Sermons on Self Willed Efforts:

The Way Of The Cross PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 20, 2024

This sermon explores Jesus' foretelling of His suffering, Peter's misunderstanding, and the call to embrace self-denial and the cross for the Kingdom of God.

Good morning, beloved family of God. It's such a joy to come together in this sacred sanctuary, where the echoes of our collective praises rise to the heavens and the whispers of God's Word soften our hearts. We're gathered here today, not by chance or circumstance, but by the divine appointment of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Topics: Putting On Christ

Past, Present, And Future

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jan 1, 2010

As we begin a new year, we need to consider looking back, where we were; looking inward – where we are; and looking ahead – where we are going. Paul in Philippians 3 provides us with an example of evaluating one’s past, present, and future.

Past, Present and Future Philippians 3:1-17 Introduction: As we stand at the door steps of a new year, we need to consider looking back, where we were; looking inward – where we are; and looking ahead – where we are going. Paul in Philippians 3 provides us with an example of evaluating one’s ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Get Out Of The Way...

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Feb 16, 2018

God caused them to self destruct, to melt like wax in the fire! God was the greatest weapon on that day, God is our greatest weapon everyday!

Psalms 68:1-3 NKJ Let God arise, Let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him. 2 As smoke is driven away, So drive them away; As wax melts before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 3 But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 68:1-3, 2 Chronicles 20:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Problem Of Dirty Feet

Contributed by Bob Hostetler on Jul 5, 2001

If Jesus, our Lord and Teacher, washed his disciples’ feet, we also should serve each other, there should be no task, no role, no effort that we will not do for each other.

The Problem of Dirty Feet Scripture Reading: John 13:1-17 Text: John 13:14 They arrived in groups of twos and threes, talking loudly, laughing boisterously. . . They were Galileans, all of them but one, and they were men of the sea, men of the soil, and—a couple—men of the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17, John 13:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Answer Two: God’s Humble And Simple People Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Apr 9, 2015

Every church needs to take this message to heart because one of the most tragic characteristics of modern society is pride and self-sufficiency.

I said last time that in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians concerning what to do about their divided church, Paul gives 11 answers to their problem. The first answer, Paul said, was the cross. If the church would refocus on their purpose based upon the cross, the church would begin to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Speaks On Rights

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Oct 14, 2010

Believers must be willing to give up their rights to security, retaliation, time and money in our service to others.

Jesus Speaks On Rights Matthew 5:38-42 INTRODUCTION A. Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia on May 10, 1775. 1. No legal authority but had to make decisions because of military events between colonists and British. 2. By end of 1775, independence was almost inevitable. 3. Mistrust of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

Compassion And Light On Christmas

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Jan 3, 2004

Christmas 2: Jesus’ selfless love and compassion is offered by God to bring light and forgiveness to sinful human self-centeredness.

In his book The Power of the Powerless (New York: Doubleday, 1988), Christopher de Vinck tells a simple story. He writes: “One spring afternoon my five-year-old son, David, and I were planting raspberry bushes along the side of the garage. A neighbor joined us for a few moments. David pointed to ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Kind Of Mother

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Dec 31, 2014

Some mothers give their self to their children. Others give their children to themselves. God's kind of Mother does this.

God's Kind of Mother 1 Kings 3:16-28 Today is a very special day… a day when we honor and pay respect to a very special person ... our Mothers. To use the words of Abraham Lincoln, "It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this" Mother‘s Day began in Virginia, back ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:16-28

Denomination: Baptist

Give Life And You Get It More! Series

Contributed by Paul Kallan on Feb 1, 2003

We are called to remember that beyond the demands that we make, battles we fight, our urge to retaliate and the violence we offer, the gospel (Lk.2.22-32) calls us to self-giving, commitment and self-sacrifice for the happiness and wellbeing of the other.

The german newspaper „Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung“ carried on 29. January 2003 an article on Mr. George W. Bush, the President of USA. I was really surprised to find out that he is a very active member of the United Methodist Church. It seems, every day he begins the work in the White House with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-32

Denomination: Catholic

What Stands Between You And God? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 3, 2013

As humans, our default position is to be self-centered. And unless we are aware of it and address it, we will always act in our own best self-interest. But as the Psalms show us, we are not the center of the universe - God is. And that's a very good thing

Psalm 115 is all about how silly we as humans can be, thinking we can actually do anything apart from God. It is also about who really gets the glory—God or us? By the way, many of the lines in this psalm are also found in Psalm 135. 1 – 3 If more of us would live by verse 1 of this ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Somebody Stop The World. I Want To Get Off! Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 16, 2011

An effort to helpl my audience have a greater peace concerning family stress and crises and to begin building real spiritual resources that will help them cope with them in their home

Matthew 6:6-34; There’s a lot of stress going on out there, and a lot of that stress has been associated with the workplace. Maybe you’ve seen some of the signs of it; like this one of a zebra who says, “I think it’s stress.” Or, maybe you’ve seen this stress ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:6-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I'm In The Know – Are You? Series

Contributed by David Elvery on May 6, 2009

People seek Power, but God’s power of salvation is revealed according to his sovereign will.

“I’m in the know – are you?” Gladstone Baptist Church – 6/8/06 pm S1 - Many people have sought to find power in the past – but many have looked for it in the wrong place (sought the wrong god) – OOPS <Show video clip from the Phantom about people’s desire for ultimate power> Over history many, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Why Did God Let This Happen?

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 23, 2001

In the midst of a nation where people are beginning to ask questions about where God was when New York & Washington were hit, this is a humble effort to deal with that question.

OPEN: A little girl came home from a neighbor’s house where her little friend had died. "Why did you go?" questioned her father. "To comfort her mother," said the child. "What could you do to comfort her?" "I climbed into her lap and cried with her." APPLICATION: In this mother’s time of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Axes Upon Thick Trees

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Aug 2, 2006

A thick tree requires more effort than a tender plant in cutting it down.God wants you to become His battle axe, to cut down such trees.

Jeremiah 51:20-23: ”Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider; With thee also ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 51:20-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Be A Piece Of The Rock

Contributed by David Roth on Mar 2, 2015

Proper 16 (A). We are fashioned by Christ, who is the rock and cornerstone. Therefore we look to Him instead of to our effort, to be the living stones of His church.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “Be a Piece of the Rock” “What!? Have you got rocks in your head?” You have heard that expression before. The implication is that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Lutheran