Sermons on Self Defense:

What Is A Biblical Lifestyle? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 31, 2023

This sermon explores finding true happiness through self-denial, carrying our cross, and following Jesus as instructed in Mark 8:34-35.

Good morning, dear friends. It's a joy to gather together, to connect in fellowship, and to lift our hearts in worship. Today, we're going to turn our attention to a profound and transformative passage from the Gospel of Mark. A passage that has the power to reshape our understanding, to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-35

Topics: Jesus' Calling

Rider On The Storm

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 28, 2025

Jesus rides through life’s storms and history’s final tempest with self-giving love, ending evil and filling the universe with hallelujah.

Part 1 – Storms A familiar sound of trouble In 1971 a strange new sound came over the radio: a low rumble of thunder, rain in the background, and Jim Morrison’s hushed voice sliding like mist through Riders on the Storm. It wasn’t just music; it was a feeling. The song pictured life as a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41, Revelation 19:11-16, Revelation 21:4, Psalm 46:1-3, Isaiah 43:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

When I Couldn’t Pray

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 12, 2025

When fear, loss, or silence steal your words, grace still speaks. True prayer begins where self ends and mercy begins.

> “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26–27 --- I. The Stories We Grew Up On We grew up on stories with tidy endings — Junior Guide stories where faith always ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-27, Psalm 4:8, Luke 18:13, Luke 22:44, Psalm 42:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Thou Art The Man

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Apr 10, 2019

Be careful about judging others. The tables may turn someday.

THOU ART THE MAN (Outline is based on "The Sin of Faultfinding" By: Guy F. Hester from Pulpit and Bible Study Helps) November 1991 Editor-in-Chief: Spiros Zodhiates) Scripture: Matt: 26:20-25 "Is it I?" II Sam 12:1-14 "Thou art the man" Matt. 7:1-5 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-14, Matthew 26:20-25, Matthew 7:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Grow In Kingdom Character Series

Contributed by Terry Hovey on Jan 30, 2023

If you want to grow in kingdom character then you must pray for it, pray persistently for it, pray in faith for it, and imitate God's love.

Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has been teaching his disciples the principles for kingdom living. He began with the beatitudes, which describes the characteristics of someone who is truly born again, and they’re progression toward godliness. They come to the Lord poor in spirit, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-12

Denomination: Methodist

Gentleness - Fruit Of The Spirit

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 4, 2001

Do you know any "Very Draining People" who say things that set you on edge, & you’re convinced that they enjoy doing it?

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN, BROWNSVILLE A. Do you know any VDPs, "Very Draining People?" They’re the kind who say things that set you on edge, & you’re convinced that they enjoy doing it? They come into your home & say, "Where did you find that ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Giving Love To Get Love

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 1, 2002

"Love One Another" is repeated again and again throughout the pages of the New Testament. Why dwell so heavily on this command when it would seem there is so much more to learn about God?

OPEN: "That’s marvelous, having a lion and monkey in the same cage," said the visitor to a small zoo. "How do they get along?" "Okay, usually," answered the zookeeper. "Occasionally they have a disagreement, and we have to get a new monkey." APPLY: Now, why do they need to get a new monkey? ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Subjective Spiritual Struggles: They Matter Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 18, 2019

Although many of our struggles as followers of Jesus are with the world, the flesh, and the devil, sometimes they are about monitoring our inner affections and deep seated thoughts.

Our Subjective Spiritual Struggles: They Matter (I John 3:19-24, 4:7-21) 1. Today I begin my message with some comments about modern art. It’s easy to understand modern art. If it hangs on a wall, it’s a painting. If you can walk around it, it’s a sculpture. How many surrealists does it take to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:19-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Different Freedom, Different Father And Different Faith Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 21, 2019

If you are in Christ, if you have repented and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour then the Bible says you are a child of God. Your relationship with God has been restored, you are reconciled to our Heavenly Father.

Do you want other people to like you? I think the answer for all of us is yes. In our heart, we all have a desire to be approved – to be liked. Often we allow our sense of self-esteem to be based on the opinions others have of us. Why is it that we so often feel or think badly about ourselves? Is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-39, Romans 7:24-25, 2 Peter 3:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Lent: A Ritual Or Preparation

Contributed by Dr. Madana Kumar, Phd on Mar 22, 2019

Evangelical Congregations do not observe the practice of fasting during Lent. But is there meaning beyond the ritualistic nature of the Lent season? How are you preparing to meet the resurrected Lord of the Easter?

Lent: A Ritual or Preparation? We are part of an evangelical congregation and hence many of us do not observe the Lenten season as done in the mainline churches. But many of you who have grown up , or are used to the ways of the mainline churches will certainly remember the Lenten season. Those of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 Corinthians 11:28, Psalm 139:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, And Do No Evil

Contributed by Leslie Tarlton on Jan 19, 2014

An exposition on the Book of James

James Chapter 1:19-27 See no evil, Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil, and Do no Evil There are within the church people who do not the set out to do wrong, but through a failure to carefully examine their own life, in the light of the Word of God, fail themselves, their family, their church, and their ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

New Year Sermon: Life Of Peter

Contributed by Sunitha Justin on Dec 30, 2018

Peter was willing to lay down his life for Jesus. The same Peter who once said to Jesus ‘You are Christ, the Son of the Living God’ now says, ‘I do not know this Man of whom you speak!’ What made Peter to fail Jesus?

Once a man died & went to the gates of heaven. AS he was about to enter in to heaven, Peter stands by the gates and refuses to let him in. Peter says.. tell me why I should let you into heaven. You list out your reasons. I will score you. And If you score 100 points, then I will let you ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

The Fruit Of The Spirit

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 22, 2019

When believers are controlled by the Holy Spirit, they manifest: 1) Upward Fruit (Galatians 5:22a) 2) Outward Fruit (Galatians 5:22b) and 3) Inward Fruit (Galatians 5:23)

What qualifies someone for a task? There is a story of the testing of a candidate for missions work: One snowy morning at 5:00 a.m., a missionary candidate rang the bell at a missionary examiner’s home. Ushered into the office, he sat three hours past his appointment time waiting for his interview. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Other

Growing Old Gracefully Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 22, 2017

Pass the tests of life when you revel in your losses, receive Christ into your heart, and take responsibility for your own sin.

Richard S. Halverson, the former U.S. Senate Chaplain, used to challenge people with the following image: You're going to meet an old man [or woman] someday down the road – ten, thirty, fifty years from now – waiting there for you. You'll be catching up with him [or her]. What kind of old man [or ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What Is Man? Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Feb 7, 2012

Psalm 8 asks a probing question and indirectly answers some basic ones -- Who Am I?; Why Am I Here?; Who Is God?

1. Relationships: During John F. Kennedy’s presidency, there was one member of his cabinet who had a unique relationship with the President: the Attorney General was his brother Robert. Robert Kennedy was reported to have greeted new lawyers entering the Department with the following ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ