Sermons on Self Effort:

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

Love In Bloom Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 11, 2019

Genuine believers put in great effort toward loving fellow believers, and yet are willing to be hated for doing right.

Love in Bloom (I John 3:11-18) 1. In the world, a lot of people do things for spite. Here are a few real life examples from some blogs: Today, my boss got mad at me because I told her that I wouldn't be able to work two days out of the week, due to college classes. She then cut back my hours ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Law Of The Harvest: You'll Pick What You Plant Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Sep 5, 2013

Seeds are small, but they turn into large plants. You may think a tiny word or deed is insignificant, but it always multiplies and grows into big consequences.

INTRODUCTION After this message, I have only three more messages from Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia. We started this series last September, and over the past year we’ve learned that Paul wrote this letter to a group of churches in what would be southern Turkey today. He ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus On Trial

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Mar 25, 2021

Jesus stepped into a maelstrom and was brought before a court that was losing some of its power and was uncertain about its future given Rome’s growing power and the increasing fear and rising tension amongst the Jewish people.

I love the Gospel of Mark … well, I love all the gospels … but Mark reminds me of Joe Friday from the 1950s TV series “Dragnet.” Some of us older folks remember Sargent Friday’s famous signature line: “Just the facts.” Mark’s gospel is terse and to the point. He gives us “just the facts” and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:53-65

Denomination: United Methodist

The Law Vs. Grace Vs. Faith PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 7, 2025

God’s promises are received by faith, not by our efforts; grace, not performance, secures our acceptance and hope in Christ.

Some of us walked in today with lists—mental ledgers of what we did right and where we fell short. We carry them like heavy backpacks. We whisper, “Maybe if I try harder, God will be pleased.” And our hearts grow tired, tight, and tentative. Then we come to Romans 4 and hear a fresh breeze blow ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:13-16

Topics: Grace, Gift

Unity Of The Spirit

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Mar 6, 2023

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3)

Lent is a season of reflection on the frailty and vulnerability of human life. The season starts forty days before Easter on a Wednesday, which most churches observe as Ash Wednesday. Some churches have special services on Ash Wednesday and impose ashes on the forehead as a sign of our mortality ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:3

Denomination: Other

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

Combining Prayer & Fasting For Spiritual Victory PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Some spiritual battles require more than human efforts and can only be overcome through prayer and fasting.

Good morning, beloved family. Today, we're going to be diving into the deep waters of Mark 9:29. We'll be talking about the tough stuff – the adversity we all face, the reality of spiritual warfare, and the victory we can find through prayer and fasting. As we gear up for this spiritual battle, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:29

Topics: Spiritual Warfare

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

Go! And Live In God’s Power, Love, And Self-Discipline - 2 Timothy 1:7 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 20, 2025

The Gospel boldly declares: You were not created to be driven, defined, or destroyed by fear. Because God has given His children something far greater.

Go! And Live in God’s Power, Love, and Self-Discipline - 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) Dean Courtier Introduction: Fear is a thief. It steals joy, peace, purpose, and boldness. Some of you walked into this room today carrying fears you’ve never spoken aloud— fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7, Romans 8:15, Acts 1:8, 1 John 4:18, Romans 12:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Life Of Discipline Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Mar 9, 2010

The empty tomb means that we are freed from the power of sin over our lives and we can live the kind of lives God originally intended right now in the present.

A Life of Discipline: Lent week 3 March 7, 2010 Intro: The season of Lent can sometimes feel like the opposite of the season of Advent, don’t you think? Advent, our preparation for Christmas, seems to be full of excitement and anticipation and joy and merriness, as we prepare to gather ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Pursue Reconciliation Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Mar 16, 2005

Christ calls his followers to be different from the world. We show this difference in our efforts to reconcile relationships.

(based on Southeast Christian Church’s “Living a Life of Integrity”) SERIES: “WORDS OF WISDOM FOR KINGDOM LIVING” TEXT: MATTHEW 5:17-26 TITLE: “PURSUE RECONCILIATION” INTRODUCTION: A. A young insurance salesman had just completed a training seminar in which the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are You Comfortable?

Contributed by Gerry Pratt on Jan 29, 2002

We may be lulled to sleep and even to spiritual death by self-satisfaction.

One of the greatest problems facing the Church, today, is that far too many of us are comfortable. A. If a person is satisfied, there is no challenge or drive to go any further or do any more. 1. This satisfaction can show itself in many areas....in almost all but one, it is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:12-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Believe In The Communion Of Saints Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 29, 2005

There are no self made Christians. The Communion of Saints is vital to a Christian’s life.

Hebrews 12:1-3, Acts 2:42-47 “I Believe In the Communion of Saints” INTRODUCTION American society tends to idolize the rugged, self-made individual. We admire their individuality, and their ability to overcome adverse conditions, excel, and achieve their chosen goals. ¨ Donald Trump ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran