Sermons on Self Ambition:

Losing To Live: The Paradox At The Heart Of Following Jesus Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 12, 2026

In a culture that prizes comfort, Jesus calls us to the cross. In a society addicted to convenience, Jesus calls us to costly obedience. In an age of self-expression, Jesus calls us to self-denial.

Losing to Live: The Paradox at the Heart of Following Jesus – Mark 8:35 (NLT) Introduction: The Great Reversal We live in a world obsessed with self-preservation. Protect your brand. Build your platform. Secure your future. Save your life at all costs. From social media profiles to pension ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-36, Mark 8:35, Proverbs 14:12, Galatians 5:24, Philippians 3:8, John 10:10, Romans 6:11, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 15:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Prayer As Trust Series

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Apr 26, 2007

Prayer is the ultimate act of trust for the Christian, and to be prayerless indicates a self-led, self-trusting life, in spite of our words to the contrary.

a. This week we witnessed a terrible tragedy in Virginia – 32 men and women entered eternity, and hundreds of others stood at the precipice of eternity and glanced into it as bullets whizzed by their ears. Join me as we pray for the victims families and the future of those who survived this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 7:14, 1 Chronicles 7:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Whom Can I Blame?

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Jan 4, 2003

Self-pity has become a lifestyle for many. We can break down the walls of self-pity through the word of God.

January 5, 2003 Morning Service Text: John 5:1:15; Acts 8:1-8 Subject: Overcoming the Victim Mentality Title: Whom Can I Blame? I want to begin todays sermon with a story from Max Lucados "The Applause of Heaven". "I have everything I need for joy!" Robert Reed said. "Amazing!" I thought. His ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Characteristic Of Humbleness Series

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Aug 11, 2004

Humbleness is a modest estimation of one’s self Humbleness is a self-abased attitude. To be a Christian is to be like Christ not just going to church.

Developing Christian Character The Characteristic of “Humility” The Bible says in Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are high above the earth so are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: Apostolic

God, Take The Wheel Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Oct 4, 2011

Man cannot control himself. anything uncontrolled has the potential to harm us. Self-control is not self-help. For a Christian, self-control means that He/She will allow the Lord to control their lives by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God, Take the wheel Galatians 5:22 2 Peter 1:5-8 Introduction- We have been in the study of the Fruit of the Spirit for several weeks. I hope that you have been able to be with us for the whole series as we looked at the characteristics of God, and His desire to have these characteristics active ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-27

Denomination: Nazarene

Fulfilling God's Purpose And Living A Life That Honors Him. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 2, 2024

In a world that often encourages us to chase our own dreams and ambitions, it's easy to forget that God has a unique purpose for each of our lives.

But what does the Bible say about God’s purpose for us? And how can we discover and live out this purpose? Are you living a life that fulfils your own selfish desires, or are you seeking to fulfil God’s purpose for your life? As believers, we are called to surrender our own plans and ambitions to ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11, John 14:21, Proverbs 19:21, John 14:27

Renewed Vision

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on May 20, 2025

This New Year’s Eve sermon challenges believers to reflect on perseverance through hardship and to anchor their goals not just in ambition, but in the eternal path, presence, and pleasures found in Christ.

Not Giving Up As I was preparing for today, I just want to share with you where my heart was yesterday as I was preparing for this morning: we had a hundred opportunities this year to quit. We had a hundred opportunities to quit on Jesus. Maybe you were disappointed and you clung to him. Maybe you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:1-11, Psalm 119:103-105, John 14:6, John 4:13-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Choice Of Moses Series

Contributed by Bob Marcaurelle on Mar 1, 2016

Moses Message 2 This shows how much Moses gave up to "suffer affliction" with God's people (Hebrews 11) and how God prepared him for the task of leading the chosen people from Egypt to Canaan in forty

Moses 2 THE CHOICE OF MOSES Exodus 2:5-25 B. The Savior (2:5-25) 2. His Development Spiritually (2:7-9) 3. His Development Socially (2:10) 4. His Decision (2:11-14) 5. His Development Specially (2:15-25) In three different places God tells us that Moses, forty years old, at the peak of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:5-25

Denomination: Baptist

Turning Hearts Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Sep 1, 2015

The idea of the sermon is the see the contrast between our tendencies to be self-serving or self-promoting versus having the humble spirit that promotes God. The Pharisee and Tax Collector in the parable of Luke 18.9-14 are the examples we will consider.

1. Self Esteem and Funeral Director A mild mannered young man came into a counselor's office ready for a divorce. He complained that his wife was so bossy that she was driving him off the wall. He wanted things to change, immediately. The counselor gave him a book on assertiveness. He was so ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Blessing Of Brokenness Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 10, 2021

If you want to be truly blessed and be a blessing to others, let God break you of your self-sufficiency and sin.

Recently, I came across an interesting set of statistics on sanity. According to the study, one out of every four Americans is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Now, think of your three best friends. If they’re okay, then it’s probably you. (Rita Mae Brown, Church Champions Update, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32, Psalm 51:17, Matthew 5:3, 1 John 1:8-9, Isaiah 6:5, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Mark 14:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Why Should I Be Discouraged

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 7, 2003

Jesus refused to let people discourage, frustrate, or defeat Him because of their faulty perception of His worth. The Lord knew that His success was not determined by peoples’ estimate of His worth but focused on His heavenly Father’s overwhelming love, p

1. Jesus refused to let people discourage, frustrate, or defeat Him because of their faulty perception of His worth. The Lord knew that His success was not determined by peoples’ estimate of His worth but focused on His heavenly Father’s overwhelming love, power, and advocacy for Him and His ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Humble Like Jesus Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Sep 5, 2019

Self-promotion is an epidemic in our culture. Social media and the internet make it easier than ever.

Philippians 2 – Complete Joy Humble Like Jesus September 8, 2019 Philippians 2:1-4 NIV If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4, Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Privileges Of An Apostle Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 9, 2019

Paul faced severe criticism; false brethren questioned his Apostleship, and they were constantly assaulting his character and attacking his reputation; particularly here at Corinth.

January 16, 2013 Commentary on First Corinthians By: Tom Lowe Topic #7: Questions Concerning Christian Freedom, 1 Corinthians 8.1-11.1 Lesson 7.3: Privileges of an Apostle Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9.1-6 1 Cor 9.1-6 (KJV) 1 Am I not an Apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Let God Search Your Heart - Psalm 139:23–24 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 11, 2025

When was the last time you truly asked God to search your heart? We live in a world that prizes self-examination, self-help, and self-awareness — but the Bible calls us to something higher and holier: God-examination.

Go! And Let God Search Your Heart - Psalm 139:23–24 Church, let’s begin this morning with a question that pierces deeper than any sermon outline or theological argument: When was the last time you truly asked God to search your heart? We live in a world that prizes self-examination, self-help, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-4, Psalm 139:23-24, Jeremiah 17:9-10, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 5:8, John 14:6, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Selfish To Selfless Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jan 20, 2017

We are called to live a new way and to not just think of one's self.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Edward Blaine who had spent 20 years in prison for bank robbery back in 1963 thought he would try again in 2003 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. • According to The Free-Lance Star of Fredericksburg, Blaine walked up to two tellers at Union Bank & Trust and ordered them ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ