Sermons on Self-Serving: showing 1-15 of 1,416

Open Doors Of Opportunity (2) Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Aug 25, 2014

Are we open or closed as a congregation? Is the work and worship about us only or do we include others?

1. St Catherine's Monastery One of the oldest monasteries in the world is Saint Catherine's. Built by Emperor Justinian to protect the monks in the region, St. Catherine's sits at the foot of Mount Sinai in Egypt. The walls are made of granite and are between 8 and 35 meters tall. Up until last ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Supreme Value Of Human Life

Contributed by John Raulerson on Jan 15, 2008

Human life is sacred in the eyes of God and should be protected from the self-serving sin of abortion.

SANCTITY OF LIFE The Supreme Value of Human Life Psalm 139:13-16 Illustration for Introduction Several years ago a fragile young woman expecting her first child was under the care of Dr. Joe Wheeler. About a month before the baby was due it was discovered that the baby was in a breech position ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:13-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Wrestles With Family Tensions

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 16, 2009

We use avoidance, anger, anxiety, and aloneness to manage family tensions. We even use self-centered prayer. But when we let God wrestle with us, we are changed and we accept vulnerability in family life.

The most critical issue in family life is not anger or argument. It is avoidance. What plagues most families is not that they are embroiled in fighting or torn by argument. What destroys families is that people drift apart from one another; they avoid one another. You see, if you fight with ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How The Holy Spirit Protects Us From Self-Serving People (Mark 7:11-12)

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Nov 27, 2002

How the Holy Spirit Protects Us From Self-serving People (Mark 7:11-12)Guidelines for being discerning, wise and Spirit led in guarding yourself from harm

How the Holy Spirit Protects Us From Self-serving People (Mark 7:11-12) Illustration:The deity of the Holy Spirit ought to be clearly recognized in Scripture. Look at these facts: Christ is born; the Spirit is His forerunner. Christ is baptized; the Spirit bears witness. Christ is tempted; the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:11-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Abraham, Man Of The Divine Gift Of Faith

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 30, 2011

The patriarchs were saints like us, venal, self-serving and often flawed, but devoted to doing the will of God as revealed to them.

Abraham’s Call and Covenant Abram ben Terah was in Haran when he first heard the call of the Lord: “Go from your country and kindred and father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Avarice Series

Contributed by Aneel Aranha on Jan 20, 2021

Avarice is the self-serving and inordinate love of and desire for money, wealth, power, food, or other possessions. Are we an avaricious people?

Leo Tolstoy once wrote a story about a successful peasant farmer who was not satisfied with his lot. He wanted more of everything. One day he received a novel offer. For 1000 rubles, he could buy all the land he could walk around in a day. The only catch in the deal was that he had to be back at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Compromise PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 29, 2023

To warn against rejecting God's Word in favor of self-serving teachings, emphasizing the importance of understanding and obeying the Scripture for spiritual growth.

Good morning, church family. As we gather today, I am reminded of the words of A.W. Tozer, a respected Christian author who once said, "The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection." Today, we find ourselves navigating the path to spiritual ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3

Topics: Gone Too Far, Other Direction

Teary Eyes, Stumbling Feet, Hands Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 19, 2000

Deepseated shame and objective guilt arise from a self-serving spirit, but the Cross delivers us from both and frees us to live out of gratitude.

Mark it down. Memorize this. Engrave it somewhere. It is an ironclad rule. This will always happen: when it is the least convenient for you to respond, someone will want you to respond. When it is nearly impossible for you to get up and do what someone wants you to do, that is the very moment ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Turning Hearts Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Sep 1, 2015

The idea of the sermon is the see the contrast between our tendencies to be self-serving or self-promoting versus having the humble spirit that promotes God. The Pharisee and Tax Collector in the parable of Luke 18.9-14 are the examples we will consider.

1. Self Esteem and Funeral Director A mild mannered young man came into a counselor's office ready for a divorce. He complained that his wife was so bossy that she was driving him off the wall. He wanted things to change, immediately. The counselor gave him a book on assertiveness. He was so ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Individual Purpose Vs. Corporate Purpose

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 1, 2008

Doesn’t God have a purpose for mankind in general or for the church as a whole? Isn’t focusing on individual purpose a little self-serving? Aren’t we pushing individualism at the expense of the Body of Christ?

Up to this point, Purpose Weekly has focused on individual purpose. But what about corporate purpose? Doesn’t God have a purpose for mankind in general or for the church as a whole? Isn’t focusing on individual purpose a little self-serving? Aren’t we pushing individualism at the expense of the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Never, Never, Never Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Mar 29, 2017

Synopsis: Because we are in the Heart of God, there are certain things He does not do. Jesus never: 1. Asked for the Details of Our Sins 2. Rewards the Self-Serving 3. Turned Down an Invitation

1. “Never” has powerful implications a. Intentions of finality – “I’ll never do that again.” “Never in a million years.” b. Intentions of determination – [Winston Churchill once spoke at a commencement address several years after WWII. He walked to the podium and said, “Never, never, never give ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

#44 Okay, Let’s Roll Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 25, 2021

2 self-serving disciples tried to talk Jesus into giving them the greatest seats of honor and power. In this text, Jesus teaches His disciples that the way to be first is to be a servant and a slave, a concept that upends the world’s and the apostles’ values.

#44 Okay, Let’s Roll Series: Mark Chuck Sligh April 25, 2021 2 self-serving disciples tried to talk Jesus into giving them the greatest seats of honor and power. In this text, Jesus teaches His disciples that the way to be first is to be a servant and a slave, a concept that upends the world’s and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

Denomination: Baptist

The Fast God Chooses

Contributed by Rev Ken Shedenhelm on Feb 8, 2014

While we try to please God on our own terms, God wants us to live for Him. We call it a "fast" when we do without a self-serving behavior for a limited period of time, but what God calls a "fast" is a life dedicated to serving others.

Abou ben Adhem had a dream. He awakened with a start to find an angel in his room, writing in a golden book. He said to the angel, “What writest thou?” and the angel replied, “The names of those who love the Lord.” “And is mine one?” he inquired. “Nay, not ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Servant Church Loves Series

Contributed by Alvin Hathaway, Sr. on Mar 16, 2009

If the Servant Church models itself after Jesus Christ who ultimately taught us what a servant is: then the Servant Church must love God, it must love the children of God, and it must keep His commandant to love.

A Servant Church Loves I John 5: 1-5 “We Love the Children of God” Verse 2: By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.” Hear Paul’s poem: I may speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but if I have no love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5

Denomination: Baptist