Sermons on Self Improvement:

"the World’s Smallest But Largest Troublemaker."

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Aug 30, 2021

"The World’s Smallest but largest Troublemaker." James 3 verses 1-11 – sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Instruction (vs 1-2). (2). Explanation (vs 3-5). (3). Illustrations (vs 3-5). (4). Application (vs 6). (5). Clarification (vs 7-12). SERMON BODY: Ill: • Did you know that the average person spends one-fifth of his or her life talking? • That’s what the statistics say. ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-11

Denomination: Brethren

You’re Asking Too Much.

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Sep 11, 2021

God expects us to take up our cross. What is that cross He is asking us to carry?

Sermon Title: You’re asking too much. Scripture Text: Mark 8:27-38 ILLUSTRATION: Several years ago I read a story written by a preacher in the Philippine Islands. One day he was passing a large church on Good Friday when he spotted many selling incense, candles, veils and rosaries. He also ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

Made By God

Contributed by Brian Williams on Aug 19, 2024

The scriptures encourage us to view our bodies the way God does as fearfully and wonderfully made, to live our lives aligned with the way God created us to live and glorify Him with our bodies.

Have you ever thought about how, why, and to what degree we as human beings place value on things, whether the object is a person, idea, behavior, piece of art, other? There is something called the Value Theory which basically states that we place a value on something based on how “good” it is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 6, 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 13, 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

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

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

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