Sermons on Self Improvement:

Not Mere Converts But True Disciples Series

Contributed by Sandeep Samson on Apr 28, 2025

The modern church often celebrates decisions for Christ—countless altar calls, baptism numbers, and professions of faith. But is this what Jesus ultimately asked for? The Great Commission: A Call to Discipleship, Not Just Conversion!

The modern church often celebrates decisions for Christ—countless altar calls, baptism numbers, and professions of faith. But is this what Jesus ultimately asked for? Did He commission His followers to make converts or disciples? A closer look at Scripture reveals a profound distinction between the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, James 2:17, Luke 9:23, Philippians 3:8-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Tax Collector And The Pharisee

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 21, 2002

Self righteousness and a critical, judgmental spirit usually go together. Why? Because self righteousness is a zero-sum game.

Over the next few weeks we’ll be looking at some of the parables of our Lord. A parable is a fictional story told to illustrate a spiritual reality. Jesus told many of them. As a preacher, He knew that what people often remember best about a sermon are the illustrations. He understood that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Free To Be Nothing

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Apr 26, 2002

God’s way of "self-fulfillment" goes against the grain of our culture of Self, and allows us to be Free to Be Nothing.

Free to Be Nothing TCF Sermon February 3, 2002 Philip. 2:1-8 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Live In The Image Of God"

Contributed by Jay Mcphearson on Mar 19, 2004

¡§The key to an honest and accurate self image is knowing the basis of our self worth ¡V our identity in Christ.¡¨

A college student who had always lived in the city was visiting a ranch in Arkansas. He was fascinated by all the animals. He had never seen so many before so it wasn¡¦t unusual when He blurted out, ¡§What an unusual looking cow. Why doesn¡¦t she have any horns?¡¨ The rancher explained, ¡§Well, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

No Co-Dependency

Contributed by Bob Ashcraft on May 29, 2001

Co-dependency means anything that aids you in self-destructive behavior. The worst self-destructive behavior is not trusting God!

No Co-Dependency!  Many of us have grown up learning to “pull ourselves up by our boot-straps”  We have been taught that, “God helps those… who help themselves.”  “When the going gets tough,… the Tough get going.”  These may sound good, but really are unbiblical and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34, Jeremiah 7:5-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Identity Question

Contributed by Ejike Monwuba on Nov 28, 2007

Identity crisis can lead a person to self-pity, self-abasement, suicide or even to copy or compare himself with others.

THE IDENTITY QUESTION TEXT: EXODUS 3: 11 - “And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Illustration: A furious Father in a moment of rage and anger called his four-year-old son(Jude) a goat because the boy ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:11

Denomination: Pentecostal

How Much Will You Risk In Worship?

Contributed by Scott Bradford on Aug 13, 2010

This sermon is about overcoming the the self controlling, self containment of worship to let oneself fully experiance a closeness of worship with God!

Michal, became embarrassed at King David’s dance. David responds “I’ll become even more undignified than this”. Michal is embarrassed by the manner in which her husband worshipped. Maybe we can ask ourselves: What Christian worship practices or styles of worship embarrass ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:12-23

Denomination: United Methodist

Christian Toolbox Basics

Contributed by Jim Twamley on Apr 2, 2003

I like to think that every Christian is born again with a spiritual toolbox. In your Christian toolbox are some basic tools. We all need to become experts in using these tools if we want to become mature Christians.

CHRISTIAN TOOLBOX BASICS Let me see the hands of everyone who has a toolbox. (interview people “What do you have in your toolbox?” - (next person) “Do you have anything different in your toolbox?” “Why do you have a toolbox?” “What would your life be like without your tools?”) I like to ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-5, James 5:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Breaking Bondages

Contributed by Kurt Heisey on May 31, 2002

For bondages to be broken we must deal with sin: that we have committed and that which has been committed against us, then we can be free.

Breaking Bondages VCC August 19, 2000 Intro:God Wants Us Free! Last week we saw the importance of dealing with sin issues. Acts 10:38,39 -- “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:18-19, Acts 10:38-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being In Awe Of God Series

Contributed by Brad Henry on Dec 9, 2011

How to stop living in fear and worry in this world by trying not to get too comfortable here in this earth.

We had been given a gift to go the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC to go on a Rope Course and Zip Line. First of all you get into a harness which feels like you are a two year old that has just gotten into trouble for the 20th time. Now you are on a leash, a short leash. The rope course is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:29-31

Are We Becoming A Dead Church

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on Mar 1, 2012

Paul writes that in order to live for God, we must first die to sin and then die to self.

Are We Becoming a Dead Church Romans 6: 11-14 Intro: Back in the early 1990’s there was a movie that came out about the Jamaican bobsled team that was trying to qualify to race in the Olympics. Now I know that sounds much like an oxymoron but it’s true. There was a Jamaican bobsled team. I don’t ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

God Operates Value Village, Not The Landfill

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 6, 2009

For Senior Adult Sunday: There are legitimate concerns about aging; but there are also those who would prey on the elderly. God is our ultimate refuge and the protector of those who are to be valued, not thrown away.

If it’s old, it has to go. That used to be the message. In the years after World War II, once we got our economy back on a peacetime basis, we all wanted only new things. Bright, shiny, new. And so, if it’s old, it has to go. Do you remember? Do you remember, if you go back that far, how, during ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 71:4-12

Denomination: Baptist

Ignorance Is Bliss -- Not!

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 14, 2009

First Baptist Church of Gaithersburg, MD: We avoid too much information because we know we will have to respond. Some escape into private piety; some escape from knowing themselves. But true bliss comes from knowing how to invest in Kingdom concerns.

You can buy it anywhere in Pennsylvania Dutch country – a banner, an apron, a towel, anything really – and it proclaims, in pidgin German, “Ve get too soon oldt und too late schmart”. Your preacher this morning is a walking example of that ancient truth. Too soon oldt und too late schmart. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 92:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

"Take Them By The Hand And Lead Them"

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jun 16, 2009

a Father’s day message. Stories remind fathers that they are important in leading their children to Jesus, enabling their sons and daughters to know God’s love from their example.

In Jesus Holy Name June 21, 2009 Text: Ephesians 6:2,5:16-18 (The Message) Father’s Day “Take Them by The Hand and Lead Them” Two weeks ago, the June 8th cover of Sports Illustrated placed on their cover a 16 year old Bryce Harper with this caption: “Baseball’s Chosen One”. According ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:2

Denomination: Lutheran

04 The Secret To Loving Life Series

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Jul 20, 2008

Winning the lottery is not finding life but loving Christ who gives us life.

It is easy to become disillusioned in this life. Life seems to not to work. Dreams remain unrealized. Hopes dashed. Heartaches come. Our world is full of unhappy and dissatisfied people. We will try anything to rid our lives of emotional, and psychological disorders. Anything goes for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:15-21

Denomination: Baptist