Sermons on Self Sufficiency:

"Prayers The God Hears:" The Pharisee And Tax Collector

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Sep 3, 2023

In the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector, we’ll be looking at those prayers God hears. However, is all speech skyward prayer, and are they the prayers God hears and answers. In a study of contrast, Jesus’s looks at prayer and the type of prayers God hears.

Parables to Live By “Prayers the God Hears: The Pharisee and Tax Collector” Luke 18:9-14 Watch on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlUjYOQFsro Over the years, I’ve seen and heard quite a few prayers, and what others consider being the type of prayers that God hears. Now, almost ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Foursquare

Why God Hates All Forms Of Idolatry

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Mar 15, 2003

A person seldom considers that his own selfishness can be an idol, as "self" is more important than God. Very few consider that anything, which is more important to a person than obeying God, may be considered an idol.

Why God Hates All Forms of Idolatry A person may not consider that an automobile, house, certain possessions, a hobby, a person, a political party, a cause, a job, a sport, an addiction, lusts, pleasures, or some other thing, can become an idol. A person may not consider that stubbornness is as ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:3-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Are You Worth?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 27, 2002

How do you figure your self worth – by how much money you have or how much power or prestige you have? Jesus has a totally different idea of how to measure your worth.

What are you worth? I mean, really, how do you figure out what you are worth as a person? If you are #7 NFL Draft pick Bryant McKinnie the answer is easy. He’s in negotiations now with the Minnesota Vikings. He says it’s easy to sign him: "All I’m asking is for a fair deal. And that’s real simple. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-34

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Time For New Clothes Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 27, 2003

Midlife feels like a time for new clothes .. signs of mortality are showing up. We need new "shoes" to climb out of self-centeredness, and a new "coat" to enable us to travel out of our comfort zone.

I’ve always been glad that in this church we wear pulpit robes. I’m glad of that because pulpit robes keep you from noticing what the preacher is wearing. I don’t want you to think about what I am wearing. I don’t want you to think about my clothes because you are likely to discover that my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 102:18-28

Denomination: Baptist

Working It Out

Contributed by Jane Willis on Oct 18, 2004

Work gets overwhelming. The people we work with seem hurtful and self serving. Yet, work is a place where we live out our faith--a setting where we must learn to be more Christlike.

This passage about Mary and Martha is familiar to many of you. It is fairly well known. It is a story about one women working in the kitchen and making preparations to entertain guests while her sister is involved in spiritual pursuits and assisting directly in the ministry of Jesus. And, when the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Congregational

Fit For The Kingdom

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 30, 2005

Learning to fold a piece of paper into a square blindfolded requires the same three things as Jesus requires of us to be fit for the kingdom of God: Self-denying devotion to the task, making it an absolute priority and giving it your undivided attention.

Fit For The Kingdom / Luke 9: 51-62 Intro: Challenge – What if God said, “You must be able to fold a piece of paper into a perfect square while blindfolded to be fit for the kingdom of God?” IMPOSSIBLE? – what would I have to do to learn how to do that? I. Verse 57 “I will follow you wherever ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Personal Prophecy Series

Contributed by Kurt Heisey on Nov 5, 2002

This is first of a series on discerning the will of God and looks at how we should handle "words for God" that we or others think come from the Lord. It helps us determin what is of God, our self, or the enemy to deceive us.

Discerning Prophecy 10/6/2002 I. Intro to Rom. 12:1-2... the will of God A. Prerequisites 1. Therefore... (11:33-36) in light that God is awesome, more than you can imagine 2. Offer self as a living sacrifice (12:1)... living for God, not for self. 3. Do not conform to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21, Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Esther: Queen For A Day

Contributed by Lee Henry on Jul 30, 2006

The Story of Esther is a story of God’s providence. Esther’s obedience, faithfulness, prayerfulness and self sacrificing attitude made it possible for God to use her. Those same attributes will allow God to use us as well.

Esther: Queen for a Day Esther 4:14 Queen For A Day (sympathy contest, hosted by Jack Bailey)(Local Los Angeles TV, 1948 - 1956) (NBC Daytime, 1956 - 60) (ABC Daytime, 1960 - 64) It was not really a quiz show, since there were no questions or stunts; it was just a relating of the sob stories ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Lord's Supper - What Is It? Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Jun 28, 2007

This sermon is a short devotion giving four statements of what The Lord’s Supper is. 1. It is a SIMPLE ACT. 2. It is a REMINDER. 3. It is a SYMBOL. 4. It is a STATEMENT OF FAITH. We take part in it after SELF-EXAMINATION.

The Lord’s Supper – What Is It? "On the 19th of November 1967, in Viet Nam, Chaplain Charlie Waters was moving with one of the companies of his Battalion when it became engaged with heavily enemy fire. As the battle raged and the casualties mounted, Chaplain Waters rushed forward to the line of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Question That Demanded An Answer

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Apr 18, 2008

Have you ever been asked a question that demanded no answer? A question that requires no answer does so because the answer is self-evident. The question of the Philippian jailor demanded and answer. It was a crucial question and demanded a conclusive ans

The Question That Demanded An Answer Acts 16: 20-34 Have you ever been asked a question that demanded no answer? A question that requires no answer does so because the answer is self-evident. The question of the Philippian jailor demanded and answer. It was a crucial question and demanded a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:20-34

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Real With Your Enemies Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 10, 2007

Opposition actually helps us grow. Hostility is destructive not only of others, but also of one’s self; and it spreads without reason. Jesus named its absurdity and then left it in the hands of God. Montgomery Hills Baptist Church

Stress strengthens. That is a physical fact. It is also a spiritual truth. Stress strengthens. When we face opposition, we grow. When we deal with differences, we become stronger. Strange as it may sound, give thanks when you are opposed! For stress strengthens; enmity empowers; and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:43-50

Denomination: Baptist

Our Duty To One Another

Contributed by Jason Cole on May 7, 2007

The Bible speaks of many "one anothers", and these should be considered as our duties. Often times we are so focused on self that we fail to look towards others. We need to put others even above ourselves.

Our Duty to One Another Introduction: In today’s world we are very private. We like to keep our business to ourselves and we are very comfortable without anyone interfering with our personal business. When someone does decide to attempt to get themselves involved in our business we call them ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10, Galatians 6:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Love From The Heart

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Feb 17, 2007

The majority of biblical references to the heart refers to the seat of the emotions, our inner self, or even the center of the will. We can learn much from a survey of the Bible’s call to love God with our whole heart.

Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO From the Heart Jeremiah 29:13 Romance lives even in the retirement home. Did you hear about the 90 year-old bachelor. One day this man gathered his four nephews and announced that he was planning to be married. His ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Glory In The Valley Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 9, 2008

The world believes it can produce goodness all by itself. The person listening to the man by the Jordan River hears a very different message. There appears to be two messages: one of self-righteousness and the other of total dependence on God for salvatio

Valley Experience Series # 4 Opening illustration: One of our good friend’s had this unique experience of growing up as the son of a county sheriff. His father who was the sheriff of Marlin County for many years, passed away last year. It was at this time that he told us of an incident which had ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Visualize Your Resurrec

Contributed by C. Scott Ghan on May 4, 2014

Sometimes God give me visions --shows me images and speaks at the same time. This one was humorous and self-deprecating --about rising from the death of our failures and sins to the life and calling God has for us.

TITLE: Visualize Your Resurrection 04-28-2014 Read Romans 6:1-11 in in its entirety as the service begins TEXT: 1 Corinthians 11:1 1Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. Romans 6:1-11 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational