Sermons on Self Willed Efforts:

Judgment Is A Tough Measuring Stick Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Apr 18, 2017

Discernment, Love, Others, Self-Examination

JESUS STRAIGHT TALK - Judgment Is a Tough Measuring Stick Matthew 7:1-6 (p. 679) April 23, 2017 Introduction: When Jesus says, “Do not judge or you too will be judged,” it’s important to understand what He meant. Look at the context of where this takes place. Jesus is saying, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Be Real"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 26, 2013

A sermon about authenticity.

Luke 18:9-14 "Be Real" So, who are you, really? I'm not talking about the person who appears to have everything perfectly under control, or the persona who has been created, layer-by-layer, through the painful, embarrassing or shameful experiences of life... ...the protective shield we build ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: United Methodist

Getting Control Of One's Anger Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Sep 22, 2024

In difficult situations, instead of simmering in anger or resentment, we are invited to release our desire for control and trust in God’s sovereignty, allowing His peace and love to replace our anger.

Self-Talk and Anger Online Sermon: www.mckeesfamily.com/sermons/ Have you ever felt so angry that you just wanted to scream out in fury? The Israelites, wandering in the wilderness, once again complained to Moses and Aaron about their lack of water, expressing their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Cost Of Discipleship Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 12, 2020

Billy Graham used to say: "Salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you everything." That is an accurate expression of the teachings of Jesus on the cost of discipleship. In this sermon, we explore what it means to pay the cost of discipleship.

A. I like the old classic joke about the chicken and the pig who were talking about going into business. 1. The chicken says: “Hey Pig, we should open a restaurant.” The pig replies: “I’m not sure, what would we call it?” 2. The chicken answers: “What if we called it ‘Ham and Eggs’?” The pig ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-35, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:25-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Internal Affairs Series

Contributed by Aneel Aranha on Feb 9, 2021

All of us — every single one of us — is inwardly corrupt. How do we heal the corruption? [Watch video: https://youtu.be/TdZjy3sBoW4]

Scripture Reading: Mark 7:14-23 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” After he had left the crowd and entered the house, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:14-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lord's Supper

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Sep 26, 2025

Communion isn’t just a private moment; it’s a shared act that shapes the church. In 1 Corinthians 11:17–34 Paul corrects abuses and gives a pattern: remember Christ, proclaim His death until He comes, examine ourselves, and consider one another.

Old Man Thanks God for a Solitary Lunch This week we’re in our second week of our communion series, and before I get into the sermon today, I just want to go ahead and encourage you to grab the elements if you haven’t yet. We’re going to take communion today as part of the message, so if you need ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Change That Comes With Church Growth

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Mar 10, 2009

A shorter midweek message that might help other churches in dealing with some of the potential problems they must deal with in growing from a very small to a medium sized church in a short period of time.

We all have choices in life. Some choices lead us into good times, while others will lead us into bad times. And considering that we are free to make whichever choice we want, we should be very careful and use much wisdom, because most choices, good or bad, have far reaching consequences that we ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: *other

Why Works Won't Work Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jan 24, 2008

Paul stresses the foolishness of trying to get into heaven by our own efforts

WHY WORKS WON”T WORK Romans 4:1-15 Old story of frog that jumped in a bucket of milk. Instead of just giving up the frog began to swim and swim and swim. The frog swam so much that the milk turned to butter and the frog hopped out of the bucket. Great story about working so had that you ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-15

Jehovah-M'kaddesh "The Eternally Self-Existent One Who Sanctifies" Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Jul 25, 2011

Have you tried and tried to be holy only to fail time and time again? If so, then the liberating truth that you need is found in God's Name Jehovah-M’Kaddesh (Jehovah Who Sanctifies).

Purpose: To define holiness and its importance. Aim: I want the listener to pursue holiness. INTRODUCTION: One Sunday on their way home from church, a little girl turned to her mother and said, "Mommy, the preacher's sermon this morning confused me." The mother said, "Oh? Why is that?" The little ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 31:12-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Patron Saint Of The Disgruntled Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on May 25, 2009

God sees behind our facade and does what He knows is right.

Patron saint of the disgruntled Jonah 4 Here we have a prophet but he’s more than just a prophet. Jonah has the gift of an evangelist. He preaches and people get right with God. We don’t know too much about his ministry prior to Ninevah and we know nothing about what ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Easy Way

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Mar 19, 2011

We are always looking for the easy way to do everything.

Matthew 4: 1 – 11 / The Easy Way Intro: The portly, gray-haired gentleman approached the lovely young woman as she sat on a bench in the mall drinking her coffee. He had noticed the beautiful diamond wedding ring on her left hand as he sat down next to her. He said, “Young lady, I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Do Everything Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Feb 24, 2020

We all struggle with a "dual nature." We sort of like Bannon/The Hulk from the movies and comic books. It doesn't take much to move us away from Christ-likeness to self-interest and rebellion.

You can listen to this sermon on my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/2134049 Do Everything  Intro: • Jekyll & Hyde, The Hulk o Book cover o Jekyll/Hyde illustration o Bannon/Hulk o Bannon/Hulk meld • Stories like these illuminate the struggle in all of us. Good vs. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What's Love Got To Do With It? (Part Five) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Oct 25, 2016

Last week I shared about what love had to do with overcoming fear. Today my focus will be on what love has to do with overcoming unforgiveness. We've all struggled with this one. Overcoming being hurt by someone can be difficult. Forgiveness takes love.

WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? (Part five) INTRODUCTION: Last week I shared about what love had to do with overcoming fear. We looked at 1st John 4:18 that states perfect love drives out fear. Today my focus will be on what love has to do with overcoming unforgiveness. Let’s face it-we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why The Lord Withdraws

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 30, 2022

Sometimes we can become prideful and overconfident in our own abilities, which is sin; and so, God will hide His face from us (Isaiah 59:2). The Lord will hide from us in order to gain our attention and cause us to cling to Him.

One day a mother was out shopping with her son. Every time she took him shopping with her she couldn’t keep him by her side. As soon as she would turn her back, the boy would wander off somewhere, though keeping his mother in sight the entire time. She would then have to go and retrieve him. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 32:27-31

Denomination: Baptist

Three Levels Of Love, Part 1 Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 28, 2018

You can't truly others and love God until you understand what it means to love yourself.

INTRODUCTION We’ve come to one of the most important passages in the New Testament. Jesus reveals what He considers to be the MOST IMPORTANT commandment in the entire Bible—to love God. And He volunteers the second most important commandment—to love our neighbors as ourselves. Since this is a very ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Baptist