Sermons on Self Improvement:

What Sets Christianity Apart

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 3, 2010

All of the religions of the world have works at their core; all except Christianity. Here is a great story of Jesus confronting the self-righteous works righteousness of His day, and ours!

Passage: Matthew 15:1-20 Intro: Christianity is unique among the religions of the world. 1. and we are going to see why it is in this passage. 2. it is a conversation of intense conflict, so much so that it made Jesus’ disciples nervous. 3. in an atmosphere of love and grace, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Giving Up Billy Mcfarland

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Sep 1, 2010

a sermon on sacrifice

Giving Up Billy McFarland A sermon on sacrifice TCF Sermon August 8, 2010 When I was about five years old, I lived in Pittsburgh, PA, where I was born. We lived in one of those classic eastern row houses - you know, where the houses are all attached to each other kind of like a duplex, except ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

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

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

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

Power Flows Out Of Passion

Contributed by Samuel Fulkerson on Mar 10, 2013

For there to be Power there must first be Passion, because Power flows out of Passion. We must decrease that He may increase. We must die out to self that He may have the preeminence.

Quotes: “A great leader's courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.” -- John Maxwell “Without passion you don't have energy, without energy you have nothing.” -- Donald Trump “Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

The Church Under Pressure - Sardis Series

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Dec 7, 2017

Churches can refuse to face the reality of their spiritual condition before God. Styles and traditions can become so fixed that they continue and become empty of Holy Spirit power. Good works and a nice church format are not what God is seeking.

THE CONTENT CHURCH - SARDIS READING Rev 3:1-6 INTRODUCTION Churches can refuse to face the reality of their spiritual condition before God. Styles and traditions can become so fixed that they continue and become empty of Holy Spirit power. Good works and a nice church format are not what God ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Church Of God

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