Sermons on Self Preservation:

God's Upsidedown Courthouse: A Lesson In Faithfulness

Contributed by Ryan Sato on May 4, 2005

Today’s passage challenges us to think about the Christian discipline of prayer. How is your prayer life? How is our church prayer life? How do we measure a faithful prayer life? Jesus’ parable from Luke 18 offers us some freedom from guilt…and a call

Opener: Please allow me to rant…I often wonder if we Christians take time to reflect on what we look like to the unbelieving world that is outside the four walls of our church…Sunday after Sunday. Why go to church…why be a part of the church community? – This is a question that I have been ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Dancing With The Devil Series

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Jun 6, 2016

This is the tenth sermon in a series on the life of David. It covers the time when he fled to Gath and faked madness in front of Achish.

1 Samuel 21:10-22:1 KJV And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. [11] And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Avoid Being A Disciple Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Oct 20, 2025

As Jesus continues his journey toward Jerusalem, he makes some statements that reveal just how costly discipleship is.

The Internet is full of information on how people can do certain things: How to repair a specific broken belt on a lawn mower How to balance a budget How to cook a dish How to pay for college There is also a ton of information on how to avoid certain things: How to avoid debt How to avoid phishing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35, Luke 12:15, Luke 9:23-25, Matthew 5:13, Luke 6:35, Mark 6:46, Acts 8:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

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

Nine Marks Of Worldiness - I John 2:15,16

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 31, 2002

Nine Marks of Worldliness - I John 2:15,16 (Preoccupations that are wrong, pride, pleasures, possession focused, popularity, power obsession, position oriented, people pleasing, and privileges seen as self-centered rights)

Nine Marks of Worldliness - I John 2:15,16 (Preoccupations that are wrong, pride, pleasures, possessions, popularity, power obsession, position oriented, people pleasing, and privilege for selfish reasons) Illustration: That evening, the assassin John Wilks Booth stopped in a saloon near the Ford ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where Is Your Treasure

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Aug 6, 2007

(The Parable Of The Rich Fool) The Folly of the Fool 1. Could not see beyond Himself 2. Could not see beyond this life The Wisdom of God 1. Sees Beyond Self 2. Sees Beyond This World

Introduction: • A wise old man put up a sign on a vacant piece of property he owned that read, “I will give this lot to anyone who is really satisfied.”A wealthy man read it as he rode by and said to himself, “Since this old man is going to give this piece of land away, I might as well have it as ...read more

Denomination: Orthodox

"A Father's Gift" Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on May 23, 2008

A father’s day sermon, stressing the importance of father’s being involved, so that their sons and daughters can find security, value and self esteem, and thus transfer love for their earthly father to their heavenly father.

In Jesus Holy Name June 15th , 2008 Text: Luke 8:40-42,54-53 Redeemer “A Father’s Gift” The story of Jairus is a wonderful story about a father’s love for his daughter. His daughter was about 12 years old and she was dying. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:40-52, Mark 8:40-53

Denomination: Lutheran

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