He has good intentions of defusing it and bringing peace instead of destruction. The bomb is a real threat – it is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Joseph, Asking To Be Hated Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 4, 2019

If we concern ourselves with only ourselves, and we have no or little concern for how our words or actions impact others, we might get what we deserve.

Joseph, Asking to Be Hated (Genesis 37:1-36) 1. When it comes to appreciating how good we have it, sometimes we do not realize it until we lose it. One college student wrote home: 2. "Dear Mom: Sorry I haven’t written sooner. My arm really has been broken. I broke it, and my left leg, when ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-36

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Setting Our Minds

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Feb 27, 2021

Peter has good intentions, but they are not in agreement with God's ultimate plan. We must covenant to deny ourselves and align ourselves to God's will and ways.

WE MAY HAVE HEARD THIS FAMILIAR SAYING: “THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS.” AN INTENTION IS SIMPLY A PLAN OR GOAL WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH. IRONICALLY, INTENTIONS DON’T ACHIEVE ANYTHING. THEY ARE MERELY IDEAS AND DREAMS OF SPECIFIC THINGS THAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE DONE IN THE ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38, Joshua 24:15, Romans 12:2, Hebrews 12:1, 1 Peter 5:6, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 3:8, Revelation 3:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Mountain-Top Experience

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Mar 30, 2023

Whatever comes, the offering up of ourselves to God results in receiving more than ourselves, better than our selves, back again. God has provided the lamb.

It took a long time for Sarah to forgive Abraham. She knew something was wrong the minute Abraham and Isaac came back from their trip. Sarah hadn’t suspected anything before then; Isaac was almost 13 and spent most of his time with his father and the other men anyway. Every Hebrew mother learned to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Cost

Contributed by Ely Lambert on Jan 1, 2003

It is essential that we as Christians remind ourselves of the possible cost of discipleship.

Introduction: I. The Story of Cassie Bernall A. Cassie was a 17 year old with long blond hair, hair she wanted to cut off and have made into wigs for cancer patients. 1. She was active in her youth group and was known for carrying a Bible to school. 2. Cassie was in the school library reading her ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Liar, Liar, Church On Fire

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Feb 22, 2001

This sermon deals with the ways in which we lie and deceive ourselves.

Liar Liar Church On Fire 11/1/98 Ezekial 13:1-9 Revelations 21:1-8 Genesis 3:1-15 The story is told of Joe the Butcher who had crafty ways of selling his chickens. He had one chicken left, and he didn’t want to keep it over the weekend. The pastor of the other church in town came into ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Antidote To The Deadly Sin Of Pride

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 8, 2025

Countering the deadly habit of thinking of ourselves as a "god."

Friday of the Twenty-Third Week in Course 2025 Take a look at the opening prayer for our worship today. We implore God, by whom we are redeemed and receive adoption, to look graciously on your beloved sons and daughters. We are redeemed by God through the free and meritorious ace of the Son of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:39-42, Psalm 16:1-11, 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 1 Timothy 1:12-14

Denomination: Catholic

The Attitude Of Spoken Words

Contributed by Joel Carwile on Jan 31, 2001

How our words speak to others around us and to ourselves.

The Attitude of Spoken Words 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29-32

Denomination: Baptist

"Our Secret Sins"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 2, 2002

The solution to our sinful actions is to know ourselves in relationship with God.

Romans 7:14-25 “Our Secret Sins” By: Reverend Kenneth E. Sauer Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA A colleague of mine recently told me about a conversation he had with a parishioner. She told him: “I have these secret little sins in my life, and I like my secret ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: United Methodist