Sermons on Self Indulgence:

James 5:1-6 Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jan 20, 2025

Money makes a great servant but a terrible master

James: Practical Faith  James 5:1-6 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church  01-12-2025 Intro In 1923 a group of the world’s most successful financiers met at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. One was the president of the largest independent steel company; the greatest ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

What God Has Permitted Me To See Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 20, 2025

Simeon entered the Temple just as Mary brought the Christ into the sacred precincts. Taking the Christ child into his arms, he prophesied of the reason the Christ was born.

“When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

Where Have You Hidden Your Treasure?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 21, 2010

Stewardship of life is the aim of this message. Believers are challenged to consider the employment of their money, of their time and of their spiritual gifts.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

Repairing The Altar Of The Lord

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 25, 2013

When the Faith ebbs, God raises up a rude prophet to challenge the evil that has insinuated itself into the lives of the people of God.

“Then Elijah said to all the people, ‘Come near to me.’ And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been thrown down. Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, ‘Israel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:30-40

Denomination: Baptist

The Origin Of Marriage Series

Contributed by Chris Kelly on Oct 21, 2008

Why is marriage between a man and a woman so important? The true meaning of anything is permanently connected to it’s origin, so let’s go back to the ’book of beginnings’ (Genesis) to find out God’s purpose for marriage.

The Origin of Marriage Series: Origins October 19, 2008 Pastor Chris Kelly Video Clip “The Princess Bride” In case you didn’t recognize it, that’s a famous scene from the movie “The Princess Bride”. Westley is attempting to save his beloved, “Buttercup” from being married to the evil Prince ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:15-25

Denomination: Wesleyan

How Do You Define Success? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 28, 2015

Learning from Jesus how to be successful in His work.

“Someone in the crowd said to [Jesus], ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’ But he said to him, ‘Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?’ And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

Living In The Wilderness Of Sin

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Mar 18, 2018

A study in the book of Exodus 16: 1 –36

Exodus 16: 1 –36 Living in the wilderness of Sin 16 And they journeyed from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they departed from the land of Egypt. 2 Then the ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Battle Cry Of Love Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 22, 2026

Christ clarifies His expectation for the church in five ways, as seen in His examination of: 1) The Church (Revelation 2:1), 2) The Commendation (Revelation 2:2–3, 6), 3) The Concern (Revelation 2:4), 4) The Command (Revelation 2:5), and 5) The Counsel (Revelation 2:7).

Revelation 2:1-7. [2:1]"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. [2]"'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Other

How Big Is Your But?

Contributed by Frank Jackson on May 13, 2006

It’s the IF’S, AND’s and BUTS in life that get us. It almost got Naaman! The story of Naaman is a story of pride, self-centeredness, obedience, confession and conversion. It has caused all those who have heard the story to reflect deeply about their own l

Biblical Text: 2 Kings 5: 1-14 Psalm 30: 11 1 Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valor, but he was a leper. 2 And the Syrians had gone out by ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-14

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

How Change Happens Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Sep 2, 2005

You can try to change God’s way or you can change the world’s way. You can change with the help of God or you can try to change with the help of self. You can try an inside-out kind of change or an outside-in kind of change.

I grew up in the church. My dad was a pastor. I can remember people in those churches he pastored who attended services every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night, who knew their Bible, who taught classes, who gave money, who led committees, but who were also mean as snakes. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Denomination: Baptist

Free To Live The Life Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 1, 2004

Education, self-help books, and personal improvement efforts can make life richer and better. But nothing can do what God does when a person turns his or her life over to Jesus Christ. IN Jesus Christ, we can have victory in the fullest sense.

Free to Live the Life (Romans 8:1-4) 1. Once in a while you read a news story that makes you feel good: MONTERREY, Mexico (Reuters) - A Mexican boxing champion beat up and hospitalized a gunman who shot at him outside a gym in a crime-plagued city on the U.S. border. Prosecutors in Ciudad ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Walking In God’s Love

Contributed by Laren Whaley on Feb 15, 2012

Because God has loved us and received us as one of His own we must move and live in that love. The world ‘s definition of love is not love at all. The world around us always asks what’s in it for me and always centers on self-first, then maybe others.

Walking In God’s Love 1 Corinthians 13:1 - 13 (NKJV) 1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Church Of God

Our Mighty God Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Dec 9, 2008

We all are very independent individuals. Some of our first words – perhaps even our first sentence – expressed that self-reliance. "I can do it myself." This is healthy when we’re dressing and cleaning up. It becomes unhealthy when we try to control o

Introduction: The names in this story have been changed out of respect for their privacy. Julie W told her family’s story in a magazine article. [My daughter], Allison, came home for the weekend. She opened the door, didn’t speak, and dropped her duffel bag. Smudges of mascara circled her eyes. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Cure Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Sep 27, 2012

Last week we talked about the trap of offence and some of the main problems associated with being offended - false assumptions, our expectations, pride, disobedience, self-preservation, and revenge. Today I want us to look at the cure so we don’t allow o

“Nobody will ever want you for anything but making babies” her drunken father said when he found out that his 15 year daughter was pregnant. I got to counsel this women at age 42, an alcoholic for 15 years, 6 babies with four different men, two of them aborted. Now on welfare with all ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14-21

Jesus Feeds The Five Thousand Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jun 24, 2008

Christ always has been the provider of His people’s needs. He will always be. The question is will we see our true needs & look to Him to provide them. Jesus is the hope of the 2nd Exodus, which will lead to freedom from slavery to sin, self & satan.

JOHN 6: 1-15 JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND [Isaiah 55:1-4] The feeding of the five thousand is the one miracle along with the resurrection that is included in all four Gospels (Mt.14:13-21; Mk. 6:30-44; Lk. 9:10-17; Jn. 6:1-13). It ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-15

Denomination: Baptist