Sermons on Self Willed Efforts:

Addressing Festus (Acts 25)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 18, 2025

Are we willing to go to dangerous places for the Gospel?

Did Paul’s enemies bring him before another governor? Are we willing to enter dangerous places for the Gospel? Let’s look at Acts 25. After Antonius Felix left office, did Paul appear before Porcius Festus? Festus then, having arrived in the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Take To Be Amazed By The Master?

Contributed by Robert Tallent on Aug 3, 2024

What are you willing to do to be amazed by the Master?

What does it take to be Amazed by the master? Mark 2:1-12 insomuch that they were all amazed, that amazes me. The guys carrying the stretcher were amazed too. 1. Desire to wish or long for; to crave, to want. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Serving God (Nehemiah 11)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 11, 2025

Are we willing to leave home to serve God?

Did some forego their inheritance in the land to serve in the temple? Are we willing to leave home to serve God elsewhere? Let’s look at Nehemiah 11. Who primarily lived in Jerusalem with their families? Was there room enough for others? The nation's leaders and their families settled in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Why Jesus Taught People If They Want To See God Work In New Ways They Must Be Willing To Do New Things

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Why Jesus Taught People If They Want To See God Work in New Ways They Must Be Willing to do New Things (Matt 14:29-31)

Why Jesus Taught People If They Want To See God Work in New Ways They Must Be Willing to do New Things (Matt 14:29-31) Illustration:He was born in Columbus, Ohio, 1890, the third of eight children. At eleven he quit school to help with the family expenses, and got his first full-time job at $3.50 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:29-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Desperate Housewives And Their Spouses

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 15, 2006

Successful marriages are built on: 1. Self-giving, rather than self-fulfillment. 2. Building each other up, rather than tearing each other down. 3. Continual growth, rather than taking the relationship for granted.

Henry David Thoreau, the writer and naturalist, once said, “Most men lead quiet lives of desperation.” If you believe television, most housewives do as well. In the show, Desperate Housewives, Susan Mayer, Lynette Scavo , Bree Van De Kamp, Gabrielle Solis and Edie Britt lead us through a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Dealing With Childhood Experiences Series

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Jul 16, 2003

Self-help excercises for overcoming bad childhood experiences based on the book of Daniel, chapter one.

Childhood can be difficult enough, even if you grow up in the best of circumstances. Truth is, some of us didn’t have the luxury of growing up in an environment that was always safe and secure. Others of us who did have a pretty good upbringing still have some things we’d like to forget when it ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Misconception 3:man Can Become Sinless And Righteous On His Own Series

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Feb 26, 2008

Struggles with the flesh. Self righteousness, spritual struggle, and Christ’s Death.

The Three Misconceptions Of Man - 1John 1:6-2:2 Misconception 3 – 1John 1:10-2:2-Can Man Become Sinless and Righteous on His Own Intro- Sin is a terrible thing. We see it in the headlines of the news every single day. Murder, kidnapping, assault, fraud, cheating, lying, deceit, adultery, fighting, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lost

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Apr 26, 2010

Even when our efforts are not always aligned with his intentions and we make mistakes and sometimes make a mess of things, he knows the heart

LOST 2 Kings 22:1-20; key verse: 13 INTRO Pastor Wayne Cordeiro, Leading on Empty writes of his daughter, adopted when only three days old. The apple of his eye, Abby, compromised her faith and morality, making choices that expelled her from College and for two years was searching for her ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 22:1-20

Denomination: Salvation Army

"A Woman's Place"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 14, 2010

God is Love, Grace, and Forgiveness. We need not worry about coming into God’s Presence. Love, Grace, Forgiveness. That is what it boils down to--not rules, regulations, punishments and anger!!!

Luke 10:38-42 “A Woman’s Place” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East ridged United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN A friend from seminary once told me a story about her call to the ordained ministry. It came when she was feeling small. She was just fifteen. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: United Methodist

I Know History; I Do Not Know Myself Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 4, 2002

It is one thing to know history and theology; it is another entirely to understand our own hearts. Job’s pilgrimage into self-understanding led to self-hatred, but in Christ that can be redeemed.

I’ll ask you to repeat with me this wonderful, ringing affirmation from the New Testament: But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. I know. I know the one in whom I have put my trust. ...read more

Scripture: Job 9:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Discipleship - Warts And All

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Oct 13, 2015

Theme: Self-surrender/sacrifice/servanthood Proposition: Through a series of trials and errors Jesus is able to teach His disciples the true walk of a disciple - that of self-surrender/sacrifice/servanthood

Scripture: Mark 10: 32 - 45; Psalms 104:1-9; Hebrews 5:1-10 and Isaiah 53:4-12 Title: "WARTS AND ALL" Theme: Self-surrender/sacrifice/servanthood Proposition: Through a series of trials and errors Jesus is able to teach His disciples the true walk of a disciple - that of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Nazarene

The Road To Peaceful Relationships Series

Contributed by Bradley Kellum on Aug 25, 2009

The road to unity is paved with humility. Paul shares 5 reasons why we should express humility in an effort to foster unity.

Paul’s Thesis: Let me give you five reasons you should express humility and pursue unity. Why Should I Express Humility and Pursue Unity? REASON #1: I AM ENCOURAGED BY CHRIST’S PRESENCE. Paul asks these Philippians a rhetorical question that does not need an answer. He asks, "Do you ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Finding A Quiet Place

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 16, 2009

We need to recharge our batteries by finding a quiet place in order to give our full attention and effort to serving the Lord.

Mark 6: 30 – 34 / Finding A Quiet Place Intro: I would be willing to bet that the majority of you sitting here today are really sick! Let me describe some of the symptoms of your illness: 1) You complain you don’t have enough hours in the day, 2) at a stoplight, you get into the lane with the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-56

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Trusted Servants Series

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Jan 25, 2006

The hallmark of the trusting laborer is the Holy Spirit fruit that is evident in his life, no matter what the harvest is that the Lord brings forth from his efforts.

Turn Your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 3:6-10 Title: Trusted Servants Theme: Hallmarks of a Trusting Laborer Series: Laboring Together With God Introduction: There is a swinging pendulum of reactions in the church of Jesus Christ in regard to the attitude of her laborers. When one sees the results ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:6-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Be A Pharisee! Series

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Aug 7, 2013

A sermon examining the danger of becoming a modern day Pharisee.

DON’T BE A PHARISEE! Matthew 9:11-13 The Pharisees were an influential religious sect within Judaism in the days of Jesus’ earthy ministry. This group was mostly comprised of middle-class businessmen and leaders of the synagogues. Though the Pharisees were a minority within the Sanhedrin (the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:11-13

Denomination: Baptist