Sermons on Self Defense:

Where Is Your Treasure

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Aug 6, 2007

(The Parable Of The Rich Fool) The Folly of the Fool 1. Could not see beyond Himself 2. Could not see beyond this life The Wisdom of God 1. Sees Beyond Self 2. Sees Beyond This World

Introduction: • A wise old man put up a sign on a vacant piece of property he owned that read, “I will give this lot to anyone who is really satisfied.”A wealthy man read it as he rode by and said to himself, “Since this old man is going to give this piece of land away, I might as well have it as ...read more

Denomination: Orthodox

False Faith/Counterfeit Christianity

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 15, 2005

Simon the sorcerer is an illustration of Counterfeit Christianity or false faith. It begins with a false self perception, and foolish pride. Trying to show folks that the rituals we use in the church do not save, instead it is the life changing presence

Intro: Online Encyclopedia, Wikipedia this to say about Counterfits “Today the finest counterfeit banknotes are claimed to be U.S. dollar bills produced in North Korea, which are used to finance the North Korean government, among other uses. The fake North Korean copies are called Superdollars ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-25

Denomination: Baptist

Supersize Me!

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Mar 12, 2006

In order to avoid the trap of self-indulgence, we need to: 1. Reject the spirit of entitlement and embrace a spirit of gratitude. 2. Reject excess and move toward moderation. 3. Reject the temporal and focus on the eternal.

Two years ago Morgan Spurlock created a film documentary called Supersize Me, which won several international film awards. It was based on an experiment to see what would happen if he would eat nothing but McDonald’s fast food for one month. He had three rules for this experiment: 1. During the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-11

Denomination: Methodist

Nine Marks Of Worldiness - I John 2:15,16

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 31, 2002

Nine Marks of Worldliness - I John 2:15,16 (Preoccupations that are wrong, pride, pleasures, possession focused, popularity, power obsession, position oriented, people pleasing, and privileges seen as self-centered rights)

Nine Marks of Worldliness - I John 2:15,16 (Preoccupations that are wrong, pride, pleasures, possessions, popularity, power obsession, position oriented, people pleasing, and privilege for selfish reasons) Illustration: That evening, the assassin John Wilks Booth stopped in a saloon near the Ford ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Leads To Abundance

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Feb 3, 2007

1. God has a wonderful plan for your life. 2. He wants to free you from sin and self-destructive addictions 3. God wants to take you to the land of abundance right now.

“Entering the Promised land” July 10, 2005 “Two of the spies, Joshua (the son of Nun), and Caleb (the son of Jephunneh), … said to all the people, "It is a wonderful country ahead, and the Lord loves us. He will bring us safely into the land and give it to us. It is very fertile, a land ’flowing ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:6-9

Denomination: Holiness

Handling Money

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 7, 2014

The first commandment of the world is “self-preservation”. A shady business deal is winked at, questionable practices tolerated, and a clever crook is highly praised by the world. The law is on the side of the crook and the criminal many times.

12-20-04 Title: Handling Money Text: “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Luke 16:13) Bible Reading: Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Dating God!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Aug 19, 2013

Dating God requires you to be ‘all’ for Him! Opening up our activities, computer, inbox, facebook, mobile, cupboards, to the entire, close scrutiny of God will require self denial and total surrender!

Dating God! Hebrews 10:22”let us draw near [TO GOD] with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Boy! The title is so powerful that I am a bit shaky as to how to begin! I can never write this ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:22

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Hope Of Righteousness Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 5, 2012

These verses contrast the long-term outcome of righteousness with that of wickedness. A righteous person will be secure in hiswalk but a person whose paths are crooked, whose conduct is wicked, eventually will find him self in troubles of his own maki

PROVERBS 11: 3-9 THE HOPE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS These verses contrast the long-term outcome of righteousness with that of wickedness. A righteous person will be secure in his or her walk (conduct) but a person whose paths are crooked, whose conduct is wicked, eventually will find him or her self ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:3-9

Denomination: Baptist

Creative Communion

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Jul 9, 2010

Communion is always a special day at church. Every time we share it, it is a sacred day of self-examination and spiritual closeness. This week’s communion was more wonderful than I’ve experienced before.

Communion is always a special day at church. It is one of only two ordinances that separate the church from other spiritual organizations. Every time we share it, it is a sacred day of self-examination and spiritual closeness. This week’s communion was more wonderful than I’ve experienced ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:26-29

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do About A Broken-Down Church

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 7, 2009

God is not committed to maintaining a church just because it is there. His commitment is to maintain us if we show compassion, particularly on the young. Restoration of our church life in challenging times begins with repentance, self-examination.

Two or three weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, I noticed several of you staring straight up here, right into the notch of this arch. I too looked up there, and what we all saw was a sizable piece of paint and plaster hanging there by a mere thread. It looked as though it was poised and ready just in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Leaky Disciples

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 17, 2008

Dated 1988; post-revival message. We do not retain the Spirit after a period of excitement because we have not counted the cost, we are victims of low self-esteem, or we are not our own persons.

Nothing is more annoying than to be trying to transport some liquid in a leaky vessel. You think you’ve got whatever it is all secure and ready for use, and then all of a sudden you find out it has leaked and drained allover the place ... and nothing is more disturbing and frustrating. When I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Baptist

A Psalm Sunday Journey

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Jun 24, 2015

We all need to take our own Palm Sunday Journey; not to a physical Cross, but to purposely go to Calvary on the inside, and die to self-rule, so that we can live in the Lord's power and HIs direction.

A Palm Sunday JOURNEY Palm Sunday 2015 Eric J. Hanson INTRODUCTION (Read John 12:1-19) The reason Jesus came into Jerusalem on that Sunday long ago was not to get a thrill. He did not come into the capital city in order to set up an Earthly kingdom while his popularity was peaking and he had ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Prison Doors Can Hold Me Down

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 19, 2016

There Are Many Iron Gates, Chains, Darkness, Prisons, death threats, fears, that hinder and imprison believers. Some are Self-righteousness, Pride, Worldly pleasure, The approval of the world, Doubt, Weariness in our labor for Christ, Discouragement.

NO PRISON DOOR CAN HOLD ME DOWN ACTS 12:1-19 1 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Charismatic

"Do Not Hold Onto Worry" Series

Contributed by Brad Henry on Jul 25, 2014

So many of us do not know how to live the abundant life that Jesus promises us. This lesson will give you some tolls to help you live that life of joy, happiness, gentleness and self control.

The Ultimate Decision July 25, 2014 Many of you could relate to the Ironman Race and Life. One of the top things I took away from the race given to me by a pro athlete was this wisdom. “The race is a long and hard day; too long to think ahead. When you are in the water think about the next ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33-34

Back To Bethel Series

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Dec 31, 2014

WHERE ARE YOU PRE-BETHEL Life a mess, running from self BETHEL Coming to Christ POST-BETHEL Drifted away PENIEL Messed up again… Wrestling with God Come back to Bethel

BACK TO BETHEL “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob [“deceiver”]? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my b1essing!" You know the story… how the younger, wimpier, momma’s boy stole the birthright and blessing from his ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:13-15

Denomination: Baptist