Sermons on Self Improvement:

Joy Versus Happiness

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Mar 12, 2015

The world relentlessly pursues self-statisfying happiness with utter disregard for the Joy of the Lord. Even those who authored the declaration of independence thought that the "pursuit of happiness" was a God given right. So ... what does the Bible say?

Let’s take a look at a couple of Scriptures … Ecclesiastes 12:8 (NASB) “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “all is vanity!” Ecclesiastes 12:8 (HCSB) “Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile.” Ecclesiastes ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2

Denomination: Nazarene

Giving Something Up For Lent

Contributed by Craig Condon on Apr 20, 2015

God will give us the strength and desire to let go of the things that hinder us from serving Him. If we follow Him, He will bless us spiritually. In order to be first with God, we have to be last in the eyes of the world.

Let's take a walk down memory lane for a moment. Some of you, especially the older members of this congregation, may remember a famous comedian named Flip Wilson. He had a weekly TV comedy show back in the 70s, and one of his favorite characters was a preacher named Brother Leroy. In one skit, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Anglican

True Greatness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 19, 2018

Who are the true greats? You may be surprised that you know many personally.

Who are the true greats? You may be surprised who they are because you know many of them by name. They live in your neighborhood. Let’s find out what the basic ingredient of true greatness is. Let’s look at Mark 9:30-37, what Jesus has to say. Jesus Mark 9:31 “The Son of Man is to be delivered ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37, Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah 53:12, Philippians 2:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

"Wherever He Leads, I'll Go!"

Contributed by David Nolte on Jul 9, 2018

Following Jesus demands self-deniaal and taking up a cross daily.

“Wherever He Leads I’ll Go!” Luke 9:23 David P. Nolte A man took his new hound out hunting for pheasant but it was the dog's first day in the field. Just a young hound, not experienced in a disciplined hunt, his nose took him in all sorts of directions. First he saw a rabbit trail and ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Love And Life In The Spirit Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jul 10, 2018

God desires for us to find love in every area of our lives, not just the physical part of our lives.

Love Worth Finding Love and life through the Spirit Romans Chapter 8 Prayer- Introduction- Good Morning! Last week we began a series called “Love worth Finding” We looked at God’s Love for us and our love for God. We agreed that this world is messed up and needing God to bring peace and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-17

Denomination: Nazarene

Fourteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time , Year A; 14th Sunday, Cycle A-- Different Yokes For Different Folks

Contributed by Paul Andrew on May 13, 2020

It is an act not of juggling balls on a stage, but of carrying eggs from a barn.

A yoke is a wooden frame fitted on working animals to evenly balance the load on each individual animal and allow them to work as a team. Jesus wears the yoke and we are yoked to him. A teacher read to her class the text, “My yoke is easy.” “Who can tell me what a yoke is?” she asked. A boy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30

Denomination: Catholic

Looking At Your Own Faith Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 25, 2020

Paul encouraged the Corinthians to examine their own faith. What does that look like?

WHO'S IN? There are a lot of questionable boundary markers for the Christian faith. - If you read the obituary page, you will discover some marvelous realities. Among them: a. Upwards of 90% of people are going to heaven. b. People are members of church despite the fact that they haven’t ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

3. The Breastplate Of Righteousness Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 1, 2019

Our modern culture is desperate to feel good about itself. But God has provided a true way to feel good about ourselves, to feel good because we are doing good, and to find God's forgiveness when our own efforts fall short.

We are continuing to look at what the Apostle Paul called the whole armor of God. In his letter to the Ephesian Church, chapter 6, he talked about our world as a battle field. And he wasn't picturing the kind of battle like that occurred when we began our attack on Iraq, where our forces ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Even In A Catastrophe, We Should Glorify The Lord By Our Lives Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 8, 2020

In heaven, then, when we succeed in becoming like Christ as His servants and siblings, the Father will give us honors beyond anything we could hope for.

Monday of the 19th Week in Course: St. Lawrence One of the directions we deacons can give at the end of Holy Mass says “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” The idea is to go out from the Eucharistic celebration and bear fruit, bringing the Gospel to your friends and colleagues. That ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, John 12:24-26

Denomination: Catholic

Anger

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Jun 30, 2014

We must be in control of our anger.

Anger June 29, 2014 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: We must be in control of our anger. Focus Passage: Ephesians 4:26-27 Introduction: A lady once came to Billy Sunday and tried to rationalize her angry outbursts. "There's nothing wrong with losing ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

You Must Know The Entreator Series

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jul 7, 2014

Do you really know yourself and why you are speading the message?

You must also know the entreater. While it is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit to get people to listen and respond. We are the package for the message. This is why prosperity preachers must wear expensive suits, Rolexs and have jets and multi-million dollar homes. For them to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:18

Denomination: Baptist

How God Sees Us Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Aug 12, 2014

How does God look at us? Part 1 of 3

Redeemed: Looking in Mirror Isaiah 30:1-18 August 3, 2014 I don’t know about you, but I’m not always to thrilled to take a good look at myself in the mirror. I’m just referring to the outward appearance. I know when I look at myself, I’ve changed over the years. I know . ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

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

Jonah Is Us Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Jul 11, 2013

This is the conclusion of our series in the Book of Jonah. This was a hard sermon that challenged our congregation to examine how we are like Jonah, and what we should do about it.

Jonah Concluded Text: Jonah 4:5 – 11 So we’re finishing up in Jonah today… I thought after last week I’d be done with it, but as I was re-reading it… just going over it one last time to see if the Lord would have me say any more on this book. I realized that I ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Poor Rich Man Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 6, 2013

If you want to be rich in the things that really count, don’t rely on yourself; rely on the Lord and don’t boast about your sacrifices. Then you will not only inherit eternal life, you will be first in God's Kingdom.

Many years ago, a very wealthy man invited Pastor George A. Truett to a dinner on his Texas ranch. After the meal, he took his pastor to a place where they had a good view of the surrounding area. The rich man pointed north to the oil wells punctuating the landscape and boasted, “25 years ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Evangelical Free