Sermons on Self Improvement:

Dead Prophets Society

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 4, 2009

For Transfiguration Sunday: we, like the disciples, have not imagined Christ as who He is, we as who we can become, or the cost of glory ... losing our lives to save them.

Every one who teaches knows what a mighty struggle it is to teach anybody anything and make it stick. Students come to school drowsy and distracted. Some are there because they have to be; some because Daddy’s money put them there; and some just because they cannot think of anything else to do. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-26

Denomination: Baptist

How We Live Reflects Who We Are

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Aug 6, 2009

Know who you are in Jesus, and then live it. How we live reflects who we are.

How We Live Reflects Who We Are Aug 2, 2009 1 Peter 1:13-25 Intro: Chickens don’t fly around in the sky, perch on telephone wires, or swoop down and capture some prey. That’s not who they are. Whales don’t walk around on land, or dig around in the dirt looking for a meal. That’s not who they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-25

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

Fully Known

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 18, 2009

Healthy self-knowledge means that in Christ we know enough to be functional, and indeed our ignorance is the vehicle through which God conveys wisdom, for in Him we are fully known.

Charley Brown says to Lucy, still dispensing sage wisdom for the pre-inflationary price of five cents, "Nobody likes me, Lucy. Everybody hates my guts. Do you see that plane up there, Lucy? It’s a plane full of people going somewhere else. That’s what I’d like to do. I’d like to go somewhere else, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:4-31

Denomination: Baptist

Know Thyself Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Oct 26, 2009

This week we turn the focus on understanding ourselves and gaining emotional awareness so that we may know God. Four competancies will be shared to help us become emotionally aware so that we might be emotionally healthy spiritually.

Back to School Know Thyself Psalm 55:1-5, 16-17 October 25, 2009 This week and next week we are going to look at several emotional health competencies. These are qualities that emotionally healthy people cultivate and display. These give us plenty of things to work because none of us have all of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:1-5

Denomination: Church Of God

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

Confronting The Spirit Of Leviathan

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jan 4, 2012

The Leviathan spirit operates by attacking ministries and people associated within a ministry by stubbornness, rebellion, disobedience, lies, miscommunication, condescending attitudes, self exhaltation.

Confronting the Spirit of Leviathan By Pastor M.L. Maughmer, Jr. Matthew 11:12 says “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force”. Luke 17:20-21 says “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when ...read more

Denomination: Apostolic

I Will Watch My Ways Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 22, 2012

1- I will watch my mouth 2- I will watch my days 3- I will watch my hope

INTRO.- I will watch my ways. Why would we ever want to watch our ways in life? One of the things my dad used to say to me was, “Pay attention to what you’re doing.” It pays to pay attention to whatever you are doing and especially, when you are driving an automobile. We ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 39:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Intersection

Contributed by Samuel Fulkerson on Jun 3, 2013

Decisions are major part of everyone's life and we make them ever single day and some them have major, even eternal ramifications... therefore choice wisely.

Quotes: “The hardest thing about the road not taken is that you never know where it might have led.” ― Lisa Wingate, A Month of Summer “It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.” ― Roy Disney "Some persons are very decisive when it comes ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 21:19-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

A Spiritual Inventory Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Apr 16, 2012

Growing, Self examination and th echallenge to move forward

THE NEXT STEP: FOLLOWING JESUS INTO THE UNKNOWN Phil. 3:12-14 (P832) Jan. 9, 2011 INTRODUCTION Philippians, as well as Colossians, Philemon, and Ephesians were written by the Apostle Paul while he was in prison in Rome. He would spend 2 years stuck in this Roman dungeon. He wasn't ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Heart Trouble Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 26, 2012

Let’s look at the Book of Proverbs & see some of the different ways heart trouble in the inner person affects us. Perhaps you will recognize one of these symptoms which is warning you of heart trouble in your inner being.

HEART TROUBLE PROVERBS 12: 20, 25 Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of men and women in America. Heart failure accounts for 40% of all U.S. deaths. That’s more than all forms of cancer combined. Why is heart disease so deadly? One reason is that many people are slow to seek help when ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:20-25, Proverbs 20:5, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Overseer’s Fitness-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Aug 14, 2012

2 of 6. Paul related the moral qualifications for an overseer of the Church. Character traits for overseers of the church are definitive. ?How is his fitness determined? An overseer’s fitness is decided by his...

The OVERSEER’s FITNESS-II—1Timothy 3:1-7 Attention: This election year, Americans will decide generally whether they want more Federal control or more State control. We want our country to remain the powerhouse for freedom which it has always been since its founding. We want it to maintain its ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist