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

A Picture Of Selfishness- The Younger Son Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jun 4, 2010

From the younger son we will see the issues that follow those who chose to live a selfish life.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Over the next three weeks we are going to examine the interesting interactions of a family. This is a story of a father and his two sons. We have a father who owns what is likely a vast amount of property. His sons worked the land with him. • The younger of the two sons ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What’s In It For Me Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jun 13, 2010

Taking this popular mantra and applying it to James 1:12, the message brings to light how thin and shallow this approach to life really is.

How to Do Life What’s In It for ME? James 1:12 * (Show the title on the screen.) Please read this phrase with me (read). Last week I Googled this phrase and returned 414,000,000 hits. We live in a “What’s in it for me (WIIFM)” culture. It begins with people’s approach to government which only ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12

Denomination: Baptist

Gluttony

Contributed by Carl Allen on May 5, 2010

Tonight I want to preach on Gluttony and give you a Scriptural picture of what it is and how we need to make sure it is not a part of our lives, as followers of Christ.

Gluttony 1 Cor. 6:12-20 Introduction Many of you will have heard of the called ‘Dieting under Stress’ diet. It goes something like this: Breakfast: half a grapefruit, 1 slice dry whole wheat toast, 8 oz skim milk Lunch: 4 oz lean boiled chicken, 1 cup steamed spinach, 1 cup herbal ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Denomination: Baptist

Love Contrasted Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Mar 18, 2010

The love of Mary for Jesus contrasted with the selfish motives of Judas.

Love Contrasted, John 12:1-8 Scripture “Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Christian Church

Little Things That Illustrate The Power Of The Tongue! Series

Contributed by John Wright on Feb 1, 2010

James teaches that a small briddle for a horese, a small rudder for a ship, a small tongue in comparrison to an out of control tongue warns us of the tremendous dangers of the tongue.

INTRODUCTION 1. Open your bible to James 3:3-6. 2. The title of our lesson: “Little things that illustrate the power of the tongue”! 3. James 3:3-6 is filled with visual images. 4. The three images that James uses illustrate the point that since they are small and yet control ...read more

Scripture: James 3:3-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Gospel According To Genesis Series

Contributed by Dwayne Dickson on Feb 20, 2016

In this sermon of the sacrifice of Isaac we see a presentation of the Gospel. Most importantly we see us. We see that God is willing to provide a sacrifice for us if we are willing to put ourselves on His altar.

The Gospel According to Genesis Introduction We often think of the Gospel as found only in the New Testament. After all, we often call it the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But listen to what the Apostle Peter has to say about the Gospel. 1 Peter 1:17-20 (NLT) And remember that the heavenly Father to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Things We Value In Ministry Series

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on Feb 28, 2016

Ministry work should be done by every Christian not just for pastors and church leaders. In this message, we will learn from the life of Deborah three things that can help us as we minister to God, to the Christians and to the unbelievers.

Many of us think of ministry as the work done by pastors, by missionaries, by Christian Conference speakers or evangelists. We rarely think that work done by bankers, by lawyers, by engineers or homemakers can also be considered as ministry. We have a wrong notion that only those who get their ...read more

Scripture: Judges 4:1-10

Denomination: Nazarene

Your New Name Series

Contributed by Ken Ritz on Mar 1, 2016

Part one of a series on the life of Jacob

Your New Name Dying to Self, Part One If you have your bible, turn to Genesis chapter 32. We’re starting a new series today, based on the life of Jacob. Gen 32:22 TNIV That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, By the way, we’ll deal with that in a couple weeks… his two ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Starving Sons Series

Contributed by Ken Ritz on Mar 1, 2016

Part 2 of a series on the life of Jacob.

Starving Sons Dying to Self, Part 2 (Vineyard Pen) If you have your bible, turn to Genesis chapter 25. We’re continuing our series, based on the life of Jacob. Last week we talked about letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be, so we can become who God created us to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:24-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Name It What You Want Series

Contributed by Ken Ritz on Mar 1, 2016

Part 4 of a series on the life of Jacob. Jacob changes his sons name from sorrow to "right hand" or strength. We also can choose how we look at our circumstances in life.

Name It What You Want Dying To Self, Part 4 I was reading an article from the Wall Street Journal. Wildlife researchers in Germany and the Czech Republic have been studying migration patterns of deer in the two countries, and they were surprised to find out that deer never cross between the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 35:16-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Open Doors Of Opportunity (2) Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Aug 25, 2014

Are we open or closed as a congregation? Is the work and worship about us only or do we include others?

1. St Catherine's Monastery One of the oldest monasteries in the world is Saint Catherine's. Built by Emperor Justinian to protect the monks in the region, St. Catherine's sits at the foot of Mount Sinai in Egypt. The walls are made of granite and are between 8 and 35 meters tall. Up until last ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Assurance Of Salvation

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Sep 4, 2014

Like David, we at times need God to say, "I AM thy salvation."

Assurance of Salvation PPT 1 Title PPT 2 Text Ps 35:1 ([A Psalm] of David.) Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me. Ps 35:2 Take hold of buckler and shield, And rise up for my help. Ps 35:3 Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 35:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal