Sermons on Self Interest:

Frivolous Miracles

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Oct 10, 2021

God is not a showman putting on shows. He has purpose for all that He does.

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. Frivolous miracles? When I woke up this morning this thought came to me, does God do miracles that have no ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:3

Denomination: Baptist

Stumbing Along

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 19, 2023

Unexamined assumptions can cause us to stumble over things we don't even notice.

It’s a little disconcerting, sitting down to write a sermon on a passage that you’ve already preached on twice, to find that neither time did you say what you’d planned to say. Of course, only preachers have that problem... Maybe only 60-something preachers have that problem. But more generally, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:35-50

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Second Sunday Of Easter: Sunday Of Divine Mercy

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Mar 6, 2024

Justice and Mercy has been called the oldest joke in psychiatry because when it tries to find the answer to blending the two, new questions intrude.

Psalm 85:10, “Justice and Mercy have kissed.” Justice and Mercy has been called the oldest joke in psychiatry because when it tries to find the answer to blending the two, new questions intrude.1 What did the Frenchman say when God gave him mercy? Merci Speaking of Frenchman, the celebrated ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:10, Matthew 5:7

Denomination: Catholic

Overcoming Exclusivity (Acts 11)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 25, 2025

Do we think that we are exclusive, the one true church?

Were Old Testament laws of exclusivity based upon ethnicity or avoiding pagan practices like idolatry and child sacrifice? Should we therefore exclude people of different ethnicities from the church who have the same faith in Christ? Let’s look at Acts 11. Did the Jerusalem church question why ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Worthy? Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

We have worth and value because of Christ and the unconditional love of God the Father. Once we understand this amazing truth, we are able to live for others, just as Jesus did.

Today we're going to talk about how much you're worth. And I'm not talking about how much money you have, how many followers you have on Instagram, or how many A's you get on your report card. I'm talking about your worth in the eyes of God. Let's start with a little object lesson. I want you to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

Topics: Self-Worth, Spiritual Identity, Divine Love, Christ's Sacrifice

Sent With A Purpose Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

As followers of Christ, we are all sent with a purpose by Jesus to share the good news, serve others, and participate in God's mission, remembering that all things are possible with Him by our side.

Hey guys, I'm super pumped to chat with you today about something that's been on my mind. We're going to dive into a cool part of the Bible, from the book of Matthew, where Jesus gives us a pretty clear idea of what we're supposed to do now that we're Christians. You know, like, what's our purpose? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35, Matthew 10:1-8

Topics: Life Goals, Personal Growth, Meaningful Existence, Self-Fulfillment

Let's Get Crazy Happy Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

True happiness is found not in external circumstances, but in living a blessed life as defined by Jesus and bearing the fruit of the Spirit.

Hey guys, have you ever tried to drink from a leaky water bottle? (Hold up a water bottle with a hole in it). It's frustrating, right? You're thirsty, you take a sip, and the next thing you know, you're wearing more water than you drank. That's a lot like how we chase happiness. We think we've ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-12, Galatians 5:22-23

Topics: Inner Peace, Self-Fulfillment, Life Satisfaction, Joyful Living

Masterpiece Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

We are each a unique and valuable masterpiece created by God with a purpose. We need to embrace our uniqueness, live out our purpose, and see others as God's masterpieces too.

We all like doing our own thing, right? But here's the thing, we weren't made to go solo. God designed us to do life together. You know when you're trying to put together a puzzle, and you can't figure out where that one weird-shaped piece goes? It's frustrating, right? But when you finally find ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 2:3-7

Topics: Self-Worth, Divine Creation, Spiritual Identity, God's Masterpiece

The Challenger Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Recognizing and overcoming the enemy's tactics of fear, doubt, and condemnation through faith in God.

Imagine you're facing a nine-foot-tall giant. Scary, right? That's what the Israelites were dealing with in 1 Samuel 17. Goliath was this massive dude who had everyone shaking in their boots. He's like that big problem you're facing that seems impossible to beat. God tells us in Joshua 1:9, 'Be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-11, 1 Peter 5:8

Topics: Self-Confidence, Emotional Healing, Personal Growth, Inner Peace

Living Sacrifice Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

When we give our lives to Christ, we surrender control and embrace His way. We become citizens of heaven and new creations, sacrificing everything for the sake of the gospel.

Today, we're going to talk about what it means to live as people who've been saved. We're not just supposed to say "thanks" and move on. We're supposed to live differently. Imagine you've got a brand new phone. It's the latest model, super shiny, and it's all yours. But instead of using it, you ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3

Topics: Sacrificial Living, Spiritual Transformation, Self-Denial, Godly Obedience

Temptation Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Oct 3, 2023

We all face temptation, but through understanding our identity in Christ, trusting in God's provision, exercising wisdom, and using scripture, we can overcome it.

Imagine you're playing a video game. You're on a mission, but there are obstacles and enemies trying to stop you. That's kind of like life, right? We're on a mission to live for God, but there's this thing called temptation that tries to trip us up. Let's see how Jesus beat temptation and how we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Topics: Self-Control, Spiritual Growth, Moral Strength, Inner Discipline

Re-Learning Relationships Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 6, 2009

If you think you do pretty well with relationships, you might want to take a listen at Jesus’ words in this portion of the Sermon on the Mount. We think it is about lust and divorce and promises - but it’s really about making, keeping, and fixing broken r

Inbred in the deepest part of our souls is a notion that was born in the Garden of Eden that defines love for us. Love is whatever satisfies our needs. When Eve took a look at the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, she saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-48

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Caring With A Difference

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 30, 2007

A Labor Day message on providing caring services, but not simply as self-fulfillment, but as a means to witness.

The true test of whether what you are doing is real is not how you feel about it when you start. The true test is whether you can keep going and complete your task. Anybody can get excited about a new job. But not everybody can stay by the stuff and finish. Some people get bored, or ...read more

Scripture: John 4:31-38

Denomination: Baptist

Humility And Unity In Christ

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Mar 25, 2018

Unity in name of Christ occurs when believers humble themselves as he did; yielding their interests to the needs of others as Christ yielded his for our sake.

It’s April 1865, and the Civil War is coming to a close. Robert E Lee surrenders to Ulysses S Grant. Lee later begs the southern states to join the Union and be one nation again. Johnson finally surrenders to Sherman, leaving one major Confederate general to surrender, which he eventually does. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-13

Denomination: Other

Making The Jail House Rock

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on May 25, 2022

God needs to shake things up in the church and free us from our self-imprisonment.

Making the Jail House Rock Acts 16:16-34 The text we read this morning has been a popular one for Vacation Bible Schools for many years. The cardboard props of the wall of the jail house and the barred windows has “imprisoned” many a child or saint in the skit. someone pulls the string, and the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible