Sermons on Self Defense:

Faith Alone Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Oct 30, 2024

The Gospel of Accomplishment: “You must believe and live right to be saved.” The Gospel of Approval: “I’m defined by what other people think about me.” Here’s our third counterfeit gospel: The Gospel of Self-Management - “You can change. Look inside you for the power to change.”

We continue our series on Why the Reformation matters today by looking at the importance of faith. One of the critical pieces that came out of the Reformation was the belief that Faith Alone makes me acceptable to God. We will return back to Sean’s story a little later today. 500 years after ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-11, Acts 15:22-29

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Pride

Contributed by Samuel M on Feb 15, 2024

Spiritual pride is a self-made fortress where we think we are superior than others, our doctrine is more correct than others, we think we know God more than others, and that we don’t recognise the need for repentance. We always compare with others.

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 The only place where God cannot save you is the place of spiritual pride (God's power is infinite, but God is unwilling to save the proud, until they repent). Unless we repent, God is not willing to save you from ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:18

Let God Do The Finger Pointing

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Aug 7, 2023

If finger pointing is impolite and it is so often connected to self-centered, sinful behavior why does God do it? God does this so that when sinners see their lost condition he can point them to the cross of his Son. There forgiveness is found. There salvation and eternal life are offered.

“Finger pointing.” What thoughts do those two words bring to your mind? For the most part they are probably negative thoughts. At a very early age we are taught not to point at people. It’s considered impolite. As we get older we experience finger pointing in many different ways. If we had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Visionary View - Charting Life's Course With God's Guidance And The Holy Spirit's Empowerment Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 22, 2023

In a world that often glorifies self-reliance and independence, it's easy to fall into the trap of relying solely on our own understanding. However, Proverbs 3:5-6 challenges this notion and reminds us that true wisdom comes from aligning ourselves with God's will.

Title: Visionary View - Charting Life's Course with God's Guidance and the Holy Spirit's Empowerment In a world that often glorifies self-reliance and independence, it's easy to fall into the trap of relying solely on our own understanding. We may believe that our own intellect ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Go! And Let God Teach You What Is Best - Isaiah 48:17 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 3, 2025

In an age of YouTube tutorials, online influencers, and self-help gurus, it seems everyone has an opinion on how you should live your life—how to find success, happiness, or peace. Yet, so many people follow the advice of the world and still feel empty, anxious, or lost.

Go! And Let God Teach You What Is Best - Isaiah 48:17 Introduction: The Teacher Who Knows Best “This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.’” – Isaiah 48:17 ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 48:17, Micah 6:8, Psalm 32:8, Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

No Middle Ground

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Mar 14, 2019

A study in the book of Nehemiah 4: 1 – 23

Nehemiah 4: 1 – 23 No Middle Ground 4 But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. 2 And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:4

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Luke Chapter 15, Three Parables Are One

Contributed by Bruce Landry on Apr 2, 2002

This is a paper on the relationships between the parable of the lost sheep, coin, and prodigal son. It looks at common theme and whether the parables should be taken as one extended parable.

Lost Sheep, Coin, and Son, Three Parables or One Parables of Jesus By: Bruce P. Landry I. What are the Three Parables? The parables in Luke Chapter 15 are really great parables to teach us the value of things that we are placed in stewardship over, and where we should place our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Gathering Of Friends And Enemies Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Apr 15, 2009

THe conversation at the dinner given in Jesus honor.

The gathering of friends and enemies John 12: 1-11 I went to one of those restaurants where they tell you to sit at the bar while you have to wait for them to get your table ready. I think it’s just a gimmick to try and get you to have a drink or a salad or something, but rather ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

What Am I? (Part One)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Feb 2, 2015

Our identity in Christ is very important. We can attribute our self worth to various things but it needs to come from how God sees us and what he has said we are. One of the things God has called us is his child. But what does that mean?

WHAT AM I? (part one) INTRODUCTION: A couple of weeks ago I preached on how we are the bride of Christ. I got to thinking about how else the bible describes what we are in Christ. Our identity in Christ is very important. We need to see ourselves in the truth of what God has declared us. We can ...read more

Scripture: John 1:12-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power Of Positive Thinking

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Sep 12, 2016

Although there are many self-help publications with this title, if an author doesn’t cite God as the source of all positive thought and ability it’s not something I’ll read. The power doesn't come from channeling some unknown energy it comes from God.

THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING INTRODUCTION: Although there are no doubt many self-help publications with this title, this sermon is not based on any of them. If an author writes a publication with a title such as this one and doesn’t cite God as the source of all positive thinking ability ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are You Nailed To The Cross? Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Aug 18, 2014

God calls us to surrender four central things in our life because of who He is. We must be willing to give up our self, our security, our success, and our status in order to fully submit and follow Him. So, which are you willing to commit to Him?

Are you nailed to the cross? Mark 8:34-8:38 - Our lives ought to be a living worship of Jesus Christ’s example -- Honestly, I am more and more convinced that we (all) are just not there yet - Jesus warned that not all that called upon Him will enter into the Kingdom -- If you are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Deal With Adversity

Contributed by David Tack on Sep 1, 2013

Have you ever heard the boys with the most toys wins? Amazing how the world can contort things from God-centered fact to self-proclaiming malarkey! This morning I want to look at an ancient account of the suffering of Job and contextualize some of its components into today’s world!

Job 1: How to Handle Adversity Have you ever heard the boys with the most toys wins? Amazing how the world can contort things from God-centered fact to self-proclaiming malarkey! This morning I want to look at an ancient account of the suffering of Job and contextualize some of its components ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Love Series

Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Oct 18, 2024

Jesus said, “I am the vine, and you are the branches: He who abides in me, and I in him produces much fruit.” The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. God places one of the fruits above the others. Love is above the others

What is LOVE? 1. LOVE is a Fruit that comes from abiding in the vine. Abide in me, and I in you. A branch can’t bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine. Neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, and you are the branches: He who abides in me, and I in him produces much ...read more

Scripture: John 15:4-5, Galatians 5:22, Matthew 22:37-40, 1 Corinthians 13:13, Colossians 3:12-14, Galatians 5:6, 1 Corinthians 13:2-3, Proverbs 10:12, 1 Samuel 15:22, Luke 10:29-37, James 2:18, Matthew 5:23-24, Titus 2:4, Romans 5:8, Romans 5:10, Matthew 5:43-48, Romans 8:28, John 15:5, 1 Samuel 24:6, 1 John 2:15-16, Acts 5:1-5, Ephesians 3:17-19, Luke 7:36-47, 1 John 4:19, John 13:34-35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Keys To Effectual Fervent Prayer Series

Contributed by Dr. Tom Badia on Feb 12, 2024

The words “effectual” and “fervent” are the translation of one Greek word energeo meaning to be operative, be at work, put forth power, to effect, show one's self operative. It has the prefix en which means “In” “inside” or “within” so the emphasis is what is going on within our own soul.

LESSON 5; KEYS TO EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER Keys To Effectual Fervent Prayer. James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” A. Introduction The words “effectual” and ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16

Remember The Duck / There Is Now No Condemnation For Those Who Are In Christ Jesus

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jul 7, 2023

Even those of us who call ourselves followers of the Christ find ourselves at times with a yoke weary and heavy laden.And when the yoke is heavy we become more vulnerable to sin and to self condemnation. Yet take heart "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Beloved ... We have a Lord ... that loves us ... fully. That understands the weight ... that the world tries to burden us ... with. Hear again our text from Matthew: Jesus says BIBLE "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. END (Mathew 11:28-30) Jesus shows ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:21-25, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 11:25-30, Psalm 103:12-14, Micah 7:19, Romans 7:14-19, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican