Sermons on Self Improvement:

Agents Of Grace: Saul Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Sep 27, 2015

Saul was the anvil on which God pounded David for 13 years. Why? To remove the sinful impurities of self-sufficiency and pride.

The Japanese samurai sword is thought by many to be the best in the world. It can take 15 men, 6 months to make 1 sword—a sword that can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars! Why does it take so long and cost so much? Well you can’t just go out into the mountains where there are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:8-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Who Told You That You Were Naked? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 14, 2012

Sin is defined as exaltation of the self. The message explores some of the ramifications of our fallen condition, pointing to the sole cure for sin.

“God [asked Adam], ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?’” [1] The first question God asked of the man was, “Where are you” [GENESIS 3:9]? The man’s response was the first indication that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:11

Denomination: Baptist

Avarice Series

Contributed by Aneel Aranha on Jan 20, 2021

Avarice is the self-serving and inordinate love of and desire for money, wealth, power, food, or other possessions. Are we an avaricious people?

Leo Tolstoy once wrote a story about a successful peasant farmer who was not satisfied with his lot. He wanted more of everything. One day he received a novel offer. For 1000 rubles, he could buy all the land he could walk around in a day. The only catch in the deal was that he had to be back at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Crisis Of Christian Identity Theft

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Oct 9, 2020

People who feel a deep emptiness or a great deal of self-doubt can also feel as if their identity is being stolen

I have always been a 'car guy.' I have had a serious interest in them for as long as I can remember. I also worked in the Automobile Industry and wrenched on so many vehicles I owned over the years that I have lost count. Countless years ago, when I was a teenager, I had a car that was ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:9, John 3:3, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 3:12-14, 1 Corinthians 13:11-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Negative To Positive Series

Contributed by Troy Walliser on Feb 23, 2023

Turning a negative situation into a positive profession means releasing the impulse of SELF-PRESERVATION and being motivated by the attitude of SELFLESS LOVE.

Turning A Negative Into A Positive Acts 21:27-22:29 All of us deal with negative situations from time to time; it's a part of being human, right? We face them at work, at school, at home, in our neighborhoods and even sometimes at church. Sometimes there are those people who it seems just ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Zeal And Jealousy And Envy--O My!

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 13, 2022

We learn from this story a lot about jealousy. It can be confused with righteous behavior, as in this story. It is essentially self-centered.

Saturday 4th Week of Easter Jealousy. Envy. These are two attitudes that literally can tear a community apart–a church, a political body, a family. We can learn a great deal about these sins from the Scripture. Here we see two results of the preaching and healing done by Paul and Barnabas on their ...read more

Scripture: John 14:7-14, Acts 13:44-52

Denomination: Catholic

The Hidden Life (Risen In Christ)

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jun 19, 2023

When you come to Christ there is a change and you become more Christlike and desire to please God rather than self.

The Hidden Life (Risen in Christ) Colossians 3:1-8 Good Morning everyone, Glad that you have chosen to join us in the study of God’s Word- Please turn to Colossians 3 and as you are turning, please bow your head for prayer. Prayer- Apostle Paul writing to the church in Colossae- (Modern ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-10

Denomination: Nazarene

Love Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Nov 7, 2018

Biblical or divine love is a self-sacrificing, caring commitment that shows itself in seeking the highest good for the one being loved.

According to the musical wisdom of John, Paul, George, and Ringo … “All you need is love, love … love is all you need.” Well … that and food … and shelter … and air … and sleep … Love is literally in the air. You hear that word everywhere. It’s been the subject of plays and novels and poems, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Overcoming Worldly Wisdom With Godly Living

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Aug 20, 2025

This sermon shows us how to seek Godly wisdom life in a world that is self centered and focused on looking out for ourselves.

In today’s fast-paced, self-focused culture, we are constantly bombarded with messages that push us toward self-promotion, that push us toward material success, and personal achievement. We are living in a time ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Is Very Much The Light Of The World

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 10, 2024

All of us are called to be evangelists to the folks around us. That means all of us must practice self-control, moderation.

Friday of 23rd week in course 2024 Today’s Scriptures need to be read with the saying of Jesus found in the Gospel of John. Jesus said “I am the Light of the world.” We see it again in the Book of Revelations, as the description of the eternal city of God tells us that there is no need for lamps ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 1 Corinthians 9:22-27, Luke 6:39-42, John 8:12

Denomination: Catholic

The Grasshopper Complex? Scarecrow?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Sep 17, 2025

Watch the news? The news tries to breed fear/worry/self doubt in our hearts. God is in control. You are not a grasshopper.

THE GRASSHOPPER COMPLEX? THE BONDAGE OF A SCARECROW By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) Text: Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:15, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 66:4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Life Is A Beach

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 23, 2025

Jesus calls every disciple to daily self-denial and Spirit-empowered cross-bearing that ends not in loss but in resurrection life.

(Losing to Gain) Part 1 – The Comfortable Illusion It sounds so inviting: Life is a beach. The phrase promises calm tides, soft sand, a life where the hardest choice is whether to nap or swim. We crave that ease. Sometimes we even remake God in that image—faith as a sunny getaway where problems ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-27, Philippians 3:10-11, Mark 8:34-36, 1 Peter 2:21-24, John 12:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 12, 2025

Jesus wasn’t offering comfort or bling, but blood — a cross that kills self and births love, the heartbeat of true discipleship.

Prologue — The Little Athens of Palestine They had followed Him north — away from the dust and clamor of Galilee, away from the familiar crowds pressing for healing — into a region strange and foreign. The road climbed toward the foothills of Mount Hermon, where the air cooled and new sounds ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-34, Matthew 16:24-26, Luke 9:23-26, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 3:7-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

How Can Everybody Get A "win"?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 3, 2025

As if to confirm our duty of self-reflection, St. Luke’s Gospel focuses on Christ’s parable of the wasteful steward.

Friday of the Thirty-first Week Integral Our Introit today begins with a plea of someone afraid of being abandoned. “Forsake me not, O Lord, my God; be not far from me! Make haste and come to my help, O Lord, my strong salvation.” Psalm 38 is attributed to King David, perhaps because it is the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 98:1-4, Luke 16:1-8, Romans 15:14-21

Denomination: Catholic

Your Truth, My Truth, The Truth

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 2, 2025

Truth is not a viewpoint or a feeling but a Person—Jesus—calling us from self-made versions to surrender, freedom, and transforming grace.

ITRODUCTION — TRUTH IN A WORLD OF VERSIONS We live in a strange generation—one that has replaced reality with versions of reality. If you’ve noticed, we no longer speak about truth the way Scripture does. We speak in smaller, softer, more flexible categories: “Your truth.” “My truth.” “Live your ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6, John 8:32, John 18:37, Luke 23:40-43, Psalm 119:160  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist