Sermons on Self Improvement:

"A Father's Gift" Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on May 23, 2008

A father’s day sermon, stressing the importance of father’s being involved, so that their sons and daughters can find security, value and self esteem, and thus transfer love for their earthly father to their heavenly father.

In Jesus Holy Name June 15th , 2008 Text: Luke 8:40-42,54-53 Redeemer “A Father’s Gift” The story of Jairus is a wonderful story about a father’s love for his daughter. His daughter was about 12 years old and she was dying. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:40-52, Mark 8:40-53

Denomination: Lutheran

This Man Receives Sinners

Contributed by Timothy Shumer on Apr 28, 2002

The self-righteous religious rulers of Jesus’ day didn’t want much to do with sinners - but that was precisely the point of Jesus coming to earth! They wouldn’t receive sinners, but Jesus would ~ and He did! Will you?

The custom of the family visiting around the dinner table = Perhaps a lost art + Some = My family = Enjoyed visiting during meals = But also after, living room + And then we would play cards and that’s when the real visiting began + Some = My wife’s family = Loved to linger at the table after the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

False Faith/Counterfeit Christianity

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 15, 2005

Simon the sorcerer is an illustration of Counterfeit Christianity or false faith. It begins with a false self perception, and foolish pride. Trying to show folks that the rituals we use in the church do not save, instead it is the life changing presence

Intro: Online Encyclopedia, Wikipedia this to say about Counterfits “Today the finest counterfeit banknotes are claimed to be U.S. dollar bills produced in North Korea, which are used to finance the North Korean government, among other uses. The fake North Korean copies are called Superdollars ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-25

Denomination: Baptist

Supersize Me!

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Mar 12, 2006

In order to avoid the trap of self-indulgence, we need to: 1. Reject the spirit of entitlement and embrace a spirit of gratitude. 2. Reject excess and move toward moderation. 3. Reject the temporal and focus on the eternal.

Two years ago Morgan Spurlock created a film documentary called Supersize Me, which won several international film awards. It was based on an experiment to see what would happen if he would eat nothing but McDonald’s fast food for one month. He had three rules for this experiment: 1. During the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-11

Denomination: Methodist

God Leads To Abundance

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Feb 3, 2007

1. God has a wonderful plan for your life. 2. He wants to free you from sin and self-destructive addictions 3. God wants to take you to the land of abundance right now.

“Entering the Promised land” July 10, 2005 “Two of the spies, Joshua (the son of Nun), and Caleb (the son of Jephunneh), … said to all the people, "It is a wonderful country ahead, and the Lord loves us. He will bring us safely into the land and give it to us. It is very fertile, a land ’flowing ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:6-9

Denomination: Holiness

When Sensitivity Is Dulled Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 17, 2004

Where does interpersonal insensitivity come from? Ignorance, alienation from God, loss of feeling, destructive self-absorption. How can sensitivity be regained? Learn, learn Christ, let the relationship govern, be renewed.

There has been an accident. You’ve been hit hard, and you cannot lift that leg. They examine you, they flex your muscles, they look for broken bones. If the condition persists, they may stick pins into the soles of your feet. They are trying to find out whether you can feel anything. They are ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is Your Treasure

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Aug 6, 2007

(The Parable Of The Rich Fool) The Folly of the Fool 1. Could not see beyond Himself 2. Could not see beyond this life The Wisdom of God 1. Sees Beyond Self 2. Sees Beyond This World

Introduction: • A wise old man put up a sign on a vacant piece of property he owned that read, “I will give this lot to anyone who is really satisfied.”A wealthy man read it as he rode by and said to himself, “Since this old man is going to give this piece of land away, I might as well have it as ...read more

Denomination: Orthodox

The Whole Secret Of Strength

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 21, 2003

Ordination sermon, involving a play on the names of Samson in the Bible and Sampson, the ordinand, an entertainer, puppeteer, and beauty pageant winner. The whole secret of strength is in using the gifts God has given for ministry and not for one’s self.

The world didn’t give it, and the world can’t take it away. Isn’t that what we sing. I’m not so sure. What do you think? The world didn’t give it? I agree. That’s true. But the world can’t take it away? I am not at all sure. We are here today because Yolanda Sampson has heard the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:4-30, Hebrews 12:12

Denomination: Baptist

Available For Liberation Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 5, 2003

When God called Moses to the task of liberating a people, Moses felt self-doubt, uncertainty about God, and unreadiness. Actually these are positive values that will lead us as American Christians to take our place in the world.

How do you feel about eager volunteers? What’s your reaction to the kind of person who is always ready to step up to the plate and take a swing at some issue? How do you really feel about those who quickly volunteer when something needs to be done? Maybe you remember what it was like to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-14, Exodus 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Leaky Disciples

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 17, 2008

Dated 1988; post-revival message. We do not retain the Spirit after a period of excitement because we have not counted the cost, we are victims of low self-esteem, or we are not our own persons.

Nothing is more annoying than to be trying to transport some liquid in a leaky vessel. You think you’ve got whatever it is all secure and ready for use, and then all of a sudden you find out it has leaked and drained allover the place ... and nothing is more disturbing and frustrating. When I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Baptist

Creative Communion

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Jul 9, 2010

Communion is always a special day at church. Every time we share it, it is a sacred day of self-examination and spiritual closeness. This week’s communion was more wonderful than I’ve experienced before.

Communion is always a special day at church. It is one of only two ordinances that separate the church from other spiritual organizations. Every time we share it, it is a sacred day of self-examination and spiritual closeness. This week’s communion was more wonderful than I’ve experienced ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:26-29

Denomination: Baptist

Dating God!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Aug 19, 2013

Dating God requires you to be ‘all’ for Him! Opening up our activities, computer, inbox, facebook, mobile, cupboards, to the entire, close scrutiny of God will require self denial and total surrender!

Dating God! Hebrews 10:22”let us draw near [TO GOD] with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Boy! The title is so powerful that I am a bit shaky as to how to begin! I can never write this ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Back To Bethel Series

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Dec 31, 2014

WHERE ARE YOU PRE-BETHEL Life a mess, running from self BETHEL Coming to Christ POST-BETHEL Drifted away PENIEL Messed up again… Wrestling with God Come back to Bethel

BACK TO BETHEL “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob [“deceiver”]? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my b1essing!" You know the story… how the younger, wimpier, momma’s boy stole the birthright and blessing from his ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

A Psalm Sunday Journey

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Jun 24, 2015

We all need to take our own Palm Sunday Journey; not to a physical Cross, but to purposely go to Calvary on the inside, and die to self-rule, so that we can live in the Lord's power and HIs direction.

A Palm Sunday JOURNEY Palm Sunday 2015 Eric J. Hanson INTRODUCTION (Read John 12:1-19) The reason Jesus came into Jerusalem on that Sunday long ago was not to get a thrill. He did not come into the capital city in order to set up an Earthly kingdom while his popularity was peaking and he had ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discipline

Contributed by Neal Gracey on Oct 28, 2017

Have you ever eaten all your popcorn before the movie started? I have! It’s called no self-discipline. There is something to be said about butter and salt on a fluffy kernel of no taste; Yummy.

Happy “Disciplined” Weekend, Everyone! Have you ever eaten all your popcorn before the movie started? I have! It’s called no self-discipline. There is something to be said about butter and salt on a fluffy kernel of no taste; Yummy. Admit it, you have something in your life that just overpowers ...read more

Denomination: Baptist