Sermons on Self Improvement:

What Does It Mean To Count The Cost Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 30, 2013

A look at what it means to "count the cost" and why that's so essential. This message calls down the cheap gospel presentations that we so often make that have no mention in them of what it actually means to follow Jesus.

CHEAP FAITH: Too often we offer salvation that’s straight from the discount bin. - Luke 14:28-32. - Our approach to evangelism is too often to present salvation as a low-cost, no-commitment offer. All you need to do is say you believe in Jesus! That’s it! There’s no mention of the need for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:28-33

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

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

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

Dealing With Practical Christian Living Series

Contributed by William D. Brown on Mar 30, 2014

~Paul tells the believers in Colossi to love heavenly things; set your hearts and minds on things above --

#8~Col. 3:1-11 ~IN THIS CHAPTER, PAUL BEGINS DEALING WITH PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN LIVING~ 1-12-14 We'll be in chapter 3: today, but to help us get connected back up with our thought line let's read: ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Life Worth Dying For Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jul 15, 2014

Part two of series living for Christ of living a life worth dying for. Living for Christ and willing to die for Christ.

Life worth dying for Philippians chapter 1:13-1:30 Introduction- Last week we looked at being in Christ And Christ being in you. That the joy we seek and the joy we have is not based upon your circumstances, or what success you have at the moment. We saw that there are many fair-weather ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

Denomination: Nazarene

Love Yourself Series

Contributed by Rodney Barlow on Feb 29, 2016

We are commanded to love God with everything we have and we are commanded to love our neighbor, but tucked in between that thought is to love ourselves. This lesson will help you love yourself in Godly fashion.

Love Yourself Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:39

Denomination: Pentecostal

Approval Or Achievement Series

Contributed by Ken Ritz on Mar 1, 2016

Part 3 of a series on the life of Jacob

Approval or Achievement? Dying To Self, Part 3 If you have your bible turn to Genesis 29 We’ve been looking for the last couple weeks at the life of Jacob, and one of the things we saw is that God uses conflicted, complicated people, which is a good thing because all of us are ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Men Of Honor Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 9, 2016

Real respect comes not in the palace, but in the place of selfless, sacrificial service.

A man was talking to his friends about their last child leaving home and coping with the empty-nest syndrome. He said, “The worst part about it is, that since the children left, my wife started treating me like a child. He complained, “When we go to the grocery store and I reach for ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-30

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Take Up Your Cross And Follow Jesus Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on May 3, 2014

Jesus' teaching on discipleship in Luke 9:23-27 shows us what is involved in being a disciple of Jesus.

Scripture We have come to what one commentator called “a turning point in Luke’s Gospel.” In the first part of his Gospel, Luke demonstrated the identity of Jesus. Then Peter, on behalf of the twelve disciples, confessed Jesus as the Christ (9:18-20). From this point on now Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Expending Patience Wisely

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 4, 2016

Patience is difficult for us all, but if we develop certain good habits, it makes a big difference. Often times patience simply means delaying anger or refusing to rush to a conclusion or action.

Expending Patience Wisely 1. Someone has contrasted the good and bad of patience, “Patience: The quality you admire in the driver behind you but can’t stand in the driver who’s in front of you.” 2. Someone else illustrated patience this way: “When you're being yelled ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Perceive And Practice The Implanted Word Series

Contributed by David Welch on May 15, 2018

Message 12 in our journey through James. This message focuses on James' instruction to both hear and practice the word God implants in you prepared soil.

Chico Alliance Church Pastor David Welch “Perceive and Practice the Implanted Truth” This is our twelfth outing in front of God’s faith-exposing mirror. James’ letter provides pointed instruction evaluating the true nature of our faith. It resembles a mirror that exposes the depths of our soul ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-25, 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7, John 8:31-32

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Do Everything Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Feb 24, 2020

We all struggle with a "dual nature." We sort of like Bannon/The Hulk from the movies and comic books. It doesn't take much to move us away from Christ-likeness to self-interest and rebellion.

You can listen to this sermon on my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/2134049 Do Everything  Intro: • Jekyll & Hyde, The Hulk o Book cover o Jekyll/Hyde illustration o Bannon/Hulk o Bannon/Hulk meld • Stories like these illuminate the struggle in all of us. Good vs. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Under The Mercy

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Aug 27, 2020

We're all sinners, saved only by the great mercy of God.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 (Greet the congregation with “Good morning, saints.” After they reply, greet them again with “Good morning, sinners.” They’ll probably miss a beat before replying, but the point will be made.) We’re both saints and sinners, aren’t we? We’re saints seeking God, and sinners ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17