Sermons on Self Effort:

Discipline

Contributed by Neal Gracey on Oct 28, 2017

Have you ever eaten all your popcorn before the movie started? I have! It’s called no self-discipline. There is something to be said about butter and salt on a fluffy kernel of no taste; Yummy.

Happy “Disciplined” Weekend, Everyone! Have you ever eaten all your popcorn before the movie started? I have! It’s called no self-discipline. There is something to be said about butter and salt on a fluffy kernel of no taste; Yummy. Admit it, you have something in your life that just overpowers ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Reconciliation During Lockdown Series

Contributed by Meshak Dayanand on May 10, 2020

As millions of people shelter at home during the coronavirus pandemic, cases of domestic violence are rising rapidly in Russia, the United States, and elsewhere. Activists say victims face an untenable situation as they are forced into self-isolation with their abusers.

In my last sermon, Actually wanted to talk about the entire family but in that, I was only able to speak about husband and wife. But today will try to wrap up the subject, parents and children. As millions of people shelter at home during the coronavirus pandemic, cases of domestic violence are ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:28, Mark 10:8-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Go! And Have The Mind Of Christ Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 5, 2025

In a world obsessed with status, self-promotion, and influence, Jesus calls us to the opposite mindset - releasing our grip on personal rights, comfort, and ambition, so that the glory of God may be revealed through our obedience.

Go! And Have the Mind of Christ Philippians 2:5b–7 (NLT): “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11, John 1:1, John 1:14, Mark 10:45, Isaiah 53:5, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Triumphant Over Tragedies

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

Are you in a position where all self-sufficiency is gone? As you turn your eyes on the Lord and put your hope in Him, you have God’s reassuring promise that you need nothing more.

Opening illustration: A wise Bible teacher once said, “Sooner or later God will bring self-sufficient people to the place where they have no resource but Him – no strength, no answers, nothing but Him. Without God’s help, they are sunk.” He then told of a despairing man who confessed to his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bold In Witness Series

Contributed by Rev. Timothy Porter on Jan 12, 2021

It's interesting to me when you think about it, most of the time when we make New Year's resolutions, most of them are more self centered in nature.

SELFLESS WK. 1 - BOLD IN WITNESS PASTOR TIMOTHY PORTER TEXT: MATTHEW 16:24 INTRODUCTION: I love this weekend because it's the first weekend of a new year. How many of you have New Year's resolutions, you have goals, you want something to be different this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Witness With Water Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

Baptism is to be a witness not only to the world, but a perpetual witness to your self in time of temptation. You are to look back, as Paul makes the Roman Christians look back, and remember what you gave witness to in the water of baptism.

A visitor to a drought stricken area was talking to some of the citizens about their no rain situation. As they were complaining about the difficulties it brought to them he sought to comfort them with the it-could-be-worse philosophy. He said, "If you think it is bad here, you should ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:3-4

Be A Servant To All People Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 30, 2021

Believers often get caught up in self-service instead of true service, being focused on seats of power. Jesus demonstrated a powerful act of servanthood that would stand as a reminder concerning genuine kingdom service.

There once arose a dispute among the disciples, as to which of them should be considered the greatest (Luke 22:24). Jesus told them, “He who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is ...read more

Scripture: John 13:3-5, John 13:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Love Triangle Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 28, 2021

Some need to learn to love themselves before they can love God. Others need to love God to escape a perverted self-love. Still others need to love their neighbor to balance out an inadequate love.

One of the great tragic plays of all time is Shakespeare's Othello. Othello was a general in the Venetian army. He secretly married Desdemona the daughter of a Venetian senator. Desdemona was the most lovely of all Shakespeare's characters. She was a beautiful and ideal wife. Othello was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

From Experience = Living And Coping With Injustice And Hurt - (Fourth And Last Part) – Guidelines And Conclusion – (The Retribution Of God – Part 9 In The Series) Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 25, 2023

This is the final posting in the series. Practical coping strategies continue, looking at the mind and physical activity and the whole matter of self-esteem. The subject is The Retribution of God and we covered many aspects. God bless you all.

FROM EXPERIENCE = LIVING AND COPING WITH INJUSTICE AND HURT - (FOURTH and LAST PART) – GUIDELINES AND CONCLUSION – (THE RETRIBUTION OF GOD – PART 9 IN THE SERIES) [10]. WATCH YOUR SELF ESTEEM The bible warns us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to, but we must not allow ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:23, Psalm 119:27-28, 1 Timothy 4:8, 1 Peter 1:13, Colossians 3:1-2, Philippians 2:5-9, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Revelation 21:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Judge Not, But Discern Wisely Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Dec 15, 2023

Jesus warned about the problems associated with criticizing others, and of the need to do some spiritual self-examination before passing judgement. He then said that we need to use discernment when dealing with some people.

This morning, we are going to look at the problem of judging others. The definition for the word “judge” that applies to our passage means, “to form a judgment or opinion” and to “decide upon critically.”(1) The key word here is “critically,” for when we judge others we are often being “critical” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

How To Build A "Mega" Church!

Contributed by Dwight Jones on Nov 27, 2005

We trumpet high impact ministry with all of its frills. Our services are filled with video clips, movie clips and unfortunately scripture clips. We take more time and efforts refining our delivery than we do making sure that what we are delivering has H

In practically every gathering of ministers there is a subject that comes up; that subject is church growth. “How do we get people to come to church?” We have answered that question with a thousand books and yet by and large we are losing the battle for souls. In spite of our best efforts, we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Walking Towards Spiritual Fitness

Contributed by Steve Taylor on Jun 9, 2018

Spiritual growth requires effort and diligence, and it takes time. It’s not a one shot deal. There’ll be constant battles. But just like physical fitness, you’ve gotta keep getting back out there, and start back working out, your body, mind and soul.

Do you ever feel like you’re slipping with your faith? You just can’t seem to keep steady with doing what you know it takes to be a good Christian. You just can’t be that perfect projection of what’s perceived to be the “perfect Christian”. Well believe me, true spiritual growth requires effort ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-8

God Is With Us - Always Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Jan 1, 2019

When we fall into a rut, or feel that our efforts are not worth God’s attention, God comes alongside as and reminds us that He is with us. Which means we shouldn’t get stuck in the moment and allow that to be the focus – we need to look beyond the moment to what God is doing.

Jexit - Judah Comes Home God is With Us - Always Haggai The last time we focussed on the returned exiles we discovered that they were in a bit of a rut in their spiritual lives. The sacrifices had started to happen as the alter was in place. But there was no temple building as the temple ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Not As Easy (Or Hard) As It Looks

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Aug 23, 2025

Being a Christian isn’t as easy as we think—our best efforts fall short before a holy God. But it’s not as hard as it looks either, because Christ has already done the impossible for us, giving us His Spirit and His strength to live as His people.

GOOD MORNING. There were definitely times that I thought that being a pastor would make it easier to be a Christian. I realized how foolish that was even before going to seminary watching some rather famous pastors fall very publicly to temptation in the 80’ and 90’s. And this isn’t about beating ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-24, John 8:25-36

Denomination: Anglican

Someone Is Praying For You: The Holy Spirit Prays

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 15, 2014

God the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, because He prays for us according to the Father’s will. We will see from the Scriptures that although we often come up short in our best efforts, with God’s help we can get through anything we face in life.

Someone Is Praying for You: The Holy Spirit, Our Intercessor Text: Romans 8:18-28 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-28

Denomination: Assembly Of God