Sermons on Self Emptying:

What Is Greatness?

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Oct 10, 2024

Jesus our God came to serve. And even to die, to give his life as a ransom for many! To die for us, to empty himself of divine power and authority and serve those in need. That is true greatness.

I recall a meme I saw online, it had a picture of a janitorial supply cart and it said, "Called to ministry? This will be your first pulpit." Truer words were never spoken. My first five years in ministry I mopped a lot of floors, and believe me, I expect more floors in the future. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-21

Denomination: Salvation Army

Sermon For Palm/Passion Sunday, Year B

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Apr 6, 2003

The mind of Christ, among other things, involves a life of humility, obedience, and sacrifice.

Sermon for Palm/Passion Sunday, Yr B 13/04/2003 Based on Phil. 2:5-11 Grace Lutheran Church, Medicine Hat, Alberta By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson Humility, obedience and sacrifice. Those three words stand out as descriptors of the tragic, yet holy last week of Christ’s life in this world. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Lutheran

"The Attitude Of Christ"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Sep 27, 2017

A sermon about following the humble life of Jesus.

“The Attitude of Christ” Philippians 2:1-13 Would you agree that there is nearly nothing so beautiful as a person who is both truly strong and truly humble at the same time? Would you agree that this kind of person is hard to find? We might know a few people who fit this description, but the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Beatitudes--More Than Skin Deep

Contributed by Daryl Bahn on Nov 3, 2001

Jesus’ Beatitudes are a splash of frigid water in the face of the self-righteous, but a cup of refreshing water for God’s forgiven saints who are weary of the ways of the world. (All Saints Day, 2001)

BEATITUDES—MORE THAN SKIN DEEP (Matthew 5:1-12) The Beatitudes are like a splash of ice-cold water in the face of those who are self-satisfied and full of themselves. The Pharisees, for example, were wealthy, successful, powerful, and very religious. They thought the coming of the Kingdom of God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

"Continuing The Journey"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 28, 2017

A sermon for the New Year.

“Continuing the Journey” Philippians 3:4b-15 What do you want more than anything else in the world? Is it a higher paying job? Is it a bigger house? Is it some “perfect career”? Is it to be the envy of your friends, co-workers; classmates? Is it to “know Christ and the power of his ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-15

Denomination: United Methodist

Breakthrough For Joy

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 2, 2010

Every now and then something happens, after a long struggle, to give us a breakthrough. So with God in Christ, planning from the foundation of time for the cross and achieving a breakthrough victory at the empty tomb. So count nothing impossible.

Every now and again, in human history, we achieve a breakthrough. Something which we have worked for, hoped for, fought and died for, finally happens. There has been struggle and agony and seemingly endless defeat, but suddenly it all works out. That’s called a breakthrough. You know the feeling. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Fools Rush In Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on May 22, 2006

This is about John beating Peter in a footrace to the empty tomb, but Peter going in first. t’s about Peter’s courage, and how we need to live courageous lives, following God’s plans for us.

John 20:1-9 – Fools Rush In Today, as we are continuing our series called He is Risen Indeed, where we have been studying Jesus’ resurrection and what it means to us, we turn our attention to the men of the story. We have studied Jesus’ female disciples, but now we look for inspiration from ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Beyond Excuses: The Good Samaritan Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 15, 2025

To avoid the trap of self-justification, don't debate God's clear commands; just do them, trusting Jesus to help you.

Seinfeld was a popular sit com featuring the humor of comedian Jerry Seinfeld. In an episode called “The Fire,” Jerry's friend, George attends a child's birthday party at the request of his girlfriend, Robin. Take a look (show video: George and the Fire, Seinfeld, Season 5, Episode 20). ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Evangelical Free

In The Days Of Youth Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jun 5, 2006

God is opposed to anything that diminishes our joy. What many think is a "good time" is actually self-abuse. Life is fleeting, so fear and obey God, for your own good.

Overcoming Futility—a sermon series on Ecclesiastes “In the Days of Youth” 11:9-12:14 Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts We conclude our study of Ecclesiastes, a book written to people who are struggling to find meaning and purpose in life. Solomon ends ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

Marks Of A Christian Leader

Contributed by William Mouser on Feb 25, 2005

Using a Servant Song of Isaiah 50 and Paul’s self-defense to the Corinthians, this sermon lays out the basic marks of a Christian leader.

How do you recognize a Christian leader? A sermon on Quinquagesima Sunday Isaiah 50:4-10, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 John Maxwell is the head of an organization called “Maximum Impact,” which from its website appears to have the mission of turning men and women into "impactful" leaders. One ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Be Crucified With Christ

Contributed by David Seeley on Oct 16, 2004

Paul wrote to the Roman believers that they needed to be crucified with Christ. We today must also experience this crucifixion of self will, and sinful desires.

The Road to Being Crucified with Christ Context: Romans 6:1-23 Text: Romans 6:5-8 In this passage, Paul is instructing the Christians at Rome into a deeper walk with God. In verses 5-8 he tells them that in the Christian life there comes a time when each person must follow Christ and be ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:5-8

Denomination: Holiness

When The Bible Is Hard To Understand Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on May 5, 2006

3rd of 5 in the series "A Light Unto My Path: Growing Through God’s Word." Title is self explanitory.

Military Doublespeak: A rotating wing aircraft suffered a hard landing due to the stress failure of a helical hexiform rotating compression device (A helicopter crashed because a bolt broke). Huh? Sometimes things are hard to understand. Sometimes important things are hard to understand—like ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-35

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Love Overcomes

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jan 16, 2006

Christ’s love in us overcomes the world, the fleshly tendency for self-centeredness and the devil’s attempts to demean, demoralize and defeat us.

Interpersonal Do’s and Don’ts John 13:34-13:35 Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you. By this will all men know that you are my disciples because you have love for one another." (John 13:34,35) Illustration: Let us consider one another ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Putting First Things First

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 24, 2001

It has taken us generations of self-study to come up with 3 major "wants" in life. Yet Jesus knew it all along!

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN, BROWNSVILLE, TX A. Psychologists tell us that there are 3 major "wants" in life. The first "want" is to want comfort - to want food when we are hungry, to want something to drink when we are thirsty, to want a cool place when we are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Feed The Dogs Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 16, 2009

Jesus is not impressed with an outward show of self-righteousness, but with an inner heart of dependence upon Him, which he found among the Gentile "dogs."

I like this thought posted by Mike Atkinson in his daily email humor list some time ago. If you can start the day without caffeine; if you can get going without pep pills; if you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains; if you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles; ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Evangelical Free