Sermons on Synthetic Self:

Why God Hates All Forms Of Idolatry

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Mar 15, 2003

A person seldom considers that his own selfishness can be an idol, as "self" is more important than God. Very few consider that anything, which is more important to a person than obeying God, may be considered an idol.

Why God Hates All Forms of Idolatry A person may not consider that an automobile, house, certain possessions, a hobby, a person, a political party, a cause, a job, a sport, an addiction, lusts, pleasures, or some other thing, can become an idol. A person may not consider that stubbornness is as ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:3-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Time For New Clothes Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 27, 2003

Midlife feels like a time for new clothes .. signs of mortality are showing up. We need new "shoes" to climb out of self-centeredness, and a new "coat" to enable us to travel out of our comfort zone.

I’ve always been glad that in this church we wear pulpit robes. I’m glad of that because pulpit robes keep you from noticing what the preacher is wearing. I don’t want you to think about what I am wearing. I don’t want you to think about my clothes because you are likely to discover that my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 102:18-28

Denomination: Baptist

Working It Out

Contributed by Jane Willis on Oct 18, 2004

Work gets overwhelming. The people we work with seem hurtful and self serving. Yet, work is a place where we live out our faith--a setting where we must learn to be more Christlike.

This passage about Mary and Martha is familiar to many of you. It is fairly well known. It is a story about one women working in the kitchen and making preparations to entertain guests while her sister is involved in spiritual pursuits and assisting directly in the ministry of Jesus. And, when the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Congregational

Fit For The Kingdom

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 30, 2005

Learning to fold a piece of paper into a square blindfolded requires the same three things as Jesus requires of us to be fit for the kingdom of God: Self-denying devotion to the task, making it an absolute priority and giving it your undivided attention.

Fit For The Kingdom / Luke 9: 51-62 Intro: Challenge – What if God said, “You must be able to fold a piece of paper into a perfect square while blindfolded to be fit for the kingdom of God?” IMPOSSIBLE? – what would I have to do to learn how to do that? I. Verse 57 “I will follow you wherever ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Esther: Queen For A Day

Contributed by Lee Henry on Jul 30, 2006

The Story of Esther is a story of God’s providence. Esther’s obedience, faithfulness, prayerfulness and self sacrificing attitude made it possible for God to use her. Those same attributes will allow God to use us as well.

Esther: Queen for a Day Esther 4:14 Queen For A Day (sympathy contest, hosted by Jack Bailey)(Local Los Angeles TV, 1948 - 1956) (NBC Daytime, 1956 - 60) (ABC Daytime, 1960 - 64) It was not really a quiz show, since there were no questions or stunts; it was just a relating of the sob stories ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Duty To One Another

Contributed by Jason Cole on May 7, 2007

The Bible speaks of many "one anothers", and these should be considered as our duties. Often times we are so focused on self that we fail to look towards others. We need to put others even above ourselves.

Our Duty to One Another Introduction: In today’s world we are very private. We like to keep our business to ourselves and we are very comfortable without anyone interfering with our personal business. When someone does decide to attempt to get themselves involved in our business we call them ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10, Galatians 6:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Lord's Supper - What Is It? Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Jun 28, 2007

This sermon is a short devotion giving four statements of what The Lord’s Supper is. 1. It is a SIMPLE ACT. 2. It is a REMINDER. 3. It is a SYMBOL. 4. It is a STATEMENT OF FAITH. We take part in it after SELF-EXAMINATION.

The Lord’s Supper – What Is It? "On the 19th of November 1967, in Viet Nam, Chaplain Charlie Waters was moving with one of the companies of his Battalion when it became engaged with heavily enemy fire. As the battle raged and the casualties mounted, Chaplain Waters rushed forward to the line of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love From The Heart

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Feb 17, 2007

The majority of biblical references to the heart refers to the seat of the emotions, our inner self, or even the center of the will. We can learn much from a survey of the Bible’s call to love God with our whole heart.

Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO From the Heart Jeremiah 29:13 Romance lives even in the retirement home. Did you hear about the 90 year-old bachelor. One day this man gathered his four nephews and announced that he was planning to be married. His ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Glory In The Valley Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 9, 2008

The world believes it can produce goodness all by itself. The person listening to the man by the Jordan River hears a very different message. There appears to be two messages: one of self-righteousness and the other of total dependence on God for salvatio

Valley Experience Series # 4 Opening illustration: One of our good friend’s had this unique experience of growing up as the son of a county sheriff. His father who was the sheriff of Marlin County for many years, passed away last year. It was at this time that he told us of an incident which had ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Giving And Taking Honor Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 3, 2006

Honor: comprises the reputation, self-perception or moral identity of an individual or of a group. Webster’s says it has three parts: reputation, recognition, and privilege. Reputation is the opinion of other people have of you. Recognition is what they s

Honor: comprises the reputation, self-perception or moral identity of an individual or of a group. Webster’s says it has three parts: reputation, recognition, and privilege. Reputation is the opinion of other people have of you. Recognition is what they say about you because of that opinion, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-35

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Pause Before You Act (Part 5) Series

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Mar 7, 2012

In this final segment of the series, PAUSE Before You Act, we examine the effects of our actions. We consider the effect upon the Savior, the Sinner, the Saint and the effect upon Self. Please see the other parts of the series.

Please note that, while this sermon may be preached in stand-alone fashion, it is part of a series. You may wish to take a look at the first three sermons. Especially helpful would be sermon one which lays the foundation. Also, there is a companion sermon called THINK Before You Speak. V. E – ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:16

Denomination: Baptist

Yes You Can

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Aug 15, 2010

The devil and just life it self wants to rob us of our dreams, and destroy our faith in God and faith in ourselves, he is always saying (no you can’t ) but God says ( Yes You Can )

Num 1-3 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them. 3 And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Live Confidently Part I

Contributed by David Scudder on Aug 21, 2010

God expects His followers to live confidently for Him. This has nothing to do with self-confidence, but it has everything to do with God-confidence. Christians should not be wimps because it takes real courage to follow Jesus Christ.

Purpose: To show the importance of following the Lord wholeheartedly. Aim: I want the listener to determine to follow Christ regardless of the cost. INTRODUCTION: God expects His followers to live confidently for Him. This has nothing to do with self-confidence, but it has everything to do with ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Question That Demanded An Answer

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Apr 18, 2008

Have you ever been asked a question that demanded no answer? A question that requires no answer does so because the answer is self-evident. The question of the Philippian jailor demanded and answer. It was a crucial question and demanded a conclusive ans

The Question That Demanded An Answer Acts 16: 20-34 Have you ever been asked a question that demanded no answer? A question that requires no answer does so because the answer is self-evident. The question of the Philippian jailor demanded and answer. It was a crucial question and demanded a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:20-34

Denomination: Baptist

Never Satisfied

Contributed by Craig Benner on Nov 23, 2013

Looking out for number one is not always the best idea. Let God look out for you. He has the best in mind for us if we can only accept that He knows best. Beware of self-deceit.

NEVER SATISFIED This could be the slogan of those who persist in following the deceitful lust of the flesh. Reaping what we Sow, even when it is done in Deceit. 1 Tim. 6:6-8 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 6 Pero gran ganancia es la piedad con contentamiento. (RVG04) 7 For we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Denomination: Pentecostal