Sermons on Self Improvement:

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

The Importance Of Kindness In A Believer's Life PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 5, 2024

This sermon explores kindness as a cornerstone of Christian living, deeply embedded in love, and vividly exemplified in Jesus's ministry.

Good morning, beloved family of God. We gather here today, under the banner of His love, to reflect and learn about a virtue that is as timeless as it is transformative. A virtue that weaves through the tapestry of our faith, knitting together the teachings of the Old Testament with the revelations ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4, Luke 8:40-56

Topics: Kindness, Self-Kindness, Others

A Pharisee And Tax Collector Pray Together PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 12, 2025

True acceptance with God comes not from self-righteousness or comparison, but from humble confession and receiving the mercy and love found in Jesus Christ.

Some of us walked in today with a smile on our face and a scoreboard in our heart. You know the scoreboard I mean—the quiet tally of how we’re doing compared to others, the inner itch to be seen as enough, the nervous need to be noticed and approved. We measure our worth by the week we had, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Topics: Humility, Exaltation, Self-Righteousness

Tell It Not In Gath

Contributed by Abiodun Adeniyi on Apr 22, 2025

I was born a Muslim and one thing I have noticed between the two religions( Christianity and Islam) is this: In Islam there is espirit décor, the spirit of brotherhood/ brotherhood is not in Christianity rather we look for means of bringing ourselves down

TELL IT NOT IN GATH, PUBLISH IT NOT IN THE STREET OF ASKELON. Text: 2. Sam. 1:17-27. And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: 18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.) 19 The beauty of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:11-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

The Problem Of Anger

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jan 23, 2023

This is a spiritual teaching in the midst of a social-psycho-spiritual course taught at the mission to which our church is attached.

I finally got around to watching the film Inside/Out last night with my wife. There are some strong characters in the film - namely the emotions that seem to rule over Riley at different times in the story. I thought we could look at a few of those characters over the next few weeks and reflect ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:32, Proverbs 21:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Art Thou

Contributed by David Parks on Nov 4, 2024

Many of the most profound questions ever proposed and answered are found in the Bible.

ANSWERS TO LIFE’S GREATEST QUESTIONS “WHERE ART THOU” TEXT: Genesis 3: INTRODUCTION: 1. Many of the most profound questions ever proposed and answered are found in the Bible. 2. Cain Asked the famous question, Genesis 4:9 (ESV) Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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

Encouragement: Making Others Strong

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 12, 2015

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 (2015 Revision of an earlier sermon already posted) 1. We are often discuouraged. 2. There is an old story about a pastor leaving a church. At his farewell dinner, he tried to encourage one of the pillar members, “Don’t be so sad. The next pastor ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 1:38

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

Turn From Your Selfish Ways

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Nov 20, 2012

I. EXORDIUM: Anyone can easily deny CHRIST, but is it also true in denying ourselves? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show denying ourselves is to prepare us for better rewards. IV. TEXT: Luke 9:23 (New Living Tra

I. EXORDIUM: Anyone can easily deny CHRIST, but is it also true in denying ourselves? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show denying ourselves is to prepare us for better rewards. IV. TEXT: Luke 9:23 (New Living Translation, Second Edition) Then he said to the crowd, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Denomination: Pentecostal

We Need A New Nature Series

Contributed by David Lange on Sep 16, 2013

Our nature became corrupted through Adam. We are totally depraved and in need of a Savior!

WE NEED A NEW NATURE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS TRUTH IS BROKEN DOWN INTO TWO POINTS 1. OUR NATURE BECAME CORRUPTED THROUGH ADAM When God made Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden, he stated that all of His creation was “very good” (Gen 1:31), so how can humans now be considered corrupt? ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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