Sermons on Self Sacrifice:

James, Son Of Thunder

Contributed by Fran Van Hoven on Jul 2, 2007

Have you ever known someone whose aggressive, ambitious personality just rubbed you the wrong way? Have you known someone who was so self-seeking that you couldn’t help but hope something humiliating would happen to them,just to teach them a lesson?

James, Son of Thunder Matthew 10: 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:2-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Renew Your Thinking

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 12, 2003

Paul urged the early Christians to replace their old sinful natural responses to difficulties with new attitudes. The great apostle wrote, "Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires. To be made new in the attitude of your mi

Someone once said, "Attitude is everything." People with great attitude succeed. Those with negative attitudes fail. Illustration;Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: To choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s way. Viktor Frankl, concentration ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:21-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Praisefest In Jerusalem

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on May 19, 2003

Without Christ we are just ordinary people, ordinary creation, who don’t experience the extraordinary hand of a living God. Without Christ we are without joy, peace, wisdom, self-control, patience, and the strength to live the life it was meant to be.

The PraiseFest in Jerusalem Scripture References: Luke 19:35 – 40; Matthew 21:8 –11; Mark 11:8 - 10 Introduction The donkey awakened, his mind still savoring the afterglow of the most exciting day of his life. Never before had he felt such a rush of pleasure and pride. He walked into town and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:35-40, Matthew 21:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual High Gear Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 3, 2004

We become useful to God when we are broken of our stubborn self-will and learn to submit to His will. The beatitudes describe what it means to be broken before God¡Kwe can summarize these first 4 beatitudes with one word each.

Spiritual High Gear (Matt. 5:1-6) INTRO 1. Right now, Freddie Aldridge is in boot camp. 2. I’ve never been in the military, but I understand it does a good job of teaching people respect for authority. 3. I knew a student at Moody, Bruce¡Kflunked out¡KNavy¡Kpastor/professor 4. "The Navy has a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Want To Die? Series

Contributed by Jerry Mckee on Sep 18, 2008

It’s tough to be a teenager today. I wrote this series of messages for our new 7th graders graduating into teenage life. The third installment of this series takes a looks at the struggle of self esteem that everyone (including adults) face on a daily bas

I Wanted to Die I tried to commit suicide seven times. That’s what depression—at its deepest and darkest—can do to you. by Mandy Bennett* as told to Mark Moring The alarm clock jolted me awake at 5 o’clock, way earlier than usual. Normally, I might’ve groaned, shut it off, and gone back to sleep. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-18

Denomination: *other

Zacchaeus

Contributed by Clay Gilbreath on Mar 24, 2007

Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus teaches us about His ministry. Insignificant to us may be significant to Him; He always has time to minister; He doesn’t really care what self-righteous think; His mind was on His mission.

LUKE 19:1-10 Imagine the story with me. Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem. He knew what awaited him there, he knew he was going to be received royally, then in a matter of days, he would be crucified and murdered. He understood this was God’s master plan to offer salvation to the world – ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Everything Made New

Contributed by Mark Roper on Jan 5, 2010

Each New Year many people make all sorts of resolutions. Resolutions for greater Health, or Wealth. These resolutions are a desire through self discipline to have the things change for the better. The good news is that, God also has a desire for new cha

Everything Made New Each New Year many people make all sorts of resolutions. Resolutions for greater Health, or Wealth. These resolutions are a desire through self discipline to have the things change for the better. The good news is that, God also has a desire for new changes to take place ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-5

Denomination: Church Of God

Have Faith In God

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jun 27, 2011

Have faith in God. Focus not on the size of your faith but the size of your God. Who do you believe in is important. Do not shift your focus away from God and onto your self, your skills, your knowledge or past accomplishments.

[Adapted from a chapter in Rev Edmund Chan’s book Growing Deep in Faith.] A young boy was being tormented by a demon. ?He has seizures and is suffering greatly, and would even throw himself into the fire or water. ?His family was at a lost what to do. His father brought him to the disciples of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:14-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Truth About Truth

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jul 26, 2012

It may take a crucified church to bring a crucified Christ before the eyes of the world. Christ’s cross makes foolish human wisdom. The cross insults our intelligence (too simple), ability (nothing to do), and ambition (not glory for self).

Opening illustration: When Harvard University was founded, its motto was Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae —“Truth for Christ and the Church.” Its crest showed three books, one face down to symbolize the limitation of human knowledge. But in recent decades that book has been turned ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Called To Be Saints

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Aug 22, 2013

There is something intensely individualistic and ego affirming in the idea that you make your own way. We would all like to think that we could pull ourselves up by our own boot straps, that we are ‘self-made people.’

Romans 1:5-7 4th in the series Called To Be Saints Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:5-7

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Irreverence In Worship Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Nov 30, 2005

Worship is all about God, not us! So, as Paul instructs the church concerning worship, he is in reality, instructing the church to be more God centered, and less self centered. To achieve worship that is God centered, we must deal with our own attitude,

IRREVERENCE IN WORSHIP 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 INTRODUCTION: Beginning here and continuing through Chapter 14, Paul deals with issues regarding public worship. This is an important point – what Paul has to say he says in the context of public worship. Simply put, worship is aligning ourselves with ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Denomination: Baptist

Disciples Are Juicy(Pastor Jose Gomez Jr.)

Contributed by Jose Gomez Sr. on Mar 6, 2006

Jesus compared his disciples to juicy grapes attached to a healthy, living vine. How important is it to bear fruit? What happens when we become lazy or self-centered and stop bearing fruit? How dependent are we on being attached to Christ?

A Tour of John 15:1-17 We Are Planted and Pruned to Produce Juicy Fruit 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned for ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Amos: Justice And Righteousness Matter To God” Series

Contributed by Charles Clemons on Feb 12, 2021

“The prophet Amos was sent by God to warn Israel of the coming judgment upon their idolatry and rampant injustice.“They had a form of self-satisfied religion where they actively wanted the blessing of God for themselves and their family yet had little concern for their neighbor. ”

“ I. What God Hates (5:21-23) A. Hypocritical & False Worship 1. Festivals 2. Assemblies B. Insincere Repentance & Giving 1. Burnt Offerings 2. Grain Offerings 3. Peace Offerings II. What God Approves (V.24) A. Justice ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:21-24, Jeremiah 22:3, Micah 6:8, 1 Peter 3:18

Born Again

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Dec 1, 2018

If we are to be true Christians we must change from our old self into something new. This transformation takes place when we are born again by water and spirit. Its not enough just to say we are Christians we must be born again.

If we are to be Christians we are called to change from our old self into something new I want to read a few scriptures about that change before we get into our sermon text for today. Ephesians 4:22-24 (NASB) in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-8, Ephesians 4:22-24, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let’s Not Miss The Harvest! (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Dan Proctor on Aug 22, 2016

Jesus was too concerned about the souls of people to get distracted with minor, unimportant matters. If we aren’t focused on Christ, we can become self-absorbed and inwardly focused like the Pharisees, and we’ll miss the harvest.

Let’s Not Miss The Harvest! Matthew 9 – Part 2 Introduction: 1. Did you know that religious people can be very mean and cold-hearted? People who are religious, but aren’t truly walking with God can be some of the nastiest people you’ve ever met. 2. In Jesus’ day, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-38

Denomination: Bible Church