Sermons on Self Deception:

Reflections From An Old Pastor

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 8, 2025

This message was preached to students at a Legacy Ministry College chapel service. Dr. Tow shares his reflections from 40+ years of pastoring. He shares "5 Things I'm Glad I Did" and "5 Things I Wish I Had Done.

Welcome to Legacy Ministry Chapel. For those of you who do not know me, I am a Legacy Ministry College board member and have served on the Legacy Ministry faculty. I have been a pastor for over 40 years and am currently teaching doctoral students at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-16, Proverbs 4:23, 2 Corinthians 6:14, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 19:21, Hebrews 12:5-6, Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 6:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

So What's Wrong With Living Together?

Contributed by David Owens on Jun 3, 2013

In this sermon, we examine what the Bible says about cohabitation, and what the Bible says about marriage. The we examine the common reasons people give for why cohabitation is okay.

Introduction: A. How many of you remember the children’s playground song where you use the name of a boy and a girl whom you want to embarrass (we will use Jack and Jill). 1. It goes like this: Jack and Jill, Sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:24-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

America Needs The Truth!

Contributed by Jeff Taylor on Dec 13, 2022

We are a nation in need of truth. But what is truth and what do we do with truth? Often times, whenever we know the truth, we pretend that we're ignorant of it, because we do not want the responsibility of living under it.

We are a nation in need of truth. But what is truth and what do we do with truth? Jesus said very clearly in John 8:32, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free". These are two different statements that are put together in the context of this conversation. First is the ...read more

Scripture: John 8:32

Denomination: Pentecostal

Oh God, You Devil PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 28, 2025

Following Jesus means embracing His challenging teachings, trusting Him even when it’s hard, and letting His words transform us beyond our comfort and preferences.

Some of the most life-giving words Jesus speaks are also the ones that make us swallow hard. You’ve felt that, haven’t you? You’re reading the Bible in the early hush of morning, coffee cooling by your chair, and a sentence seems to stand up from the page. It has weight. It has heat. It asks ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-70

Topics: False Professors, Jesus Christ

Pride And Humility

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Aug 20, 2018

Does pride have any place in the life of a Christian?

If you would, please stand as we say together our memory Scripture for this quarter: Matthew 6:31-33 “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. “But ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:16-18, Daniel 4:34-37, Acts 9:1-18, Daniel 3:26-29

Denomination: Nazarene

How To Be Used Of God Series

Contributed by James Wallace on May 12, 2021

Incredibly, God can use our disabilities, as well as our abilities for His glory. A man born blind discovers this and it changes both his life and his destiny? How can God use you in a similar way?

Last week, in John 8, we saw how Jesus concluded his great and brutal debate with his avowed enemies, the Jewish religious leaders of his generation. He had begun the debate with the statement in the temple that He was the light of the world. He concluded it by making what I believe to be ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Bible Church

The Merciful Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 4, 2023

Most people think we should be merciful to other people. But is their understanding of mercy biblical? This message expounds the 5th Beatitude: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

Intro Our text today is Matthew 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.”i Do you need mercy from God? Do you need a lot of mercy from the Lord? Do you need contined mercy from the Lord? Our answer to those questions alerts us to the importance of this text. Jesus is giving us a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, 1 Peter 1:3, Luke 10:25-37, Matthew 9:36, Acts 3:1-10, 1 John 3:17, Proverbs 19:17, Mark 10:47, Romans 10:10-14, Matthew 18:23-35, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 9:13, Micah 6:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Results Of Rebellion Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Oct 1, 2022

Saul brought on his own destruction. Saul became a person who feared man instead of fearing God. Every leader needs to know that no matter what height they obtain that their position is from God, and they never are above keeping God’s law.

A drunken sailor falls off the boat. His mother was devout Christian. His father was a rebellious sea captain. When his mother died, he followed the ways of his father. He strayed so far and had no fear of the Lord. His life was total moral bankruptcy. He reached such a low point that one day he ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Mental Health: Strategies For Developing Personal & Relational Security

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 1, 2021

Jesus Christ, during his time on Earth was once asked, “What is the greatest commandment?”

Jesus Christ, during his time on Earth was once asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” (Mark 12:28 English Standard Version). His response was very powerful: “29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28, Genesis 3:17-19

Denomination: Salvation Army

"sown To Rise: The Seed Of Resurrection"

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Mar 27, 2024

The Grain of Wheat parable reveals the transformative power of sacrifice, resurrection, and divine rewards. It highlights Jesus' mission and acts as a guide for believers, encouraging them to embrace a life characterized by selflessness and obedience while strengthening their faith.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (John 12:24) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." [25] He that loveth his life shall ...read more

Scripture: John 12:24, Ephesians 4:9-10, Matthew 16:24-26, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, Philippians 3:20-21, Romans 6:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

True Leadership

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 31, 2017

When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good?

Prelude When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good? Let’s look at Jesus’ blunt assessment of human religious leadership in Matthew 23:1-12 and see if we can learn a better ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Ask And Receive Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Aug 29, 2022

This exposition of Zechariah 10:1-4 deals with God's way of blessing his people: thru the principle of Ask and Receive. His intervention on behalf of his people by sending Messiah is also expounded.

Our text today is in Zechariah 10:1-4. I. God’s INVITATION is to Ask and Receive We begin with the first word in that chapter: “Ask.”i God’s method of blessing His people begins there. He begins with an invitation to ask and receive. And that begins with our acknowledgement that every good gift ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 10:1-12, Zechariah 9:16-17, James 1:1-17, James 4:1-4, John 15:1-10, Luke 11:9-13, Ephesians 6:10-18, Colossians 4:2, Ephesians 5:1-18, Deuteronomy 18:1-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Light Of Christ Exposes The Darkness And Lies Of The Devil Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Dec 12, 2024

In this sermon, we will explore the biblical teachings on the light of Christ and its role in exposing the darkness and lies of the devil.

As believers, we are often reminded that we live in a world filled with darkness and deception. The Bible teaches us that Satan, the father of lies, seeks to deceive and manipulate humanity, leading us away from the truth and into the darkness of sin and error. However, the light of Christ shines ...read more

Scripture: John 1:4-5, Ephesians 5:11-14

The Woman Of Endor And Familiar Spirits

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on May 23, 2023

This message takes a somewhat detailed look at First Samuel 28, the record of King Saul's interaction with the woman who has a familiar spirit.

In 1978 or 1979, I was told about family members driving to Nashville – I’m from Tennessee – to see a lady because there were things going on in their lives that they didn’t understand. They had been praying but it seemed to them that God was silent. So they went to see this lady, who shared some ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:31, Leviticus 20:6, Leviticus 20:27, Deuteronomy 18:9-12, 1 Samuel 28:1-20, Ecclesiastes 9:4-6, Job 7:9-10, 1 Samuel 16:1-14, 1 Chronicles 10:13-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Which Shepherd Are You Choosing? (Pt. 2) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 19, 2022

This exposition of Zechariah 11:7-17 examines Zechariah's prediction of Christ's rejection at his First Advent and the consequences of that rejection. The timeless truth taught is: when the leadership God sends is rejected, the judgment that follows is bad leadership.

Intro We concluded last week with God instructing Zechariah to take on the role of a shepherd. Follow with me as we read Zechariah 11:4. “This is what the Lord my God says: ‘Shepherd the flock marked for slaughter.”i That is the assignment God gives Zechariah. He is to represent the Lord as a good ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 11:1-17, Matthew 15:14-15, John 1:1-11, Matthew 23:1-39, Matthew 26:14-16, Matthew 27:1-10, Revelation 19:20, John 11:1-48, Galatians 5:15-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic