Sermons on Self Effort:

The Commitment To Discipleship Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 15, 2016

Being a disciple of Christ requires a conscious, committed effort. We will never be effective disciples with a casual, unconcerned approach. It is a lifestyle we are called to commit ourselves unto.

The Commitment to Discipleship Luke 9: 23-26 Let me begin by asking, how many Christians do you know? That is a difficult question isn’t it? Now it seems that everyone you talk to concerning the Lord has had some type of experience. Well, yes I’m a Christian; I was baptized and joined ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-26

Denomination: Baptist

"The Exam"

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Jul 18, 2013

Testing our spirituality

“The Exam” July 21, 2013 2 Corinthians 13:5 ”Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” 1 John 4:1 “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5

Denomination: Holiness

Discipline Of Confession PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 31, 2024

This sermon explores the transformative power of confession, the dangers of self-deception, and the liberating freedom found in Christ's forgiveness and redemption.

Welcome, dear friends and family of faith. We gather here today, not as strangers or acquaintances, but as brothers and sisters united under the banner of Christ's love. We come together, bringing with us the joys and burdens, the triumphs and trials of our lives, knowing that in this sacred space, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-10

Topics: Spiritual Disciplines

Ephesus: The Desirable Church That Was Fallen. Series

Contributed by David Moore on Aug 29, 2008

Message No 1: This sermon shows that without a passionate love for Christ, all the best efforts of Christians and churches count for nothing, and stirs people to rediscover their first love.

Ephesus: The Desirable Church That was Fallen. Text: Revelation 2:1-7. Introduction: This morning I want you to come with me to the first century and the beautiful Mediterranean city of Ephesus. Here we find an important and prosperous commercial centre in the ancient world, its streets crowded ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Mark #8: Uncommon Sacrifice Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Aug 10, 2001

This sermon inspires the greatest sacrifice of all, the sacrifice of self to Jesus Christ through which we can find real life.

Ten Marks of a Prevailing Church Mark #8: Uncommon Sacrifice Philippians 2:1-17 August 12, 2001 Intro: A. [Will You Wash My Dishes?] Sometimes we get a distorted idea about what love is. One night, a man decided to show his wife how much he loved her. After dinner he began to recite romantic ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cost Of Discipleship

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Sep 14, 2003

The Text is the Gospel Reading for Common Lectionary, Year B, the theme is characteristics of a Disciple as seen in this text.

THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP—MARK 8:27-38 --by R. David Reynolds Billy Graham has said, “Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything we have” [--Edythe Draper, Drapers Book of Quotations for the Christian World (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992)]. In our text this morning ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38, Mark 8:28-33, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Deuteronomy 30:15

Denomination: Methodist

Have You Taken Your Spiritual Temperature Lately?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jun 8, 2012

2 Corinthians 13:5 tells us to examine ourselves to see if our faith is what it should be. Like Laodecia, many are unaware of their spiritual temperature. What about you? Have you taken your spiritual temperature lately?

Have You Taken Your Spiritual Temperature Lately? Revelation 3:14-20 The church at Laodicea was one of two churches in the opening chapters of Revelation that were apparently unaware of their spiritual temperature. The other was Ephesus. Laodicea is a picture of a worldly church that has all the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-20

Denomination: Baptist

Know Yourself (Short Homily)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 10, 2012

This is a very short Homily titled "Know Yourself". That was used for the opening of a Men's retreat weekend.

Let me share a reading from the Gospel of Mark with you. " They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:22-26

Denomination: Anglican

The Wounded Identity

Contributed by Larry Kettle on Sep 7, 2011

Jesus carries wounds in heaven so that we can show his healing power on earth.

“The Wounded Identity” Larry D. Kettle I have spent a lifetime grappling with a “wounded identity”. I know what it means to be victimized and I know what it means to “be the victim”. I was wounded by a sense of abandonment from my mother. I was seven when my ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Illogical Fear Of Elijah - 1 Kings 19:3

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Aug 4, 2011

The Illogical Fear Of Elijah - 1 Kings 19:3 What it means to serve the Lord in the ministry without fear, but full of love, power and sound mind!

The Illogical Fear Of Elijah - 1 Kings 19:3 1 Kings 19:3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life; he took his servant and went to Beersheba in Judah. Leaving the servant there, What made fear of Elijah illogical? I. After killing 450 prophets of baal (1Kings 18:40, 1Kings 18:22 ) II. After ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Commitment Choice Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Feb 22, 2010

I am strongest when I choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ's care and control.

Title: The Commitment Choice Text: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 Thesis: I am strongest when I choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ’s care and control. Lenten Series: Life’s Healing Choices (Saddleback Resources) ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Is Jesus? Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 3, 2008

History records that he was a great man. Yet he had humble beginnings. He grew up in a small village, an ordinary boy who did nothing to draw attention to himself. Like most boys his age, he attended school. He also worked in the family business and did

A Great Man History records that he was a great man. Yet he had humble beginnings. He grew up in a small village, an ordinary boy who did nothing to draw attention to himself. Like most boys his age, he attended school. He also worked in the family business and did his best to grow up strong and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:13-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Widow's Offering

Contributed by Rick Bezanson on Jul 31, 2008

Encouragement to use our abilities God has given us to serve Christ by serving others.

I was performing a wedding for a young couple. Before the wedding, the groom came to me and said, “Pastor, I will give you $100 if you change the wedding vows. When you get to the part to ask me to honor, love and obey, just leave that part out for me. Then, he handed me $100. During the wedding, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Lutheran

Pontius Pilate: Stuck In People-Pleasing Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 21, 2009

Pilate was a classic people-pleaser, who found that his behavior produced popularity that masked contempt, pessimism, and powerlessness.

The story has it that during creation, as God was sitting up in heaven turning out all these creatures, some of the angels asked if they could help. It looked like fun, making plants and animals, birds and beasts. And so God, who had just finished fashioning something, said, "All right. Come ahead. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Temperance: A Fruit Of The Spirit Series

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Aug 13, 2010

Have you noticed that our current generation (especially of Americans) has no concept of control. We are out-of-control. The recent rise in credit card induced bankruptcies, divorce attorneys, and mini-riots are skyrocketing. Road rage, impulse spendin

Have you noticed that our current generation (especially of Americans) has no concept of control. We are out-of-control. The recent rise in credit card induced bankruptcies, divorce attorneys, and mini-riots are skyrocketing. Road rage, impulse spending, and all sorts of addictions are seen as ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist