Sermons on Self Effort:

Living The Gospel: Speak Up!

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 20, 2009

We have not found our voices yet because we have low self-esteem, but Christ declares us to be light. The world is asking for light, but we must learn to read the signs and to be who we are. March 1988

As a child I was fascinated one day by’ the fact that when you open the refrigerator, there is always a light burning. I was fascinated by it because I wanted to know whether that light was on when the door was closed as well as when it was open. And so I began to experiment. First I tried to stick ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Matthew 5 - Part 4 - Gentle Jesus, Meek And Mild - Not! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 22, 2009

The only thing about Christmas that bothers me is that people see Jesus as a baby, meek and mild but they don’t see Him for all that He really is.

23/12/09 Pastorross | public entry | tags: , Gentleness, Self Control, Quiet strength, Matthew 5 | report Matthew 5 - Part 4 - Gentle Jesus, meek and mild - NOT! The only thing about Christmas that bothers me is that people see Jesus as a baby, meek and mild but they don’t see Him for all that He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Deadly Virus

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 3, 2010

Sin is not excused by good works, and unrepentant self-indulgence is destructive. Sexual integrity is not just a private matter; how we handle it will determine what happens with our church.

This has the potential for being the shortest sermon I’ve ever done. At first glance, it seems all I need to do with this text is to praise the church for doing so well, declare myself to be against sin, and wrap it up. The shortest sermon I’ve ever done, and maybe the shortest on record! Anybody ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

Back To School

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Sep 13, 2012

We are in training in God's school of Christlikeness. Having already received the diploma, we are transformed by Christ to renounce the past, live godly lives in the present, and look forward to our future with hope and not fear.

This week we sent our son back to school as he had his first taste of Junior High. Sometimes I look back to my High School years and believe it or not I wish I could do it over again and learn those lessons that I didn’t take so seriously and also not worry so much about things that ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14

Denomination: Lutheran

What Did Jesus Mean By "Whoever Loses His Life For Me Will Find It" Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 19, 2013

A look at Jesus' difficult (and frequently ignored) teaching that "whoever lose his life for me will find it." What does that mean? What does it look like to live that out?

WHAT DOES "LOSE YOUR LIFE TO FIND IT" MEAN ANYWAY? It means to pursue Jesus’ path even at the expense of my desires. - Matthew 10:39; Matthew 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; Luke 17:33; John 12:25. - This is a foreign concept to many Christians. In the American church we largely ignore this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of A God Pleaser

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Dec 5, 2012

God has called us to please Him in all areas of our lives! And He offers to help us live a life that honors Him and does no harm to ourselves or others. God is ready and willing to forgive those who have fallen into the trap of sexual sin, giving in to si

Marks of a God Pleaser 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Intro: How important is it for a person to please God? The Bible really has a lot to say about this. First, we know that without faith or trust in God, it is impossible to please Him (Heb. 11:1). Most people don’t worry about pleasing God unless ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When You Suffer Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Feb 2, 2013

Everyone suffers in our fallen world. Get used to it! It comes with the turf. But for God’s people, suffering is not merely a consequence of sin: it holds God’s eternal purpose,.

When We Suffer Romans 8:17-18 OUTLINE: Disciples of Jesus Christ, IF and WHEN you suffer, remember that... 1. Suffering with Christ is part of our inheritance. 2. Suffering with Christ demands sacrifice. 3. Suffering with Christ is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Crucified & Risen

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Mar 31, 2013

Paul tells us that having received Christ as Savior, he was crucified with Christ. Can you say that? Do you understand what that means? It’s more than just saying “He died for me”. It means so much more to be crucified and risen.

Crucified & Risen with Christ Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. When Jesus died on Calvary's Cross, He bore the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Baptist

I Am Created To Work Series

Contributed by David Lange on Sep 20, 2013

God created us with responsibilities. We are responsible to work and earn the bread that we eat.

I AM CREATED TO WORK We are told in the Scriptures that we cannot work to earn our salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. We cannot do enough works to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

They Prayed

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Oct 22, 2010

Our prayers should be that of the Publican

Text: “…everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14). Do you know anyone who has a tendency to exalt himself or herself? Those people who are always praising themselves, applauding themselves or paying tribute to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Christian Church

Black And White Redeemed Together

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 7, 2010

For Black History Month: We will not be fully redeemed until both black and white understand the elements of self-hatred that are in us and see that we have a Redeemer who will remove those feelings.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC February 2, 1986 When you read the book of Job and read it carefully, when you really let it sink in to you what happened to this suffering man and what he had to say about it, you cannot help concluding that what is most frightening about Job is his ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Strategy For Defeating Satan’s Attacks

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Feb 4, 2015

When your faith is the strongest, you come up under the greatest attack, because the enemy is trying to destroy your destiny. Let us be in a state of readiness; in a stance of resistance toward the devil and ready to give our statement of resolution.

Opening illustration: The ancient sport of falconry used trained hawks or falcons in the pursuit of wild game. When the "educated predator" was allowed to fly, however, it often rose too high for human eyes to see it. So a hunter often carried a small caged bird called a shrike. By watching the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lent Homily

Contributed by Z. M. D. Mcgregor on Feb 23, 2015

The following is a 15 minute homily delivered on Feb. 18, 2015, Ash Wednesday at the Church Without Walls, Houston, TX, in the kickoff observance of Lent.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Rom 12:1 NAU) I. Reflection: The Christ in Action Our symptoms revealed it. The diagnosis defined it. From vain thoughts to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: Baptist

Free Not To Be Me

Contributed by David Roth on Mar 21, 2015

Lent 5 (B). Christ gave his life as a ransom, freeing us not only from sin, but from our own flesh and the power of the devil. We are now free to serve others, as we live under Him in His kingdom.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “Free not to be me” Jesus and his disciples are on their way to Jerusalem. And as they are walking, He is telling them about His upcoming ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Lutheran

Passion Of Our Lord

Contributed by David Roth on Sep 15, 2015

Good Friday. A set of brief reflections on the reading for the service of the Passion of Our Lord.

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus John 18:1-11 1. Why betrayal? Couldn’t the soldiers have just come for Jesus? So why did Judas have to betray him? Betrayal is the heart of sin. Adam and Eve betrayed God in the garden. Now, Jesus is suffering ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran