Sermons on Self Willed Efforts:

Calling All Losers

Contributed by Antonio Torrence on Sep 12, 2003

Discipleship is about our willingness to lose ourselves in God’s will.

"Calling All Losers" Mark 8:34-38, John 12:23-28 By Rev. A. LaMar Torrence, Pastor of Cross of Life Lutheran Church The great statesman, Winston Churchill, once said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” That proverbial statement best captures the meaning of this ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38, John 12:23-28

Denomination: Lutheran

Dare To Ask God For The Power To Take Up Your Cross Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 2, 2020

There is more to the Cross than the crucifixion of Jesus - there is also the crucifixion of self in our lives as Christians.

COMMUNION SERVICE: Power to take up YOUR Cross We continue in our series Powerful People. For our Communion Service this evening I want to encourage you to ask God for the power to take up your cross. It is at the Cross where Salvation and Forgiveness of Sin are guaranteed to all who accept ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34, Galatians 2:20-21, Romans 6:6-14, Luke 14:25-33, Luke 22:20, Mark 8:34-38  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Passing It On Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on May 21, 2009

Lives that refuse to plug into God’s grace are self sufficient lives, lives that rely on self and ego. It takes humility to admit that we’ve sinned against God and to trust in Christ for our salvation, but until we do that we can’t plug into God’s grace.

TRANSFORMATIONS 6/15/08 – Father’s Day – Passing it On Passing it on… I still remember the exact moment when I realized that I was truly an adult. It wasn’t my 18th birthday, or when I moved out of the house a few months later. It wasn’t even my wedding day, which came just two years after my 18th ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Love Triangle PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2023

Guide us in shifting from a self-centered life to one that prioritizes God and others.

Good morning, Church family. It's a joy to be with you today. We're going to be delving into the book of James, specifically chapter 4, verses 1 to 6. Oscar Wilde once said, "Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live." I believe this quote ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-6

Topics: Selfishness, Godliness

Kissing Convenient Christianity Goodbye

Contributed by Don Jaques on Aug 26, 2004

Following Jesus means being willing to serve and be inconvenienced for the sake of the Gospel.

Kissing Convenient Christianity Goodbye August 21/22, 2004 Don Jaques PROBLEM: We have many ministry needs unmet and the needs of a 3rd service coming up. Christians think that serving others is optional. Christians think that laying down your life is just something “figurative” and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blindness

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Oct 22, 2009

Physical blindness will not keep one out of heaven, but spiritual blindness will.

Text: “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked Him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” (Mark 10:51) There is no question that we have many people in the world who are physically blind. Sometimes we know the reason they have lost their sight and other times it is unknown. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Denomination: Christian Church

For Jesus' Love 15 Leadership Traits

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Nov 11, 2017

For a reprobate mind with no redeeming virtues seek not the common faith in the kingdom of Christ Jesus in heaven or on earth. Man's self-destructive nature in self-actualization of violence to death cannot take away the saving grace of our Savior.

FOR JESUS’ LOVE 15 Leadership Traits By Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (October 1, 2017) “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Denomination: Friends

Where Is Your Comfort Zone?

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Aug 30, 2022

Are we stuff in our 'comfort zone' or willing to step out of it to follow Jesus?

There is a popular term that I would like us to consider: “comfort zone.” A person’s comfort zone refers to any place where the person feels comfortable, safe, free from threat or even challenge. Life there is marked by ease and familiarity. It’s natural to like one’s comfort zone, but most of us ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:24, Luke 14:7-14, Luke 14:1

Denomination: Episcopal

The Declaration Of Independence Series

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Jun 1, 2004

The sermon examines our human tendency to rely on self rather than seek God.

The Declaration of Dependence (Why Men Don’t Ask For Directions—Part 2) James 4:1-10 Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO Review: In our previous study we explored the normal human tendency to be independent and self-reliant. Independence and ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Widow's Offering

Contributed by Rick Bezanson on Jul 31, 2008

Encouragement to use our abilities God has given us to serve Christ by serving others.

I was performing a wedding for a young couple. Before the wedding, the groom came to me and said, “Pastor, I will give you $100 if you change the wedding vows. When you get to the part to ask me to honor, love and obey, just leave that part out for me. Then, he handed me $100. During the wedding, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Lutheran

Micaiah-Speaking God's Truth Without Spin Series

Contributed by Peter Amerman on Jul 7, 2005

Micaiah was a prophet who was willing to take his stand for God’s truth, even when 400 prophets were willing to "SPIN" the truth to agree with the king.

Micaiah- Speaking God’s Truth Without Spin Pastor Pete Amerman- Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church Succasunna, NJ July 3, 2005 Ephesians 4:25- “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor...” Continuing our series on Unknown Faces from the Bible, remember that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 22:1-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You Sure You Want To Be Healed?

Contributed by Ronald Wofford on Feb 8, 2003

Needing a miracle and being willing to pay the price to get one are two different things. If you are to be healed you must be willing to give up your sickness.

“ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO BE HEALED?” Genesis 42:1-4,16 ; 43:8-14 I. There Ain’t No Free Lunch A. Everything costs something B. “Will work for food 1. Have to give up your street corner C. Crippled preacher 1. “I know a good thing when I see it! D. Some blessings ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 42:1-4, Genesis 48:8-14

The Church At Philadelphia Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Nov 17, 2016

The door of evangelism was wide open to them and they did God's will. They obeyed His will. There was no condemnation uttered for this church. There was only an admonition to hold fast what they had.

I. Introduction A. Quick review of the 5 previous churches 1. The church at Ephesus a. The church at Ephesus was commended for (1) Hard work and perseverance (2) For its stand against heresy (3) For enduring hardships for Christ's name (4) And for hating the practices ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13, Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Sacrificing Our Rights

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 27, 2021

What rights do we have? What rights was Paul willing to give up for the gospel? What freedoms are we willing to sacrifice in love of God and neighbor?

What rights do we have? What rights was Paul willing to give up for the gospel? What freedoms are we willing to sacrifice in love of God and neighbor? 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 Rights 1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

We Are Saved To Serve Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 5, 2004

Learn from the servanthood of Christ. (1) choose service over self-interest, and (2) think like a servant.

A request was made by the mother, for her sons James and John to sit with Jesus in His Kingdom. Jesus was born for a purpose – to serve a need; to serve God’s purpose · He was born a SERVANT! From the day He was born until the day He died, He was serving SOMEONE · He was tasked by Someone to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible