Sermons on Self Effort:

To Grow Or Not To Grow, That Is The Question PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 23, 2024

This sermon encourages personal and church growth through understanding God's word, cultivating love and faith, and accepting God's grace, as inspired by Psalm 1.

Beloved friends, I greet you today in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whose love for us is as boundless as the ocean and as constant as the sunrise. We gather here, not because we are perfect, but because we are loved by a perfect God. We are not here because we have all the answers, ...read more

Topics: Personal Growth, Spiritual Growth

The Wood

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 6, 2000

Isaac carried the wood; Jesus carried the wood; and in both cases, Father and Son walked on together.

Before we turn to the passage of our study today, I feel we must first look at a couple of other verses of scripture. Turn with me to the book of Genesis, chapter 22, verse 6 and let’s read. “AND ABRAHAM TOOK THE WOOD OF THE BURNT OFFERING AND LAID IT ON ISAAC HIS SON, AND HE TOOK IN HIS HAND THE ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23, Genesis 22:6

Denomination: Orthodox

22 Steps To Rally People Around You Series

Contributed by Dag Heward-Mills on Jan 5, 2011

This sermon will teach you how to lead people without offending and scattering them.

…Rezon, the son of Eliadah... And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band… 1 Kings 11:23,24 This man Rezon became a leader in his time. The Bible tells us that he gathered people unto himself. Every true leader is able to rally a team of people around himself. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 11:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Brought To Life; Brought Together

Contributed by David Taylor on Sep 3, 2024

Paul continues the theme of God’s work in our salvation.

We are in our series, Brought to Life; Brought Together, from the New Testament letter to the Ephesians, looking at chapter two today so if you have your bibles, turn to Ephesians 2:8-10. Paul continues the theme of God’s work in our salvation. So far in chapter two he has described the human ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Come & Follow Me PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

This sermon aims to explore the themes of transformation, Christ's mercy, and the call to discipleship, emphasizing that we are saved by grace through faith.

Good morning, church family! Have you ever felt like you were lost, not knowing what to do next, or where to go? In today's sermon, we will look at a situation just like this, found in John 21:1-14. We'll explore the themes of transformation, the power of Christ's mercy, and the call to ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-14

Topics: Jesus, Revealed

Ministry Outside The Circle Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 26, 2005

Leprosy has been understood to be an allegory for sin throughout the history of the church. We learn a great deal about our need and God’s great love in this story of the leper and Jesus.

Matthew 8:2-4 “Ministry Outside the Circle” INTRODUCTION When reading a passage of Scripture, it is important for us to ask the question, “How does this apply to my life today?” The question before us, as we read this miracle story is, “What could we today, in the twenty-first century, have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:2-4

Denomination: Lutheran

Great Thoughts Of Jesus

Contributed by Charles Salmon on Aug 22, 2005

Principles that motivated the actions and words of Jesus. From Matthew’s Gospel

The Great Thoughts of Jesus INTRO.: Throughout His life on Earth, Jesus aroused amazement and interest wherever He went. People marveled at His teaching as well as His deeds. The human mind is such that when we see a strange or phenomenal Person like Jesus we want to know "what makes him tick." ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Closing Greetings Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Jul 4, 2001

SOUND DOCTRINE IS PROFITABLE BECAUSE IT ALWAYS LINKS GENUINE FAITH TO GOOD DEEDS

BIG IDEA: SOUND DOCTRINE IS PROFITABLE BECAUSE IT ALWAYS LINKS GENUINE FAITH TO GOOD DEEDS I. (:8) PROMOTE SOUND DOCTRINE WHICH IS PROFITABLE A. Attitude: Promote Sound Doctrine with Confidence "This is a trustworthy statement and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently" Kent : ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:8-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What The World Needs Now #2 Series

Contributed by David Slone on Mar 19, 2007

Second in a series of sermons looking at how the church should love each other and the community around it.

What the World Needs Now is Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love Countdown Video 5 minutes prior to service 4 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

Ye Are The Salt Of The Earth And The Light Of The World

Contributed by Arliss Beavers on Jun 5, 2008

When we witness and apply salt to preserve mankind, salt should sting. Light invades darkness. Salt invades the meat without asking its permission.

5-18-08 Salt of the Earth, Light of the world Matt 5:1-13 (particularly verse 13) Salt preserves - salt keeps from spoiling - salt also stings *** - does our witness ever produce a sting? - Similar to light, which invades darkness. light never asks for permission to invade darkness - salt ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-13

Denomination: Church Of God

Sermon On Accountability & Responsibility

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 28, 2023

One of the many definitions of accountability includes owning up to the positive and negative consequences of our individual choices in life and the subsequent behavioral trait that undoubtedly follows, rather than attributing the cause to external factors or somebody else.

Christopher Norio Avery, an American public policy scholar and writer once remarked: “Taking responsibility – practicing 100 percent responsibility every day – is about seeing ourselves not as right or wrong, but as an agent, chooser, problem solver, and learner in the complex interrelationships of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:13, Jeremiah 17:10, Colossians 3:23, 1 Corinthians 3:8

Sound Judgment And A Firm Foundation (Matthew 7:1-20)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Dec 24, 2024

Jesus' Sermon on the Mount concludes with warnings about hasty judgments and the assumption that the work you do for the LORD is not necessarily a sign that you are one of His followers.

Matthew 7:1-5: The Process of Sound Judgment Judges render decisions in courts of law based upon evidence presented by advocates for both accused and accuser. He examines both sides of the arguments and their merit. He consults with both parties if need be as well as do research on similar ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-29, Luke 6:37-42, Luke 11:9-13, Luke 13:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Running For What Lasts

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Feb 1, 2026

This morning we look at how St. Paul calls us to run the race with eternal purpose, drawing lessons from the Ancient games of Corinth.

Running for What Lasts GOOD MORNING. We have a great Gospel lesson this morning. But I spent a whole hour on very recently at our Wednesday Night Bible Study. However, there are two things I want to grab from it before we jump to our Epistle lesson this morning. First, the parable’s main point is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Anglican

Put First Things First Series

Contributed by Pastor Dempsey Daniels on Jan 2, 2004

3 OF 7 in series on Personal Cange

Put First Things First Matthew 6:33 In addition to self-awareness, imagination, and conscience, it a fourth endowment - independent will - that really makes effective self-management possible. It is the ability to make decisions and choices and to act in accordance with them. It is the ability to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Baptist

Follow Me

Contributed by Jeff Krist on Feb 8, 2003

Illustrated sermon: How the world has tried to change the cross of Jesus Christ so it’s easier to maneuver their way in this world instead of the Lords way.

Follow Me Intro: DISCIPLE a scholar, it principally applies to the followers of Jesus Christ. A disciple of Christ is one who, believes his doctrine, rests on his sacrifice, take in his spirit, and imitates his example A. I believe the Church is a lot like Lot and his family, many are looking ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24

Denomination: Assembly Of God