Sermons on Cease Striving:

Sermon # 18 - Peace-Makers Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Oct 18, 2024

Jonah’s disobedience to God resulted in total chaos and turmoil for all aboard the ship. God’s call to His children is to be peace-makers wherever we are. The word of God cautions those who cause disunity and discord of serious consequences.

We read in Jonah 1:15, “And they lifted Jonah up and threw him out into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging.” (AFV) The background to this verse is that a sea-voyage which commenced peacefully, with the hopes of a tranquil journey, was suddenly confronted with a furious and violent storm. ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:15, Matthew 5:9, Acts 9:26-28, Proverbs 6:16-19, 1 Kings 18:17-18, Romans 16:17, 1 Samuel 20:27-31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Exchange Self-Destructive Tendencies With Spiritual Fruits

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Dec 16, 2003

Do you observe that you tend to get better or worse(bitter, angry and anxious) when difficulties come in to your life? Is your life more characterized by triumphs or turmoil and tension? Irritations have a way of bringing a sense of frustration that leads

Exchange Self-Destructive Tendencies With Spiritually Fruitful Traits (Gal. 5:16-23) Too many people allow themselves to fall into self-destructive practices out of ignorance, neglect or spiritual indiscipline. Some people need to know when to admit mistakes. Take for example what not to put in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Heart After God Series

Contributed by Doug Johnston on Aug 23, 2001

Jesus described the hearts His followers would ideally possess in the Beatitudes, hearts we should strive to build in ourselves

Matthew 5:1-12 (Series Introduction) We must build hearts God favors,as Jesus described. I Seek God (3) ...poor in spirit... Know they don’t know it all Know they need outside help II Mourn Sin’s Results (4) ...they that mourn... Sad from what the see, not proud Give and receive help and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Surrendering

Contributed by Sam Peters on Mar 1, 2007

Too often when we are confronted with a difficult situation we strive to solve it ourselves instead of letting God be God.

Surrendering – Let Go, Let God Text – Daniel 6:10, 16-24 Situation: Your company has made announcements that it is cutting 100 jobs across the company in an effort to trim expenses and increase shareholder equity. The cuts will be made after upper management reviews employee performance. What do ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:10-24

Be Holy Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 19, 2011

To be Holy is to be set apart. And how are we set apart? By loving one another, by pursuing peace and by truly striving to be Holy.

Isaiah was a man of God, a Prophet to the people of Judah during the reign of four kings. We often read his prophetic words at Christmas time regarding the birth of Christ, “Therefore the Lord will give you a sign, behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call His name ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-15

Denomination: Christian Church

We Can Be Heroes (Modern Day Heroes) Series

Contributed by Scott Berry on Jul 21, 2011

We are called to live as heroes, to take Jesus seriously and to strive to live like him and invite others to join the journey.

Modern day heroes What is the difference between a hero and a celebrity? (discuss) Diff b/w heroes and celebs – celebs are famous, possibly not for anything good – eg paris hilton Heroes – inspire you to be a better person, celebs want you to want their life (for the selfish ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

Faithful Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on May 1, 2016

Fifth in a series on Names for the people of God. Paul calls the Ephesians "faithful"---something we should all strive for.

Faithful Series: Names for God’s People Chuck Sligh May 1, 2016 NOTE: A PowerPoint presentation of this sermon is available upon request from me at chucksligh@hotmail.com. TEXT: Ephesians 1:1 – “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Harmony (Covid And The Christian) Series

Contributed by Joe Williams on Nov 13, 2020

Striving to live in harmony with others speaks volumes about “who” & “what” you’re really living for!

Is anybody thirsty? Man, after that awesome worship we just had, I’m thirsty! Do you guys mind if I drink this Diet Coke while I preach? You know what—We’re family! I’ve got a few extra Cokes and Diet Cokes with me today! Would anyone else like to have an ice-cold Coke while I preach! And ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Alert And Always Praying

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Feb 4, 2022

Christians must strive to be in constant dialogue with God the Father. We can live a life of prayer that is constant, intense and unselfish.

BILLY MITCHELL! THE FATHER OF WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE. THE YEAR IS 1919, AND THIS WORLD WAR ONE HERO WAS CONVINCED THAT MASTERING THE SKIES WAS THE KEY TO VICTORY IN COMBAT. ALTHOUGH IT COST HIM HIS CAREER, MITCHELL CONTINUED HIS ALL-OUT PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FOR AIRPOWER. HE ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18, Ephesians 6:12, James 5:16, Matthew 26:41, Colossians 4:2, Luke 21:36, 1 Peter 4:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Free Methodist

Sitting On The Fence Of Salvation

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Oct 20, 2024

This sermon explores the dangers of spiritual complacency, urging believers to avoid lukewarm faith and instead strive for genuine commitment to God.

Praise the Lord this morning, cherished family of faith! It's such a joy to stand before you today, not as a stranger, but as a fellow traveler on this road of faith, a road that is often winding, often challenging, a lot of times hilly leading to valleys of trials, but always leading us closer ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22, 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Anniversary PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 16, 2023

Encourages Christians to embrace their past, live in the present, and strive for their future, guided by God's Word and His promised heavenly reward.

Good morning, beloved family of God. I am thrilled to be standing before you today. We gather here, not as strangers, but as a family united by our faith. We are here to share in the love of our Heavenly Father and to seek His wisdom. Our Scripture passage today comes from the book of Philippians, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Topics: Pressing On

Being Different: Different Fruit Series

Contributed by Robbie Parsons on Mar 11, 2025

If we are going to strive to be different, we must first think differently, then prove our change by our different actions.

The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the byproducts of Christ’s control—we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without his help. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: United Methodist

The Way Of God Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Apr 7, 2025

The church is supposed to be the living embodiment of God in the world. The church is to strive for perfect unity learned from the example of a triune God.

The Way #1 (God) Assertion: The church is supposed to be the living embodiment of God in the world. The church is to strive for perfect unity learned from the example of a triune God. Scripture: John 14:6, John 10:10, Matt 7:13-14, Gen 1: 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 26-30, Gen 2:18, Acts 17:28, ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6, John 10:10, Matthew 7:13-14, Genesis 1:4, Genesis 2:18, Acts 17:28, Ecclesiastes 4:12, Genesis 1:10, Genesis 1:18, Genesis 1:21, Genesis 1:25, Genesis 1:26-30, Proverbs 27:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Counts In Your Life

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 9, 2025

Jesus tells us that we should strive to enter by the narrow gate in answer to the question Lord are there few who are saved?

I would like to focus on one verse today 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. I wonder what counts most in our lives? Story: The son of a wealthy man expected to receive a sports car for his graduation. Instead his Dad ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: Anglican

Grow Up PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 19, 2024

This sermon encourages embracing humility, focusing on Christ for spiritual nourishment, and striving for continual growth in faith, guided by God's grace.

Good morning, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. It's a joy to be standing here with you today, basking under the light of God's grace, and sharing a word that He has laid on my heart. We gather here not by chance but by divine appointment, each one of us drawn together by the golden thread of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-3

Topics: Spiritual Diet