Sermons on Self Improvement:

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

Finding Freedom From Yourself Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Feb 3, 2021

One of the greatest obstacles to you finding freedom in a world that seeks to bind you…. IS YOU!

Finding Freedom From Yourself One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. AND BTW MGCC - that is a really good thing to do at times. To leave the noise and the crowd (yeah, they’ll be fine without you) and to get alone with God. IN FACT – for some in this room that is exactly what you need to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Internal Affairs Series

Contributed by Aneel Aranha on Feb 9, 2021

All of us — every single one of us — is inwardly corrupt. How do we heal the corruption? [Watch video: https://youtu.be/TdZjy3sBoW4]

Scripture Reading: Mark 7:14-23 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” After he had left the crowd and entered the house, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:14-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let Us Consider One Another Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Jan 8, 2021

And what I want to talk with you about today is- spurs. I looked up the word to see exactly what it meant. And according to the dictionary it means a device with a small spike or a spiked wheel that is worn on a rider's heel and used for urging a horse forward.

Introduction Somewhere in a Hartson family photo album is a picture of me at the age of about three. In the picture, I have on my cowboy hat, cowboy shirt, my boots, short pants standing next to my spring action rocking horse. Now that I have grown up, I realize there are some photo flaws in that ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24

Denomination: Baptist

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

The Conditional Forgiveness Of God Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 29, 2018

The point is this–God will forgive any sin, any offense. Nothing will make Him so angry as not to forgive. Unless. Unless we come to that confession, to that communion, with an unforgiving heart.

Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost Extraordinary Form “So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you do not forgive–every one of you–forgive your brother from the heart.” From the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti, Amen. There are very few ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17, Matthew 18:23-35

Denomination: Catholic

No Condemnation

Contributed by John Oquinn on Oct 10, 2018

Role of the Spirit

The Roman church Paul wrote to was started by people who had witnessed the Day of Pentecost referenced in Acts. It was not led nor founded by any of the Disciples. Paul had hoped to meet with this church long before he was able to, & when he finally did, it was as a Roman prisoner. Peter did ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Light In The Spiritual Darkness Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 8, 2018

Our Lord forever is pouring out on us His grace and goodness so that we will learn to do the same thing for Him and for other people.

Feast of St. Lucy 2018 The constant temptation human beings face is to turn God’s intention for man upside down. Instead of us following the plan to be remade into God’s image, we are constantly trying the impossible. We attempt to remake God in our own image–venal and selfish and cruel and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:11-15, Isaiah 41:13-20

Denomination: Catholic

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

The Church At Laodicea Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Jan 20, 2017

The Church at Laodicea, a church, it seems, with no redeeming qualities. Luke warm, every church was commended for something, except the Laodicean church. Are we like the Laodicean church?

Revelation 3:14 - 22 I. Introduction A. The city of Laodicea was almost due East of Ephesus about 120 miles or so on a major trade route in Asia 1. The city was a banking center and so a very wealthy city a. The city was also the site of mineral springs which could only be tolerated if ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Baptist

Our Infinitely Great God Series

Contributed by David Welch on May 11, 2015

This the second in a series on the attributes of God focusing on self existence and eternity

Knowing God Series #2 “Our Infinitely Great God” Introduction Proverbs clearly declares that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. If you want more wisdom and understanding you MUST give attention to knowing God. Just like ...read more

Scripture: John 5:26-27

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What's Love Got To Do With It? (Part Five) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Oct 25, 2016

Last week I shared about what love had to do with overcoming fear. Today my focus will be on what love has to do with overcoming unforgiveness. We've all struggled with this one. Overcoming being hurt by someone can be difficult. Forgiveness takes love.

WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? (Part five) INTRODUCTION: Last week I shared about what love had to do with overcoming fear. We looked at 1st John 4:18 that states perfect love drives out fear. Today my focus will be on what love has to do with overcoming unforgiveness. Let’s face it-we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

The Cost Of Discipleship Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 12, 2020

Billy Graham used to say: "Salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you everything." That is an accurate expression of the teachings of Jesus on the cost of discipleship. In this sermon, we explore what it means to pay the cost of discipleship.

A. I like the old classic joke about the chicken and the pig who were talking about going into business. 1. The chicken says: “Hey Pig, we should open a restaurant.” The pig replies: “I’m not sure, what would we call it?” 2. The chicken answers: “What if we called it ‘Ham and Eggs’?” The pig ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-35, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:25-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ