Sermons on Self Improvement:

Which Offers Hope: Shame Or Guilt?

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Mar 2, 2016

Shame: I am a bad person. If other people knew what I was like they would despise me. I must save face. versus Guilt: I am a person who has done bad things. Can I make amends? Can I be forgiven? Which do you feel? How does it make you feel towards others?

[I pick up TABLOID newspaper and pretend to read a story on the inside} “No?....Really?” “God, after what he has done, he has got what is coming for him” [look up at congregation] we all think that - we all pick up the newspaper and read stories and think that “he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Anglican

More Than Just Sending Cards Or Giving Chocolates And Flowers

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Feb 12, 2022

Americans spent $21 billion on Valentine's Day in 2021 to send cards or buy chocolates and flowers for their loved ones. God wants us to show our love more than that. As Christ always loves us, He wants us to love others every day!

Opening: A husband always carried a photo of his wife in his wallet. Whenever he faced a difficult situation, he opened his wallet and saw the picture of his wife. When his friends saw what he did, they said, "You love your wife so much, don't you?" He replied, "When I saw my ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:27-29, 1 Corinthians 1:18, John 15:13, Galatians 2:20, 1 John 3:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Empowered By God's Spirit 2 Timothy 1:7 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 28, 2024

2 Timothy 1:7 declares, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline" (NLT). Let us uncover the depth of this verse and how it shapes our lives as believers.

Empowered by God's Spirit Introduction: Today we gather to delve into the transformative power of God's truth, focusing on 2 Timothy 1:7 which declares, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline" (NLT). Let us uncover the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7, Acts 1:8, 1 John 4:18, Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Is Jesus Mark On You?

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Sep 29, 2023

The trademark of the living Christ should be something that others will clearly notice and readily recognize upon those that call themselves followers of the Christ. Yield to the Holy Spirit allow him to mold you and transform you more and more into the image of Jesus.

If we are Honest ... Often ... When we are shopping, ...... we will look for name brands that we know. For brands ... that we ... trust. We often recognize those products ... by their trademarks ...... or by ... their ... logos. Companies spend millions of dollars on research ... in order that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-13, Ephesians 4:4, James 3:8-10, John 13:15, Matthew 20:26-28, Matthew 5:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

If I’ve Received Salvation, Why Do I Still Struggle? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 18, 2023

Romans 7 delves into the struggles we as Christians experience in this world: wanting to follow God yet often caught up in our sin nature. What does Paul teach us about how we are to look at that reality?

DEAD MAN WALKING: Dying with Christ is important because it means we’ve been freed. - Romans 7:1-4a. - Chapter 7 obviously flows from chapter 6. Last week in chapter 6 the big ideas we talked about were the (a) we are dead to sin and alive to Christ and (b) that we have to choose if we are going ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Examine Your Heart - Jeremiah 17:9-10 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 2, 2025

We live in a world that tells us to "follow our heart." But what if the heart we’re following is broken, bent toward sin, and far from God? What if the very core of our being—our heart—is deceitful and desperately wicked?

Go! And Examine Your Heart - Jeremiah 17:9-10 Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NLT): "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:9-10, Proverbs 16:2, Hebrews 4:13, Romans 3:23-24, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Psalm 51:10, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Seeking God's Approval, Not Man's. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Nov 24, 2024

As Christians, we often struggle with seeking approval from others. We desire to be liked, accepted, and praised by those around us.

As , Christians we often struggle with seeking approval from others. We desire to be liked, accepted, and praised by those around us. However, the Bible teaches us that our primary focus should be on seeking God's approval, not man's. Dangers of Seeking Man's Approval Seeking ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:25, 2 Corinthians 5:9

Know Yourself Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 27, 2026

If you want to live a meaningful life, then know yourself. That means rightly judge yourself and simply humble yourself by examining not only what you say and do; examine your own heart.

Two brothers had terrorized a small town for decades. They were unfaithful to their wives, abusive to their children, and dishonest in business. The younger brother died unexpectedly. The surviving brother went to the pastor of the local church. “I’d like you to conduct my brother’s funeral,” he ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-29, 1 Samuel 16:7, Jeremiah 17:9, Psalm 139:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical Free

"Far Above" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Sep 20, 2002

The power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead, raised Him...and us...far above all things. (#13 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)

Despite the Fall of man, or perhaps, because of the Fall, there has always existed in the human breast the desire ~ the need ~ to rise above one’s circumstances; outside of one’s own limitations. Whether it be for escape, or self-improvement, or just for adventure and a yearning to explore the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:21

Denomination: Orthodox

Turn The Motor Back On

Contributed by Brian Undlin on Jun 23, 2014

How we, (like the Galatian church) lose our power and joy, and how to get it back. We've all done it, allowed a "truth" other than Christ to become our focus and slowly lose the Holy Spirit's power.

Galatians. NLT Why do you expect God’s blessing on your life? (I asked them to write on a sermon guide) _____________________________________________________________________________________ ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Evangelism And Football Series

Contributed by William Jones on Oct 21, 2023

This morning we continue our study in Acts and we will be looking at Acts 17:16-31. In Our passage we see Paul and his band of missionaries and evangelist continue to share God’s Good News with the lost and continue to be persecuted for it

Evangelism and Football By Paul Dietz Evangelism and Football We are now in the midst of one the hottest seasons of the year. No, I'm not talking about the weather and its accompanying temperatures. After all we have just finished having our two weeks of “summer” this past week and autumn is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Choices That Change Us Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 16, 2023

Message 8 in an expositional series through Paul's "second" letter to the church in the ancient Greek city of Corinth where he defends his apostleship and corrects serious doctrinal errors within this young church.

The Brule River, which is on the border between Michigan and Wisconsin, flows for roughly 44 miles with clear, sparkling water. It is inhabited by an abundant population of speckled, rainbow, and brown trout. At one point the Iron River, muddy and thick with sediment of ore and clay, merges with ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your Shield And Reward Series

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Sep 4, 2025

Week 2: I AM Series - From Burning Bush to Bethlehem - When victories feel empty and fears overwhelm you at 3 AM, God offers something better than protection or blessings. He offers Himself completely.

Your Shield and Reward Week 2: I AM Series - From Burning Bush to Bethlehem Main Text: Genesis 15:1 Supporting Texts: Psalm 84:11, Ephesians 6:16 Introduction You lie awake at 3 AM. The house stays silent except for the refrigerator's hum, and your mind races despite your exhaustion. Last ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:9, Genesis 14:23, Genesis 15:1, Genesis 15:1-3, Genesis 15:2-3, Genesis 15:6, Numbers 18:20, Job 42:2, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 16:5, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 50:10, Psalm 84:11, Proverbs 18:24, Matthew 6:33, John 6:35, John 10:11, John 11:25, John 14:6, John 17:3, John 20:19, Acts 18:9, Romans 8:1, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Ephesians 1:3, Ephesians 6:16, Philippians 3:7-8, Hebrews 13:5, 1 Peter 1:4, 1 John 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hannah: A Mother's Day Message

Contributed by Christopher Arch on May 10, 2025

Topical Message for Mother's Day

Title: “Hannah’s Faith – A Mother’s Day Message” Scripture: I Samuel 1 Type: Special Message Where: GNBC 5-11-25 Intro: Mother's Day was first celebrated in the U.S. in 1908, as a result of the efforts of Anna Jarvis to honor her mother and to promote peace. It wasn't until 1914 that ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Anchored In The Eternal: Navigating Life's Changes With Steadfast Faith And Faithful Obedience

Contributed by Stanley Daniel on May 12, 2025

How one can navigate constant changes in our life with steadfast faith and faithful obedience, with the help of unchanging God using His unchanging Word

Good morning. It is truly a blessing to be together this morning, gathered as the body of Christ. We live in a world that is constantly shifting beneath our feet. From the moment we are born until our final breath, life is a relentless process of change. Think about it: our bodies grow and change; ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, James 1:22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ