Sermons on Self Improvement:

Why The Lord Withdraws

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 30, 2022

Sometimes we can become prideful and overconfident in our own abilities, which is sin; and so, God will hide His face from us (Isaiah 59:2). The Lord will hide from us in order to gain our attention and cause us to cling to Him.

One day a mother was out shopping with her son. Every time she took him shopping with her she couldn’t keep him by her side. As soon as she would turn her back, the boy would wander off somewhere, though keeping his mother in sight the entire time. She would then have to go and retrieve him. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 32:27-31

Denomination: Baptist

Satan Uses Religion

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 30, 2022

Satan uses hypocrisy, fratricide, and self righteousness to misdirect and misfocus the Christian (Adapted from a book by Joe Beam called "Seeing the Unseen")

HoHum: Does Satan go to church? I know he does. Yes, the spiritual forces of evil are here but mostly they work through people. Imagine Simon Peter’s surprise when this happened: “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; you do not have in mind the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:28, Matthew 12:25, Luke 18:11-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Happens After We Are "cut To The Heart"? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 20, 2019

Why does our human frailty hesitate to believe that mankind will one day live with God?

Tuesday of Easter Week 2019 In Monday of Holy Week, the Divine Office gives us a snippet from one of St. Augustine’s sermons. He asks, “Why does our human frailty hesitate to believe that mankind will one day live with God?” Christ gave us the gift of His own death, so why would He not in love ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-41, John 20:11-18

Denomination: Catholic

A Christmas Message: Peace Of God

Contributed by Sunitha Justin on Dec 20, 2021

Christmas, or coming of Jesus into the world, brought us peace in three ways. 1. Jesus brought us peace with God. 2. Jesus brought us peace with our own self. 3. Jesus brought us peace with others

The Hebrew word for peace is Shalom. Shalom is used as salutation by Jewish people at meeting or parting, meaning ‘peace’. Shalom means peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquillity. Shalom doesn’t mean ‘absence of problems’ or ‘absence of trouble’. Rather, the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1, Isaiah 53:5, John 14:27, John 16:33, Philippians 4:7, Romans 12:18, Acts 24:16, Colossians 3:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Where Is He?

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Dec 30, 2021

Have you found Him? Do you know Him? What place does Christ Jesus have in your life, in your world? Where is He?

Where Is He? – Matthew 2: 1 - 12 Intro: It was Christmas time and two children decided they were going to do their own version of a Christmas pageant using their cat as the baby Jesus. They wrapped the cat in “swaddling clothes” and put it in a doll cradle. Anyone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It's All About Me Series

Contributed by Kerry O'neill on Mar 9, 2010

We live in a "me centered" world and that creeps into the church and I try to make spiritual things about what I want.

Allow me to begin with a little test. (I did an illusion called "What Next" where the dots on a card change and the audience is fooled.) Isn't it true that our eyes play tricks on us and we can be easily deceived? Here are some Bible passages that warn us of this. 2 Corinthians 11:2-4 2I am ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Goes In, Must Come Out

Contributed by Jason Winters on Aug 7, 2010

We have heard garbage in garbage out; well, God in us equals God coming out.

What goes In Must Come Out On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." John 7:37-38 (NIV) What ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Wanted: Dead And Alive

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 15, 2014

Things should become different in our lives once we renounce our former life of sin and selfishness. Our union with Christ enables us to live our lives completely for Him.

Wanted: Dead and Alive Romans 6:1-13 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

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

Bankrupt Or Rich?

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Apr 12, 2019

This is the 13th sermon in the "Accounting" series from the Book of Ephesians.

Series: Accounting [#13] BANKRUPT OR RICH? Ephesians 4:17-24 Introduction: Statistics show that 80% of millionaires earned the money themselves. Only 20% of millionaires inherited the money. Many of those who earned the money started with nothing. 2nd generation millionaires tend to not end up ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Transformed By Truth: The Power Of Listening And Self-Control James 1:19-20 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 16, 2024

James 1:19-20 imparts invaluable wisdom on the virtues of listening and self-control, qualities that can profoundly impact our spiritual growth and relationships.

Transformed by Truth: The Power of Listening and Self-Control James 1:19-20 Introduction: Today, we explore the transformative power of truth as we dive into James 1:19-20. This passage imparts invaluable wisdom on the virtues of listening and self-control, qualities that can profoundly impact our ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20, Proverbs 18:13, Proverbs 19:20, Luke 8:18, Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 17:27-28, Ecclesiastes 5:2, Proverbs 14:29, Ephesians 4:26-27, Proverbs 16:32  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Attracted To God’s Goodness

Contributed by Efren V. Narido on Apr 13, 2024

What could we observe on the person, who has been exposed or being drawn to a unique and higher level of experience – being attracted to God’s Goodness?

“When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 14:14-24

Denomination: Baptist

Your Discipleship - Conclusion Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 12, 2023

Repent; first, change the mind/attitude, then change actions.

“If anyone desires to be My disciples let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23, ELT 1. The word to change everything – if: a. Not impossible. b. Expected or unexpected? c. But possible – Athens vs. Sparta – determination. 2. Root word for disciple, Mathetes, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:22, Luke 5:11, John 14:20

Denomination: Baptist