Sermons on Self Willed Efforts:

Control Freak

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 15, 2023

Have you ever known a controlling type person? What's at the heart of being a control freak? You may be thinking of someone who needs to hear this sermon but just because we may not be a 'control freak' that doesn't mean we don't have any control issues.

CONTROL FREAK Have you ever known someone who could have this label attached to them? People who feel they have to control you, the situation; everything? There are people who like to micromanage things. There are people who get very upset if you don't take their advice. People who have a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, John 14:27, Colossians 1:16-17, Jeremiah 17:7-10, Proverbs 25:28, Proverbs 29:11, 1 Peter 5:6-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Made By God

Contributed by Brian Williams on Aug 19, 2024

The scriptures encourage us to view our bodies the way God does as fearfully and wonderfully made, to live our lives aligned with the way God created us to live and glorify Him with our bodies.

Have you ever thought about how, why, and to what degree we as human beings place value on things, whether the object is a person, idea, behavior, piece of art, other? There is something called the Value Theory which basically states that we place a value on something based on how “good” it is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Being A Disciple Really Means (Luke, Part 7) Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Mar 6, 2022

If you let God lead, He will take you on a wonderful journey ... but, if you don’t start somewhere, how can you ever make an impact? Jesus challenged those following Him to be fully committed ... so are we?

What being a disciple REALLY means (Luke, Part 7) Luke 14:25-35 Introduction / Recap - The study of Luke is an interesting one for believers to explore -- We see Luke’s interest in humanity (it’s genuine, rem: career as a physician) -- We also get to experience how Jesus interacts with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35, Mark 10:28-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

World Changers

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 7, 2013

A world changer is known not for what he gives up, but for what he takes up. Will you take up the challenge to be a world changer OR who just changes his clothes every day to look good?

Opening illustration: John, do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water, or do you want a chance to change the world?” That was the challenge Steve Jobs issued in 1983 to John Sculley, then president of Pepsi-Cola. Mr. Jobs was the creative genius behind Apple Computer. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:17-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Surrendered To The Savior Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jan 3, 2018

Jesus offered a convicting mandate - take up your cross and follow me! In that culture the cross was not westernized like it is in our culture as a fashion statement. It meant death.

Surrendered to the Savior Mark 8: 34-38 For the past few weeks we have discussed some intense conversation between Jesus and the disciples. He had questioned them regarding His deity and their acceptance of Him as the Christ. While others had a skewed perception of Christ, Peter boldly, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Denomination: Baptist

An Accurate "I" Exam Series

Contributed by Rob Jansons on Sep 14, 2010

This is a New Year's sermon when our culture preaches "believe in yourself" and Scripture teaches us what happens when we do. It is a prelude sermon to a covert series on Calvinism.

It is the first Sunday of the new year. In our culture this is a time of getting psyched up for a new year of doing our best, setting some ambitious goals, trying harder, putting our best foot forward. Maybe you expect a little encouragement from your church; give us some spiritual justification ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Where Art Thou

Contributed by David Parks on Nov 4, 2024

Many of the most profound questions ever proposed and answered are found in the Bible.

ANSWERS TO LIFE’S GREATEST QUESTIONS “WHERE ART THOU” TEXT: Genesis 3: INTRODUCTION: 1. Many of the most profound questions ever proposed and answered are found in the Bible. 2. Cain Asked the famous question, Genesis 4:9 (ESV) Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Changing Clothes Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jun 11, 2002

Paul’s contrast between the old self and the new self

Changing Clothes - Eph. 4:17-24 Steve Simala Grant Intro: We have had quite a week. Last Sunday, on thanksgiving, I talked about how visiting Allan Vail had brought me encouragement as I saw the faith that Allan had and how ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Isn't Looking For Groupies

Contributed by Monty Newton on Sep 7, 2010

Jesus is not interested in gathering a bunch of hangers-on... his desire is that those who follow him be totally devoted to him and willing to reconfigure their family values, self-interests and their hold on stuff.

Title: Jesus Isn’t Looking for Groupies Text: Luke 14:25-33 Thesis: When we decide to be a follower of Christ we must reconfigure our family values, our need to look out for #1 and our hold on stuff. Introduction CBS News reported that an estimated 87,000 people attended Glen Beck’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In Defense Of Marriage

Contributed by Carlton Coon on Oct 12, 2001

An effort to promote the concept of commitment to marriage.

In Defense of Marriage Matt 19:1 (KJS) And it came to pass, [that] when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan; 2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. 3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Living As Life-Givers Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Mar 26, 2014

Who we are meant to be as shown by the book of Ephesians.

Living As Life-Givers Series: Becoming Who We Are (Engaging Ephesians) Brad Bailey - February 23, 2014 Intro Many of us have been watching the Olympics. Along with the remarkable skills... there have bee some special moments that transcend the competition. • First Winter Olympic athlete ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Foretells His Death Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 24, 2017

FROM THIS POINT ON, JESUS HAS SET HIS FACE TO GO TO JERUSALEM, WHERE THE CROSS IS WAITING. IN THESE VERSES HE SPEAKS OF HIS DEATH AND THE COMMITMENT THAT HIS DISCIPLES MUST MAKE TO FOLLOW HIM.

-AD 29- Caesarea Philippi Lesson: Jesus Foretells His Death Matthew 16:21-26, Mark 8:31-37, Luke 9:22-25 FROM THIS POINT ON, JESUS HAS SET HIS FACE TO GO TO JERUSALEM, WHERE THE CROSS IS WAITING. IN THESE VERSES HE SPEAKS OF HIS DEATH AND THE COMMITMENT THAT HIS DISCIPLES MUST MAKE TO FOLLOW ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-26, Mark 8:31-37, Luke 9:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

Chutes And Ladders Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 21, 2015

We want to be a disciplined people, and we want to be wary of the destructive evils that we find so easy to embrace. Discipline is like a ladder that slowly leads us upward; foolishness is a chute that can make us drop quickly.

Chutes and Ladders Proverbs 23:15-35 1.These are actual complaints received from dissatisfied customers by Thomas Cook Vacations (based on a Thomas Cook/ABTA survey): a. "It's lazy of the local shopkeepers in Puerto Vallarta to close in the afternoons. I often needed to buy things during 'siesta' ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:15-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Go! And Cry Out For Deliverance - Romans 7:24 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 4, 2025

Have you ever stood before a mirror—not just to fix your hair or check your clothes—but to really look deep into your soul and ask, “What is wrong with me?”

Go! And Cry Out for Deliverance - Romans 7:24 Introduction: The Cry of a Desperate Soul Romans 7:24 (NLT): “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” Church, have you ever stood before a mirror—not just to fix your hair or check your ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:24, Romans 7:18, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 5:12, Romans 10:9, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18, Ephesians 2:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Muzzle Eeyore - Psalm 42-43 Part 4 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 13, 2025

Be careful what you say to yourself because no voice has more influence on you than your own. Don't talk to yourself about your troubles. Talk to God about your troubles, talk to yourself about God.

Psalm 42 For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah. 1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day ...read more