Sermons on Self Deception:

Minors' Lessons That Have Major Impact Ii: Commitment - Learned From Haggai Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Sep 16, 2019

Christians need a revival of commitment in a day when self-centeredness has taken center stage in a selfish society. Haggai proclaims the need to reflect on our selfish ways and to return to God's sacrificial way.

MINORS’ LESSONS THAT HAVE MAJOR IMPACT II: COMMITMENT - Learned from Haggai We continue learning from the Minor Prophets some lessons that have a major impact on our lives; there are six essentials we must put into practice if we want to measure up to God’s ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:7-9, Haggai 1:12-15, Haggai 2:16-19

What To Do When Your Culture Is Destroying Itself [2nd Copy]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 25, 2024

When this message was planned this past winter, services were cancelled due to a blizzard. This is a second effort that has been revised and brought up to date. How shall Christians respond as our contemporary culture self-destructs?

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Divine Jealousy Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 6, 2025

If you want to keep from being deceived, follow only a leader, who, like a father, jealously guards your pure devotion to Christ, generously cares for you, and genuinely shows you his true self.

Pastor John Ortberg asks us to imagine picking your car up from the shop after a routine tune-up, and the technician says, “This car is in great shape. Clearly you have an automotive genius to take great care of your car.” Later that day, your brakes fail. You find out you were out of brake fluid. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Be Cautious About Judging Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 30, 2021

When believers criticize each other, it can actually drive people away from the church. Jesus warned about the consequences of criticizing others, and of the need to do some spiritual self-examination before passing judgement.

This morning we are going to look at the spiritual issue of judging others. The applicable definition for the word “judge” in our main passage means, “to form a judgment or opinion” and to “decide upon critically.”(1) The key word here is “critically,” for when we judge others we are often ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Be Accepting Of The Sick Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 30, 2021

People can become so afraid of catching an illness that they will stay clear of anyone who is sick. Jesus challenged people to realize that caring for the spiritual needs of others far supersedes one’s desire for self-preservation

I wish to begin our message today with two quotes by Mother Teresa. Here is the first quote: “The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted.”(1) In her humanitarian efforts in Calcutta, Mother Teresa observed much rejection and hopeless, as ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-42

Denomination: Baptist

A New Year’s Examination

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Jan 10, 2024

With a new year comes a time for self-examination of your life and your relationship with Jesus Christ. Have you ghosted Him? Have you friend zoned Him? Or do you have a loving relationship with Him?

It is our tradition in this church, as well as many others, to share the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of the month. Paul’s admonition to the Corinthian Christians is especially appropriate as one begins a new year: “Let a man examine himself.” Being that this is the first ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:27-32, Ephesians 5:8-16, Psalm 139:23-24, James 4:13-15, Philippians 3:13-14, Deuteronomy 11:11-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Fruit Of The Spirit

Contributed by Efe Oluwatosin on Feb 15, 2025

The fruit of the Spirit, as described in the Bible, encompasses a set of virtues that reflect the character of God and are cultivated in believers through the Holy Spirit. These virtues include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Let's look at these virtues in-depth to determine how to cultivate them. Love is a commandment. John15:12 NKJV "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." Christians are to love people the way Jesus loves us, not necessarily as they love us. Christians ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

Ministering To The Sick

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jul 26, 2024

People can become so afraid of catching an illness that they will stay clear of anyone who is sick. Jesus challenged people to realize that caring for the spiritual needs of others far supersedes one’s desire for self-preservation.

I want to begin our message today with two quotes by Mother Teresa; and here is the first quote: “The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted.”(1) In her humanitarian efforts in Calcutta, Mother Teresa saw a lot of rejection and hopelessness, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

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

Why Are We Dependent On The Spirit For Renewal

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 23, 2001

Why are we dependent on the Spirit for renewal? He renews with His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Only His renewal makes us sufficient for life’s challenges.

Titus 3:5 Theme - We are continually dependent on the Spirit’s ministry of renewal. Why are some believers lacking a fresh sense of cleansing, hope, and love? Freedom from sin’s oppression requires a continual application of the Spirit’s grace. Illustration: Sometime back the Associated Press ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

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

Fly High - Acts Part 3

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 8, 2006

The book of Acts was written to show what God can do with people who are filled with the Holy Spirit and what happens to those who try to deceive the Holy Spirit.

“Fly high” – Acts part 3 On the Lighter side of Life: Funny pictures of pets Opening Video Illustration – Flying high for the kingdom of God – two real life stories of what it means to sacrifice for the kingdom and for others: From Blue Fish TV – Illustrate Volume 3 : David and Cynthia and ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational