About this episode

Hiram Kemp delivers a sermon on living for Jesus instead of oneself, emphasizing self-denial and Christian service through biblical teachings.

June 21, 2026 - Sunday PM Sermon This episode is a sermon on countering selfishness and learning to live for Jesus rather than for ourselves. Hiram opens with memorable animal examples—domestic cats and cuckoo birds as illustrations of natural, survival-driven self-interest, contrasted with worker bees as models of sacrificial service—and uses those images to introduce a biblical call to self-denial and Christian service. This is a pastor-led message rooted in Scripture and practical application. Key topics include: the biblical meaning of denying oneself (Mark 8:34; Luke 9:24), how Christianity must be more than a personal accessory or status, and the congregation’s annual theme of "shining our light through Christian service" (Mark 10:42–45). The speaker highlights scriptural anchors throughout (Hebrews 12:2; John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Philippians 2; Matthew 25:31–40; Jeremiah 45:5; 1 John 3:16) to show why looking to Christ—not to ourselves—is the first step toward faithful living. The sermon lays out three practical steps for living for Jesus: (1) look at Jesus more than you look at yourself—exchange self-focused gaze for Christ-focused devotion; (2) take a genuine…

People in this episode

Host: Hiram Kemp

Topics covered

• self-denial
• Christian service
• living for Jesus
• selfishness
• sacrificial help
• spiritual needs

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Live for Jesus, Not Yourself, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:24, Mark 10:42–45, Hebrews 12:2, John 1:29, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Philippians 2, Matthew 25:31–40, Jeremiah 45:5

More episodes of Cumberland Trace Church of Christ (Formerly Lehman Ave Church of Christ)

• June Questions and Answers Service by Hiram Kemp and Neal Pollard · July 19, 2026 · 51 min
• "What We All Have in Common with Barabbas" (Mark 15:1-15) by Hiram Kemp · July 19, 2026 · 29 min
• "A Study of the book of Acts" by Neal Pollard - Part 4 · July 19, 2026 · 44 min
• Men of the New Testament: "Barnabas" by Barrett Hammer - Part 3 · July 19, 2026 · 38 min
• "Mastering the Mind" by Neal Pollard · July 14, 2026 · 30 min
• "A Study of the book of Acts" by Hiram Kemp - Part 3 · July 14, 2026 · 44 min

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