Sermons on Self Improvement:

Obeying God

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Mar 20, 2013

When I finished college I rejoiced, thinking that at last I would be free of tests - that I would never have to take another. But I discovered that I was just starting a time of testing. In every stage of life there are tests...

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED - 2023) ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Obstacles To Grace

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Jun 14, 2012

We all face obstacles that block the flow of God's grace in our lives. This message is a message given during a Walk to Emmaus weekend.

Obstacles to Grace Rev. Lynn Malone Toby Keith has a popular song right now that I have heard several people walk around either singing or humming the words. The song is entitled I Want to Talk About Me. Have you heard it? The words to the chorus go like this: I wanna talk about me Wanna ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:8-9

Denomination: Methodist

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

Disillusioned Series

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Sep 4, 2012

It's easy to be disillusioned about God when he doesn't do what we expect but in reality we are disillusioned about ourselves and don't really know God.

Have you ever been disillusioned? What does it mean? To open someone’s eyes; to shatter someone’s illusions; to pop or break someone’s bubble and to prick or put a pin in someone’s balloon. This expression refers to the fragile nature of both soap bubbles and human ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:13-18

Denomination: Lutheran

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

Mere Mortal

Contributed by Kayode Omotoso on May 18, 2016

Man is always quick to forget that he does not have the supreme authority over himself. There is a God outside of man who rules over the affair of man.

Regardless of genealogy or demography, every human shares something in common and it is the fact that we all came from dust and to dust shall we all return. Everyone came empty and shall someday return empty. Class notwithstanding, all men are same and nothing (Psalm 62:9). Psalm 103:15-16 also ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 9:19-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

God Is The Center Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Jul 25, 2015

We place ourselves at the center, when it should be God.

God is the Center Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 July 26, 2015 Back in the 1960s the mayor of the city of Chicago was Richard J. Daley. He was famous for being the last of the big time bosses of the city. Daley was sharp, powerful, and had an enormous ego. One fall a speechwriter who worked for Daley ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

Can A Christian Use Marijuana?

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Aug 28, 2015

With the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana, the Christian must evaluate if using pot is an acceptable practice or a sin.

In those States where the use and sell of Marijuana is illegal, the answer is straightforward. The Christian must abide by the laws of secular government (Romans 13:1-2, 5) which means that the use and sell of Marijuana is clearly prohibited. As our Nation moves closer to the legalization of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Remove The Roots Of Bitterness

Contributed by Dennis King on Feb 25, 2018

Most people think they are totally and unequivocally free of bitterness. However, that’s not necessarily the truth. You see, bitterness creeps in, slowly and is easier seen in other people rather than in yourself.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, and slander, along with every form of malice. That statement comes from Ephesians 4, verse 31. The Greek word for bitterness is “Pikria” which translates to “Sticky.” No matter what has been done to you, how bad, how often, or who from, bitterness ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Seed Dies & Life Begins Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 14, 2018

How does selfishness destroy us? How does selflessness save us? How does truly living only begin when the seed of selfishness dies?

Prelude How does selfishness destroy us? How does selflessness save us? How does truly living only begin when the seed of selfishness dies? Purpose: Jesus taught that self-preservation is self-destructive and self-sacrifice is really living. Plan: Let’s examine the passage where Jesus predicts ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33

Denomination: Baptist

Jonah's Pity Party

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 7, 2014

Jonah as both an unwilling and angry prophet, filled with self-pity.

Over the edge. That is where so many employers seem to be pushing their workers these days. Perhaps you have felt it yourself. You work hard, sometimes too hard in what seems like 24/7 and even then the work just never stops. Your job drains you, mentally, physically and even spiritually. You put ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Let Go Of Fear Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 19, 2014

Fear will steal your joy and keep you from doing all that God wants you to do. So, what are we supposed to do with our fear? Let it Go!

Fear will be your enemy. And that statement seems to set the tone very early in the movie. If there seems to be one overriding emotion in the movie “Frozen” it is fear. The King and Queen are fearful for their daughters and so the girls are separated and grow up alone. Elsa is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:3-9

Denomination: Wesleyan

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

You Ain't All That

Contributed by Larry Turner on Nov 20, 2016

Pride can make someone think more highly of themselves than they should. Naaman almost missed a miracle because of pride.

Everyone knows that the lion is the king of the jungle. And they are very prideful. In fact a group of lions are called a pride. One day the lion being filled with pride decided to make sure all the others knew it. He was so confident that he by-passed the smaller animals and went straight to the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3

Denomination: Foursquare