Sermons on Self Advancement:

Prison Break

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 13, 2021

This message shows how the church advances in the face of spiritual opposition.

Title: “Prison Break” Text: Acts 12:1-10 Big idea: “Jesus has promised to build his church!” (so the word of God spread...12:24) Complement: to show God’s power and continued care for Jewish Christianity. Acts 12:1 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-10, Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Answer (Psalm 20)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 13, 2026

Do we celebrate God's answer in advance?

Do we have the faith to see God’s answer before it even comes? Let’s look at Psalm 20. Does a day of distress eventually hit us all? Who will send us real help? May Yahweh answer you in the day of distress! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high! May He send you help from the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

Wrestling With God

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 18, 2010

Jacob Wrestles With God. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Reading: Genesis chapter 32 verses 22-32. Ill: • James Whistler, the Victorian artist, • Showed scant respect for the hierarchy of any profession. • When his poodle fell ill with a throat infection, • The artist sent immediately for the country’s leading ear, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Brethren

We Are Not Our Own

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Oct 23, 2012

Our call is to follow and obey Jesus, no matter the circumstances.

We Are Not Our Own October 21, 2012 Evening Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: Our call is to follow and obey Jesus, no matter the circumstances. Focus Passage: 2 Samuel 15:19-23 Supplemental Passage: For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 15:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do When Depressed Series

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on Oct 19, 2015

Many times, we have difficulty serving the Lord when we are emotionally depressed and we don't know what to do. In this message, we will discuss the causes and the cures for depression basing from Joshua's experiences in the defeat from Ai.

WHAT TO DO WHEN DEPRESSED SCRIPTURE READING: Joshua 7:1-6 (NIV) "But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things[a]; Achanson of Karmi, the son of Zimri,[b] the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel. 2 Now Joshua ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-6

Denomination: Nazarene

Anger? Infantile Narsissim

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 25, 2014

To be mature we have to learn to control our emotions... David asks the Lord to show him and correct him. Hold us accountable? Identify perpetual babyhood?

INFANTILE NARCISSISM...AM I IN A VICE-GRIP... MATURITY MASTERS EMOTIONS... DOES THIS CONTROL ME OR DO I CONTROL IT... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfinger@aol.com I. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY IDENTIFIED THE LIGHTNING RODS THAT MOCK YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES? FEW SEEK THE REVELATION OF CORRECTABLE ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

“diotrephes & Demetrius – A Cantankerous & A Consistent Christian” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Mar 26, 2012

John contrasts a God centered Christian with a self centered Christian.

In the book of Third John, we read a tale of three Christians - Gaius, who John commended; Diotrephes, who John saw as cantankerous; and Demetrius, who John cited as being consistent in His walk with Christ. Last time we considered what John has to say about Gaius - a commendable Christian. Now ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

At Least I Am Not That

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Dec 9, 2024

This message is about self-righteousness and how Christians can easily fall into this attitude when we stand in judgment of others.

At Least I Am Not That! Scripture: Luke 18:9-14; Romans 10:3; Proverbs 26:12 Good morning Strangers Rest. The title of my message this morning is “At Least I Am Not That” and it is a message about being self-righteous. To ensure we are all on the same page, I want to give you the definition of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, Romans 10:3, Proverbs 26:12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Jun 16, 2025

While Jesus announces for the first time to his disciples his call to the cross, He calls us to confess who he is and calls us to live a crucified life.

I would guess that we are probably similar in that we get so many unwanted calls each day. Somehow, I’ve been getting calls for some group who says they can get me on Social Security Disability. Other times I’ve been on the list for VA loans - except I’m not a veteran. I’ve received calls for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-27

Denomination: Baptist

Hypocrisy

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 8, 2004

The hypocrisy of the of the scribes.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: One blistering hot day when they had guests for dinner, Mother asked 4-year old Johnny to return thanks. “But I don’t know what to say!” the boy complained. “Oh, just say what you hear me say” his mother replied. Obediently the boy bowed his head and mumbled, “Oh Lord, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:35-44

Denomination: Baptist

A.d.d.

Contributed by Tony Searles on May 31, 2002

This is an "Absolutely Dangerous Doctrine!" Being a sold out Christian for the Lord...denying ones self.

A.D.D.: ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS DOCTRINE! State: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is ?Something To Die For?. Definition of Dangerous: ?Likely to cause harm, not safe, risky.? This is what we as Christians can be to satan?s kingdom. Dangerous and very likely to cause harm to it. We are the church and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-25, Philippians 3:7-8

Denomination: Other

Planning For The Kingdom

Contributed by David Elvery on May 7, 2009

God desires us to advance his kingdom through witness and service

“Planning for the Kingdom – Luke 12:13-34” Gladstone Baptist Church – 9/1/07 am 1. We plan for our financial future, but we don’t plan for God’s kingdom. Vs 33b-34, 29-31OOPS We are now half way through January and most of you have returned to work. There has undoubtedly already been a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-34

Denomination: Baptist

Life Worth Dying For Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jul 15, 2014

Part two of series living for Christ of living a life worth dying for. Living for Christ and willing to die for Christ.

Life worth dying for Philippians chapter 1:13-1:30 Introduction- Last week we looked at being in Christ And Christ being in you. That the joy we seek and the joy we have is not based upon your circumstances, or what success you have at the moment. We saw that there are many fair-weather ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

Denomination: Nazarene

Labor Together In The Gospel Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Sep 8, 2010

God provides grace to reconcile relationships among those committed to advancing the Gospel.

Scripture Introduction Someone wrote a poem about conflict in the church: To live above, with the saints we love; Oh, that will be glory! But to live below, with the saints we know; now that’s a different story! Today we meet two women who probably sang that ditty every morning! They were ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-3

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed