Sermons on Self Serving:

Cain: The Story Of Alienation Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Mar 5, 2008

The story of Cain. Intimacy with God and family and self is lost. He no longer feels accepted. He lives in fear. God warns Cain... but Cain chooses to turn his back on God and walks away. Peter and Judas both betrayed and denied Jesus, one walked to

In Jesus Holy Name March 9,2008 Lent IV Series: O.T. Challenges Redeemer Genesis 4:1-12 “Cain: the Story of Alienation” This is the third message in our series: O.T. Challenges. In Genesis chapters 1-3 we saw Adam and Eve sharing a life of perfect love ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Faces: Samson Part 2 Series

Contributed by John Braland on Apr 3, 2007

Samson was reckless. He became arrogant in his self pursuits always assuming that God would bless him because he was special. He virtually abandoned his spiritual life over the course of 20 years then was shocked that God was gone. In the end, he lost

Last week we learned that Samson was special. Even before he was born God had put a call on his life and all Samson had to do was walk into his calling. His calling was clear, God wanted to use Samson to move the Israelites out of their complacency because they were losing their identity. They ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:1-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Make New The Attitude Of My Mind

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on May 17, 2013

I. EXORDIUM: Are you like CHRIST? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To be like CHRIST. IV. TEXT: Ephesians 4:22-24 (Amplified Bible) Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self

I. EXORDIUM: Are you like CHRIST? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To be like CHRIST. IV. TEXT: Ephesians 4:22-24 (Amplified Bible) Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:22-24

Denomination: Pentecostal

Grow Free From Bondages

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Feb 12, 2013

Self-deliverance is one of the most important parts of the deliverance process. The devil will seek to enter legally through open doors into a person’s life. Once these doors have been identified and shut, believers can break off any legal grounds that th

Grow Free From Bondages Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:14-15

Denomination: Charismatic

Helmet Of Salvation: We Are Not Good Enough Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 9, 2023

When we encounter the completely true thought that “we are not good enough” our society and our need for self-esteem creep up and we take our helmet of salvation off because we are disillusioned with God and we open ourselves up for temptation and doubt.

THE ARMOR OF GOD AND THE LIES OF THE ENEMY Helmet of Salvation: We Are Not Good Enough Ephesians 6:10-18 #armorofGod INTRODUCTION… Start with the End in Mind This morning I want to share with you where we will end up in our time looking at God’s Word and then I want to rewind and get us there. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Message In 1peter – Number 6 – Follow My Example Of Suffering And Walk Accordingly (But Not The Writer’s Example) – 1peter 2:21-23 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 24, 2023

This message looks at examples, especially Christ's example in suffering. Committed Christians take up their crosses and follow Christ, their example. Our Lord has set the example in suffering. That will lead to persecution/suffering when we deny self and walk in His footsteps.

MESSAGE IN 1PETER – NUMBER 6 – FOLLOW MY EXAMPLE OF SUFFERING AND WALK ACCORDINGLY (BUT NOT THE WRITER’S EXAMPLE) – 1Peter 2:21-23 {{1Peter 2:21 “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,”}} [A]. A ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21, Acts 17:10-11, Philippians 3:17, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-7, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9, 2 Timothy 3:12, Matthew 16:24, John 12:24-25, Isaiah 53:3-5, 1 Peter 2:22, Hebrews 7:26, John 8:46, James 5:10-11, Philippians 3:10-11, Acts 5:41, Romans 8:18, 2 Thessalonians 1:5, John 6:15, Philippians 3:8, 1 Peter 2:23, Matthew 26:62-63, Luke 6:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Go! And Live A Holy Life Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 14, 2025

The Christian life is a call to holiness. In a world that promotes self-indulgence, compromise, and sin, God calls us to live differently. The sacrifice of Christ demands a response: a life set apart for Him. But what does holiness mean, and how do we live it out daily?

Go! And Live a Holy Life Introduction: The Christian life is a call to holiness. In a world that promotes self-indulgence, compromise, and sin, God calls us to live differently. 2 Corinthians 5:15 (NLT) declares: "He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:15, 1 Peter 1:2, Romans 8:29, Ephesians 1:4, Ephesians 5:25-27, Titus 2:14, 2 Timothy 1:9, Hebrews 12:10, Philippians 2:12, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Ephesians 5:3, Ephesians 5:15, 1 Peter 1:13-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Letting Go Of The Unknown

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Jan 14, 2024

When we worry and trust only in our self effort and don’t trust in Gods endless capabilities, Even though by the world’s standards we may achieve some form of success, we are spiritually all sitting in the poorhouse and starving ourselves to death!

Letting go of the Unknown As we go through life, we learned to deal with different things involved with Adulting! Some are known and some are unknown. The ones that we know about we think that we can deal with usually and when we can’t we call on the Lord and expect him to come running to our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28, Psalm 143:8, Mark 6:34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Following Jesus At A Distance - Mark 14:66-72 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 20, 2024

When is it okay to protect yourself, and when does it fall into the kind of self-saving that Jesus forbids? We'll learn from Jesus and Peter what it looks like to lose your life to save it rather than saving your life and losing it.

Introduction: Plan B Last Sunday our church did a song called Death Was Arrested. See what you think of this verse: Our savior displayed on a criminal's cross Darkness rejoiced as though heaven had lost But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand That's when death was arrested and my ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:66-72, Matthew 26:69, Luke 22:54-65, John 18:15-27

The Exchanged Life

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 22, 2025

This sermon on Galatians 2:20 presents the "exchanged life" as the Christian's declaration of independence from self, where the old identity is considered crucified with Christ and a new life is lived by the faith of the Son of God, motivated by His personal love and sacrifice.

Introduction: A Declaration of Spiritual Independence In our world today, the prevailing message is one of self-actualization. "Find yourself," the world cries. "Be true to yourself." "Follow your heart." We are encouraged from every corner to build our own identity, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Baptist

Psalm 2 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 25, 2020

The first two psalms are often considered to be designed as a pair serving as an introduction to the 150-psalm collection. The first psalm describes the difference between the blessed man and the evil man, and Psalm 2 is about triumph over the forces that oppose the faith.

For Sermon Central researchers: I have posted a series of 15 sermons on the Psalms. In recent personal studies I have found the psalms to be richer and more thought-provoking than I had fully appreciated. I had too often swept swiftly through psalms without slowing down to inquire as thoroughly as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:1-12, Acts 4:27-28, Hebrews 1:6, Daniel 7:13-14, Psalm 86:15, Psalm 103:8, Psalm 145:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Let God Do The Finger Pointing

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Aug 7, 2023

If finger pointing is impolite and it is so often connected to self-centered, sinful behavior why does God do it? God does this so that when sinners see their lost condition he can point them to the cross of his Son. There forgiveness is found. There salvation and eternal life are offered.

“Finger pointing.” What thoughts do those two words bring to your mind? For the most part they are probably negative thoughts. At a very early age we are taught not to point at people. It’s considered impolite. As we get older we experience finger pointing in many different ways. If we had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Love Is Not Selfish Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 2, 2013

As we continue to learn to make love a way of life, in this sermon we learn how to have a love that is not selfish.

A. There’s a story told about a little boy and his sister who were riding a rocking horse together. 1. As you can imagine, it was a little crowded on that rocking horse with the two of them on it. 2. After a few minutes rocking like that, the little boy said, “If one of us would get ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Characteristics Of Real Fishers Of Men - Luke 5:1-12

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 20, 2001

Characteristics of real fishers of men - Luke 5:1-12

Characteristics of real fishers of men - Luke 5:1-12 Illustration:The Times-Reporter of New Philadelphia, Ohio, reported in September, 1985 a celebration of a New Orleans municipal pool. The party around the pool was held to celebrate the first summer in memory without a drowning at the New ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can We Refuse To See Our Brothers And Sisters? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 3, 2015

We cannot love God if we refuse to work for the betterment and evangelization of the poor.

Thursday after Epiphany 2015 Joy of the Gospel St. John’s letter is pretty stark today: “If any one says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” Our love for our brothers ...read more

Denomination: Catholic