Sermons on Self Interest:

Does Prayer Have Power?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Nov 11, 2017

Is there power in prayer or in the one that is prayed to?

Many people think that prayer ‘works’ because there is ‘power’ in it, when in actuality the ‘power’ is found alone in the Creator God we pray to and who steps into every life circumstance to work it out for our best (Rom 8:28). Prayer is not some tool to move God or a weapon to use against the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Psalm 100:4, John 10:27-28, Luke 17:21, Philippians 4:7, Malachi 4:2, Psalm 4:8, Psalm 61:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Example Of Christ Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Aug 20, 2003

We will look at one of the greatest passages on our Lord Jesus Christ. We will examine the great example of Jesus Christ and what he did to go from the Majesty of God to a criminal’s death on the cross.

Introduction: I recently read a great Book about a man by the name of Marshal Taylor. Marshal Taylor lived in the USA in the late 1800’s and he was born to parents that were slaves. Marshal Taylor experienced freedom and he began to know a taste of freedom that his parents never knew. He had the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Supersize Me!

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Mar 12, 2006

In order to avoid the trap of self-indulgence, we need to: 1. Reject the spirit of entitlement and embrace a spirit of gratitude. 2. Reject excess and move toward moderation. 3. Reject the temporal and focus on the eternal.

Two years ago Morgan Spurlock created a film documentary called Supersize Me, which won several international film awards. It was based on an experiment to see what would happen if he would eat nothing but McDonald’s fast food for one month. He had three rules for this experiment: 1. During the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-11

Denomination: Methodist

"Restoring The Garden"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 28, 2013

A sermon for Easter Sunrise.

John 20:1-18 "Restoring the Garden" The great dividing line in history, the moment when before turned into after, is not the BC and AD division... ...it is not even the page that separates the Old Testament from the New Testament. The Great Dividing Line in History is Before the Resurrection ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

Is It Too Late?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 5, 2016

Is it too late for Jesus to give life back to a dead marriage, business, relationship, dream, or even a dead body?

Intro Who has the authority to give life to the dead? Is death too late for Jesus? Purpose Let’s look at Jesus’ authority over life and death. Plan We will look at Jesus’ resurrection of a widow’s only son in Luke 7:11-17 and how it is different than other resurrections ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Cost And Reward Of Discipleship Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 21, 2024

When Jesus called people to follow Him, He was upfront about the cost. He never promised discipleship would be easy, He promised it would be worth it.

The cost of being a disciple of Jesus is profound. It’s a journey marked by surrender, sacrifice, and a willingness to lay down everything for the sake of following Christ. When Jesus called people to follow Him, He was upfront about the cost. He never promised that discipleship would be easy, but ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23, Luke 14:26-27, Matthew 16:25, Luke 18:22, John 15:20, Matthew 5:10-12, Hebrews 12:1-2, Mark 10:29-30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Defining Discipleship Series

Contributed by Larry Sarver on Aug 15, 2002

An expository teaching message on Luke 14:25-35.

Luke Series #69 June 23, 2002 Title: Defining Discipleship Email: pastorsarver@yahoo.com <mailto:pastorsarver@yahoo.com> Website: www.newlifeinchrist.info <http://www.newlifeinchrist.info> Introduction: Welcome to New Life in Christ. This morning we are continuing in Chapter 14 of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35, Mark 1:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Improving Your Serve 2023 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 3, 2023

Serving does not come easily to any of us, it is an art, a discipline which has to be developed in our life. Servanthood must also be modeled after Jesus.

Improving your serve! Opening Illustration: Serving the ball story! Thesis: Serving does not come easily to any of us, it is an art, a discipline which has to be developed in our life. Servanthood must also be modeled after Jesus. Scripture: Mark 10:35-45 35 Then James and John, the sons of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Jesus' Concern For Details Did Not Distract Him From His Main Goals

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

It is not uncommon to find people who get so wrapped up in details that lose sight of more important goals. Similarly, it is common to find people who are only interested in taking on jobs that will earn big rewards while spurning smaller jobs. Jesus’ min

It is not uncommon to find people who get so wrapped up in details that lose sight of more important goals. Similarly, it is common to find people who are only interested in taking on jobs that will earn big rewards while spurning smaller jobs. Jesus’ ministry balanced the macroscopic with the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:10-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Not Just Another Sunday Part 2: Praise & Worship Series

Contributed by Rev. Saeed Richardson on Sep 9, 2007

As I was looking through the purpose driven life, I came to chapter 13, “Worship Can be a Witness”. Here Rick Warren discusses 12 convictions about worship. What struck me as pretty interesting was point number 5 “Worship is a powerful witness" ...

This sermon can be listened to online by visiting: http://www.cayafellowship.com/2007/09/02/not-just-another-sunday-part-2-praise-worship/ In this message we continue our look into making our weekly fellowship experience at CAYA, “not just another Sunday morning”. As I was looking through the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

"Widening Your Circle Of Unlikely Friends"

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Aug 22, 2005

Do we bypass people with the good news about Jesus because we think they wouldn’t be interested because they are not like us in the way they dress or talk? How to pull down the barriers that keep us separated from people who are unlikely friends.

liff and Saltillo UM Churches August 28, 2005 Dr. Marilyn S. Murphree “Widening Your Circle of Unlikely Friends” Acts 10:9-35 Introduction: Peter had come a long way in his walk with the Lord but he had restricted his preaching of the gospel to a limited audience focusing only on the Jews. He ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:9-35

Denomination: Methodist

Communication Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

Assuming you believe that God exists and that He’s interested enough in you that He had a purpose for you, not just when you came into the world but long before that – He had you in mind when He first spun the world itself into existence.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). I used to work at a place where we had daily meetings. Every morning at 8:00 we would sit down for fifteen minutes and go over the day’s schedule, discuss yesterday’s production, correct mistakes and add on ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Birth Of Sin

Contributed by J. Yeargin on Nov 13, 2006

All too often our definition for Good News has to do with interesting new Bible stories, or feel good inspirationals. But we may find ourselves one day in the Valley of Despair – Valley of Dry Bones, as a result of sin (birthed within us).

THE BIRTH OF SIN Revised – 08.20.06 (Edit in text from “Elijah”, Chas. Swindoll, pages 127 – 131) Perhaps you came this morning expecting to hear some “Good News”… How do you define the term “Good News”? If I were to tell you that you are walking too close to a hanging cliff that loose ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Napkin Of Jesus!

Contributed by Tony Abram on May 5, 2011

In this sermon outline we list some interesting things about a lowly napkin that must be important as the Bible makes mention of it at the Last Supper and at the Tomb after Jesus rose from the dead. I like to think that Jesus had a very special way of fo

NAPKIN OF JESUS! John 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. John 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-8

Praying Like Jesus

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 20, 2014

"Our Father" I find it interesting here that Jesus would teach us this phrase because Jesus Himself never uses that phrase."In heaven" Jesus reminds us here that we are not approaching an earthly father that is limited in his capabilities or his presence.

11-11-04 PRAYING LIKE JESUS/Ten Principles Of Prayer Luke 11:1-11:13 Have you ever thought about your prayer life? Have you ever examined it and wished that you could be better at communicating with God? Have you ever just felt ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Baptist