Sermons on Self Effort:

Bible - Why Bother? #2 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Nov 1, 2019

The Scriptures are the inspired, authentic self-revelation of God and as such have primary and foundational authority in all matters of what we believe, what we value, and how we live.

Last week we focused on the purpose of the Scriptures: what are they for and why should we bother getting ourselves acquainted with them? We learned the Bible is God’s self-revelation that pulls back the curtain for us to know who God is, who we are, the purpose of our lives, and the destiny of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:16-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lord's Prayer - Part 5 - Lead Us Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Jul 26, 2023

The heart of this stanza in the Lord’s Prayer is the distrust of the self. And because I don’t trust myself, I rush into the presence of God as my refuge from temptation.

Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Hagerstown, MD www.mycrossway.org This is the last message in the Lord’s Prayer. What a fantastic series of messages we’ve encountered in the midst of our series of the Sermon on the Mount. We’ve come to the last stanza in verse 13 “And do not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13

Denomination: Brethren

Indescribable Gift Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Sep 3, 2022

He emphasizes giving generously, giving bountifully, and giving the indescribable gift. The true Christian life is connected with giving the self, the sources, and giving the priceless gift of salvation to all.

AMC, 04.09.2022 Theme: Indescribable Gift Text: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 The Lord is good and his love endures forever. Happy Teachers’ Day! St. Paul Having discussed in chapter 8, the principles of Christian giving, Now, he shares the promises that we can claim if we are faithful in our giving to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Denomination: Methodist

Sermon # 8 - The Blessing Of Selfless Giving Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Feb 27, 2023

We live in a world that prompts us to be self-centered and individualistic. What does God expect of us? This sermon will teach us about giving the way that is pleasing to God.

We read in Acts 4:32, “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.” (ESV) One of the key reasons for the tremendous growth of the early church was that the people ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32, John 3:16, John 10:25-37, Acts 20:35, Matthew 27:59-60, Isaiah 53:9, Matthew 27:57, Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50, John 19:38, 1 John 4:18, Matthew 7:24-27, Matthew 3:17, Matthew 27:46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Luke 23:1-25 - Jesus Before Pilate

Contributed by Carl Willis on Apr 10, 2024

The Jewish leaders bring Jesus before Pilate. Pilate is already in hot water with Rome and his desire for self-preservation fulfills God's ultimate plan.

So we want to backtrack just a little bit into chapter 22 and pick up the last couple of verses because it's going to set the table for where we're going to be studying the last three trials that Jesus is going to go through on his way to the cross. Chapter 22 gave us the first three of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Saul Disobeys God (1 Samuel 13)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 8, 2025

What is the difference between a man after God's own heart and a man after self-glorification? Let's begin in 1 Samuel 13.

Did Saul act foolishly, disobeying God? What kind of heart was God looking for in a national leader? What kind of heart do we have? Let’s begin in 1 Samuel 13. How old was Saul when he began to rule and how long was he king? Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And See Yourself Through God's Eyes - Numbers 13:33 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 11, 2025

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, “I’m not good enough”? Are you allowing fear, self-doubt, and insecurity to whisper louder than the promises of God?

Go! And See Yourself Through God's Eyes - Numbers 13:33 Numbers 13:33 (NLT): “We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!” Introduction Church, let me begin by asking a question that might hit home for many of ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:33, Exodus 3:14, Judges 6:12, Romans 8:37, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Colossians 2:15, Romans 10:9, Jeremiah 29:11, Numbers 14:6-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Impact Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

Living generously creates a ripple effect that can impact others and future generations. Our generosity is a response to Jesus' self-sacrificing love and can inspire others to be generous.

You know when you toss a pebble into a pond, and it creates ripples that spread out? That's what we're talking about. Our actions, like that pebble, can create ripples that impact others. We've all been influenced by someone, and that person was influenced by someone before them. It's like a chain ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-46, 2 Corinthians 8:7

Topics: Philanthropy, Altruism, Charitable Giving, Generosity Psychology

Be Of Good Cheer: I Have Overcome

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Jun 27, 2025

The Lord Jesus informed His disciples of the Tribulation they will experience in the world, but assured them victory all through them.

Be of Good Cheer: I have Overcome Study Text: John 16:33 Introduction: This Scriptural verse emphasizes the importance of a believer in Christ to maintain a positive and hopeful outlook, even in the face of adversity. This is because Christ has overcome the world and He is always present to ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Denomination: Pentecostal

Entering God's Rest Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Apr 8, 2008

True rest only comes when he place our lives entirely in the hands of Jesus Christ in faith. Then and only then will we have complete spiritual rest.

Entering God’s Rest Hebrews 4:1-13 Intro Hebrews 4 continues the warning to the informed, but unresponsive Jews from chapter 3. These Jews not only knew the basic truths of the gospel but had even renounced Judaism. Still they did not trust in Christ. The warning, of course, applies to anyone ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

You Must Be Born Again PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

Explore and understand the themes of salvation by grace through faith, the necessity of being born again, and God's love as a relationship with us, as depicted in John 3:1-14.

Good morning, Church! Today, we're diving deep into John 3:1-14 As C.S Lewis once said, "The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us." Let's read together from John 3:1-14: [Read passage] Let's pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-14

Topics: Respectable, Moral, Religious

Breaking Free Of Controlling Habits!

Contributed by John Gaston on May 26, 2023

A controlling habit is something you find yourself doing even though it is destructive. The top 10 are: Materialism, Pride, Self-centeredness, Laziness, Anger, Bitterness, Sexual Lust , Envy, Gluttony, Lying.

BREAKING FREE OF CONTROLLING HABITS! Galatians 5:1-2 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Sometimes being close isn’t good enough. Like Bill, who ordered a cord of firewood to be delivered for $100. 2. When the firewood was delivered, Bill got upset. “That’s not a full cord of wood,” Bill objected. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Please God

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Oct 23, 2023

We can’t live up to our own expectations any more than we can live up to everyone else’s demands. For a Christian, the goal is not to please self, but to please God.

Alba 10-22-2023 HOW TO PLEASE GOD I Thessalonians 2:1-8 Back in 1975 Rick Nelson recorded a song called “Garden Party.” The song tells about the day he learned the truth: "You can’t please everyone." If you remember the TV show, Ozzie and Harriet, you know that Ricky Nelson was one of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

3 Ingredients For A Successful Church.

Contributed by Terry Hensley on Jan 31, 2002

I’m not no cook, but I know that for a cook to be able to make a meal that’s just out of this world; the cook must use the right ingredients. The same emphasis is necessary for the success of a Christian in his efforts to win the lost, in this world of wi

3 Ingredients For A Successful Church Text: Acts 17: 1-9 A. What we need in the church is some more trouble-markers! Trouble-makers? Yes, Trouble-makers! That’s what the enemies of the church called the Christians at Thessalonica. They said they were the ones, “who have caused trouble all ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

"What Changed His Mind?"

Contributed by Jerry Depoy on Apr 26, 2006

When Jesus was first placed on the cross both thieves, mocked on Jesus. What caused the repentant thief to change his mind? Knowing the answer to that question will help us, in our efforts in bringing others to that same place of repentance. Simple thre

Title: “What changed his mind?” When Jesus was first placed on the cross both thieves, mocked on Jesus. What caused the repentant thief to change his mind? Knowing the answer to that question will help us, in our efforts in bringing others to that same place of repentance. Note this text in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Denomination: Baptist