Sermons on Self Effort:

For God So Loved The World Series

Contributed by Kerry Bauman on Apr 27, 2006

What effect do self-centered people have on our world. This message looks at Jonah’s rebellion and his resulting self-pity.

Introduction: In 1945, Cliff Barrows made a proposal of marriage to his girlfriend Billie. Together they scraped together enough funds for a simple wedding and two tickets to a city with a resort hotel. On arrival, however, they found the hotel shut down. Stranded in an unfamiliar city with little ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Live In The Truth Of The Knowledge Of Jesus

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Sep 11, 2008

Pentecost 11(B) - When we live in the truth of the knowledge of Jesus we can put off the old self and put on the new self.

LIVE IN THE TRUTH OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS (Outline) July 27, 2008 -- PENTECOST 11 -- Ephesians 4:17-26 INTRO: Our country, nation, and its people are independent. Each one of us likes to do what we want to do when we want to. Even the experts of today admit that our people are very ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Whch Way To Go? Part 5 Series

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jul 15, 2013

The transformation process often involves the tearing away of our old self and the creation of a new self - one that reflects God’s character.

Which way to go and where to go? Bitter fights and sweet turn outs…. Life of Jacob Visit www.worshipjesusministries.org Check my blog: balasamson@wordpress.com Genesis 33: 10 “ And Jacob said, “No, please, if I have now found favour in your sight, then receive my present from my ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Doing Your Own Thing Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 3, 2021

Paul makes it clear to the Romans that they are to avoid both extremes of self-exaltation and self-devaluation. They are to think with sober judgment and just be honest about themselves.

Doctor A. J. Cronin, the famous physician and author, had a very critical professor when he was in medical school. He told Cronin that he might make a general practitioner, but he was hopeless as a surgeon, and Cronin believed him. Completing his medical training, he went to a remote village in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

You Can Be Different

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Mar 31, 2025

This sermon helps us to understand the need for change in our lives, a change that puts away the old self and allows a new self in Christ to begin.

Let me open with this. If there is no intelligence behind the universe, then nobody or nothing designed my brain for the purpose of thinking. Thought is merely the by-product of some atoms within my skull. If so, how can I trust my own thinking to be true? And if I can’t trust my own thinking, I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 John 3:14, John 12:46, John 3:18, Hebrews 9:27-28, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Every Second Counts!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Aug 25, 2015

Conquerors don’t give in to pressure! Pressure should draw the treasure out of you!

Every second counts! Philippians 3:13”….one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead..” Usain Bolt wins gold again by 0.01 sec! Bolt beats his rival Justin Gatlin to World Athletics Championships 100m at Beijing. For most of the 100m, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Might Have Been?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 15, 2005

Little effort, little satisfication? there are no sadder words of pen or tongue, than the words, what might have been.

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN, IF I TRIED A LITTLE HARDER? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com INTRODUCTION: Have we really been trying? Oct. 1978: Mrs. Fannie Turner of Little Rock, Arkansas passed her written drivers test on the 104th attempt, and thus made the Guinness Book of World Records. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:6-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Blood, Sweat, And Tears In The Church Of God

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Dec 27, 2017

Blood, swat and tears is hard work and effort in the church to be and accomplish all that God wants from your church.

Prayer- Introduction- This morning I want to talk a moment about the church. I say by sermon title the church of God because there are churches out there that I believe never ask God what He thinks about decisions that are made in His church. I believe there are churches that are nothing more ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:4-5

Denomination: Nazarene

Boldly Grow

Contributed by Clarence Peters on Aug 24, 2004

Spiritual growth is ignited by passion, fuelled by the power of God, and sustained by self-discipline.

Central Verses: 1:6-7 Behavioural goal: The listener will set a growth goal for the coming months and pursue it. Last Sunday many of you heard a message from Psalm 90 on making your life count. I want you to think way back to that time to reflect for a moment. Did it make any difference in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-18

Denomination: Mennonite

Relying On The Work Of The Spirit

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Apr 5, 2022

When we bear witness to the saving power of Christ, we must rely on the Spirit to empower our efforts.

Jesus had told them to wait—His first disciples, I mean. He had given them important work to do—the most important work of all, actually—but He had told them not to attempt it just yet. No. They were to wait. “Don’t give,” He said, “until you have received. Nothing can be done by you until ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-41

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Tenacious Love - 1 Peter 4:8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 26, 2025

No matter how deep your love, it can grow cold. We must make every effort to keep it growing.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8

The Work Of The Spirit, Part A Series

Contributed by David Richardson on Sep 13, 2007

Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

Series: Life, Everlasting, Part 3 Message: The Work of the Spirit? Part A Our scripture focus today is Psalm 116:13, but I want to read the entire Psalm… 116:1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-19

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Privileges Of An Apostle Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 9, 2019

Paul faced severe criticism; false brethren questioned his Apostleship, and they were constantly assaulting his character and attacking his reputation; particularly here at Corinth.

January 16, 2013 Commentary on First Corinthians By: Tom Lowe Topic #7: Questions Concerning Christian Freedom, 1 Corinthians 8.1-11.1 Lesson 7.3: Privileges of an Apostle Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9.1-6 1 Cor 9.1-6 (KJV) 1 Am I not an Apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Same Old Same Old--Vs Change

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 17, 2022

We are commanded to grow in grace. Real growth demands effort and a good plan. Will we stay the same and refuse to change?

THE SAME OLD SAME OLD VS. CHANGE By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com WHAT IF A CATERPILLAR DESIRED TO STAY A CATERPILLAR? CHANGE: Let us look at complete metamorphosis. There are four stages of growth. EGG, LARVA (CATERPILLAR), PUPA (COCOON), ADULT (BUTTERFLY.) Maybe use the frog: ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 13:23, 2 Peter 3:18, Job 14:13-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Self-Esteem Or God Esteem - Lesson 4 - How To Find Your True Image In Jesus Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Dec 10, 2020

A. Personal Identity B. Indwelling Of Jesus C. Jesus Is Our Life D. Putting On Jesus E. Walking In The Spirit F. Identifying The Old Man (sin-nature) G. Setting Your Mind And looking To Jesus H. We are Dead! I. Beginning In The Mind J. Positive Thinking – Right Or Wrong? K. Rejoice In The Lord

The Christian life begins with a recognition of who we are in Jesus. Speak the following confession out loud so that you can hear yourself declaring what God has said is true. You are not declaring these things to make them happen. God says that they have already happened! This is God's answer ...read more

Scripture: John 15:4, Colossians 1:27, Ephesians 1:3, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Colossians 2:2-10, John 14:6, John 1:4, Ephesians 5:18-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational