Sermons on Self Interest:

Are You Building Bigger Barns

Contributed by Wendell Blackburn on Feb 16, 2005

Our desires to have earthly riches!

ARE YOU BUILDING BIGGER BARNS? Luke 12:13-21 All the people said HE’S A SUCCESS But God said He’s Stupid God said He’s a fool This rich man was just controlled by the Force of the world And not to mention the force of the devil Men would point him out to their sons They would point out his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-31

Denomination: Pentecostal

So Loved

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on Apr 22, 2011

Let us all take out our towels from our drawers and kneel down before others, and serve them as Jesus serves us, by loving them unto the end. Let us each serve our Lord, by serving all people, in the grace of God’s ultimate and sacrificial love.

INTRO One of the neatest gifts I’ve ever received was this little, hand towel. I was given this during my seminary commencement, and have cherished it ever since. The towel has a little saying on it: “Blessed to be a blessing” Isaiah 61:1. Isaiah 61:1-2 says: “The ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1

Denomination: Lutheran

What Is Christmas All About? Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 24, 2015

This sermon answers the question, "What is Christmas all about?"

Introduction Several years ago RBC Ministries, the producers of Our Daily Bread, published a tract titled, “What Is Christmas All About?” I would like to share that with you tonight. The First World War began in August 1914. It was brutal, bloody, four-year-long war that affected the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Motives For Giving Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Apr 13, 2023

It is important for us not just to give to the Lord, but to give with the right motives. Jesus rebukes those who gave with the wrong motives, so we need to carefully consider our motives and how our motives align with God’s purposes and glorify God.

What motivates people to give? You could read about results of research on this topic about what part of giving is motivated by self interest and what part is motivated by serving others. Our interest here is not the human psychology side of giving motivation, but the biblical motivation. What do ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:7-9, 2 Corinthians 9:10-12, Luke 6:32-36, Matthew 6:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing The Invisible Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 30, 2021

One has not really begun to live until he begins to look, not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for these alone are the things that last forever.

A young sportsman just back from a hunting trip in India was criticizing the efforts of the missionaries there. He said that in all the months he was there he never saw any good they were doing. It was all a useless waste of money and effort. A returned missionary overheard him and asked him a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-18

All The King's Men Series

Contributed by David Heflin on Jun 13, 2007

This sermon explores the true nature of the Kingdom of Heaven and of the disciple.

All The King’s Men Matt. 5:1-12 (SOTM #1) 4/15/07 PSCOC Introduction: Two opposite kingdoms. The nation of Israel wants to raise their popularity in the world, particularly among 35 and under American men. Some people have decided that the holy relics of Israel do not generally appeal to this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Servant's Heart (Updated) Series

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jun 6, 2016

We are looking at the heart of a servant, which Jesus said should be our goal if we want to be great in the kingdom of God. To have such a heart will cost and goes against everything we’re taught. It conflicts with our self-centeredness and personal desires. But in the end, there’s a reward.

A Christian’s Heart “A Servant’s Heart” Watch on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw1m_S5FE9c We’re continuing through our study on a Christian’s heart. This study is about those heart qualities that every Christian should and needs to have in their life. Why is it important ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 20:26-28, Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 52:13-14

Denomination: Foursquare

Bad Times Seem To Last A While

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Aug 28, 2019

Bad times…we all have experienced them. Sometimes they are self-inflicted. I did something I should not have done, and I caused my own bad times. And then there are times, others have done something to me that caused me to have bad times.

Introduction: Bad times…we all have experienced them. Sometimes they are self-inflicted. I done something I should not have done, and I caused my own bad times. And then there are times, others have done something to me that caused me to have bad times. Whether they are self-inflicted, or caused ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Love One Another

Contributed by Peter Scott on Nov 23, 2013

A charge to a church awaiting the arrival of a new minister.

Love One another John 15.9-17 Introduction Jesus said: ‘This is my command: love each other’ (15.17) Well, the day has finally arrived. At some time around 6pm this evening, God willing, Steve Kelly will accept the responsibility for the ‘cure of souls’ (to use the archaic ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17

Denomination: Anglican

Daniel 4: Overcoming Pride Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Sep 3, 2020

Self-focused pride 1) causes anxiety, 2) leads to a fall, 3) can be redeemed through God-focused humility. We can humble ourselves by 1) recognizing God as sovereign, 2) crediting God for our abilities, and 3) directing our gifts to the good of others.

PUTTING PRIDE IN ITS PLACE—Daniel 4 PRIDE. One of the “Seven Deadly Sins,” along with greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth. But is it always bad? There is a kind of healthy pride, which values one’s abilities, celebrates achievement, and motivates positive behavior. Paul refers to ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 4:1-37, Deuteronomy 8:17-18, 1 Peter 1:5-6, 1 Corinthians 4:7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Violating Honest, Kind Communication Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 19, 2018

We have all misused our tongues, and perhaps created much damage. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we don’t want to be like the natural, unregenerate person; we want to live on a higher level, one that honors God. Let’s take a look at 3 very familiar violations of honest, kind communication.

Violating Honest, Kind Communication (Proverbs 26:17, 20-26) 1. Most of us will enjoy a big Thanksgiving feast! BTW, What do you get if you divide the circumference of a pumpkin by its diameter? Pumpkin pi. 2. One woman writes, “A few years ago, my husband and I had my parents and sister up for ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 26:20-26, Proverbs 26:17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Gathering To Grow Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Nov 30, 2011

We must turn around (‘repent’) from the depth of our self-will… and give ourselves…immerse ourselves (‘be baptized’) in the life of Jesus…now risen and ruling and revealing God’s will.

Gathering to Grow Series: ROOTS Brad Bailey – October 16, 2011 Intro – I want to begin by asking a question: Why are you here? Why are we here together? It’s always good to stop and consider WHY we are doing something… what the purpose is. Because when we loose clarity on ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Moses: From Contentment To Calling

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Sep 26, 2025

Self-help says “look within” for happiness; Scripture says contentment comes from being humbled by God and satisfied in Christ. In Moses we’ll see that contentment often precedes calling, stays active (not complacent), and resists complaining—because Christ is enough.

Let me ask you a simple question, “Are you content?” I saw a self-help based article on the Internet that suggested contentment can be found by catching yourself thinking “life sucks,” and stopping such thinking. It continued that contentment is found by cultivating a thankfulness for “little ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:1-13, Exodus 15:22-24, Exodus 16:2-3, Exodus 17:4, Philippians 4:11-13, Hebrews 13:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Don't Cry For Me Jerusalem”

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 10, 2002

A call to discipleship

“Don’t Cry For Me Jerusalem” Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Those who rejected and condemned Jesus showed that they preferred darkness to light. Those who cried for our Lord to be crucified revealed their inner darkness, their desperate need for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:26-31

Denomination: Congregational

"Bridge Over Troubled Waters."

Contributed by Thomas Bracewell on Mar 5, 2002

Faith is a bridge that carries us over the troubled waters of life. It is Like a "Bridage over troubled waters."

A Bridge Over Troubled Waters Sermon By Thomas Bracewell, OSL Luke 21: 5-24 The Introduction and Summary Statement I have been very ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-24

Denomination: *other