Sermons on Self Effort:

All In Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 4, 2012

To follow God requires 100% effort. It's "All In" or "All Out" in our service -- no holding back!

1. Examination At 3:00 a.m. one cold morning a missionary candidate walked into an office for a scheduled interview with the examiner of a mission board. He waited until 8 a.m. when the examiner arrived. The examiner said, “Let us begin. First, please spell baker.” ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:2-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Foolish Farmer

Contributed by Ed Wood on Jul 15, 2008

A message examining the mistakes we make when we become self-centered.

THE FOOLISH FARMER Luke 12;20 INTRO: We all know the story of the foolish farmer, but sometimes we forget the real meaning of the story. Just what did the foolish farmer really do when he considered only himself? I. WHILE THINKING OF ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:20

Denomination: Baptist

Stay Away From The Cookie Jar Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Sep 4, 2012

There are different reasons that we fall into this trap. (1) We just want to be popular. We want people to like us. (2) we do not know how to say the word no. No is one of the shortest words in our vocabulary, one of the most powerful words for some

“Stay away from the Cookie Jar” 1st Corinthians 15:33-34 & Luke 15:11-31 From the time we are very young until the time that we leave home most of us have heard our parents say these words… be careful who you hang out with.. be careful you don’t get caught with the wrong ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-31

Denomination: Baptist

I Am Not An Accident Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on May 30, 2010

This sermon looks at the value of human life.

I Am Not An Accident In Rick Warren’s book “The Purpose Driven Life” – he makes a profound statement. He says, “You are not an accident. … Your birth was no mistake or mishap, and your life is no fluke of nature. Your parents may not have planned you, but ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Challenge To Rule Yourself

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Jan 6, 2012

By allowing the flesh to yield to the Spirit, much progress can be made in the Kingdom of God.

Proverbs 25:28 KJV He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. I. INTRODUCTION—DISCIPLINE -The man who rules his spirit is a man who is disciplined. In fact, he is a man who has reached the highest aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit. If ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 25:28

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Must I Do? You Must Deny Yourself And Follow Him Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Jun 15, 2013

The way of costly obedience is the way that leads to joy but what God says you "must" do God knows you can do.

WHAT MUST I DO? DENY YOURSELF, TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW JESUS** LUKE 9:18-26 Big Idea: The way of costly obedience is the way that leads to joy. Intro: Imagine that you made a visit to your doctor and he told you that you had a disease. He tells you that you can survive the disease if ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-26

Denomination: Nazarene

How And Why Christians Put On The New Self

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jul 7, 2018

In this lesson we examine how and why Christians put on the new self.

Scripture In preparation for last Sunday’s morning message on Ephesians 4:25-32, that I called “Living the Christian Life,” I read several commentaries, including one by Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones titled, Darkness and Light: An Exposition of Ephesians 4:17-5:17. In that commentary he has a chapter ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Primary Lessons

Contributed by Monty Newton on Feb 14, 2012

Like a Political Primary race that is aimed at the White House, the Christian life is a race aimed at eternity with God.

Reaching your final destination Title: Primary Lessons Text: I Corinthians 9:24-27, Hebrews 12:1-2 Thesis: Like a Political Primary race that is aimed at a term in the White House, the Christian life is a race aimed at eternity with God. Introduction On Thursday the front page of the Denver ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Belonging To Another Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Aug 29, 2011

We can try to live by a code of rules or we can live by a relationship. We could put it this way: True release comes from a relationship with Jesus, not from rules.

Belonging to Another Romans 7:1-6 1 Do you not know, brothers-- for I am speaking to men who know the law-- that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? 2 For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

More? I Know There Is More?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 21, 2014

We must never settle for less than we are capable of accomplishing. There is more than this. Thank God for this, but help me find more...

MORE: I KNOW THERE IS MORE... GIVE ME MORE... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com This is a two part lesson... Many focus on YESTERDAY'S REGRETS... Too bad! Others are focusing on TOMORROW'S DREAMS... Too bad! Beyond the regrets of yesterday and the dreams of tomorrow are: OPPORTUNITIES ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33-34

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When My Strength Runs Out

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 15, 2025

When human strength collapses, divine life begins; Christ replaces effort with indwelling power, transforming weakness into the vessel of grace.

Introduction — When the Tank Is Empty There comes a point in every believer’s life when the gears grind and the fuel gauge hits E. You can quote all the right verses. You can teach Sabbath School, preach a fine sermon, smile in the foyer, and still feel like your soul is running on fumes. Some ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:18-25, Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Romans 8:1-4, Matthew 11:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Chocolate Covered Strawberries: The Fruit Of Self-Control Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 10, 2007

self-control is about the Holy Spirit exposing the lies around us for what they really are, and thus setting us free to choose that which is right and best. To illustrate this sermon, I made chocolate covered strawberries for everyone!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries: The Fruit of Self-Control Gal 5:13-26 October 24, 2004 Intro: “Try Harder!” How often do you hear that? How often do you feel that?? Life isn’t going the way you want it to, the solution must be to try harder. To work longer hours to get a promotion. To try ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-26

Denomination: Baptist

Self-Esteem Or God-Esteem? Lesson 3 - Four Ways To Improve Your Self-Image Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Dec 10, 2020

A. Knowing Yourself B. Diagnosing The Real Problem C. Tracing Your Family Tree D. Understanding Your Roots

III. FOUR WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR SELF-IMAGE. A. Knowing Yourself. Many Christians seek pity, understanding, and compassion from the pastor and their fellow church members, but they are not looking for answers. QUESTION: When can we say to our world that Jesus is the answer to their deepest ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:17, Romans 7:18, Romans 7:24, Philippians 3:4-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Attribute Four | A Man Strategizes Self-Discipline Series

Contributed by Vince Miller on Apr 29, 2018

A man welcomes and embraces self-discipline. He will use self-discipline as a means of accomplishing God’s purposes in his life, understanding that the flesh prefers indifference over discipline.

Well, gentlemen, today we are in attribute number 4 of a Man of God – Strategizing self-discipline. And as promised, I am going to share a verse with you each time – one from something Jesus did, and something that he said that help us to make this attribute real for us. Something that both Jesus ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Garden Of Gethsemane

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on May 30, 2009

Seeking Gods will in our life takes moments of great surrender just as Jesus demonstrates for us in the garden. Our Heavenly Father works out the events of our life in a mysterious way we can not comprehend it all.

The Garden of Gethsemane Exodus 12:1-10 Mark 14:12-42 One of the most famous paintings in the world is that of Heinrich Hofman and his work entitled Christ in Gethsemane 1890. Most of you know it well, it depicts Jesus kneeling and resting on a rock as he prays looking up. The colors of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:12-42

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed