Sermons on Self Defense:

How To Renew Your Thinking

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 12, 2003

Paul urged the early Christians to replace their old sinful natural responses to difficulties with new attitudes. The great apostle wrote, "Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires. To be made new in the attitude of your mi

Someone once said, "Attitude is everything." People with great attitude succeed. Those with negative attitudes fail. Illustration;Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: To choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s way. Viktor Frankl, concentration ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:21-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Praisefest In Jerusalem

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on May 19, 2003

Without Christ we are just ordinary people, ordinary creation, who don’t experience the extraordinary hand of a living God. Without Christ we are without joy, peace, wisdom, self-control, patience, and the strength to live the life it was meant to be.

The PraiseFest in Jerusalem Scripture References: Luke 19:35 – 40; Matthew 21:8 –11; Mark 11:8 - 10 Introduction The donkey awakened, his mind still savoring the afterglow of the most exciting day of his life. Never before had he felt such a rush of pleasure and pride. He walked into town and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:35-40, Matthew 21:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual High Gear Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 3, 2004

We become useful to God when we are broken of our stubborn self-will and learn to submit to His will. The beatitudes describe what it means to be broken before God¡Kwe can summarize these first 4 beatitudes with one word each.

Spiritual High Gear (Matt. 5:1-6) INTRO 1. Right now, Freddie Aldridge is in boot camp. 2. I’ve never been in the military, but I understand it does a good job of teaching people respect for authority. 3. I knew a student at Moody, Bruce¡Kflunked out¡KNavy¡Kpastor/professor 4. "The Navy has a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Journey Of Repentance Part 2 – Surrender Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 11, 2007

Repentance is about surrender, about admitting our helplessness and turning to God for His Spirit to change us, and then cooperating with God in His work. Repentance is about death to sin, about death to self, about making a choice to turn away from sin

A Journey of Repentance Part 2 – Surrender Romans 6:2-14 February 13, 2005 Intro: Last Sunday I invited you to join me on a journey of repentance. Today, aside from being the day before Valentine’s day, is more importantly the first Sunday in the season of Lent, the period of time we set apart ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:2-14

Denomination: Baptist

Disciples Are Juicy(Pastor Jose Gomez Jr.)

Contributed by Jose Gomez Sr. on Mar 6, 2006

Jesus compared his disciples to juicy grapes attached to a healthy, living vine. How important is it to bear fruit? What happens when we become lazy or self-centered and stop bearing fruit? How dependent are we on being attached to Christ?

A Tour of John 15:1-17 We Are Planted and Pruned to Produce Juicy Fruit 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned for ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Want To Die? Series

Contributed by Jerry Mckee on Sep 18, 2008

It’s tough to be a teenager today. I wrote this series of messages for our new 7th graders graduating into teenage life. The third installment of this series takes a looks at the struggle of self esteem that everyone (including adults) face on a daily bas

I Wanted to Die I tried to commit suicide seven times. That’s what depression—at its deepest and darkest—can do to you. by Mandy Bennett* as told to Mark Moring The alarm clock jolted me awake at 5 o’clock, way earlier than usual. Normally, I might’ve groaned, shut it off, and gone back to sleep. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-18

Denomination: *other

Zacchaeus

Contributed by Clay Gilbreath on Mar 24, 2007

Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus teaches us about His ministry. Insignificant to us may be significant to Him; He always has time to minister; He doesn’t really care what self-righteous think; His mind was on His mission.

LUKE 19:1-10 Imagine the story with me. Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem. He knew what awaited him there, he knew he was going to be received royally, then in a matter of days, he would be crucified and murdered. He understood this was God’s master plan to offer salvation to the world – ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

I Do Not Box As One Punching The Air!

Contributed by David Smith on Mar 1, 2012

Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. 25Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.

Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. 25Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. 26So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Have Faith In God

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jun 27, 2011

Have faith in God. Focus not on the size of your faith but the size of your God. Who do you believe in is important. Do not shift your focus away from God and onto your self, your skills, your knowledge or past accomplishments.

[Adapted from a chapter in Rev Edmund Chan’s book Growing Deep in Faith.] A young boy was being tormented by a demon. ?He has seizures and is suffering greatly, and would even throw himself into the fire or water. ?His family was at a lost what to do. His father brought him to the disciples of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:14-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Let’s Not Miss The Harvest! (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Dan Proctor on Aug 22, 2016

Jesus was too concerned about the souls of people to get distracted with minor, unimportant matters. If we aren’t focused on Christ, we can become self-absorbed and inwardly focused like the Pharisees, and we’ll miss the harvest.

Let’s Not Miss The Harvest! Matthew 9 – Part 2 Introduction: 1. Did you know that religious people can be very mean and cold-hearted? People who are religious, but aren’t truly walking with God can be some of the nastiest people you’ve ever met. 2. In Jesus’ day, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-38

Denomination: Bible Church

Anxiety: Fear Of Losing Control Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Sep 10, 2015

Anxiety and worry come from trying to grab a hold of something that doesn't belong to us. Control of the situations that surround us. The Bible makes clear we are to control our responses to our environment and to others. We should seek self-control.

Intro: The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. George Muller Massena, one of Napoleon's generals, suddenly appeared with 18,000 soldiers before an Austrian town which had no means of defending itself. The town council met, certain that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Called To Be Saints

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Aug 22, 2013

There is something intensely individualistic and ego affirming in the idea that you make your own way. We would all like to think that we could pull ourselves up by our own boot straps, that we are ‘self-made people.’

Romans 1:5-7 4th in the series Called To Be Saints Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:5-7

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Realities Of The Holy Spirit In Our Christian Life!

Contributed by Tony Abram on May 6, 2012

In this outline we share 7 realities in our live as we live and grow in the Lord. "May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love and joy of God's presence and not a moment without the entire surrender of my self as a vessel for Him

Realities of the Holy Spirit in our Christian Life! In this outline we share 7 realities in our live as we live and grow in the Lord. "May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love and joy of God's presence and not a moment without the entire surrender of my self as a vessel ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Everything Made New

Contributed by Mark Roper on Jan 5, 2010

Each New Year many people make all sorts of resolutions. Resolutions for greater Health, or Wealth. These resolutions are a desire through self discipline to have the things change for the better. The good news is that, God also has a desire for new cha

Everything Made New Each New Year many people make all sorts of resolutions. Resolutions for greater Health, or Wealth. These resolutions are a desire through self discipline to have the things change for the better. The good news is that, God also has a desire for new changes to take place ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-5

Denomination: Church Of God

The Truth About Truth

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jul 26, 2012

It may take a crucified church to bring a crucified Christ before the eyes of the world. Christ’s cross makes foolish human wisdom. The cross insults our intelligence (too simple), ability (nothing to do), and ambition (not glory for self).

Opening illustration: When Harvard University was founded, its motto was Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae —“Truth for Christ and the Church.” Its crest showed three books, one face down to symbolize the limitation of human knowledge. But in recent decades that book has been turned ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational