Sermons on Self Effort:

The Perplexing Paradox Of Blessings And Bewilderment

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jan 11, 2020

Breaking down the barriers of self, and the anguish of curing the soul-sickness of loneliness and disappointment.

It is a wonderful and joyous thing to experience God and the supernatural gifting of His anointing and power. However, the Christian life is more than just feelings, emotions, and experience - it is trusting God in EVERY circumstance – no matter what! I have always been a ‘car guy.’ I have ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:4, James 2:17, Philippians 4:19, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, Job 2:3, Romans 8:24-25, 1 Corinthians 13:11-12, Philippians 3:12-14, Psalm 139:23-24, 2 Corinthians 3:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Worship God

Contributed by Paul Shafit on Jun 9, 2014

How much of your life is God centered and how much is self centered?

"How To Worship God" (Psalm 65) The old song goes, "I don't know what you came to do; but I came to praise the Lord." How appropriate it is for us to think about the ways we can lift up God’s name and honor Him. He's shown His love for us by sending Christ Jesus into the world to deliver us ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 65:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Complacent David Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Jul 9, 2016

When David became complacent his heart for God turned to a heart for self.

I want to start today with a story entitled “Kierkegaard's Complacent Duck.” According to his parable, one spring, a duck was flying north with a flock. In the Danish countryside that particular duck spotted a barnyard where tame ducks lived. The duck dropped down and he discovered ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:2-27

Denomination: Foursquare

Jesus' Power Over Demons Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 25, 2018

Don't be deceived by the lie of self-help. Jesus is your only hope.

INTRODUCTION Thank you for your prayers for Dale Pond and me as we traveled to Uganda and Tanzania to train pastors and to preach in the churches. We worked with over a thousand pastors who are hungry to learn how to build a Healthy Church. Greg Smith, our friend from Atlanta, joined us. Greg is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Fasting For Guidance To Make A Decision Lesson 3 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 15, 2021

Christians need help facing the many major decisions they face in their private, spiritual, business, family, and church life. Fast for major decisions, not the everyday decisions of life.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Promise: “Is not this the fast that I have chosen . . . then shall thy light break forth as the morning?” (Isa. 58:6, 8). 2. Christians need help facing the many major decisions they face in their private, spiritual, business, family, and church life. Fast for major decisions, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:6, Isaiah 58:8

Denomination: Baptist

Declaring His Death Until He Comes Again

Contributed by Daniel J. Little on Jan 4, 2012

On this weekend each year the nations declares its independence. On the first Sunday of each month we declare the death of Jesus--our means to walking in freedom from the wreck and ruin of sin.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:26 “ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” This is the Fourth of July weekend when we celebrate the anniversary of our Declaration of Independence. And in all humility we should do that and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:26

Denomination: *other

Getting Fit: Discipline Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jan 2, 2011

It takes discipline to be a disciple because spiritual growth is intentional, not automatic.

Getting Fit: Discipline 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Rev. Brian Bill 1/2/11 This past week our family had the opportunity to spend time with our nephew Ashton, who has been in Army Basic Training for the past nine weeks. To say the least, he is a changed man. Before I go much further, if you have ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Teaching Our Children Respect For Themselves

Contributed by Major Gerardo Balmori on Apr 2, 2011

Self respect comes from having strong character. Say whatever you want about what constitutes self respect, but it cannot exist apart from a strong, Godly character. D. L. Moody said Character is what you are in the dark

Mayor Gerardo Balmori The Salvation Army Self respect comes from having strong character. Say whatever you want about what constitutes self respect, but it cannot exist apart from a strong, Godly character. D. L. Moody said Character is what you are in the dark. [1] Where does character come ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Pitfalls Of Pride Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Apr 11, 2018

Mankind has a tendency for pride and self-promotion. Pride results from our fallen state, revealing itself early in life. It has no conscience, seeking only self-satisfaction. Jesus reveals the remedy for pride.

The Pitfalls of Pride Mark 10: 35-45 Man by his very nature has a tendency toward pride and self-promotion. The attributes associated with pride are revealed at a very early age. Children don’t have to be taught to be selfish; this characteristic is within their nature. Left unchecked our pride ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Baptist

Your Testimony Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 8, 2020

Is our conversation consumed by self or trivialities? Let’s learn to talk about Jesus. Let’s look at the example of John whose focus was not self, but telling about the Light, in John 1:6-28.

Prelude: Is our conversation consumed by self or trivialities? Purpose: Let’s learn to talk about Jesus. Plan: Let’s look at the example of John whose focus was not self, but telling about the Light, in John 1:6-28. [Note: the beginning verses of this chapter are wisely reserved for Christmas ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-28

Denomination: Baptist

Our Great Struggle With Pride Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

Pride is an inaccurate and malformed understanding of one’s self-image and self-worth. It places our perspective above God, believes we know better than God, and propels us toward tragic consequences.

June 18 Our Great Struggle with Pride The lower we bend, the higher we fly. Pride is an inaccurate and malformed understanding of one’s self-image and self-worth. 1. Pride places our perspective above God’s. 2. Pride believes we know better for ourselves than God Critical connections: ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Who's Your Mama? Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Apr 19, 2007

Exposition of Gal 4:21-31

Text: Galatians 4:21-31, Title: Who’s Your Mama? Date/Place: NRBC, 4/22/07, PM A. Opening illustration: Talk about imprinting that baby birds do when they are born. B. Background to passage: This is Paul’s culminating argument for living a life based on grace instead of works. The Judaizers were ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:21-31

Denomination: Baptist

An Example To Follow

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Nov 11, 2001

When reflecting on serving Christ with our effort and time, we are called to do so in the way Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. This is our example to follow.

Yes, our focus on making a commitment to serve God with our hands begins with a story about feet. Our Bible story takes place at a time shortly before Jesus would give up his life for us. Jesus and the disciples were making arrangements to celebrate a special holiday meal together called the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

Peacemaking Owns The Future

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 16, 2010

Our dedication to arms-building reflects our personal insecurity and our lack of faith. God is Lord of History and efforts to make peace build His Kingdom.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC May 3, 1987 It’s a great gift to be self-contained, to be so secure within your own person that whatever is happening around you just does not get to you and shake you. It's a great gift to have the presence of mind to focus on what you need ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Baptist

We're All Broken Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 21, 2011

The human mind is self-rationalizing and self-deceptive. Without a guide, we have no idea what is right and good. God's Word offers that guide but it's more than just reading a guidebook and determining to do better. We need to come to grips with the brok

Today we are going look at just three verses. Normally these verses might be couched in terms of “this is really bad stuff—this is sin—don’t do it!” While that is true, I want to handle these verses a little differently. Firstly, remember that these words are written ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-22

Denomination: Calvary Chapel