Sermons on Self Defense:

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 7, 2019

Following Christ means following him to the cross.

There are basically two kinds of sermons on the Christian life. The first type of sermon views the Christian life as a kind of puzzle to be solved, with the message going something like this: Life is full of hardships, and frustrations, and obstacles. But if you do this one thing; if you ...read more

Scripture: John 12:23-33, Matthew 10:38-39, Luke 17:32-33, Mark 8:34-37

Denomination: Baptist

True Greatness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 19, 2018

Who are the true greats? You may be surprised that you know many personally.

Who are the true greats? You may be surprised who they are because you know many of them by name. They live in your neighborhood. Let’s find out what the basic ingredient of true greatness is. Let’s look at Mark 9:30-37, what Jesus has to say. Jesus Mark 9:31 “The Son of Man is to be delivered ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37, Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah 53:12, Philippians 2:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 24, 2021

As people run headlong into a world going nowhere, escaping reality in their hedonistic lifestyles, are we ashamed of Jesus and His words? Are we ashamed of suffering as Christians? Let’s look at Jesus’ countercultural instructions in Mark 8:31-38.

Prelude As people run headlong into a world going nowhere, escaping reality in their hedonistic lifestyles, are we ashamed of Jesus and His words? Are we ashamed of suffering as Christians? Purpose Let’s see the value of taking up our cross and denying ourselves. Plan Let’s look at Jesus’ ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Baptist

"Wherever He Leads, I'll Go!"

Contributed by David Nolte on Jul 9, 2018

Following Jesus demands self-deniaal and taking up a cross daily.

“Wherever He Leads I’ll Go!” Luke 9:23 David P. Nolte A man took his new hound out hunting for pheasant but it was the dog's first day in the field. Just a young hound, not experienced in a disciplined hunt, his nose took him in all sorts of directions. First he saw a rabbit trail and ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Love And Life In The Spirit Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jul 10, 2018

God desires for us to find love in every area of our lives, not just the physical part of our lives.

Love Worth Finding Love and life through the Spirit Romans Chapter 8 Prayer- Introduction- Good Morning! Last week we began a series called “Love worth Finding” We looked at God’s Love for us and our love for God. We agreed that this world is messed up and needing God to bring peace and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-17

Denomination: Nazarene

Even In A Catastrophe, We Should Glorify The Lord By Our Lives Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 8, 2020

In heaven, then, when we succeed in becoming like Christ as His servants and siblings, the Father will give us honors beyond anything we could hope for.

Monday of the 19th Week in Course: St. Lawrence One of the directions we deacons can give at the end of Holy Mass says “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” The idea is to go out from the Eucharistic celebration and bear fruit, bringing the Gospel to your friends and colleagues. That ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, John 12:24-26

Denomination: Catholic

Fourteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time , Year A; 14th Sunday, Cycle A-- Different Yokes For Different Folks

Contributed by Paul Andrew on May 13, 2020

It is an act not of juggling balls on a stage, but of carrying eggs from a barn.

A yoke is a wooden frame fitted on working animals to evenly balance the load on each individual animal and allow them to work as a team. Jesus wears the yoke and we are yoked to him. A teacher read to her class the text, “My yoke is easy.” “Who can tell me what a yoke is?” she asked. A boy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30

Denomination: Catholic

Authority To Forgive Sins (Mark 2)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 5, 2024

Did Jesus have authority on earth to forgive sins? Let's discuss this in Mark 2.

Does Jesus have authority to forgive sins? Did Jesus spend time with sinners? Will Christians fast? Is Jesus Lord of the Sabbath? Let’s find out in Mark 2. What happened in Capernaum? And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Leading And Loving Like Jesus

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on May 15, 2024

This message was given to a leadership team (manager and senior level) at the mission that I serve at. It is about serving well, like Jesus.

We gather here, as we always do at the mission, in the name of Jesus Christ seeking to know his heart, seeking to know and discern his mind, seeking to hear from the Holy Spirit as he speaks to us through each other. And today we’re continuing to talk about the general reality of our need for ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10, 1 Peter 2:9-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christ Alone Should Be Sufficient

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Sep 29, 2021

Churches also can look good on the outside, but when you “taste” what they're doing, you find it's only a facade. That was the case with the church in Laodicea.

How many Coca-Cola drinkers do we have here today? How many Pepsi drinkers? How many of you like Dr Pepper? How many of you like Mr Pibb? Have you ever been in a restaurant and ordered a Dr Pepper and they say they don't sell Dr Pepper but they have Mr Pibb and try to pass it off as the same ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22, Hebrews 12:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

Sin Crouches At Our Door

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Dec 4, 2023

Sin desires to destroy. We must rule over sin.

SIN CROUCHES AT OUR DOOR (Outline) July 16, 2023 – Pentecost 7 – GENESIS 4:3-12 INTRO.: In the middle of our text today our theme jumps out at us. “…sin is crouching at the door…” The Lord God warns believers about the danger of sin. We always need to hear the Lord’s warning that sin is ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:3-12

Denomination: Lutheran

23. Abigail: Wisdom That Averts Wrath Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Sep 3, 2025

If you’ve ever been moments away from making a disastrous decision, then you understand the power of a timely word of wisdom. In 1 Samuel 25, David's anger burns hot. Abigail's wisdom saves David’s testimony and future kingship would have been stained by needless bloodshed.

Abigail: Wisdom that Avert Wrath September 3, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 1 Samuel 25 Introduction If you’ve ever been moments away from making a disastrous decision, then you understand the power of a timely word of wisdom. Proverbs 25:28 says, “A man without ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

Five Crowns Of Reward

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 20, 2025

Crowns are given to those who are victorious.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Bible pictures life as a race from cross to crown and certain rewards (crowns) are given to those who are victorious. 2. “Run in such a way that you may obtain it … Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25). 3. “ For ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, 1 Corinthians 3:14

Denomination: Baptist

"Fasting”

Contributed by Dr. Addanki Raju on Mar 6, 2026

Drawing Closer to God through Self-Denial

“FASTING” Drawing Closer to God through Self-Denial ________________________________________ Introduction: Why Does the Church Ask Us to Fast? Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, In this sacred season of Lent, the Church invites us to walk a path of interior renewal. We are invited to deepen our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 4:1-2

Focus On The Good Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Our thoughts can either bring us down or lift us up. Focusing on the negatives makes it hard to see the positives. We need to focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

Today we're going to talk about focus. You know, like when your teacher tells you to stop daydreaming and pay attention in class. But we're not talking about algebra or history, we're talking about life and our relationship with God. Let's be real, there's a lot of stuff out there trying to grab ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Topics: Optimism, Mental Strength, Self-Belief, Happiness