Sermons on Self Possessed:

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

This Man Receives Sinners

Contributed by Timothy Shumer on Apr 28, 2002

The self-righteous religious rulers of Jesus’ day didn’t want much to do with sinners - but that was precisely the point of Jesus coming to earth! They wouldn’t receive sinners, but Jesus would ~ and He did! Will you?

The custom of the family visiting around the dinner table = Perhaps a lost art + Some = My family = Enjoyed visiting during meals = But also after, living room + And then we would play cards and that’s when the real visiting began + Some = My wife’s family = Loved to linger at the table after the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Whole Secret Of Strength

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 21, 2003

Ordination sermon, involving a play on the names of Samson in the Bible and Sampson, the ordinand, an entertainer, puppeteer, and beauty pageant winner. The whole secret of strength is in using the gifts God has given for ministry and not for one’s self.

The world didn’t give it, and the world can’t take it away. Isn’t that what we sing. I’m not so sure. What do you think? The world didn’t give it? I agree. That’s true. But the world can’t take it away? I am not at all sure. We are here today because Yolanda Sampson has heard the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:4-30, Hebrews 12:12

Denomination: Baptist

Available For Liberation Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 5, 2003

When God called Moses to the task of liberating a people, Moses felt self-doubt, uncertainty about God, and unreadiness. Actually these are positive values that will lead us as American Christians to take our place in the world.

How do you feel about eager volunteers? What’s your reaction to the kind of person who is always ready to step up to the plate and take a swing at some issue? How do you really feel about those who quickly volunteer when something needs to be done? Maybe you remember what it was like to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-14, Exodus 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

When Sensitivity Is Dulled Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 17, 2004

Where does interpersonal insensitivity come from? Ignorance, alienation from God, loss of feeling, destructive self-absorption. How can sensitivity be regained? Learn, learn Christ, let the relationship govern, be renewed.

There has been an accident. You’ve been hit hard, and you cannot lift that leg. They examine you, they flex your muscles, they look for broken bones. If the condition persists, they may stick pins into the soles of your feet. They are trying to find out whether you can feel anything. They are ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

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

False Faith/Counterfeit Christianity

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 15, 2005

Simon the sorcerer is an illustration of Counterfeit Christianity or false faith. It begins with a false self perception, and foolish pride. Trying to show folks that the rituals we use in the church do not save, instead it is the life changing presence

Intro: Online Encyclopedia, Wikipedia this to say about Counterfits “Today the finest counterfeit banknotes are claimed to be U.S. dollar bills produced in North Korea, which are used to finance the North Korean government, among other uses. The fake North Korean copies are called Superdollars ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-25

Denomination: Baptist

God Leads To Abundance

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Feb 3, 2007

1. God has a wonderful plan for your life. 2. He wants to free you from sin and self-destructive addictions 3. God wants to take you to the land of abundance right now.

“Entering the Promised land” July 10, 2005 “Two of the spies, Joshua (the son of Nun), and Caleb (the son of Jephunneh), … said to all the people, "It is a wonderful country ahead, and the Lord loves us. He will bring us safely into the land and give it to us. It is very fertile, a land ’flowing ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:6-9

Denomination: Holiness

Creative Communion

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Jul 9, 2010

Communion is always a special day at church. Every time we share it, it is a sacred day of self-examination and spiritual closeness. This week’s communion was more wonderful than I’ve experienced before.

Communion is always a special day at church. It is one of only two ordinances that separate the church from other spiritual organizations. Every time we share it, it is a sacred day of self-examination and spiritual closeness. This week’s communion was more wonderful than I’ve experienced ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:26-29

Denomination: Baptist

Leaky Disciples

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 17, 2008

Dated 1988; post-revival message. We do not retain the Spirit after a period of excitement because we have not counted the cost, we are victims of low self-esteem, or we are not our own persons.

Nothing is more annoying than to be trying to transport some liquid in a leaky vessel. You think you’ve got whatever it is all secure and ready for use, and then all of a sudden you find out it has leaked and drained allover the place ... and nothing is more disturbing and frustrating. When I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do About A Broken-Down Church

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 7, 2009

God is not committed to maintaining a church just because it is there. His commitment is to maintain us if we show compassion, particularly on the young. Restoration of our church life in challenging times begins with repentance, self-examination.

Two or three weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, I noticed several of you staring straight up here, right into the notch of this arch. I too looked up there, and what we all saw was a sizable piece of paint and plaster hanging there by a mere thread. It looked as though it was poised and ready just in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Dating God!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Aug 19, 2013

Dating God requires you to be ‘all’ for Him! Opening up our activities, computer, inbox, facebook, mobile, cupboards, to the entire, close scrutiny of God will require self denial and total surrender!

Dating God! Hebrews 10:22”let us draw near [TO GOD] with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Boy! The title is so powerful that I am a bit shaky as to how to begin! I can never write this ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:22

Denomination: Pentecostal

There Is No Need To Doubt Him Now

Contributed by Brandon Boyd on Sep 17, 2016

Do ever feel like in times like these that you find your self doubting God, well so did the Children of Israel and God, like always came through for them just as He will for us.

There Is No Need To Doubt Him Now Malachi 3:6-7 6.For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. 7.Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Marriage, Intimacy Series

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Mar 28, 2018

A Biblical marriage destroys thoughts of self-consciousness, they defeat shame, there is no fear of ridicule, no hang-ups, they can choose to avoid embarrassments and with Christ leading the marriage they miss the emotional hurts from abuse or poor choice

Marriage, Intimacy A marriage unified in Christ enjoys true Biblical intimacy. Moses wrote, “…The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” (Genesis 2:25) A Biblical marriage destroys thoughts of self-consciousness, they defeat shame, there is no fear of ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do You Know The Way? Series

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Jun 25, 2018

Many people blindly follow their GPS and have no clue as to whether or not they are on the right road. Many self professing "Christians" are traveling the "broad way" and think they belong to Jesus, yet they missed the narrow road of true salvation.

God’s Positioning System or GPS. Our current Sermon Series. First, a few weeks ago, we asked the question: "Do you know where you are?" Do we know your location? Not your position on Earth, but in relationship to God? After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, God came walking through the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Baptist