Sermons on Serving Self:

Authority To Forgive Sins (Mark 2)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 5, 2024

Did Jesus have authority on earth to forgive sins? Let's discuss this in Mark 2.

Does Jesus have authority to forgive sins? Did Jesus spend time with sinners? Will Christians fast? Is Jesus Lord of the Sabbath? Let’s find out in Mark 2. What happened in Capernaum? And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Going The Distance (On What Matters)

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Feb 3, 2021

This sermon is about running the Christian race.

Going the Distance (on what matters) Opening Illustration: "He didn't win a medal. In fact, he came nowhere near. But, in defeat and in pain, he came to represent something much more profound and enduring than many sportsmen achieve in illustrious careers. Akhwari was never likely to win ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Pentecostal

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 23, 2021

As people run headlong into a world going nowhere, escaping reality in their hedonistic lifestyles, are we ashamed of Jesus and His words? Are we ashamed of suffering as Christians? Let’s look at Jesus’ countercultural instructions in Mark 8:31-38.

Prelude As people run headlong into a world going nowhere, escaping reality in their hedonistic lifestyles, are we ashamed of Jesus and His words? Are we ashamed of suffering as Christians? Purpose Let’s see the value of taking up our cross and denying ourselves. Plan Let’s look at Jesus’ ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Baptist

The Believers Life Is Selfcontrolled

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 24, 2022

In the previous sermon we looked at Romans 8:1-4, and we learned some marvelous things about our new position in Christ Jesus.

We learned that while we ALL were once IN ADAM, something happened when heard of salvation in Jesus: • We recognized how dreadful our sins were, and repented of them and trusted in Christ • We were immediately justified by the blood of Christ And now we are no longer IN ADAM, but we are IN CHRIST. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Smiths

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 29, 2022

Demetrius “Smith” represents someone whose judgement is clouded by selfish desires. Alexander "Smith" represents someone who doesn't want to be alone in his sin; who makes it a point to cause other Christians to stumble.

I’ve entitled our message for this evening, “The Smiths.” Have you heard about the Smiths? Take for instance Zipporah Smith. “Who’s that?” you may say. Well, her husband, Moses, was used by God to deliver the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt. You see, Zipporah was a Kenite, and the word ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:14-16, Acts 19:23-34

Denomination: Baptist

Remove The Roots Of Bitterness

Contributed by Dennis King on Feb 25, 2018

Most people think they are totally and unequivocally free of bitterness. However, that’s not necessarily the truth. You see, bitterness creeps in, slowly and is easier seen in other people rather than in yourself.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, and slander, along with every form of malice. That statement comes from Ephesians 4, verse 31. The Greek word for bitterness is “Pikria” which translates to “Sticky.” No matter what has been done to you, how bad, how often, or who from, bitterness ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Oh My Soul

Contributed by Davon Huss on May 27, 2017

Whether you are high or low, I have some advise for you this morning (First point adapted from Mr. & Mrs. Friday Pele; second point from Rick Warren)

HoHum: Sing “Oh My Soul” by Mark Hall of Casting Crowns Oh, my soul Oh, how you worry Oh, how you're weary, from fearing you lost control This was the one thing, you didn't see coming And no one would blame you, though If you cried in private If you tried to hide it away, so no one knows No one ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:11, Psalm 42:5-6, Psalm 43:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Taming The Tongue Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 28, 2017

The tongue is powerful; control it. The tongue is pernicious; contain it. The tongue is polluted; clean it up.

A couple of hunters were out in the woods of New Jersey when one of them fell to the ground. He didn’t seem to be breathing, and his eyes were rolled back in his head. Terrified, his friend whipped out his cell phone and dialed 911. “My friend is dead! What can I do?” he cried over the phone. In ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical Free

When Stuff Gets In The Way. Series

Contributed by Eric Grenier on Apr 26, 2018

James 5:1-6 speaks of problems we thought were new problems. being hoarders, defrauding others, being self-indulgent

James 5:1–6 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. 2Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Some Storms In Your Life Are Sent By God!

Contributed by Beverly Holstein on Sep 19, 2017

Sometimes God allows storms in our lives because He is trying to get our attention! We need to recognize these storms, and then we need to recognize what we need to throw overboard!!

VS 2 – ALL WICKEDNESS WILL EVENTUALLY COME BEFORE THE LORD FOR JUDGEMENT!!! Acts 17:30 - And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 2 Corinthians 5:10 - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Religion, Reformation, Or Relationship

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Nov 1, 2017

What matters is not what religion you are or cleaning up your act. What matters is your relationship with Christ.

Religion, Reformation, or Relationship Matthew 12:34b-50 Traditionally, on New Year’s Day, many people make resolutions. About 85% of those made are for some form of self-improvement. While most of those who make resolutions are sincere, only 8% ever achieve their goal. How many times have you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:34-50

Denomination: Baptist

Love And Life In The Spirit Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jul 10, 2018

God desires for us to find love in every area of our lives, not just the physical part of our lives.

Love Worth Finding Love and life through the Spirit Romans Chapter 8 Prayer- Introduction- Good Morning! Last week we began a series called “Love worth Finding” We looked at God’s Love for us and our love for God. We agreed that this world is messed up and needing God to bring peace and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-17

Denomination: Nazarene

Give Your Life Away Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Apr 5, 2022

There are at least four core commitments for Christian living: (1) abide in the Word, (2) pray your heart out, (3) be killing sin, and (4) give your life away.

Our lives tell a story—a story about who we are and what we value, where we’ve come from and where we’re going, what we want and what we’ll do to get it. And what most of us do is, we make “the story” of our lives about us. But God makes “the story” of our lives about Christ. Someone has said, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

23. Abigail: Wisdom That Averts Wrath Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Sep 3, 2025

If you’ve ever been moments away from making a disastrous decision, then you understand the power of a timely word of wisdom. In 1 Samuel 25, David's anger burns hot. Abigail's wisdom saves David’s testimony and future kingship would have been stained by needless bloodshed.

Abigail: Wisdom that Avert Wrath September 3, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 1 Samuel 25 Introduction If you’ve ever been moments away from making a disastrous decision, then you understand the power of a timely word of wisdom. Proverbs 25:28 says, “A man without ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

Felix Was Alarmed (But He Wasn't Saved)

Contributed by Steve Klein on Oct 3, 2025

The Roman Governor Felix was alarmed when he heard Paul reason of righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment. But was he alarmed enough?

In Acts 23, Paul had been taken into custody in Jerusalem. After a plot to kill him was uncovered, the Romans whisked him away to Caesarea by night for safe keeping until a hearing before the Roman Governor Felix. Felix was Marcus Antonius Felix, a Roman procurator (governor) of Judea from ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:24-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ