Sermons on Serving Self:

He Paid The Fare

Contributed by Ron Hicks on Aug 31, 2007

In this setting, we have a runner. What caused this man to run? Was it the lack of self-confidence? Was it was sin? Its difficult to obey God when practicing sin.

HE PAID THE FARE 1 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. 3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

New Holy Life

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 18, 2023

Does the new life in Christ mean we can be careless about sin or careful to live sin free? Is holiness important or is that just self-righteousness?

May we Christians just believe and not obey Jesus Christ? Can we be attached to the vine and not bear fruit? So what are we going to say? Should we continue sinning so grace will multiply? Absolutely not! All of us died to sin. How can we still live in it? (Romans 6:2 CEB) May we return to living ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Holy Spirit Provides Freedom

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Feb 8, 2006

Epiphany 5(C) - The Holy Spirit provides freedom: freedom through Christ and freedom to serve Christ.

THE HOLY SPIRIT PROVIDES FREEDOM February 5, 2006 - Epiphany 5 - ROMANS 8:1-9 * * * * * * * * * * * Dearest Fellow-Redeemed and Saints in the Lord: Today, if you looked inside the bulletin, saw the theme and listened to our text, we are going to talk ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Faithful, Imperfect People

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 15, 2008

This sermon is based on the book Messy Spirituality by Michael Yaconelli. It is an encouragement to keep serving in spite of our imperfections.

A. There’s a story told of a preacher who was preaching a message about the fact that no one is perfect. 1. To prove his point he asked for anyone who was perfect to stand up. 2. One man stood up in the middle of the congregation. 3. The preacher asked him, “Do you really think you are ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do What You Do

Contributed by Monty Newton on Apr 21, 2013

God will likely call you do to serve him and others with skills and passions you already have.

You will notice the PowerPoint slides today project images of earthen vessels, i.e., clay jars of various sizes and shapes and uses. The images are lifted from II Corinthians 4 where the bible says, “We now have this light shining in our hearts but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:36-43

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lukewarm Church PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 19, 2025

Jesus lovingly exposes our self-sufficiency, invites us to deeper dependence on Him, and offers restoration, hope, and true riches for our lukewarm hearts.

Some of us walked in today with a smile for the foyer and a sigh for the soul. Bills on the counter, deadlines on the calendar, questions on the heart. And yet, here we are, gathering around a Letter from Jesus to an ancient church in a city called Laodicea—a church with polished doors and tepid ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-21

Topics: Lukewarmness, Laodicea, Disgust

Knocking Off Rough Edges Series

Contributed by David Elvery on May 6, 2009

Sometimes as Christians we have rough edges that Jesus needs to knock off us including unbelief, pride, competition, judgmentalism and self interest

“Knocking off rough edges – Luke 9:37-62” Gladstone Baptist Church – 12/3/06 am S1 - Most people think that we are pretty good Christians and that Jesus is lucky to have us on his side. The disciples thought this also There was once a man named Tom who was promoted to vice president of his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:37-62

Denomination: Baptist

Laodicea: The Complacent Church PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 20, 2025

Jesus lovingly calls us to reject complacency, pursue genuine relationship with Him, and value what truly matters over worldly success or self-sufficiency.

There’s a kindness in the way Jesus speaks to us. He doesn’t holler from across the street; He knocks at the front door. He doesn’t shove His way into our living rooms; He stands and waits, like the Friend you can trust with the tender truth. You can almost hear the hinge creak as you reach for the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-21

Topics: Vibrancy, Complacency, Church

Sins Which Must Be Judged Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 21, 2010

Believers are responsible before God to judge sin in their lives, dealing swiftly with evil so that they can serve unhindered.

MARK 7:20-23 SINS WHICH MUST BE JUDGED “Jesus said, ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Gifts

Contributed by Ed Taylor on May 22, 2002

Jesus in His great love for us, has given us the spiritul gifts necessary to serve Him wholeheartedly.

1. There continues to be a lot of confusion and misunderstanding surrounding the wonderful spiritual gifts of God. a. Yes… there’s been serious abuse and misuse b. And yes… that’s made people ignore and avoid them… c. There’s are tons misinterpretations & misrepresentations. BUT NONE of that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-16, Ephesians 2:8-10, Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is There A Doctor In The House? Series

Contributed by Rodney Kelley on Sep 20, 2010

Jesus is the Great Physician. Let Him touch your spiritual problems and you'll be anxious to serve Him!

Intro. We come to our next message as we look at the Miracles in Galilee. Galilee was the region of most of the Lord’s ministry. Though, the purpose of His ministry would be fulfilled in Jerusalem, He ministered to those around the Sea of Galilee. In these Miracles, we can learn many ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

Compelled, Convinced, And Commissioned Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 8, 2010

In this lesson we see what it was that compelled Paul to serve, and therefore what it is that should compel us as well.

Introduction: A. The story is told of a very wealthy lawyer who vacationed for several weeks each year at his summer home in the backwoods of Maine. 1. Each summer, he would invite friends to come to visit him. 2. One summer he invited a lawyer from Czechoslovakia to visit him. 3. They had a ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Satan Tries To Stop You, Keep Following Jesus PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 17, 2025

Following Jesus means surrendering our comfort and control, embracing self-denial, and trusting that true life and reward are found in obedient discipleship with Him.

Some of us walked in today with a smile on our face and a storm in our chest. The calendar is crowded, the heart is heavy, and the questions are louder than ever. You’ve been faithful, you’ve prayed, you’ve pressed on—and still, there are days when following Jesus feels like walking uphill with a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-27

Topics: Faithfulness, Obedience

The Order Of The Towel And The Basin

Contributed by James Hickman on Mar 19, 2016

Using the story of Jesus washing the disciples' feet, this is a call to simple, self-less service. The sermon also discusses Jesus' provision for our ongoing fellowship with him.

The Order of the Towel and the Basin John 13:1-17 Textual Introduction: Jesus’ public teaching has come to an end. In the next few chapters, he will teach some of his most profound lesson to his small band of disciples, those who had been with him from the beginning, teach them during the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

No Regret That Day

Contributed by Pastor Renji George on May 30, 2024

I fear in my heart all the time whether my service for the Lord turn out to be dead works that Day! Walking before the Lord in humility everyday will preserve me from the danger of being pride.

No matter how great and splendid our spiritual works are, if they are originated from a self-centred heart with selfish motives, Bible says they will be burned up on that Day before the Lord! (1 Corinth 3:12-15). Many people might have been blessed through them, but they will be dead works and will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:27, Philippians 2:5-8

Denomination: Pentecostal