Sermons on Self Advancement:

What To Do About A Broken-Down Church

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 7, 2009

God is not committed to maintaining a church just because it is there. His commitment is to maintain us if we show compassion, particularly on the young. Restoration of our church life in challenging times begins with repentance, self-examination.

Two or three weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, I noticed several of you staring straight up here, right into the notch of this arch. I too looked up there, and what we all saw was a sizable piece of paint and plaster hanging there by a mere thread. It looked as though it was poised and ready just in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

This Man Receives Sinners

Contributed by Timothy Shumer on Apr 28, 2002

The self-righteous religious rulers of Jesus’ day didn’t want much to do with sinners - but that was precisely the point of Jesus coming to earth! They wouldn’t receive sinners, but Jesus would ~ and He did! Will you?

The custom of the family visiting around the dinner table = Perhaps a lost art + Some = My family = Enjoyed visiting during meals = But also after, living room + And then we would play cards and that’s when the real visiting began + Some = My wife’s family = Loved to linger at the table after the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Whole Secret Of Strength

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 21, 2003

Ordination sermon, involving a play on the names of Samson in the Bible and Sampson, the ordinand, an entertainer, puppeteer, and beauty pageant winner. The whole secret of strength is in using the gifts God has given for ministry and not for one’s self.

The world didn’t give it, and the world can’t take it away. Isn’t that what we sing. I’m not so sure. What do you think? The world didn’t give it? I agree. That’s true. But the world can’t take it away? I am not at all sure. We are here today because Yolanda Sampson has heard the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:4-30, Hebrews 12:12

Denomination: Baptist

Available For Liberation Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 5, 2003

When God called Moses to the task of liberating a people, Moses felt self-doubt, uncertainty about God, and unreadiness. Actually these are positive values that will lead us as American Christians to take our place in the world.

How do you feel about eager volunteers? What’s your reaction to the kind of person who is always ready to step up to the plate and take a swing at some issue? How do you really feel about those who quickly volunteer when something needs to be done? Maybe you remember what it was like to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-14, Exodus 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is Your Treasure

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Aug 6, 2007

(The Parable Of The Rich Fool) The Folly of the Fool 1. Could not see beyond Himself 2. Could not see beyond this life The Wisdom of God 1. Sees Beyond Self 2. Sees Beyond This World

Introduction: • A wise old man put up a sign on a vacant piece of property he owned that read, “I will give this lot to anyone who is really satisfied.”A wealthy man read it as he rode by and said to himself, “Since this old man is going to give this piece of land away, I might as well have it as ...read more

Denomination: Orthodox

"A Father's Gift" Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on May 23, 2008

A father’s day sermon, stressing the importance of father’s being involved, so that their sons and daughters can find security, value and self esteem, and thus transfer love for their earthly father to their heavenly father.

In Jesus Holy Name June 15th , 2008 Text: Luke 8:40-42,54-53 Redeemer “A Father’s Gift” The story of Jairus is a wonderful story about a father’s love for his daughter. His daughter was about 12 years old and she was dying. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:40-52, Mark 8:40-53

Denomination: Lutheran

When Sensitivity Is Dulled Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 17, 2004

Where does interpersonal insensitivity come from? Ignorance, alienation from God, loss of feeling, destructive self-absorption. How can sensitivity be regained? Learn, learn Christ, let the relationship govern, be renewed.

There has been an accident. You’ve been hit hard, and you cannot lift that leg. They examine you, they flex your muscles, they look for broken bones. If the condition persists, they may stick pins into the soles of your feet. They are trying to find out whether you can feel anything. They are ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Dating God!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Aug 19, 2013

Dating God requires you to be ‘all’ for Him! Opening up our activities, computer, inbox, facebook, mobile, cupboards, to the entire, close scrutiny of God will require self denial and total surrender!

Dating God! Hebrews 10:22”let us draw near [TO GOD] with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Boy! The title is so powerful that I am a bit shaky as to how to begin! I can never write this ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Creative Communion

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Jul 9, 2010

Communion is always a special day at church. Every time we share it, it is a sacred day of self-examination and spiritual closeness. This week’s communion was more wonderful than I’ve experienced before.

Communion is always a special day at church. It is one of only two ordinances that separate the church from other spiritual organizations. Every time we share it, it is a sacred day of self-examination and spiritual closeness. This week’s communion was more wonderful than I’ve experienced ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:26-29

Denomination: Baptist

"Do Not Hold Onto Worry" Series

Contributed by Brad Henry on Jul 25, 2014

So many of us do not know how to live the abundant life that Jesus promises us. This lesson will give you some tolls to help you live that life of joy, happiness, gentleness and self control.

The Ultimate Decision July 25, 2014 Many of you could relate to the Ironman Race and Life. One of the top things I took away from the race given to me by a pro athlete was this wisdom. “The race is a long and hard day; too long to think ahead. When you are in the water think about the next ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33-34

Leaky Disciples

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 17, 2008

Dated 1988; post-revival message. We do not retain the Spirit after a period of excitement because we have not counted the cost, we are victims of low self-esteem, or we are not our own persons.

Nothing is more annoying than to be trying to transport some liquid in a leaky vessel. You think you’ve got whatever it is all secure and ready for use, and then all of a sudden you find out it has leaked and drained allover the place ... and nothing is more disturbing and frustrating. When I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Baptist

A Psalm Sunday Journey

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Jun 24, 2015

We all need to take our own Palm Sunday Journey; not to a physical Cross, but to purposely go to Calvary on the inside, and die to self-rule, so that we can live in the Lord's power and HIs direction.

A Palm Sunday JOURNEY Palm Sunday 2015 Eric J. Hanson INTRODUCTION (Read John 12:1-19) The reason Jesus came into Jerusalem on that Sunday long ago was not to get a thrill. He did not come into the capital city in order to set up an Earthly kingdom while his popularity was peaking and he had ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Love Triangle Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 28, 2021

Some need to learn to love themselves before they can love God. Others need to love God to escape a perverted self-love. Still others need to love their neighbor to balance out an inadequate love.

One of the great tragic plays of all time is Shakespeare's Othello. Othello was a general in the Venetian army. He secretly married Desdemona the daughter of a Venetian senator. Desdemona was the most lovely of all Shakespeare's characters. She was a beautiful and ideal wife. Othello was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Witness With Water Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

Baptism is to be a witness not only to the world, but a perpetual witness to your self in time of temptation. You are to look back, as Paul makes the Roman Christians look back, and remember what you gave witness to in the water of baptism.

A visitor to a drought stricken area was talking to some of the citizens about their no rain situation. As they were complaining about the difficulties it brought to them he sought to comfort them with the it-could-be-worse philosophy. He said, "If you think it is bad here, you should ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:3-4

Bold In Witness Series

Contributed by Rev. Timothy Porter on Jan 12, 2021

It's interesting to me when you think about it, most of the time when we make New Year's resolutions, most of them are more self centered in nature.

SELFLESS WK. 1 - BOLD IN WITNESS PASTOR TIMOTHY PORTER TEXT: MATTHEW 16:24 INTRODUCTION: I love this weekend because it's the first weekend of a new year. How many of you have New Year's resolutions, you have goals, you want something to be different this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational