Sermons on Self Effort:

Our Inheritance

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Dec 27, 2014

A funeral sermon in which we learn about the person something of her relationship to herself, to others, and to God.

Jutta was one of those people that make a preacher’s job easier – or really, the job of anyone who speaks in public. I came to know Jutta at the vespers service held each Thursday evening at the Manor. She always sat close to the front – on the second row, in fact – ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Love Who You Are

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jan 29, 2018

It's easy to develop a poor image of yourself. I'll be highlighting some statements we make if we have a negative view of ourselves. If you identify with any of them you will see the reasons why you can replace the negative self-image with a positive one.

LOVE WHO YOU ARE It's easy to develop a poor image of yourself. Today I'll be highlighting some statements one might make if they have a negative view of themselves. If you identify with any of them you will see the reasons why you can replace the negative self-image with a more positive one. 1) ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:15-25, Luke 15:20-24, 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lessons For The Materializing Church -- Part 12 Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Feb 16, 2010

Christians are often accused of hypocrisy. With that in mind, it is a legitimate question to ask, “What is the root of this hypocrisy?” or “Where does this hypocrisy come from?” There is a simple answer to these questions, hypocrisy come when we allow o

THE HORRIDNESS OF HOARDING James 5:1-6 (NIV) 1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Part 6 - Why Don’t I Have More Self-Control? Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 19, 2010

We do what we don’t want, and vice versa...Why?

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:14 - 25 (NRSV) [1] We are still grappling with some of life’s “why” questions. Today’s question is #6 in the series – a riddle that is arguably one of the simplest and most basic; at the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: United Methodist

Don’t You Love A Good Storm?

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Jul 1, 2012

Don’t You Love A Good Storm? 1) It destroys our sense of self-importance. 2) It heightens our sense of God’s providence.

Lord of the winds! I feel thee nigh, I know thy breath in the burning sky! And I wait, with a thrill in every vein, For the coming of the hurricane! William Cullen Bryant (1854) Do you get as excited about storms as the poet Bryant did? I don’t think little children especially enjoy storms. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:13-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Discipleship: 4 Essential Components Series

Contributed by Cameron Bottema on Jul 24, 2013

To be a disciple of Jesus begins with a "desire" to follow Him. Here at 4 essential components of discipleship explained.

Introduction: Pastor Randy Leckliter tells the story of a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time, suffering from a severely parched throat, he spotted a little shack in the distance. He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of water ...read more

Denomination: Friends

Jesus Predicts His Death Series

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Jun 18, 2019

ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS JESUS PREDICTED HIS DEATH TO HIS DISCIPLES. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME AS RECORDED IN THE BOOK OF MATTHEW.

JESUS PREDICTS HIS DEATH MATTHEW 16:21-28 MARCH 10, 2019 TODAY I WANT TO BEGIN A SERIES OF MESSAGES THAT WILL TAKE US THROUGH TO THE WEEK FOLLOWING EASTER SUNDAY. THE GOSPELS CONTAIN MANY SITUATIONS THAT JESUS WAS FACED WITH DURING THE FINAL MONTHS OF HIS EARTHLY LIFE AND WE WILL TAKE SOME TIME ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

Unreligious Series

Contributed by West Garner on Jul 8, 2019

As we walk through Romans Paul turns his focus to systematically deconstructing the religious system.

THE BEST SUMMER EVER UNJUDGED OUTLINE THE BEST SUMMER EVER UNJUDGED 1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Problem Of Anger

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jan 23, 2023

This is a spiritual teaching in the midst of a social-psycho-spiritual course taught at the mission to which our church is attached.

I finally got around to watching the film Inside/Out last night with my wife. There are some strong characters in the film - namely the emotions that seem to rule over Riley at different times in the story. I thought we could look at a few of those characters over the next few weeks and reflect ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:32, Proverbs 21:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Not Our Way, But God’s Way

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Aug 22, 2022

Though the Lord had led them out of perilous situations, and taken care of all their needs, the Israelites were still hesitant to trust in the Lord wholeheartedly. While Moses kept the promise of God at the forefront the people kept themselves ahead of everything else.

For today’s meditation we will read Deuteronomy 1:21, “See, the LORD your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not fear or be dismayed.'” (ESV) These were the words of Moses to the people of Israel. When the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 1:21

Denomination: Other

Taking Control Your Tongues Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jun 21, 2022

Man has the power to subdue the largest, strongest, and wildest beasts in nature, yet he has not the power to subdue his tongue. All that he can do, is to put on it the bridle (James 1.26) and be slow speak, swift to hear and slowness to wrath.

Sermon - Control Your Tongues to Work God's Way Scripture: Ephesians 4:29-32 “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29-32, Proverbs 18:21, Psalm 19:14, Ephesians 4:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Time To Check Your Halo Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Oct 9, 2022

When we have this attitude that says I'm better than you because I am right, that's when self-righteousness takes effect in our lives.

The first thing I'd like to do today as we look at this passage is I'd like to talk to you about the footnote in your Bible. I hope you have a footnote. Look at it. Do you see the footnote in this passage that we're looking at today? The footnote says this: “These verses (which is John ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"desperate For God"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 25, 2022

A sermon about learning to love ourselves and others because Jesus loves us.

“Desperate for God” Luke 19:1-10 “Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he. He climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see. And as the Master passed that way, He looked up in the tree. And He said, “Zacchaeus, you come down. For I’m going to your house ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Real Faith Will Tame The Tongue Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Apr 1, 2021

Real Faith Will Tame the Tongue Series: Real Faith (Book of James) Brad Bailey – October 18, 2020

Real Faith Will Tame the Tongue Series: Real Faith (Book of James) Brad Bailey – October 18, 2020 Intro Hey everybody. I’m so glad you are joining in today. As we each go through this unique time of living through a pandemic... I continue to appreciate the significance of being able to go through ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thirtieth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Cycle A - 30th Sunday Year A -- Love Of God And Neighbor

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 23, 2020

He was not asked for a second-place commandment.

It is the story of the courtship of Moses Mendelssohn, the grandfather of the great German composer, Felix Mendelssohn. Moses Mendelssohn was a small man with a misshapen, humped back. One day he visited a merchant in Hamburg who had a lovely daughter. Though Mendelssohn admired her greatly, she ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 22:20-26, Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Catholic