Sermons on Self Effort:

Control Freak

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 15, 2023

Have you ever known a controlling type person? What's at the heart of being a control freak? You may be thinking of someone who needs to hear this sermon but just because we may not be a 'control freak' that doesn't mean we don't have any control issues.

CONTROL FREAK Have you ever known someone who could have this label attached to them? People who feel they have to control you, the situation; everything? There are people who like to micromanage things. There are people who get very upset if you don't take their advice. People who have a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, John 14:27, Colossians 1:16-17, Jeremiah 17:7-10, Proverbs 25:28, Proverbs 29:11, 1 Peter 5:6-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Sanctified Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Aug 18, 2023

God is holy and he leads us to holy life in every day situations. We must practice holiness in our conversations, dialogues and oration. We don’t have casual talk and formal talk concepts. We must behave always same manner as followers of Christ.

TEXT: 1 THESSALONIANS 4:1-12 THEME: BE SANCTIFIED   Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever!   Introduction: This section runs through chapters 4 and 5. Prior passages were mostly a description of the Thessalonian believers' spiritual growth and their excellent ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Muzzle Eeyore - Psalm 42-43 Part 4 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 13, 2025

Be careful what you say to yourself because no voice has more influence on you than your own. Don't talk to yourself about your troubles. Talk to God about your troubles, talk to yourself about God.

Psalm 42 For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah. 1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day ...read more

The Importance Of Kindness In A Believer's Life PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 6, 2024

This sermon explores kindness as a cornerstone of Christian living, deeply embedded in love, and vividly exemplified in Jesus's ministry.

Good morning, beloved family of God. We gather here today, under the banner of His love, to reflect and learn about a virtue that is as timeless as it is transformative. A virtue that weaves through the tapestry of our faith, knitting together the teachings of the Old Testament with the revelations ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4, Luke 8:40-56

Topics: Kindness, Self-Kindness, Others

A Pharisee And Tax Collector Pray Together PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 13, 2025

True acceptance with God comes not from self-righteousness or comparison, but from humble confession and receiving the mercy and love found in Jesus Christ.

Some of us walked in today with a smile on our face and a scoreboard in our heart. You know the scoreboard I mean—the quiet tally of how we’re doing compared to others, the inner itch to be seen as enough, the nervous need to be noticed and approved. We measure our worth by the week we had, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Topics: Humility, Exaltation, Self-Righteousness

When Anger Knocks

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Jun 10, 2025

You can be angry, but don’t let it turn into sin.

When Anger Knocks June 8, 2025 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: You can be angry, but don’t let it turn into sin. Focus Passage: Ephesians 4:26-27 Supplemental Passage: Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-27, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Proverbs 29:11

Denomination: Baptist

You Are God's Weapon SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 12, 2023

In the spiritual battlefield, God views each believer as His weapon. If you have been reborn in faith, you are God's instrument in this war. Understanding this role is crucial for every believer.

When a warrior prepares for war, he carefully considers his weapons of warfare. In the same way, God is a warrior, and as a believer, you are His chosen weapon of warfare. If you have been born again, you are God's battle axe. Scripture Passage: Jeremiah 51:20-23 (NIV) "You are my war club, my ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 51:20-23

Topics: Self-Realization, Spiritual Warfare

Understanding Our Identity Through The Holy Spirit SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

This sermon delves into the nature of the Holy Spirit and how our identity is shaped through it.

In this message, we will explore the identity of the Holy Spirit and our relationship with Him. When we talk about God the Father, we can understand the concept of a Father. When we talk about God the Son, we can understand a Son. But what happens when we say God the Holy Spirit? People can ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Topics: Holy Spirit, Self-Identity

Understanding Our Brokenness: A Path To God's Love SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

Brokenness is a spiritual state that draws God's attention. This condition allows us to better understand ourselves and Him. However, we often resist this process as it's challenging to let go of our personal goals, ambitions, and interests. But it's through this surrender that we truly experience God's provision.

Brokenness is a spiritual state that captures God's attention. It provides us with a deeper understanding of ourselves and our relationship with Him. Although we may resist this process, surrendering our own desires and interests, it is through brokenness that we truly grow. Just as a broken ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:18

Topics: God's Love, Understanding Self

Finding Yourself: A Divine Inquiry SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

When God asked Adam 'Where art thou', He wasn't seeking his location, but prompting Adam to understand his own state. Today, He continues to pose the same question 'Where art thou', urging us to introspect and realize our own condition.

Today, we will explore the significance of God's question to Adam in the Garden of Eden. This question goes beyond simply asking for Adam's location; it serves to make him aware of his condition. Even today, God continues to ask us the same question: "Where are you?" When God called out to Adam and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:9

Topics: Self-Realization, Divine Guidance

House Of Mirrors Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Oct 14, 2025

God didn’t hide Judah’s story. He redeemed it. And He can redeem yours too. In fact this might be where God is just getting started in your life.

Today, we’re looking at a story in Genesis about Judah, the fourth son of Jacob (Israel) and great-grandson of Abraham. Last Sunday, we were studying Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son — so it may seem strange that Moses suddenly leaves the story of Joseph to tell us what’s happening in the life of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 38:6-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Complacent Faith

Contributed by Kamalanathan Francis on Aug 26, 2021

Complacency is a contagious belief and practice rising among many. The individualistic society seeks to embrace even complacent faith with pride.

Well, 500 years before Christ, Amos was sent to Israelites to warn their complacency (Amos 4:1-5 / 6:1-6) not to condemn but to point their way forward. They had their law, teachers, and religious leaders, but not God because they were following their own self-absorbed life. Due to the complacent ...read more

Scripture: Amos 4:1-5, Amos 9:11, John 3:1-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A.d.d.

Contributed by Tony Searles on May 31, 2002

This is an "Absolutely Dangerous Doctrine!" Being a sold out Christian for the Lord...denying ones self.

A.D.D.: ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS DOCTRINE! State: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is ?Something To Die For?. Definition of Dangerous: ?Likely to cause harm, not safe, risky.? This is what we as Christians can be to satan?s kingdom. Dangerous and very likely to cause harm to it. We are the church and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-25, Philippians 3:7-8

Denomination: Other

Turn From Your Selfish Ways

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Nov 20, 2012

I. EXORDIUM: Anyone can easily deny CHRIST, but is it also true in denying ourselves? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show denying ourselves is to prepare us for better rewards. IV. TEXT: Luke 9:23 (New Living Tra

I. EXORDIUM: Anyone can easily deny CHRIST, but is it also true in denying ourselves? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show denying ourselves is to prepare us for better rewards. IV. TEXT: Luke 9:23 (New Living Translation, Second Edition) Then he said to the crowd, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Denomination: Pentecostal

World Changers

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 7, 2013

A world changer is known not for what he gives up, but for what he takes up. Will you take up the challenge to be a world changer OR who just changes his clothes every day to look good?

Opening illustration: John, do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water, or do you want a chance to change the world?” That was the challenge Steve Jobs issued in 1983 to John Sculley, then president of Pepsi-Cola. Mr. Jobs was the creative genius behind Apple Computer. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:17-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational