Sermons on Self Effort:

"living In Reality"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 16, 2022

A sermon about what it means to deny self and live for God and others.

“Living in Reality” Mark 8:34-38 I want us to think about the following questions this morning: 1. What gives you the greatest joy in life? 2. What creates for you the deepest sense of purpose? 3. When do you feel most alive, most true to the person God created you to be? My guess is that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Denomination: United Methodist

The Secret Of Contentment Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Jul 3, 2001

THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT IS TO BALANCE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS OF SELF WITH LOFTY HOPE IN THE LORD

BIG IDEA: THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT IS TO BALANCE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS OF SELF WITH LOFTY HOPE IN THE LORD I. (:1) REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS OF SELF A. Humility in Attitude 1. How I think about myself “O Lord, my heart is not proud” not being puffed up with a sense of my own importance 2. How I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 131:1-3

Denomination: Independent/Bible

I Believe, Or Do I?

Contributed by Richard Bowman on May 27, 2025

The nature of genuine faith must always include faith in Jesus, not in self.

I BELIEVE! OR DO I? Warsaw Christian Church, Richard Bowman, Pastor Emeritus Text, Mark 9:14-29: And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. 15 Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Ambition Series

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Oct 17, 2005

Improper and self-centered ambitions do not honor God and ultimately are destructive.

#2005-41 Sermon Series: Find Your Focus Title: Ambition Text: I Kings 1:5-10, 49-52; 2:21-24 Truth: Improper and self-centered ambitions do not honor God and ultimately are destructive. (Outline from Lifeway.) Aim: to help you keep your ambitions in line with the Lord’s purposes. Life ?: How do ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Problem With Big "I"S And Little "U"S

Contributed by Wayne Searls on Jul 13, 2005

Sermon emphasizing the need to truly love others as one’s self.

SCRIPTURE: Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any af-fection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Nazarene

A Polished Shaft

Contributed by Brian Buriff on Jun 13, 2006

Keys to healthy self-reflection and review your life accomplishments and influence

I. INTRODUCTION A. The Old Testament Contains Hundreds Of Prophecies Regarding Coming Messiah 1. Many of the prophecies are very descriptive of His nature or mission 2. For example… a. in Genesis – “Seed of a woman” b. in Isaiah 53 – “Wonderful Counselor”, “Mighty God” … etc. B. Isaiah 49 ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-6

Denomination: Church Of God

It Is Well With My Soul

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Jul 29, 2006

A comparison of popular self help ways to find joy with the biblical ways.

I have two different books with me today. Anyone know what this one is? The Bible! The other one is a generic self-help book. We’ll call it, “The Generic Guide On How To Be Happy.” Now how many of you want to be happy? How many want to be miserable, depressed, obnoxious, annoying ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Got To Choose"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 11, 2006

A sermon about self-denial, taking up the Cross and following Jesus.

Mark 8:31-38 “Got to Choose” By: Rev. Kenneth Sauer, Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA www.parkview-umc.org Each week my friend John LeGault from First United Methodist Church sends me his sermon and I send him mine, via the email. We read one another’s sermons, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: United Methodist

Relying On God Series

Contributed by James Jack on Jun 9, 2007

In a culture which prizes self-sufficiency, we need to rely on God.

Australian males prize self-sufficiency. It’s not masculine to ask anyone else for help. It’s not macho to admit that you can’t handle something on your own. I’m probably one of the worst offenders when it comes to having this sort of attitude. I hate anyone having to show me how to do anything, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 59:1-17, Psalm 59:12

Denomination: Anglican

The Death Of The Cross

Contributed by Charles Salmon on Mar 22, 2007

The death of Jesus on the cross provides an example of love, self-sacrifice, and obedience.

The Death of the Cross. Phil. 2:8 INTRO.: In Philippians 2, the death of the cross is presented as an example of selfless living. Not that we should seek to die like Jesus, but that we should strive to live in the spirit of self-sacrificing love for one another and obedience to the will of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Misconception 3:man Can Become Sinless And Righteous On His Own Series

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Feb 26, 2008

Struggles with the flesh. Self righteousness, spritual struggle, and Christ’s Death.

The Three Misconceptions Of Man - 1John 1:6-2:2 Misconception 3 – 1John 1:10-2:2-Can Man Become Sinless and Righteous on His Own Intro- Sin is a terrible thing. We see it in the headlines of the news every single day. Murder, kidnapping, assault, fraud, cheating, lying, deceit, adultery, fighting, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Take Up Your Cross And Follow Me Series

Contributed by John Raulerson on Mar 4, 2008

The disciple is to utterly disown himself, to refuse to acknowledge the self of the old man.

Series: Demands of Christ TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME Matthew 16:24-27 (John Hamby, Sermon: The Demands of Discipleship, Mt16:24-27,SermonCentral) We live in a day of "casual Christianity." I heard someone recently say that the average church could drop one fourth of its members from the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Holy Spirit Guides Us Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Aug 13, 2013

How to distinguish between the voice of the Holy Spirit and the voices of self and Satan

One day, about 25 years ago, I was sitting in a church service listening to the sermon, when I sensed that God was saying to me that He wanted me to be a pastor one day. At the time, I had a very good job with a land development company in which I made a lot of money. I had a family with young ...read more

Scripture: John 16:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Prosperity Gospel – Dealing With False Doctrine

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Jan 13, 2012

The greatest danger in prosperity theology is its hidden message of self-deification.

PROSPERITY GOSPEL – DEALING WITH FALSE DOCTRINE OPPOSE THE THEOLOGY AND NOT THE TEACHER The evangelist pranced around the opulent stage urging TV listeners to send a donation and receive a prayer cloth, or send a bigger donation and receive miracle water from the Red Sea. He told them that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-41

Denomination: Christian Church

Beatitudes: A Program Of Life Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 30, 2010

Our worship must be an authentic and total gift of self in the spirit of the Beatitudes

All Saints Day Nov 1 2010 The Spirit of the Liturgy Today is part of what we might call a great cosmic convergence, at least for our nation. Yesterday was both Hallowe’en, and, for Protestants, what they call Reformation Sunday, the anniversary of the great religious revolution that split ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Catholic