Sermons on Self Advancement:

The Commitment Choice Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Feb 22, 2010

I am strongest when I choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ's care and control.

Title: The Commitment Choice Text: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 Thesis: I am strongest when I choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ’s care and control. Lenten Series: Life’s Healing Choices (Saddleback Resources) ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Is Jesus? Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 3, 2008

History records that he was a great man. Yet he had humble beginnings. He grew up in a small village, an ordinary boy who did nothing to draw attention to himself. Like most boys his age, he attended school. He also worked in the family business and did

A Great Man History records that he was a great man. Yet he had humble beginnings. He grew up in a small village, an ordinary boy who did nothing to draw attention to himself. Like most boys his age, he attended school. He also worked in the family business and did his best to grow up strong and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:13-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Burned: Destroyed By Desire Series

Contributed by Kyle Idleman on Sep 27, 2010

A sermon from a series on the treachery of sexual sin.

Do you have one of these in your backyard? It’s a fire pit. They’ve become pretty popular in the last number of years. We have one in our backyard … or we did have. It’s actually here now. (Laughter) My wife after the service last weekend … she was like, “I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When You Suffer Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Feb 2, 2013

Everyone suffers in our fallen world. Get used to it! It comes with the turf. But for God’s people, suffering is not merely a consequence of sin: it holds God’s eternal purpose,.

When We Suffer Romans 8:17-18 OUTLINE: Disciples of Jesus Christ, IF and WHEN you suffer, remember that... 1. Suffering with Christ is part of our inheritance. 2. Suffering with Christ demands sacrifice. 3. Suffering with Christ is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

What Did Jesus Mean By "Whoever Loses His Life For Me Will Find It" Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 19, 2013

A look at Jesus' difficult (and frequently ignored) teaching that "whoever lose his life for me will find it." What does that mean? What does it look like to live that out?

WHAT DOES "LOSE YOUR LIFE TO FIND IT" MEAN ANYWAY? It means to pursue Jesus’ path even at the expense of my desires. - Matthew 10:39; Matthew 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; Luke 17:33; John 12:25. - This is a foreign concept to many Christians. In the American church we largely ignore this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26

Denomination: Baptist

Back To School

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Sep 13, 2012

We are in training in God's school of Christlikeness. Having already received the diploma, we are transformed by Christ to renounce the past, live godly lives in the present, and look forward to our future with hope and not fear.

This week we sent our son back to school as he had his first taste of Junior High. Sometimes I look back to my High School years and believe it or not I wish I could do it over again and learn those lessons that I didn’t take so seriously and also not worry so much about things that ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Crucified & Risen

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Mar 31, 2013

Paul tells us that having received Christ as Savior, he was crucified with Christ. Can you say that? Do you understand what that means? It’s more than just saying “He died for me”. It means so much more to be crucified and risen.

Crucified & Risen with Christ Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. When Jesus died on Calvary's Cross, He bore the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Baptist

Watch And Pray

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 23, 2008

Prayer gives us the strength to face the challenges of life in the last days. It is our reliance on God that grants the victory. We need that resolve today.

Let’s look at the theme verse for the last Retreat. • 1 Peter 4:7 says, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” • There is an end to this world. And we are now nearer its end than before. • And therefore, Peter says, there are some ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Pontius Pilate: Stuck In People-Pleasing Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 21, 2009

Pilate was a classic people-pleaser, who found that his behavior produced popularity that masked contempt, pessimism, and powerlessness.

The story has it that during creation, as God was sitting up in heaven turning out all these creatures, some of the angels asked if they could help. It looked like fun, making plants and animals, birds and beasts. And so God, who had just finished fashioning something, said, "All right. Come ahead. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Know Yourself (Short Homily)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 10, 2012

This is a very short Homily titled "Know Yourself". That was used for the opening of a Men's retreat weekend.

Let me share a reading from the Gospel of Mark with you. " They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:22-26

Denomination: Anglican

Have You Taken Your Spiritual Temperature Lately?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jun 8, 2012

2 Corinthians 13:5 tells us to examine ourselves to see if our faith is what it should be. Like Laodecia, many are unaware of their spiritual temperature. What about you? Have you taken your spiritual temperature lately?

Have You Taken Your Spiritual Temperature Lately? Revelation 3:14-20 The church at Laodicea was one of two churches in the opening chapters of Revelation that were apparently unaware of their spiritual temperature. The other was Ephesus. Laodicea is a picture of a worldly church that has all the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-20

Denomination: Baptist

Temperance: A Fruit Of The Spirit Series

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Aug 13, 2010

Have you noticed that our current generation (especially of Americans) has no concept of control. We are out-of-control. The recent rise in credit card induced bankruptcies, divorce attorneys, and mini-riots are skyrocketing. Road rage, impulse spendin

Have you noticed that our current generation (especially of Americans) has no concept of control. We are out-of-control. The recent rise in credit card induced bankruptcies, divorce attorneys, and mini-riots are skyrocketing. Road rage, impulse spending, and all sorts of addictions are seen as ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Widow's Offering

Contributed by Rick Bezanson on Jul 31, 2008

Encouragement to use our abilities God has given us to serve Christ by serving others.

I was performing a wedding for a young couple. Before the wedding, the groom came to me and said, “Pastor, I will give you $100 if you change the wedding vows. When you get to the part to ask me to honor, love and obey, just leave that part out for me. Then, he handed me $100. During the wedding, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Lutheran

Healing From Past Struggles

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 23, 2021

Today we’ll address the topic of healing. In the fallen world in which we live there are many times when we experience things that harm us.

Today we’ll address the topic of healing. In the fallen world in which we live there are many times when we experience things that harm us. We have to go through hard times. Each of I’m sure could list off traumatic experiences that we’ve been through. Whether we’re soldiers in combat, or children ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-9, James 5:16

Denomination: Salvation Army

Peace & Persecution

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Aug 28, 2019

Are you comfortable in being a follower of Christ? Countless Christians around the world face intense persecution for being followers of Jesus, but they're not alone. We share in the struggles of being a Christian. Why is that? Listen to Jesus' call to deny yourself and follow him.

Each year, a Christian organization called “Open Doors” publishes a list of the top 50 countries where Christians are most intensely persecuted for their faith. Physical violence, death threats, execution, imprisonment, rape, neglect, burning of homes, bombing of churches, abandoned by family, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-24

Denomination: Lutheran