Sermons on Self Improvement:

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

The Day Will Come Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 30, 2009

It begins with God, who created. Humanity, who rebelled. Jesus, who came. And us, who respond with repentance. And then we live lives of hope – hope that “our present troubles are small and won’t last very long.

The Day Will Come Zech 12-13 Nov 9, 2008 Intro: "Hope" is the thing with feathers— That perches in the soul— And sings the tune without the words— And never stops—at all— And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard— And sore must be the storm— That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm— I’ve ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

Life In Christ Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Mar 8, 2010

1- Life in Christ excludes hypocrisy 2- Life in Christ excludes salvation by observance of the law 3- Life in Christ includes death to self

INTRO.- Life. What is life all about? Obviously, that depends on who you are talking to. Here are some examples. ILL.- It was said that Jimmy Johnson, when coaching football on the college level, had a wife and the appearance of a marriage because it was expected of college football coaches. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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

Are You A Murderer

Contributed by Steven Haguewood on Jul 30, 2008

A look into man’s relationships with fellow-man, dealing with anger and controlling his life

ARE YOU A MURDERER? Text: Matthew 5:21-26 INTRODUCTION: 1. Jesus contrasts the words of the ancients with his teachings. 2. He says that things go deeper than our actions. 3. He tells us that we should watch what we say. 4. He tells us to correct our anger quickly. 5. The implications of these ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Less Of Me, More Of Him Intro Series

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Jan 12, 2011

This is a re-write of a series I wrote many years ago, about giving God room to work in our lives, the intro sermon speaks of selfishness giving way to service in God's kingdom

LESS OF ME . . . MORE OF HIM (All my sermons us illustrations found on www.sermoncentral.com and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted) (This series of sermons, is a complete re-write of another series I wrote years ago called, When We Move Out God Moves In) Many years ago, a good ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:7-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Dare To Sacrifice Series

Contributed by David Dewitt on Jun 22, 2010

If we are going to recapture our spirit of adventure for God, we must be willing to sacrifice for the Kingdom of Christ

Last week I shared the story of Helen Keller and her incredible spirit and inspirational life. We are to tackle life with the same kind of spirit or tenacity. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. This week I want to look at the life of one of the most influential, conservative ...read more

Scripture: John 12:23-26

Denomination: Church Of God

Peter: The Power Of Peer Pressure

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 5, 2010

Calverton Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD, 1983: Our denials, like Peter's, reflect our confusing loudness with loyalty and our seeing ourselves as victims rather than victors. But Christ is able to look at us, evoke repentance, and turn us around.

The fire crackled in the crisp air, casting shadows on the walls not five yards away. It looked inviting, this bonfire, for not only was the night air chilly, but also this whole episode had been so draining, so terrifying, that the body cried out for comfort, for something, anything, that would ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-62

Denomination: Baptist