Sermons on Self Emptying:

If Crosses Could Speak.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Apr 4, 2021

The title of this mornings message is—If Crosses Could Speak. The fact is these three crosses on Golgotha’s Hill did speak.

If Crosses Could Speak. Luke 23:39-43NKJV Visual illustration—Have 3 crosses on stage, with the middle cross draped with purple, but at the end overlap the middle cross with white. Through the criminals on the cross, we see that death exposes the human heart. At the climax of a lifetime’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43, Matthew 15:17-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Character Of A Disciple: A God Inspired Life Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Aug 6, 2018

God wants us to be people of love and joy and peace. He wants to breathe into us the qualities of generosity, integrity, humility, and self-discipline. The disciples of Christ are “inspired” people ... Inspired by God's Holy Spirit.

Let’s go back to the beginning of this chapter … back to verse 1 (Philippians 2:1-5): “If then there is any encouragement in Christ … any consolation from love … any sharing in the Spirit … any compassion and sympathy … make my joy complete … be of the same mind … having the same love … being in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 2:8-10, Philippians 2:1-5, Philippians 2:6-8, Galatians 5:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

How To Tell A Horse From A Cow Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 13, 2018

Christians need to be of one mind and one love. But too often we're so focused on ourselves that we can't reach that goal. So how do we change our self-centered way of thinking?

OPENING: A city boy had never been on a farm before and he asked a farmer: “Mister, why doesn’t this cow have any horns?” The farmer cocked his head for a moment, then began in a patient tone, “Well, cattle can do a powerful lot of damage with their horns. Sometimes we keep ’em trimmed down with a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Musings Of A Madman Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 11, 2013

If you want your sanity restored and to shine brightly in a dark world, don't be proud of your own achievements; instead, humble yourself before Almighty God. "Christ sends none away empty but those who are full of themselves" (Donald Gray Barnhouse)

Chan Gailey, who at various times coached for the Pittsburg Steelers, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Kansas City Chiefs told a story some time ago about the time he was head coach of Alabama’s Troy State and they were playing for the National Championship. The week before the big game, he was ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 4:1-37

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Walk A Mile In Their Shoes Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 24, 2000

If I am going to do battle for peace and justice, I need appropriate equipping -- sometimes for hard work, sometimes for self-defense, and always for a teachable spirit.

There may be some things of which it can be said that one size fits all, but shoes are not among them. Shoes are very personal, and when they’re wrong, they’re wrong. If they hurt, they hurt. With some things, you can make do with the wrong size – a belt that’s too long, pants that are a bit ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12, Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Live In The Circle Of Ineffectiveness Series

Contributed by Rob Short on Mar 18, 2001

A sermon about self centredness. The first in a series of anti-sermons where they tell people to do the opposite of what they are suppose to. Kind of blatant reverse psychology.

The Seven Habits of Highly Ineffective Christians 1 Live in the Circle of Ineffectiveness Cardiff Heights Baptist 2 January 2000 I trust everyone had an enjoyable New Years. You know what I found really incredible was that by the time the Sydney fireworks were finished, it was time for the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Four Step Program To Become Worry Free & Happy

Contributed by Benny Horn on Oct 31, 2001

We live in a world of seminars and self help programs, but the greatest program ever created to help us become worry free and happy comes from Jesus.

The Four Step Program To Become Worry Free & Happy Introduction: We live in a world of seminars and self help programs. Just turn on your TV, and you can find a seminar in a city near you which will solve all your problems simply by attending and learning the latest successful program. The cost ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:30-34, John 15:11

Denomination: Baptist

Ever-Flowing Life Of Easter

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Apr 5, 2006

The Easter Story is God taking a life which was being spent on self, the pleasures of this world and was blinded by the devil, and turning it around to achieve all of His good purposes.

Turn your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 5: 14-15 Title: Ever-Flowing Life of Easter Theme: Restoring Spiritual Life This Easter Introduction: When Jesus was crucified on the Cross, and was raised again on the third day, He got victory over sin and death and that purchased the abundant life in Christ ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Come Away With God"

Contributed by Candace Adams on Oct 22, 2002

God desires to meet with us. But, God will never force God’s self upon us. We must be willing to make meeting with God a priority.

“Come Away with God” Exodus 33:7-12 There’s a story about a proud young man who came to Socrates asking for knowledge. He walked up to the muscular philosopher and said, “O great Socrates, I come to you for knowledge.” Socrates recognized a pompous numbskull ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:7-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Good Deed Must I Do? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 30, 2008

The rich young ruler’s question was off-base. It assumes that we can do one overriding deed to win God over; it is possessive; and it is self-centered.

I am not very good at giving gifts. I just have a hard time, when Christmas and birthdays and anniversaries roll around, a hard time giving the right gifts. It’s not that the folks I want to give to are picky or unworthy; it’s just that I can’t seem to figure out what they want and get it. For ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Your Righteousness Must Exceed That Of The Pharisees-Clean The Inside Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 26, 2008

Hypocrisy is 1) CURSED FOR ITS EXCLUSION, ITS 2) SUBVERSION 3)PERVERSION 4)INVERSION 5)EXTORTION AND SELF-INDULGENCE 6)CONTAMINATION AND 7)PRETENSION

A majority of adults who don’t attend church say they believe in God, but they have other feelings about the institution of church. A recent survey of 1 402 adults who don’t attend church, not even on holidays, found that 72 percent thought the church ‘is full of hypocrites,’ In Canada over the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13-33

Denomination: Other

Hands Touching Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 14, 2008

Ordination sermon for new deacons. God’s gifts are not found in timidity, but in the power to encourage, the touch of love, and the skill of self-discipline, all symbolized in the laying on of hands.

Of all the ways we can use our hands, none is more authentically human than touching. Touching, not grasping, for some of the apes can do that too. Touching, not hitting, for that is a perversion of our humanity. Touching, not taking, for that is part of our fallen nature. We are most human ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Labor Relations Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on May 25, 2007

Whether we are a boss or a worker, a student, a homemaker, self-employed or retired, in whatever job we have, we should each insist on our rights in the workplace.

1. The first right every Christian should have in the workplace is the right heart (6:5-6) 2. The second right every Christian should have in the workplace is the right attitude (6:7) 3. The third right every Christian should have in the workplace is the right reward (6:8) 4. The fourth right every ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:5-9

Denomination: Baptist

Our Greater Destiny Series

Contributed by R. York Moore on Jul 18, 2007

Far beyond the self-indulgent message of our culture-we have a divine destiny to not only be free but also to bring hope to those who are enslaved tonight.

Our Greater Destiny Intro: More then 140 years ago, the U.S. fought a devastating war to rid our country of the practice of slavery. When the slaves escaped to the north, they didn’t find the land flowing with milk and honey they had dreamed of but it was better then the hell of beatings, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:27

Denomination: *other

Ways You Can Leave Church

Contributed by Chuck Humbert on Aug 17, 2010

A "self-assessment " type sermon with the intent to have the listeners do a personal examination of where they are spiritually at this point in time. As the cliche' says, "Expect what you inspect"

WAYS YOU CAN LEAVE CHURCH * INTRODUCTION A. Ever notice how much emphasis is placed on Entrances? An “Entrance” is filled with anticipation, expectation, and potential. 1. Red Carpet and limousines 2. Boxing – entourage 3. Movie – 15 minutes of build-up 4. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-22

Denomination: Baptist