Sermons on Self Imposed Curses:

How Change Happens Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Sep 2, 2005

You can try to change God’s way or you can change the world’s way. You can change with the help of God or you can try to change with the help of self. You can try an inside-out kind of change or an outside-in kind of change.

I grew up in the church. My dad was a pastor. I can remember people in those churches he pastored who attended services every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night, who knew their Bible, who taught classes, who gave money, who led committees, but who were also mean as snakes. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Denomination: Baptist

Our Mighty God Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Dec 9, 2008

We all are very independent individuals. Some of our first words – perhaps even our first sentence – expressed that self-reliance. "I can do it myself." This is healthy when we’re dressing and cleaning up. It becomes unhealthy when we try to control o

Introduction: The names in this story have been changed out of respect for their privacy. Julie W told her family’s story in a magazine article. [My daughter], Allison, came home for the weekend. She opened the door, didn’t speak, and dropped her duffel bag. Smudges of mascara circled her eyes. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Wesleyan

Walking In God’s Love

Contributed by Laren Whaley on Feb 15, 2012

Because God has loved us and received us as one of His own we must move and live in that love. The world ‘s definition of love is not love at all. The world around us always asks what’s in it for me and always centers on self-first, then maybe others.

Walking In God’s Love 1 Corinthians 13:1 - 13 (NKJV) 1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Church Of God

The Cure Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Sep 27, 2012

Last week we talked about the trap of offence and some of the main problems associated with being offended - false assumptions, our expectations, pride, disobedience, self-preservation, and revenge. Today I want us to look at the cure so we don’t allow o

“Nobody will ever want you for anything but making babies” her drunken father said when he found out that his 15 year daughter was pregnant. I got to counsel this women at age 42, an alcoholic for 15 years, 6 babies with four different men, two of them aborted. Now on welfare with all ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14-21

Released From Fear

Contributed by Martin Ellgar on Jun 7, 2015

Jesus did not use violence to tie up the strongman in our house, in our self. Jesus knew that the only way to release us from fear, from the strongman in our live is love. Love conquers all. He works love in us to release us from fear.

Mark 3: 20-35 RELEASED FROM FEAR Jesus had just started his ministry on earth. He had gathered to him twelve disciples and was touring the countryside bringing healing into people’s lives. His reputation preceded him and wherever he went there was a crowd gathered around him and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Daniel 4: Overcoming Pride Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Sep 3, 2020

Self-focused pride 1) causes anxiety, 2) leads to a fall, 3) can be redeemed through God-focused humility. We can humble ourselves by 1) recognizing God as sovereign, 2) crediting God for our abilities, and 3) directing our gifts to the good of others.

PUTTING PRIDE IN ITS PLACE—Daniel 4 PRIDE. One of the “Seven Deadly Sins,” along with greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth. But is it always bad? There is a kind of healthy pride, which values one’s abilities, celebrates achievement, and motivates positive behavior. Paul refers to ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 4:1-37, Deuteronomy 8:17-18, 1 Peter 1:5-6, 1 Corinthians 4:7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Love Does Not But Does, All Things, Never, Is Not.. Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jan 29, 2020

In this message we wrap up our series, 'Love Is,' by looking at several facets of God's kind of love... love does not delight in evil, love rejoices with truth, love bears all things... , Love never fails and love is not self seeking.

Love Does Not But Does, All Things, Never, Is Not.. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:6-8, Proverbs 8:13, Deuteronomy 7:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith And The Iron Chariots

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Jun 4, 2021

We often believe that God can help us, but only up to a certain point. This belief conceals a measure of self-trust. If Judah had demonstrated the same faith about the chariots of iron as about the mountaineers, the chariots of iron would have been no better than chariots of straw.

Judges 1:19 - So the LORD was with Judah. And they drove out the mountaineers, but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the lowland, because they had chariots of iron. Background: Joshua had divided the inheritance among the children of Israel. However, there were still lands to be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 14:29, Matthew 9:29, Deuteronomy 20:4, Deuteronomy 20:1, Exodus 33:2, Jeremiah 32:17, Job 37:23, Matthew 28:20, Judges 1:19  (view more)  (view less)

The Ultimate Christian Attainment: Union With God Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 19, 2024

We do not easily submit to all this burning up of dross within us. We do not want to be buried with Christ in his cross and alive with Christ in His resurrection. We naturally resist the death of self. Yet God helps us submit to the refiner's fire.

Many great saints I’ve known, even in the Salvation army, many are retiring now, and they say that when they retire, they are grateful that God did not show them the entire path all the ups and downs because they would not have been able to handle the thought of it. But step by step, along the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:7, John 6:63, 1 Peter 1:7

Denomination: Salvation Army

Listen

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Dec 28, 2021

The medical professional will tell us to listen to our bodies because it will let us know if something isn’t right that’s the reason, we do self-examinations. The auto mechanic will tell you to listen to your automobile because certain sounds will indicate something is wrong.

Listen By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - As we come towards the end of 2021 and looking forward, to 2022 people are looking for things to be better in the coming year. We long to be able to have what we call normal back. We pray that the Covid pandemic will finally end, that there ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:8, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:29, Revelation 3:6, Revelation 3:13, Revelation 3:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Apostolic

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 28, 2010

Why wouldn’t people love their neighbors? And do I have to love myself before I can show this kind of love to others?

Today is our Friend Sunday, and many of you invited your neighbors to worship with you this morning. So, this morning I thought I’d give you a little quiz on neighbors. Years ago PBS featured a program where the host would enter the studio, take off his cardigan sweater, and his dress shoes and put ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We May Ask, Are Our Sacrifices Too Great For The Lord?

Contributed by William Tan Yh on Oct 24, 2020

Do we feel that the sacrifices that we made are too great? Do we feel weary and stress in our walk as a believer? We have been challenged to the extreme due to the storms that come our way. May this message bring comfort, faith and strength to you.

Today’s devotion is taken from Mark 14:3-9: “And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-9, Philippians 2:6-8, Romans 8:32

Denomination: Charismatic

Test Yourselves Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 4, 2025

If you want to experience harmony and joy in your relationships, get ready, get real, get right, then get along.

Several years ago, Ken Westphall, in Leadership Journal, a publication for ministry leaders, talked about the most frequent phrases in ministry that become preludes to a fast farewell. They include the following: I think I've earned the right to say this. In ancient Israel, the people ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:1-14, Titus 3:10-11, Proverbs 22:10, James 1:2-3, Galatians 6:1, Ephesians 4:11, Romans 12:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Overcoming The Works Of The Flesh

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 27, 2025

The battle between the flesh and the spirit is a constant struggle in the life of a believer.

OVERCOMING THE WORKS OF THE FLESH By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Galatians 5:19-21 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-21, Romans 8:5-8, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Colossians 3:5-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 1, 2026

Reject the greedy shepherds and rely on the Good Shepherd. Trust Him to bring you home, to bring you what you need, to bring you justice, to bring you together, and to bring you peace.

A group of business leaders were touring a mental hospital, with one of them making some very insensitive and insulting remarks about the patients. After the tour was completed, the group met with various members of the mental hospital staff in the cafeteria. The unkind visitor chatted with Bill, ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:1-31, Luke 19:10, John 10:9-10, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:11-16, John 16:33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free