Sermons on Self Effort:

Work Out Your Salvation

Contributed by Jesse Bennett on Jan 4, 2009

Salvation by Faith and not by Works

Work out your savation Jesse Bennett Bible Baptist Church Galatians 2:15-3:5 Salvation is not by working hard 1) We know salvation is not by trying, but by trusting v. 16a Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works[trying] of the law, but by the faith[trusting] of Jesus ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Ultimate Christian Attainment: Union With God Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 19, 2024

We do not easily submit to all this burning up of dross within us. We do not want to be buried with Christ in his cross and alive with Christ in His resurrection. We naturally resist the death of self. Yet God helps us submit to the refiner's fire.

Many great saints I’ve known, even in the Salvation army, many are retiring now, and they say that when they retire, they are grateful that God did not show them the entire path all the ups and downs because they would not have been able to handle the thought of it. But step by step, along the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:7, John 6:63, 1 Peter 1:7

Denomination: Salvation Army

Neighbor, What's Up?

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 20, 2025

The Good Samaritan exposes self-justification, lets the law speak fully, and leads us to salvation received through mercy, not performance.

Everyone seems to know the story of the Good Samaritan. It is one of those rare biblical stories that has escaped the walls of the church and entered everyday language. Hospitals are named after him. Laws are named after him. Charities bear his name. Even people who have never opened a Bible still ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37, Romans 7:10, Matthew 10:8, John 15:13, 1 John 4:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Dealing With The Madness In The Middle

Contributed by Gregory Thomas on Nov 13, 2011

In the center of everyone’s life there is a source of madness some 1) Self Inflicted 2) Self Propelled 3) Self Induced msot of which God ordered for you life to get you to enbody the promise.

Dealing With the Madness In The Middle Genesis 25: 21-28 Genesis 27:1 - 27:41 21And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22And ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:21-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wrestling With God Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 2, 2013

Here, God empties Jacob of his NATURAL effort and teaches Jacob to trust Him completely.

What images come to mind when I mention the word wrestling? For some, it is an image of a High school wrestling match. Others happily envision Dad wrestling with his son. And a few of us think of the theater of “professional wrestling” with Iron Rings of death and tag team death ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:1-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Babel's Confusion

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 5, 2001

Egotistical people confuse themselves because of their self-destructive desires

Unit 5 – Changes Lesson 12 – The Tower of Babel – Genesis 11:1-11 For the Teacher’s Preparation 1. Aim: To lead the people to understand that people may make selfish plans, but the Sovereign God maintains control over everything. 2. Explanation of the Aim: In our lesson the people displayed ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The King's Highway

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 20, 2023

Let us prepare our hearts to become a highway for our God.

Over thirty percent of the bridges in this country are classified as needing major structural repairs. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re taking your life in your hands the minute you start to cross a bridge, but it does mean that, as a whole, our transportation system is wearing out. Some ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fruitfulness (Part 3) Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 24, 2020

This fruit is the product of the Spirit’s work inside of us and not an outcome of trying, straining, groaning, or behavior modification on our part.

Dance Lessons: The Fruit of the Spirit (Part 3) Galatians 5:22-26 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 6-07-2020 SHHHHHHH! In the backyard at our house in Pontiac used to be an apple tree. All the neighbors hated it. It was bad enough during the day, but at night several ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-26

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Revival

Contributed by Lee Black on Aug 16, 2002

Renewing one’s self with the Word.

II Chro. 34:1-33 What Is Revival Intro:1. Webster says revival is “to bring back to life.” 2. The Hebrew word means “to live”-Ps 85:6 I. Revival is not just doing the RIGHT things.[1-13] A. Notice Religious concern can come from the desire to do good-[1-3] ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 34:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

Why Men Don't Ask For Directions Series

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Jun 1, 2004

Independence and self-will are at the heaert of prayerlessness.

Why Men Don’t Ask For Directions —Part 1 James 4:1-10 Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO. Our text connects these important themes. I want to set the stage for this study in this message and continue it next week. James is one of the most simple and ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Finding Life By Losing Life

Contributed by Brandon Mayfield on Dec 29, 2001

This sermon discusses the meaning of Self-Denial

Finding Life By Losing Life In one point of the recent movie, “A Knights Tale”, Sir Orrick travels to Paris to compete in the Jousting Tournament. In case you are wondering, Jousting was a medieval game where two knights rode on a horse with a lance trying to hit the other knight. And the first ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-26, Matthew 16:24-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Faith Of Christmas In Corinth And America (1 Sunday Of Advent 2005)

Contributed by Paul Humphrey on Nov 25, 2005

Waiting for Christ in a "self-now" world.

First Sunday of Advent 2005 Dr. Paul G. Humphrey Valley Forge United Methodist Church www.valleyforgeumc.org The Faith of Christmas in Corinth and America First Corinthians 1CO 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 1CO 1:2 To the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Denomination: United Methodist

Help! I Can't Love Others Because I Don't Love Myself Series

Contributed by Brian Atwood on May 7, 2007

Energizing biblical approaches to self-worth.

Help! I Can’t Love Others Because I Don’t Love Myself Part 4 of 6 in the series, "When Relationships Disappoint You, How to Find God’s Peace in the Pain" Does Anybody Feel Small? You’re Not Alone! Have you ever felt inadequate? Have you ever sensed that this feeling of inadequacy has hindered ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Glory Of Thecross Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Mar 22, 2009

The road to glory is self-sacrificing love

John 12:20-36, March 15, 2009 The Glory of the Cross What do you imagine Jesus will look like in his glory? Images that come up when you search “Jesus Glory” “Go for the Glory” – said in sports, usually means beating all the other competitors soundly. Read passage The Glory of the ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-36

Denomination: *other

A Daily Word Of Encouragement And Admonishment Re: Coronavirus 3

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Mar 23, 2020

Being Responsible to God, Others and Self

The equation is: DO NOT PANIC >/< DO NOT BECOME COMPLACENT Today, I am listing a few suggestions that we all might consider as safe options to occupy down times: Cooking – trying new recipes – inventing new recipes; baking – bread-pies-cakes-brownies; find a good private fishing spot and ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:20, Isaiah 1:19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational