Sermons on Self Improvement:

Dumb Dogs Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 14, 2013

Jesus is not impressed with the outward trappings of self-righteousness. He is impressed with a heart full of simple faith, which we find most often in the hearts of those we least expect. So like Jesus feed the "dogs" and touch the "dumb."

Dumb Dogs (Mark 7:24-37) I like this thought posted by Mike Atkinson in his daily email humor list some time ago. "If you can start the day without caffeine; if you can get going without pep pills; if you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains; if you can resist complaining and boring ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Evangelical Free

03 Valley Of Sickness Series

Contributed by Darren Rogers on Feb 21, 2009

How do you react when you find yourself in the Valley of Sickness - most of us just feel sorry for ourselves, Paul shows us how to react...

The Valley Of Sickness – 22nd February 2009 am John 11:1-15 Another of the greatest of valleys that a Christian goes through is that of sickness. Prolonged sickness or infirmity is a devastating valley because of its negative effect upon our spiritual walk with the Lord. There are many false ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Change That Comes With Church Growth

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Mar 10, 2009

A shorter midweek message that might help other churches in dealing with some of the potential problems they must deal with in growing from a very small to a medium sized church in a short period of time.

We all have choices in life. Some choices lead us into good times, while others will lead us into bad times. And considering that we are free to make whichever choice we want, we should be very careful and use much wisdom, because most choices, good or bad, have far reaching consequences that we ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: *other

Sometimes We Think We Know Better Than The Lord

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 18, 2009

A sermon on the Cross-centered life.

Mark 8:31-38 “Sometimes We Think WE Know Better Than The Lord” by: Rev. Ken Sauer, Pastor of Grace UMC, Soddy Daisy, TN www.graceumcsd.org History is filled with examples of women and men who, by throwing away their lives, gained life eternal. Late in the 4th Century there was a certain monk ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: United Methodist

The Tyranny Of Mine Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 9, 2011

We claim our kingdoms and possessions and call them "mine." God lays claim to all and calls us to acknowledge it as his.

Matthew 21:33-46 "The Tyranny of Mine" INTRODUCTION Two friends were walking in the forest one day when suddenly they stumbled upon a large grizzly bear who decided that they looked like a good snack. The two started running away when all of a sudden one of them stopped. The other said, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Lutheran

Young King Solomon Was Wise Enough To Know He Was Stupid!

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jun 10, 2012

What is it we ask God for; is it out of selfish motives or out of what God wants?

I wonder what motivates us as individuals and as a congregation? I remember doing a Kiwi Host course about twenty years ago and I found out that eight percent of the population wake up every morning motivated by the one thought on their minds and that thought is “whose life can I make ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:1-15

Denomination: Salvation Army

Smacking Yourself Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Nov 5, 2012

Exposition of 1 Timothy

Text: Matt 4:18-20, Title: Weigh In or Filet Out, Date/Place: NRBC, 9/9/12, AM Opening illustration: Note the difference between the big time “rock star” fisherman at a tournament, and the guy who hits the pond early in the morning on his day off. “I have to be frank with you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7

Denomination: Baptist

You Might Be A Pharisee

Contributed by George Durham on Dec 9, 2012

Luke 11: 37-52; Warning for those who are very religious but not truly spiritual.

You Might Be A Pharisee If...Lk11:37-52 Who Were The Pharisees ? Jewish Separatists. Only One Way Of Doing Things....And It Was There Way. Aloof And Arrogant. Believed In Traditions, And Rituals That They Created As Much As They Did The Word Of God. Believed ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-52

Denomination: United Methodist

Lust & Chastity Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 12, 2012

A Christian view of sexuality. Lust happens when attraction becomes an overpowering factor in one's life. Chastity is a positive lifestyle marked by self-control.

A cartoon depicts two guys in Hell, and one says to the other: “I was under the impression that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” All of the deadly sins we’ve been studying are distorted or excessive attachments to good things. We make them bad. When life revolves around ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Denomination: Congregational

Nt Survey - 2 Corinthians, Christian Maturity Series

Contributed by Paul Zeron on Oct 9, 2013

Serving self lies at the rood of immaturity and impedes our spiritual growth

As we move along in our survey of the books of the New Testament, we come to the book of 2 Corinthians. The theme of 2 Corinthians is opposite of the theme of 1 Corinthians. To understand 2 Corinthians you have to know that when Paul wrote his first letter to them, he was not happy. The entire ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

"Be Real"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 26, 2013

A sermon about authenticity.

Luke 18:9-14 "Be Real" So, who are you, really? I'm not talking about the person who appears to have everything perfectly under control, or the persona who has been created, layer-by-layer, through the painful, embarrassing or shameful experiences of life... ...the protective shield we build ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: United Methodist

An Introduction To 2nd Timothy. Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Sep 2, 2012

An introduction to 2nd Timothy. (Powerpoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: Background of the letter Purpose of the letter Introduction to the letter Four influences on Timothy: *1st Influence: His Family (VS 5) *2nd Influence: The Apostle Paul (VS 3-4) *3rd Influence: A Gift From God (VS 6) *4th Influence: Timothy’s Dedication (VS 7) SERMON ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:1-7

Denomination: Brethren

Money Matters Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Sep 2, 2012

In this message we will look at the topic of money and why it is important to have some guardrails in place. Otherwise you might go over a cliff.

Money Matters Matthew 6:24-31 As a seminary student part of my course study was in pastoral counseling. I remember one of my professors who told us this one day: he said one day you will be out there in a church doing marriage counseling and you are going to see couples who will come in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Next Generation Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 8, 2013

The Christian, and especially the elder of the church, is engaged in a lifelong campaign. He must prepare the next generation to enter into the conflict.

“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Unless...

Contributed by Jarrod Jones on Jun 19, 2013

Unless you “die” there will be no new life in you, or through you.

Intro “Who ever said following Jesus was boring? (“Themes” of John 12): Jesus basically said, “Unless you die, there will be no new life in you, or through you.” Unless you die to self, then _____________.” Who will miss out, who will suffer, who will ...read more

Scripture: John 12:23-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational