Sermons on Self Willed Efforts:

Saved From Shallow Religion Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon introduction emphasizes the importance of private acts of giving, praying, and fasting as taught by Jesus, highlighting the need for a self-giving love that seeks God's approval rather than that of others.

Hello church and welcome. I am glad we are observing Ash Wednesday together. Today is the first day of Lent, a 40-day period of reflection, prayer, confession, and letting go. We join with believers all over the world during Lent. Lent is a time for us to assess ourselves and make adjustments. It’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21

Topics: Self-Giving Love, Spiritual Practices, Divine Approval

Doing God's Will In 2006

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jan 31, 2006

Discovering God’s Will, God’s Way for 2006

10When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.” 11One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:10-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Paradoxical Sayings Of Jesus: Lose Your Life To Save It Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jul 30, 2018

Perhaps Jesus' most challenging saying of all is that to save your lives we must be willing to lose it for His sake and the Gospels. We explore what this really means practically, and whether Jesus meant for it to be literally true.

The Paradoxical Sayings of Jesus Lose Your Life to Save It Mark 8:31-39 We continue in our summer series on the paradoxical sayings of Jesus. Jesus said a number of things which violate common sense, and seem to be impossible with regard to all the realities we face in this world, and would not ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Bible Church

Mission Impossible!

Contributed by Jofrey Bustamante on Dec 31, 2009

What is impossible with men is possible with God! Start your first step into your miracle!

Introduction: Many Hollywood enthusiasts and aficionados watched the series of the movie, "Mission Impossible!" Count me one of them. I love the scenes where Tom Cruise would accomplish a seemingly impossible mission. Incredible feat! Those TV and movie series made millions, I believe. There ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It Is Well With My Soul

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Jul 29, 2006

A comparison of popular self help ways to find joy with the biblical ways.

I have two different books with me today. Anyone know what this one is? The Bible! The other one is a generic self-help book. We’ll call it, “The Generic Guide On How To Be Happy.” Now how many of you want to be happy? How many want to be miserable, depressed, obnoxious, annoying ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Ambition Series

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Oct 17, 2005

Improper and self-centered ambitions do not honor God and ultimately are destructive.

#2005-41 Sermon Series: Find Your Focus Title: Ambition Text: I Kings 1:5-10, 49-52; 2:21-24 Truth: Improper and self-centered ambitions do not honor God and ultimately are destructive. (Outline from Lifeway.) Aim: to help you keep your ambitions in line with the Lord’s purposes. Life ?: How do ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Work Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Louis Bartet on Jun 7, 2004

This section of the little book of Jonah... assists us in calling NT believers, especially leaders, to renewed efforts in at home evangelism and foreign missions.

TITLE: Jonah: The Work of The Lord TEXT: Jonah 1:1-3 TOPIC: Evangelism and Missions DATE: June 6, 2004 AM Jonah 1:1-3 1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, 2 "Arise, go to Nineveh the great city, and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me." 3 But ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Perfect Twins (Grace And Mercy)

Contributed by Tamela Walker on Sep 1, 2014

How our Father in heaven is Gracious and Merciful unto us day by day

Nehemiah 9:31-32 Nevertheless for thy great mercies 'sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God. Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 9:31-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Its Boldly Thrown Out There--"Take Up Your Cross And Follow Me."

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jun 24, 2017

The Cross allows us to "deny oneself" from pure self interest to serve a higher purpose. It's a way for us to continually do a self check, and for us to be sanctified.

13A There is a story by Guy de Maupassant titled "The Necklace." The Necklace is a tale of a young woman named Mathilde who wishes she was rich and also wishes she was accepted in higher social circles. However, her husband is an ordinary French citizen without the resources to fulfill her ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:37-42

Denomination: Catholic

The Love Of God-3

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Mar 2, 2021

3 of 5. Paul highlighted the necessity of self-giving love to the proper outworking of Christian living. Self-giving love is essential to true Christianity, but How or in What ways is it essential? As A Christian, the Love of God must Humble my...

The LOVE Of GOD-III—1Corinthians 13:1-13 Attention: Lost in the Translation: A husband & wife are at a recognized high-brow restaurant celebrating their anniversary. Looking the menu over, they were shocked to see a dish named, “hickory-smoked road-kill possum jowls in pancake syrup.” They ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:3, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The New Year: An Extra Time

Contributed by Kayode Omotoso on Dec 29, 2014

It’s just like yesterday that we just greeted ourselves, “Happy new year.” Now, it is December again and another new year is knocking at our doors. How time flies!

It’s just like yesterday that we just greeted ourselves, “Happy new year.” Now, it is December again and another new year is knocking at our doors. How time flies! Few years back, at the beginning of that year when everybody was celebrating witnessing another year and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:6-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Figuring God

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Jun 13, 2005

Despite our best efforts to understand the Doctrine of the Trinity, we can never quite figure God out.

Figuring God John 16:12-15 May 22, 2005 Let’s play a few games this morning. You’ve seen these little puzzles that are called “brain teasers.” Let’s see if you can figure these puzzles out. A customer at a 7-11 store selected four items to buy, and was told that the cost was ...read more

Scripture: John 16:12-15

Denomination: Methodist

Surrendering For Sucess Series

Contributed by Darrell Tomasek on Oct 26, 2005

This sermon explores the fact we must surrender our efforts and will to truly enjoy all that God has for us.

Surrendering for Success Galatians 3:1-9 1. God’s Goal: A. That we would abandon our life to Him (Galatians 2:20). B. That we would walk in the power of His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). 2. The way to failure is clear (1-5): A. Try to accomplish this by obeying the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

This Is That!

Contributed by Johnny Carver on Sep 5, 2008

This message deals with the importance of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the believer’s life to be effective in our efforts in ministry.

Scripture: Acts 2:16 Title: “This Is That” Introduction: I am fully persuaded that the disciples of Jesus failed to understand everything that Jesus said to them during the time they spent together. · I am also fully persuaded they stood in awe at the miracles Jesus performed before their very ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Close Is Not Enough Series

Contributed by Tim White on Mar 19, 2014

Knowledge is good, effort is commendable, and lifestyle is important. However, you can get all that right and miss Jesus.

"If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost" (II Cor. 4:3). Mark 12:28-34 Is close always good enough? Not when you think about it. • If 99.9 percent were good enough ... • The IRS would lose 2 million documents this year. • 22,000 checks will be deducted from the wrong ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Baptist