Sermons on Self Effort:

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

"Steadfastness": Our Pursuit For Our Growth Part 5 Series

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Sep 7, 2010

Let us conquer life’s challenges through the right commitments, adding steadfastness to self-control.

Have you ever expressed your belief in a loving way but to your dismay your friends still accused you of being biased or opinionated? Or, you made a stand about an issue in your company and yet you end up being ridiculed for what you stood for even if your stance was actually right? Or, you tried ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-7

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Collapse - When You Don't Delight In God's Will - 1 Samuel 14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 12, 2025

Jonathan climbed cliffs by faith; Saul stumbled by pride. Witness the stark contrast between trust and self-reliance.

Introduction: Saul in Trouble If you were here last week you remember that Saul is in deep trouble in Gibeah. He sent almost his whole army home, just keeping a standing force of 3000. And Jonathan attacks the Philistines. The Philistines respond with absolutely staggering force - thousands of ...read more

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

Two Pathways Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jun 2, 2014

Performance-based religion is not the Gospel. In both the OT & NT redemption comes via grace apart from works.

Introduction: “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood and I took the one less traveled by” wrote Robert Frost. There are two roads before us and only one leads to Heaven. Which one is it--the road of good works or faith? Works will get us lost in the woods. When we realize that none of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-14

Denomination: Congregational

Admonition 101

Contributed by Ron Hietsch on Aug 27, 2011

Jesus sets forth a basic condition. Before admonishing someone practice self examination. If we do not see our own sins, we can not offer admonition to a fellow Christian. Without self examination our admonition can only deteriorate into judgment.

September 4, 2011 The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Year A Grace mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. The sermon text for today is Ezekiel 33:7-9. This encounter between God and Ezekiel takes place in the neo- Babylonian Empire during the captivity of Israel by ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:7-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Victory Over Troubles

Contributed by Marvin Minton on Sep 5, 2007

When the going gets tough will we be tough enough to keep going? The psalmist sets a great example of a "never say die" spirit in the face of tremendous affliction.

Victory Over Troubles Psalm 129:1-8 This song is the tenth in the series of “Songs of Ascent”. It seems written for antiphonal singing; to be sung by two groups or by a leader and choir. The theme is that we can trust the Lord to bring us through persecution. The quality called for is perseverance ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 129:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Buddhism Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Jul 30, 2008

The comparison of Buddhism and Christianity.

Buddhism You Yourself Must Make the Effort Intro Unlike the Hindu religion, Buddhism can point to an individual founder and can look back to a date for its beginnings. Sidhartha Gautama was born a Hindu about 560 B.C., near the border of India in what is now Nepal. Tradition says that when he ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

God Commands Us To Enjoy The Greatest Pleasure!

Contributed by Efren V. Narido on May 3, 2007

Our OWN idea of pleasure could be loving the self, money, or being proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, etc.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

House Guest

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 8, 2008

There is an unwanted houseguest in the home of the disciple. This freeloader--given to laziness and self-indulgence as well as pre-occupation with self is an enemy who does not have the disciple’s best interests at heart. It is called "carnality". Who’s i

---------OPTIONAL SERMON DVD VIDEO OPENER------- Have you ever came home to houseguests like this? OPENER: DVD CLIP Mrs. Doubtfire START: 7:32 Scene selection #2 “The Birthday Party” | Time: 1 min 45 sec. END: 9:10 | Robin Williams says “You’re Home Early Girlfriend” NOTE: It’s crucial that you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:14-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Paul's Pattern In Striving For A Crown Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Oct 8, 2011

In our lesson today we learn that just as athletes exercise rigorous self-control in order to win a perishable prize, so we as Christians must exercise rigorous self-control in order to win an imperishable prize.

Scripture We continue our study in The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians in a series I am calling Challenges Christians Face. One of the challenges that Christians face is the issue of Christian liberty. Let’s learn about this in a message I am calling, “Paul’s Pattern in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

For Jesus' Love 15 Leadership Traits

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Nov 11, 2017

For a reprobate mind with no redeeming virtues seek not the common faith in the kingdom of Christ Jesus in heaven or on earth. Man's self-destructive nature in self-actualization of violence to death cannot take away the saving grace of our Savior.

FOR JESUS’ LOVE 15 Leadership Traits By Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (October 1, 2017) “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Denomination: Friends

God Values Humility Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

God values humility and is drawn to those who earnestly offer themselves to Him. We must practice honest self-talk, intentional self-awareness, and adopt an "Us for Them" mindset to embrace humility in our lives.

Today, we're going to talk about something that Jesus taught – humility. But first, let me show you something. (Bring out a deflated balloon and a fully inflated balloon) See these balloons? One is full of air, and the other is empty. Keep these in mind as we go through our message today. So, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Topics: Selflessness, Modesty, Humbleness, Respect

True Freedom, Embracing God's Grace.

Contributed by David Cramer on Nov 7, 2024

A message of hope for those trying to accept God's grace in their lives. The book of Romans gives a good solution to recover from the past life.

Stand with me and lift your bible and repeat after me. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I can do what it says I can do. I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be. Today I will learn more of the word of God. The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God. I ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational