Sermons on Self Interest:

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

Be Careful How You Get What You Want Series

Contributed by Benjamin Hailey Sr on Sep 19, 2007

This Sermon deals with the issue of self induced suffering, and God’s forgiveness toward His people.

Suffering Series #1 “BE CAREFUL HOW YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT” II KINGS 5:15-27 PASTOR BENJAIMIN T. HAILEY SR “UBC” Union Baptist Church of Allentown 7-2-2006 “Be Careful How You Get What You Want” – II Kings 5:15-27 Introduction: The person of God must develop a healthy understanding that the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:15-24

Denomination: Baptist

Wrestling With God Series

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Aug 18, 2001

This sermon embraces the uncomfortable ideas of wrestling with God, God self-limitation in the struggle, and change that occurs.

Genesis 32:22-32 Our Bible story needs a little prefacing this evening. Its kind of like the original Star Wars Triliogy - we’re coming in to the story at Episode VI. In recent days we’ve been taking a look at some Old Testament characters, and tonight we turn our attention towards Jacob - the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Methodist

Master Submission Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Aug 21, 2012

Self-centeredness and the 'me first' attitude permeate our culture. But Paul points us in a different direction.

“Building Quality Relationships: With Christians – Master Submission” Phil. 2:1-11 & Eph. 5:18-21 Michael Hernandez has written a piece called “Property Laws as Viewed by a Toddler.” Included are the following toddler laws: “If I like it, it’s mine. If ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Church That Steps Out Series

Contributed by John Tung on Apr 25, 2007

A church has both an internal and an external ministry. We must be balanced and not self-absorbed.

A CHURCH THAT STEPS OUT Acts 5:12-16 John Tung, 4-22-07 I. Introduction The church should pray for people in crisis situations. The church should also pray for people in non-crisis situations, but certainly we as a church should also be praying for people who are in crisis situations. And that’s ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Love Of God-5

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Mar 23, 2021

5 of 5. Paul highlighted the necessity of self-giving love to the proper outworking of Christian living. Self-giving love is essential to true Christianity, but How or in What ways is it essential? As A Christian, the Love of God must Humble my...

The LOVE Of GOD-V—1Corinthians 13:1-13 Attention: In general people have a similar & genuine confusion about the meaning of love, & what it means to serve a ‘loving’ God. They suppose themselves to be ‘eating from’ the best that ‘love’ has to offer, when in reality they don’t have the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-13, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Challenge To Care

Contributed by John Dobbs on May 23, 2024

One way Paul is going to encourage this is by getting to the root of their greatest interest - and often ours - he wants them to join in concern for others by donating funds.

The Challenge to Care 1 Corinthians 16:1-14 Introduction In the concluding chapters of his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul has called us to answer the challenge to Serve, to Love, to Believe, and now to Care. It’s easy to see how the Corinthian church could struggle with caring about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Obstacle To The Truth Series

Contributed by Tim White on Feb 19, 2009

The Leaders of the Jews stumble when they viewed Jesus. The allowed their Pride, Physicality and Prejudices to stand in the way. We must guard not to do the same thing.

Obstacles to Christ For Previous sermon notes, please email pastortimwhite@gmail.com John 7:31-36 31 And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?” 32 The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things ...read more

Scripture: John 7:31-36

Denomination: Baptist

Burned: Destroyed By Desire Series

Contributed by Kyle Idleman on Sep 27, 2010

A sermon from a series on the treachery of sexual sin.

Do you have one of these in your backyard? It’s a fire pit. They’ve become pretty popular in the last number of years. We have one in our backyard … or we did have. It’s actually here now. (Laughter) My wife after the service last weekend … she was like, “I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Paul Died To The Flesh

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Mar 6, 2007

Dying to self, dying to the flesh, are not particularly popular concepts today, even in the church. But the apostle Paul is a great example of doing just that, and his accomplishments are legendary. How did he die to self?

Intro: I’m beginning to understand why it is easier just to avoid the book of Acts. 1. not all the geography or history. 2. but the example of the Apostle Paul that scares the living daylights out of us. 3. here we find Paul on his last journey, sailing and walking steadfastly to imprisonment and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Shall We Live Any Longer In The Sin? Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Oct 4, 2004

This series is based on A. M. Hills book "Holiness in the Book of Romans."

In 5:20, Paul said, “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” It would seem that we should sin as much as possible to get as much grace as possible. There is some logic to that, and that is a great temptation for Christians. Read Romans 6. Paul covers a lot of ground in this chapter. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-23

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Love Of God-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 23, 2021

2 of 5. Paul highlighted the necessity of self-giving love to the proper outworking of Christian living. Self-giving love is essential to true Christianity, but How or in What ways is it essential? As A Christian, the Love of God must Humble my...

The LOVE Of GOD-II—1Corinthians 13:1-13 Attention: Perfect Spouse: A young lady visited a computer dating service & requested, "I'm looking for a spouse. Can you please help me to find a suitable one?" The matchmaker said, "What exactly are you looking for?" "Well, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:2, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Cost Of Discipleship

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Sep 14, 2003

The Text is the Gospel Reading for Common Lectionary, Year B, the theme is characteristics of a Disciple as seen in this text.

THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP—MARK 8:27-38 --by R. David Reynolds Billy Graham has said, “Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything we have” [--Edythe Draper, Drapers Book of Quotations for the Christian World (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992)]. In our text this morning ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38, Mark 8:28-33, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Deuteronomy 30:15

Denomination: Methodist

When You Suffer Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Feb 2, 2013

Everyone suffers in our fallen world. Get used to it! It comes with the turf. But for God’s people, suffering is not merely a consequence of sin: it holds God’s eternal purpose,.

When We Suffer Romans 8:17-18 OUTLINE: Disciples of Jesus Christ, IF and WHEN you suffer, remember that... 1. Suffering with Christ is part of our inheritance. 2. Suffering with Christ demands sacrifice. 3. Suffering with Christ is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Self-Esteem Or God Esteem?" - Lesson 3 - How To Focus On God's Image – Not Yours Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Dec 10, 2020

IV. A. Self-detachment B. Death C. Understanding The Cross D. Application E. The Dealing Of God F. The Real Enemy G. Ascension Of Jesus H. Human Weakness / Divine Strength I. Right With God

QUESTION: If I am the problem, what is the solution? __________________________________________________________________ IV. FOCUSING ON GOD'S IMAGE – NOT YOURS A. Self-Detachment. 1. Matt 16:24 "deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. i. Such self-denial is not the giving up ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24, 2 Corinthians 5:15, 1 Corinthians 15:45, Romans 5:18, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Galatians 2:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational