Sermons on Self Improvement:

He Must Increase, I Must Decrease

Contributed by Randy Crawford on Apr 24, 2025

Every believer faces the battle of self—pride, ambition, and the longing for recognition. John the Baptist’s profound statement in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” cuts straight to the heart of what it means to follow Christ.

He Must Increase, I Must Decrease” Introduction: Every believer faces the battle of self—pride, ambition, and the longing for recognition. John the Baptist’s profound statement in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” cuts straight to the heart of what it means to follow Christ. In a ...read more

Scripture: John 3:30-35

When Anger Knocks

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Jun 10, 2025

You can be angry, but don’t let it turn into sin.

When Anger Knocks June 8, 2025 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: You can be angry, but don’t let it turn into sin. Focus Passage: Ephesians 4:26-27 Supplemental Passage: Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-27, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Proverbs 29:11

Denomination: Baptist

Holy But Haughty – The Trap Of Spiritual Pride Series

Contributed by Dr. John D. Wentworth on Jun 23, 2025

"Spiritual pride is the most dangerous of all religious diseases. It feeds on orthodoxy, grows in the shadows of ministry, and disguises itself as righteousness while it quietly kills humility." — Jonathan Edwards

Title: Holy but Haughty – The Trap of Spiritual Pride Text: Luke 18:9–14 (ESV) “ He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

House Of Mirrors Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Oct 14, 2025

God didn’t hide Judah’s story. He redeemed it. And He can redeem yours too. In fact this might be where God is just getting started in your life.

Today, we’re looking at a story in Genesis about Judah, the fourth son of Jacob (Israel) and great-grandson of Abraham. Last Sunday, we were studying Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son — so it may seem strange that Moses suddenly leaves the story of Joseph to tell us what’s happening in the life of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 38:6-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Regeneration

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 26, 2025

Regeneration is a divine transformation, not a human improvement. It is the work of the Holy Spirit that makes us new creations in Christ.

REGENERATION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Titus 3:5 (NIV) "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." Supporting Texts: John 3:3-5, Ezekiel 36:26, 2 Corinthians ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:5, John 3:3-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Work Out Your Salvation

Contributed by Jesse Bennett on Jan 4, 2009

Salvation by Faith and not by Works

Work out your savation Jesse Bennett Bible Baptist Church Galatians 2:15-3:5 Salvation is not by working hard 1) We know salvation is not by trying, but by trusting v. 16a Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works[trying] of the law, but by the faith[trusting] of Jesus ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Encouragement: Making Others Strong

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 23, 2005

As long as the church of Jesus Christ has the potential to improve, we need to be serious about encouraging others.

Encouragement: Making Others Strong 1. Why is it that many of us are into “approval addiction?” 2. Some of us need a lot of approval, whereas others needs less. But we all need it. Why? 3. The answer is simple: life is rough, and it tears away at our self-esteem. People, circumstances, our ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 1:38, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Getting Into The Game Series

Contributed by Tim White on Apr 16, 2012

Here is a story that was not content sitting on the sidelines and watching life go by. Despite his obstacles, he got into the game.

Getting Into The Game Of Life Mark 10:46-52 • “Well, beat the drum and hold the phone - the sun came out today! • “We’re born again, there’s new grass on the field. • “A-roundin’ third, and headed for home, it’s a brown-eyed handsome man; • “Anyone can understand the way I feel. • “Oh, put me in, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Denomination: Baptist

Drawing Near To God Series

Contributed by Lonnie Erwin on Nov 17, 2015

James primary reason for writing his book was to bring Christians closer to God. He has illustrated the pitfalls and blessings for the Christian who desire to develop a closer relationship to getting closer to God by avoiding the pitfalls.

James primary reason for writing his book was to bring Christians closer to God. He has illustrated the pitfalls and blessings for the Christian who desire to develop a closer relationship to getting closer to God by avoiding the pitfalls and our Christian character. Bookstore shelves are full of ...read more

Scripture: James 4:8-17

Denomination: Baptist

Road Construction

Contributed by Evelyn Weston on Dec 3, 2003

Advent 2C: God wants to build (or improve) the road between our hearts and God.

Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ. Have you ever noticed the differences between old roads and new roads? The condition of the pavement-- or the lack of it, how straight the road is, if it’s in a hilly area, how steep the terrain. All can be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Leave The Old Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 14, 2015

Ephesians 4 presents ... a divine wardrobe which will really change one’s life...a heavenly, eternal style which will never go out of date — a wardrobe which wears increasingly better with time.

If you have been abroad, you know there is a worldwide fascination with fashion. Whether you travel to Chicago or London or Geneva or Beijingor Nairobi, you find fashion-conscious people making fashion statements. Much of this lure comes from fashion’s enticing promise of a “new ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-19

Denomination: Other

Jesus Foretells His Death Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 24, 2017

FROM THIS POINT ON, JESUS HAS SET HIS FACE TO GO TO JERUSALEM, WHERE THE CROSS IS WAITING. IN THESE VERSES HE SPEAKS OF HIS DEATH AND THE COMMITMENT THAT HIS DISCIPLES MUST MAKE TO FOLLOW HIM.

-AD 29- Caesarea Philippi Lesson: Jesus Foretells His Death Matthew 16:21-26, Mark 8:31-37, Luke 9:22-25 FROM THIS POINT ON, JESUS HAS SET HIS FACE TO GO TO JERUSALEM, WHERE THE CROSS IS WAITING. IN THESE VERSES HE SPEAKS OF HIS DEATH AND THE COMMITMENT THAT HIS DISCIPLES MUST MAKE TO FOLLOW ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-26, Mark 8:31-37, Luke 9:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

Chutes And Ladders Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 21, 2015

We want to be a disciplined people, and we want to be wary of the destructive evils that we find so easy to embrace. Discipline is like a ladder that slowly leads us upward; foolishness is a chute that can make us drop quickly.

Chutes and Ladders Proverbs 23:15-35 1.These are actual complaints received from dissatisfied customers by Thomas Cook Vacations (based on a Thomas Cook/ABTA survey): a. "It's lazy of the local shopkeepers in Puerto Vallarta to close in the afternoons. I often needed to buy things during 'siesta' ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:15-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Does Jesus Think About "I Have To Find Myself"? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 8, 2013

An examination of what it means to "deny yourself and take up your cross."

JESUS' OPINION: Jesus says the path to life is not in “finding yourself” but in “denying yourself.” - Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34. - I’m thinking of the stereotypical statement that is so common that it’s almost a cliché: “I’ve got to go find ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24

Denomination: Baptist

World Changers

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 7, 2013

A world changer is known not for what he gives up, but for what he takes up. Will you take up the challenge to be a world changer OR who just changes his clothes every day to look good?

Opening illustration: John, do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water, or do you want a chance to change the world?” That was the challenge Steve Jobs issued in 1983 to John Sculley, then president of Pepsi-Cola. Mr. Jobs was the creative genius behind Apple Computer. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:17-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational