Sermons on Self Improvement:

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

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

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

When Stuff Gets In The Way. Series

Contributed by Eric Grenier on Apr 26, 2018

James 5:1-6 speaks of problems we thought were new problems. being hoarders, defrauding others, being self-indulgent

James 5:1–6 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. 2Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

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

The Smiths

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 29, 2022

Demetrius “Smith” represents someone whose judgement is clouded by selfish desires. Alexander "Smith" represents someone who doesn't want to be alone in his sin; who makes it a point to cause other Christians to stumble.

I’ve entitled our message for this evening, “The Smiths.” Have you heard about the Smiths? Take for instance Zipporah Smith. “Who’s that?” you may say. Well, her husband, Moses, was used by God to deliver the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt. You see, Zipporah was a Kenite, and the word ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:14-16, Acts 19:23-34

Denomination: Baptist

Give Your Life Away Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Apr 5, 2022

There are at least four core commitments for Christian living: (1) abide in the Word, (2) pray your heart out, (3) be killing sin, and (4) give your life away.

Our lives tell a story—a story about who we are and what we value, where we’ve come from and where we’re going, what we want and what we’ll do to get it. And what most of us do is, we make “the story” of our lives about us. But God makes “the story” of our lives about Christ. Someone has said, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

An Identity Crisis

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Apr 26, 2022

Identity answers the question “Who am I?” My identity is based on how I view myself, the foundation I build my life upon, and where I find my sense of worth, acceptance, and well-being. Everything changes when we find the King!

Sermon: An Identity Crisis Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13 “One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked. “Yes sir, I am,” Ziba ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13, Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Methodist

Going The Distance (On What Matters)

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Feb 3, 2021

This sermon is about running the Christian race.

Going the Distance (on what matters) Opening Illustration: "He didn't win a medal. In fact, he came nowhere near. But, in defeat and in pain, he came to represent something much more profound and enduring than many sportsmen achieve in illustrious careers. Akhwari was never likely to win ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Pentecostal

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 23, 2021

As people run headlong into a world going nowhere, escaping reality in their hedonistic lifestyles, are we ashamed of Jesus and His words? Are we ashamed of suffering as Christians? Let’s look at Jesus’ countercultural instructions in Mark 8:31-38.

Prelude As people run headlong into a world going nowhere, escaping reality in their hedonistic lifestyles, are we ashamed of Jesus and His words? Are we ashamed of suffering as Christians? Purpose Let’s see the value of taking up our cross and denying ourselves. Plan Let’s look at Jesus’ ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Baptist