Sermons on Self Advancement:

The Secret Of Great Giving

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 1, 2014

In commending the Macedonian Christians, Paul revealed the secret of great giving.

“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

A Change Of Heart Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

Have you ever been so desperate that you’ve said, “God, I need a miracle!”? Miracles are supernatural events that offer hope and healing to people in need.

Few things evoked unmitigated fear and near national panic as the image, you see in front of you. Known by some as hemorrhagic fever, this deadly disease is better known as Ebola. All eyes were on Texas in the Fall of last year (2014) when a patient, Thomas Eric Duncan, carried the lethal virus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

40 Days 1 - What On Earth Am I Here For Series

Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 27, 2005

Adapted from welcome to the planet 40 Days of Purpose Series. Sermon #1

(Based on WELCOME TO THE PLANET: WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR? Part 1: The Challenge to Move Ahead by Doug Fields) Today we began our 40 Days of Purpose Journey. Are you looking forward to it? Well tonight we are going to starting a series called “Welcome to the Planet: What on Earth Am I Here ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11

Denomination: Baptist

Fit For The Kingdom

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 30, 2005

Learning to fold a piece of paper into a square blindfolded requires the same three things as Jesus requires of us to be fit for the kingdom of God: Self-denying devotion to the task, making it an absolute priority and giving it your undivided attention.

Fit For The Kingdom / Luke 9: 51-62 Intro: Challenge – What if God said, “You must be able to fold a piece of paper into a perfect square while blindfolded to be fit for the kingdom of God?” IMPOSSIBLE? – what would I have to do to learn how to do that? I. Verse 57 “I will follow you wherever ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Working It Out

Contributed by Jane Willis on Oct 18, 2004

Work gets overwhelming. The people we work with seem hurtful and self serving. Yet, work is a place where we live out our faith--a setting where we must learn to be more Christlike.

This passage about Mary and Martha is familiar to many of you. It is fairly well known. It is a story about one women working in the kitchen and making preparations to entertain guests while her sister is involved in spiritual pursuits and assisting directly in the ministry of Jesus. And, when the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Congregational

Why God Hates All Forms Of Idolatry

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Mar 15, 2003

A person seldom considers that his own selfishness can be an idol, as "self" is more important than God. Very few consider that anything, which is more important to a person than obeying God, may be considered an idol.

Why God Hates All Forms of Idolatry A person may not consider that an automobile, house, certain possessions, a hobby, a person, a political party, a cause, a job, a sport, an addiction, lusts, pleasures, or some other thing, can become an idol. A person may not consider that stubbornness is as ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:3-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Time For New Clothes Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 27, 2003

Midlife feels like a time for new clothes .. signs of mortality are showing up. We need new "shoes" to climb out of self-centeredness, and a new "coat" to enable us to travel out of our comfort zone.

I’ve always been glad that in this church we wear pulpit robes. I’m glad of that because pulpit robes keep you from noticing what the preacher is wearing. I don’t want you to think about what I am wearing. I don’t want you to think about my clothes because you are likely to discover that my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 102:18-28

Denomination: Baptist

What Are You Worth?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 27, 2002

How do you figure your self worth – by how much money you have or how much power or prestige you have? Jesus has a totally different idea of how to measure your worth.

What are you worth? I mean, really, how do you figure out what you are worth as a person? If you are #7 NFL Draft pick Bryant McKinnie the answer is easy. He’s in negotiations now with the Minnesota Vikings. He says it’s easy to sign him: "All I’m asking is for a fair deal. And that’s real simple. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-34

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Personal Prophecy Series

Contributed by Kurt Heisey on Nov 5, 2002

This is first of a series on discerning the will of God and looks at how we should handle "words for God" that we or others think come from the Lord. It helps us determin what is of God, our self, or the enemy to deceive us.

Discerning Prophecy 10/6/2002 I. Intro to Rom. 12:1-2... the will of God A. Prerequisites 1. Therefore... (11:33-36) in light that God is awesome, more than you can imagine 2. Offer self as a living sacrifice (12:1)... living for God, not for self. 3. Do not conform to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21, Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Esther: Queen For A Day

Contributed by Lee Henry on Jul 30, 2006

The Story of Esther is a story of God’s providence. Esther’s obedience, faithfulness, prayerfulness and self sacrificing attitude made it possible for God to use her. Those same attributes will allow God to use us as well.

Esther: Queen for a Day Esther 4:14 Queen For A Day (sympathy contest, hosted by Jack Bailey)(Local Los Angeles TV, 1948 - 1956) (NBC Daytime, 1956 - 60) (ABC Daytime, 1960 - 64) It was not really a quiz show, since there were no questions or stunts; it was just a relating of the sob stories ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Duty To One Another

Contributed by Jason Cole on May 7, 2007

The Bible speaks of many "one anothers", and these should be considered as our duties. Often times we are so focused on self that we fail to look towards others. We need to put others even above ourselves.

Our Duty to One Another Introduction: In today’s world we are very private. We like to keep our business to ourselves and we are very comfortable without anyone interfering with our personal business. When someone does decide to attempt to get themselves involved in our business we call them ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10, Galatians 6:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Getting Real With Your Enemies Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 10, 2007

Opposition actually helps us grow. Hostility is destructive not only of others, but also of one’s self; and it spreads without reason. Jesus named its absurdity and then left it in the hands of God. Montgomery Hills Baptist Church

Stress strengthens. That is a physical fact. It is also a spiritual truth. Stress strengthens. When we face opposition, we grow. When we deal with differences, we become stronger. Strange as it may sound, give thanks when you are opposed! For stress strengthens; enmity empowers; and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:43-50

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord's Supper - What Is It? Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Jun 28, 2007

This sermon is a short devotion giving four statements of what The Lord’s Supper is. 1. It is a SIMPLE ACT. 2. It is a REMINDER. 3. It is a SYMBOL. 4. It is a STATEMENT OF FAITH. We take part in it after SELF-EXAMINATION.

The Lord’s Supper – What Is It? "On the 19th of November 1967, in Viet Nam, Chaplain Charlie Waters was moving with one of the companies of his Battalion when it became engaged with heavily enemy fire. As the battle raged and the casualties mounted, Chaplain Waters rushed forward to the line of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Glory In The Valley Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 9, 2008

The world believes it can produce goodness all by itself. The person listening to the man by the Jordan River hears a very different message. There appears to be two messages: one of self-righteousness and the other of total dependence on God for salvatio

Valley Experience Series # 4 Opening illustration: One of our good friend’s had this unique experience of growing up as the son of a county sheriff. His father who was the sheriff of Marlin County for many years, passed away last year. It was at this time that he told us of an incident which had ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pause Before You Act (Part 5) Series

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Mar 7, 2012

In this final segment of the series, PAUSE Before You Act, we examine the effects of our actions. We consider the effect upon the Savior, the Sinner, the Saint and the effect upon Self. Please see the other parts of the series.

Please note that, while this sermon may be preached in stand-alone fashion, it is part of a series. You may wish to take a look at the first three sermons. Especially helpful would be sermon one which lays the foundation. Also, there is a companion sermon called THINK Before You Speak. V. E – ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:16

Denomination: Baptist