Sermons on Serving Self:

Struggling Even When The Good Times Roll Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 21, 2009

July 1989: When we are prospering, we are tempted into the idolatry of me-ism and self-congratulation. This is an opportunity to do more for others and for the Kingdom, for God is the source of our bounty.

About a year ago, toward the end of July, I placed one of these up here on the pulpit as the visible sermon for the day. Remember? Do you recall what we called that Sunday? Right: we called it "catch-up Sunday" …catch-up Sunday … and the idea was that if we were behind in our giving, if we as a ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 14:4-8

Denomination: Baptist

A Journey To A New Beginning

Contributed by Raymond Lu on Aug 8, 2010

To reform is to become a better person. That is what reformatories intend to do. But to transform means death to our self and to be spiritually born into Christlikeness. That is what the Holy Spirit can do.

Charles Colson said, and I quote, “Psychiatry, properly administered, can turn a schizophrenic bank robber into a mentally healthy bank robber. A good teacher can turn illiterate criminal into an educated criminal. But they are still bank robbers and criminals.” D.L. Moody said, ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Hard Work

Contributed by Bala Samson on Nov 12, 2013

I am talking today of working hard for the Lord! We live in a madcap world that work the whole night and sleep the whole day – with no time for self or family.

Hard work! Day 5 of 40 days of fasting! Romans 16:12”…….Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.” I am talking today of working hard for the Lord! We live in a madcap world that work the whole night and sleep the whole day – with no time for self ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Live Until You Die, Die Until You Live

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 23, 2009

We admire those who pursue life goals as long as they can; but our calling is to die to self. It will mean a change of values and of attitudes, but it will give us true life.

I’m pretty sure that we can make a case for living until we die. It would not take a lot of effort to convince one another that we can approach life with gusto, squeezing every ounce of juice out. There’s a strong compulsion in us to extract all the value and the vitality we can get out from ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Eucharist And The Mother Of God Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 4, 2009

The self-gift of Mary of Bethany echoes the lifelong gift of Mary of Nazareth, who was associated with Jesus, her Son, in all His mysteries, especially His sacrificial death.

April 6, 2009 Sacramentum Caritatis Eucharist and the Mother of God The Blessed Virgin Mary, too, is the servant of the Lord. In fact, her assent to the angelic messenger and her only hymn in Luke proclaim her self-identity: handmaid of the Lord. The contrast between Mary of Bethany, the one ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

Shouldn’t I Trust What The Preacher Says? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 27, 2021

This passage showcases the myriad of problems created when you have self-confident religious leaders. How do we avoid that problem with today's preachers?

OF COURSE I SHOULD: If the preacher is God’s messenger, shouldn’t I trust what he says? - Many presume that they should just trust everything that the preacher says. - This passage is a reminder to us in a myriad of ways that religious leaders aren’t always on point. SO MANY MISTAKES IN THIS ...read more

Scripture: John 7:40-52

Denomination: Baptist

Indescribable Gift Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Sep 3, 2022

He emphasizes giving generously, giving bountifully, and giving the indescribable gift. The true Christian life is connected with giving the self, the sources, and giving the priceless gift of salvation to all.

AMC, 04.09.2022 Theme: Indescribable Gift Text: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 The Lord is good and his love endures forever. Happy Teachers’ Day! St. Paul Having discussed in chapter 8, the principles of Christian giving, Now, he shares the promises that we can claim if we are faithful in our giving to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Denomination: Methodist

Inadequacy Encountering Sufficiency Series

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Jan 31, 2016

There is an idea in our culture that recognizing our inability or insufficiency is somehow contrary to the principles of success. Self-confidence and high-powered, aggressive personalities seem to be what takes the day.

A Tour Through Acts ~ part 2 Inadequacy Encountering Sufficiency Acts 2:1-4, 14 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Chastening May Seem Grievious

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jun 28, 2019

There are 2 kinds of discipline: 1. Discipline by others. 2. Self-discipline. We must not despise chastening. God has a plan and a purpose. Pruning produces much fruit.

CHASTENING MAY SEEM GREVIOUS? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com TEXT: Proverbs 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: Hebrews 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:11, Hebrews 12:5-11, Psalm 44:21

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Sermon # 8 - The Blessing Of Selfless Giving Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Feb 27, 2023

We live in a world that prompts us to be self-centered and individualistic. What does God expect of us? This sermon will teach us about giving the way that is pleasing to God.

We read in Acts 4:32, “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.” (ESV) One of the key reasons for the tremendous growth of the early church was that the people ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32, John 3:16, John 10:25-37, Acts 20:35, Matthew 27:59-60, Isaiah 53:9, Matthew 27:57, Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50, John 19:38, 1 John 4:18, Matthew 7:24-27, Matthew 3:17, Matthew 27:46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

The Lord's Prayer - Part 5 - Lead Us Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Jul 26, 2023

The heart of this stanza in the Lord’s Prayer is the distrust of the self. And because I don’t trust myself, I rush into the presence of God as my refuge from temptation.

Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Hagerstown, MD www.mycrossway.org This is the last message in the Lord’s Prayer. What a fantastic series of messages we’ve encountered in the midst of our series of the Sermon on the Mount. We’ve come to the last stanza in verse 13 “And do not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13

Denomination: Brethren

Saul Disobeys God (1 Samuel 13)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 8, 2025

What is the difference between a man after God's own heart and a man after self-glorification? Let's begin in 1 Samuel 13.

Did Saul act foolishly, disobeying God? What kind of heart was God looking for in a national leader? What kind of heart do we have? Let’s begin in 1 Samuel 13. How old was Saul when he began to rule and how long was he king? Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And See Yourself Through God's Eyes - Numbers 13:33 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 11, 2025

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, “I’m not good enough”? Are you allowing fear, self-doubt, and insecurity to whisper louder than the promises of God?

Go! And See Yourself Through God's Eyes - Numbers 13:33 Numbers 13:33 (NLT): “We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!” Introduction Church, let me begin by asking a question that might hit home for many of ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:33, Exodus 3:14, Judges 6:12, Romans 8:37, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Colossians 2:15, Romans 10:9, Jeremiah 29:11, Numbers 14:6-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Impact Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

Living generously creates a ripple effect that can impact others and future generations. Our generosity is a response to Jesus' self-sacrificing love and can inspire others to be generous.

You know when you toss a pebble into a pond, and it creates ripples that spread out? That's what we're talking about. Our actions, like that pebble, can create ripples that impact others. We've all been influenced by someone, and that person was influenced by someone before them. It's like a chain ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-46, 2 Corinthians 8:7

Topics: Philanthropy, Altruism, Charitable Giving, Generosity Psychology

Neglected Instructions

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 19, 2009

Paul final instructions to the Corinthians are too frequently neglected in the rush for self-fulfillment in this day. The Apostle would urge modern believers to embrace these instructions or face defeat before the enemy of the soul.

1 CORINTHIANS 16:13, 14 NEGLECTED INSTRUCTIONS “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” A fusillade of commands at the conclusion of most of his letters is a mark of authenticity for Paul’s letters; and this first letter to the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Denomination: Baptist