Sermons on Self Encouragement:

Passing It On Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on May 21, 2009

Lives that refuse to plug into God’s grace are self sufficient lives, lives that rely on self and ego. It takes humility to admit that we’ve sinned against God and to trust in Christ for our salvation, but until we do that we can’t plug into God’s grace.

TRANSFORMATIONS 6/15/08 – Father’s Day – Passing it On Passing it on… I still remember the exact moment when I realized that I was truly an adult. It wasn’t my 18th birthday, or when I moved out of the house a few months later. It wasn’t even my wedding day, which came just two years after my 18th ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Cost Of Discipleship

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Sep 14, 2003

The Text is the Gospel Reading for Common Lectionary, Year B, the theme is characteristics of a Disciple as seen in this text.

THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP—MARK 8:27-38 --by R. David Reynolds Billy Graham has said, “Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything we have” [--Edythe Draper, Drapers Book of Quotations for the Christian World (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992)]. In our text this morning ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38, Mark 8:28-33, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Deuteronomy 30:15

Denomination: Methodist

Living The Gospel: Speak Up!

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 20, 2009

We have not found our voices yet because we have low self-esteem, but Christ declares us to be light. The world is asking for light, but we must learn to read the signs and to be who we are. March 1988

As a child I was fascinated one day by’ the fact that when you open the refrigerator, there is always a light burning. I was fascinated by it because I wanted to know whether that light was on when the door was closed as well as when it was open. And so I began to experiment. First I tried to stick ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Crucified & Risen

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Mar 31, 2013

Paul tells us that having received Christ as Savior, he was crucified with Christ. Can you say that? Do you understand what that means? It’s more than just saying “He died for me”. It means so much more to be crucified and risen.

Crucified & Risen with Christ Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. When Jesus died on Calvary's Cross, He bore the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Baptist

When You Suffer Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Feb 2, 2013

Everyone suffers in our fallen world. Get used to it! It comes with the turf. But for God’s people, suffering is not merely a consequence of sin: it holds God’s eternal purpose,.

When We Suffer Romans 8:17-18 OUTLINE: Disciples of Jesus Christ, IF and WHEN you suffer, remember that... 1. Suffering with Christ is part of our inheritance. 2. Suffering with Christ demands sacrifice. 3. Suffering with Christ is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

What Did Jesus Mean By "Whoever Loses His Life For Me Will Find It" Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 19, 2013

A look at Jesus' difficult (and frequently ignored) teaching that "whoever lose his life for me will find it." What does that mean? What does it look like to live that out?

WHAT DOES "LOSE YOUR LIFE TO FIND IT" MEAN ANYWAY? It means to pursue Jesus’ path even at the expense of my desires. - Matthew 10:39; Matthew 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; Luke 17:33; John 12:25. - This is a foreign concept to many Christians. In the American church we largely ignore this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26

Denomination: Baptist

Back To School

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Sep 13, 2012

We are in training in God's school of Christlikeness. Having already received the diploma, we are transformed by Christ to renounce the past, live godly lives in the present, and look forward to our future with hope and not fear.

This week we sent our son back to school as he had his first taste of Junior High. Sometimes I look back to my High School years and believe it or not I wish I could do it over again and learn those lessons that I didn’t take so seriously and also not worry so much about things that ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Watch And Pray

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 24, 2008

Prayer gives us the strength to face the challenges of life in the last days. It is our reliance on God that grants the victory. We need that resolve today.

Let’s look at the theme verse for the last Retreat. • 1 Peter 4:7 says, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” • There is an end to this world. And we are now nearer its end than before. • And therefore, Peter says, there are some ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Wounded Identity

Contributed by Larry Kettle on Sep 7, 2011

Jesus carries wounds in heaven so that we can show his healing power on earth.

“The Wounded Identity” Larry D. Kettle I have spent a lifetime grappling with a “wounded identity”. I know what it means to be victimized and I know what it means to “be the victim”. I was wounded by a sense of abandonment from my mother. I was seven when my ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Illogical Fear Of Elijah - 1 Kings 19:3

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Aug 4, 2011

The Illogical Fear Of Elijah - 1 Kings 19:3 What it means to serve the Lord in the ministry without fear, but full of love, power and sound mind!

The Illogical Fear Of Elijah - 1 Kings 19:3 1 Kings 19:3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life; he took his servant and went to Beersheba in Judah. Leaving the servant there, What made fear of Elijah illogical? I. After killing 450 prophets of baal (1Kings 18:40, 1Kings 18:22 ) II. After ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

They Prayed

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Oct 22, 2010

Our prayers should be that of the Publican

Text: “…everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14). Do you know anyone who has a tendency to exalt himself or herself? Those people who are always praising themselves, applauding themselves or paying tribute to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Christian Church

Black And White Redeemed Together

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 7, 2010

For Black History Month: We will not be fully redeemed until both black and white understand the elements of self-hatred that are in us and see that we have a Redeemer who will remove those feelings.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC February 2, 1986 When you read the book of Job and read it carefully, when you really let it sink in to you what happened to this suffering man and what he had to say about it, you cannot help concluding that what is most frightening about Job is his ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Commitment Choice Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Feb 22, 2010

I am strongest when I choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ's care and control.

Title: The Commitment Choice Text: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 Thesis: I am strongest when I choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ’s care and control. Lenten Series: Life’s Healing Choices (Saddleback Resources) ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pontius Pilate: Stuck In People-Pleasing Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 21, 2009

Pilate was a classic people-pleaser, who found that his behavior produced popularity that masked contempt, pessimism, and powerlessness.

The story has it that during creation, as God was sitting up in heaven turning out all these creatures, some of the angels asked if they could help. It looked like fun, making plants and animals, birds and beasts. And so God, who had just finished fashioning something, said, "All right. Come ahead. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Have You Taken Your Spiritual Temperature Lately?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jun 8, 2012

2 Corinthians 13:5 tells us to examine ourselves to see if our faith is what it should be. Like Laodecia, many are unaware of their spiritual temperature. What about you? Have you taken your spiritual temperature lately?

Have You Taken Your Spiritual Temperature Lately? Revelation 3:14-20 The church at Laodicea was one of two churches in the opening chapters of Revelation that were apparently unaware of their spiritual temperature. The other was Ephesus. Laodicea is a picture of a worldly church that has all the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-20

Denomination: Baptist