Sermons on Self Effort:

Absalom

Contributed by Timothy Bokka on Nov 15, 2018

Dis functional family, lack of self control, anger, vengeance and ambition caused the downfall and death this young man named Absalom. The life of Absalom teaches many lessons to parents and young adults.

II Samuel 14:25-27 & II Samuel 18:33 Absalom, the 3rd son of King David was a handsome young man. He was exquisitely good looking in the entire land of Israel (II Samuel 14:25). This young man had everything that he could ask for along with his charming looks which includes name, fame, wealth, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 14:25-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Demands Of Discipleship Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Oct 18, 2017

When it comes to winning the lost, God wants His house filled; but when it comes to discipleship, Christ thins out the ranks and wants only those who will die to self and live for Him.

Jerusalem Lesson: Demands of Discipleship Luke 14:25-35 It is easy to be part of the crowd and follow a popular Jesus, but that is not true discipleship. He calls you away from the crowd to take up your cross and follow Him. When it comes to winning the lost, God wants His house filled; but when ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Baptist

An Error In Judgment - Matthew 7:1-2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 7, 2024

Some use this passage to condemn all judging, which is self-contradictory. Not all judgment is wrong. We must make judgments, but this message will alert you to seven kinds of judging that are forbidden in Scripture.

Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-2

True Bread From Heaven

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Aug 1, 2024

Jesus is the only source of salvation who can bring us forgiven and restored back into an intimate relationship with God the Father. Forsake the world, self, and those things that cannot nourish us spiritually.

JESUS HAS JUST FINISHED FEEDING THE 5,000 AND IS DEPARTING THE AREA. HE HAD JUST DISPLAYED HIS POWER AND AUTHORITY AND REVEALED THE GLORY OF GOD. ONE WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE SEARED IN THE MEMORY OF ALL 5,000 PEOPLE. NOT QUITE! WE ARE TOLD, BY SCRIPTURE, THAT THEY WERE ACTUALLY A BIT OFFENDED THAT ...read more

Scripture: John 6:24-35, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, John 14:6, Acts 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Free Methodist

Validating Our Christian Identity

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 4, 2025

Lent is a time in which we engage our interior self with its brokenness, weakness and intentional wrongdoing. We are all sinners, but we are sinners endeavoring to become saints, by our faith and practice.

Friday after Ash Wednesday 2025 A priest of my acquaintance many years ago was in conversation with a Lutheran minister. He asked the minister if he believed that Martin Luther had made any big mistakes setting up a parallel Christian church. The minister candidly admitted that he thought Luther ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-9, Psalm 51:3-6, Matthew 9:14-15

Denomination: Catholic

The Messiah’s Purpose, Suffering, And Mission Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jun 8, 2025

The person who is self-reliant – who trusts in their own ability – will face God’s judgment! We must understand that this is the challenge of every person on the Earth, and why God is so CLEAR on this requirement.

Isaiah, Part 20 The Messiah’s Purpose, Suffering, and Mission Isaiah 49:1-7 and Isaiah 50:4-11 Introduction - Welcome to Seasons – intro – we are so glad you are here today - Last week, we expounded on God’s understanding of the problem idolators have -- We were encouraged to lean into Him ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-7, Isaiah 50:4-11, Matthew 7:21-23, Philippians 2:8, Acts 2:21, John 1:6-8, Luke 1:35, Romans 5:19, Luke 4:32, John 10:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Then Were The Disciples Glad When They Saw The Lord Series

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Jul 6, 2025

True Christian joy is not rooted in self, others, favorable circumstances, or abstract doctrine—it is rooted in a personal, present encounter with the risen Christ. Joy begins then—when we see Him.

“Then Were the Disciples Glad When They Saw the Lord” (John 20:20; Based on Chapter 2 of Vance Havner’s The Secret of Christian Joy) Key Text: John 20:20 – “Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.” Thesis: True Christian joy is not rooted in self, others, favorable circumstances, ...read more

Scripture: John 20:20

Denomination: Pentecostal

To God Be The Glory

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Dec 3, 2009

They say it takes a village to raise a child but I now know it takes a church to send a mission team to that village for that child. There are many unseen acts of self sacrifice that have been carried out by so many of you that some of us will not learn

To God Be the Glory 1 Corinthians - Chapter 12:14-27 Everyone has there place and there is a place and purpose for everyone in the church. My wife and I had our kitchen remodeled and it was completely gutted and made new. She carefully chose everything that went into it. She alone wanted to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:14-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Do Not Box As One Punching The Air!

Contributed by David Smith on Mar 1, 2012

Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. 25Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.

Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. 25Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. 26So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Once More Through The Wringer

Contributed by James May on Oct 22, 2003

We can either trust in the Lord to give us the clean, fresh robes of righteousness, or we can put our selves through the wringer, in attempt to create our own self-righteousness and still be clothed in filthy rags.

ONCE MORE THROUGH THE WRINGER I can still remember a little the old wringer type washing machine that my mother used to have when I was a child. I know, most of you would wonder how anyone could remember that far back. Wasn’t that before the days of radio? No, it wasn’t that far back, but it ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 3:1-7, Revelation 12:10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Abraham's Hope, Perfected In God

Contributed by David Tack on Apr 3, 2024

How is a lost person, being dead in sin, to cross over into a state of being made alive? By embracing Abraham's mind set, found in Romans 4:18.... transitioning from a SELF-hope [impossibility] to a GOD-hope [expectation]!

OUR TEXT Abraham’s Hope in God, Perfected in God Romans 4: 18, 20-22. [Abraham] (18) Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken [Gen 15], So shall thy seed [offspring] be…. Picking up in vs (20) He staggered not at the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:21-25, Romans 5:8, Galatians 3:13-14, Colossians 2:13-14, Titus 2:13, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 4:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Where Will I Go?

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Oct 1, 2019

This sermon is going to review the story of the children of Israel at the Red Sea in order to show that while many battles in life cannot be won through our own effort, God is more than capable and willing to secure our victory if only we would stand still and let Him fight for us!

Where will I Go? Exodus 14:5-14 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 “Self-esteem is that speck in the eye which most effectually mars human vision; the Great Surgeon of souls removes this from us chiefly by sanctified afflictions.” Charles Spurgeon Ever face a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:5-14, Hebrews 11:1, James 1:2-5, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Baptist

When You Run Ahead Of God’s Plan Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Sep 26, 2022

There was great initial acclaim for King Saul. His kingship was dramatically renewed at Gilgal. Now we come abruptly to the end of King Saul’s glory days. As a result of Saul failing the test the dynasty will pass from his family.

If you have ever been in a situation where you must totally wait on and trust God, then you know how hard that can be. King Saul found himself in one of those situations where he must trust God. This will be a test of his character as king of Israel. He is Israel’s first king ending the period of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:12-14, 1 Samuel 13:1-15, 1 Samuel 14:1-52

Denomination: Baptist

There Is Hope

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Jun 21, 2020

The church must stop being reactive and always playing defense to satan’s attacks! It’s high time the church mounted, an offensive attack and became proactive against the never ending attack of the accuser!

There is Hope As of today, there are people all over the world, sitting around and thinking about a lot of things. Will the economy rebound and what about the stock market? Am I going to be able to continue to work? When will all this end? When will things get back to normal? TBS. (now keep ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8-9, Acts 19:15-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Inherit God's Kingdom

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Sep 24, 2010

God's eternity is received only when we realize that we cannot attain it on our own but must rely on God's grace-we must be poor in spirit.

How to Inherit God’s Kingdom Matthew 5:1-3 INTRODUCTION I suppose since time began people have made a mad pursuit to find happiness. Many have tried money. One such Texas millionaire said; “I thought money could buy happiness. I have been miserably disillusioned.” Actress Sophie ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-3

Denomination: Baptist