Sermons on Divine Effort:

The Will To Win Series

Contributed by Rob Yanok on Sep 10, 2008

Success and Winning is a product of effort and never occurs by chance, therefore we must be Intentional, we must WILL IT!

“The Will To Win” – Pastor Rob Yanok Text: Joshua 1:8, John 15:16, I Cor. 9:24 Proverbs 21:5 – Says “The Thoughts of the diligent tend only to the plenteous...” I. Thoughts on Winning 1. Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing – Vince Lombardi 2. Winners spend time building ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Staying On Course Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on May 2, 2011

Make the effort to stay faithful (winning over complacency) and make the choice to obey God (winning over compromise).

It easy to make promises, but to keep them is another matter altogether. • You may be passionate and sincere when you make a stand, but to stay on course requires much, much more. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, say this: “It is in the nature of a fire to go out, you must keep it ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 13:1-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Work Of The Spirit, Part A Series

Contributed by David Richardson on Sep 13, 2007

Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

Series: Life, Everlasting, Part 3 Message: The Work of the Spirit? Part A Our scripture focus today is Psalm 116:13, but I want to read the entire Psalm… 116:1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-19

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Close Is Not Enough Series

Contributed by Tim White on Mar 19, 2014

Knowledge is good, effort is commendable, and lifestyle is important. However, you can get all that right and miss Jesus.

"If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost" (II Cor. 4:3). Mark 12:28-34 Is close always good enough? Not when you think about it. • If 99.9 percent were good enough ... • The IRS would lose 2 million documents this year. • 22,000 checks will be deducted from the wrong ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Baptist

Love In Bloom Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 11, 2019

Genuine believers put in great effort toward loving fellow believers, and yet are willing to be hated for doing right.

Love in Bloom (I John 3:11-18) 1. In the world, a lot of people do things for spite. Here are a few real life examples from some blogs: Today, my boss got mad at me because I told her that I wouldn't be able to work two days out of the week, due to college classes. She then cut back my hours ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Blood, Sweat, And Tears In The Church Of God

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Dec 27, 2017

Blood, swat and tears is hard work and effort in the church to be and accomplish all that God wants from your church.

Prayer- Introduction- This morning I want to talk a moment about the church. I say by sermon title the church of God because there are churches out there that I believe never ask God what He thinks about decisions that are made in His church. I believe there are churches that are nothing more ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:4-5

Denomination: Nazarene

Grace And Identity Series

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Mar 22, 2011

Other than our faith, there is nothing we can appeal to in an effort to merit God’s favor.

Grace And Identity Romans 2:25-3:8 I. Paul Defines A True Jew A. Did the Jews have special privileges others did not have? Do they now? Where does the modern day Christian fall in this scheme? 1. The Jews did have special privileges. 2. God gave his Law to them; he called them as his special ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Relying On The Work Of The Spirit

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Apr 5, 2022

When we bear witness to the saving power of Christ, we must rely on the Spirit to empower our efforts.

Jesus had told them to wait—His first disciples, I mean. He had given them important work to do—the most important work of all, actually—but He had told them not to attempt it just yet. No. They were to wait. “Don’t give,” He said, “until you have received. Nothing can be done by you until ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-41

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Unity Of The Spirit

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Mar 6, 2023

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3)

Lent is a season of reflection on the frailty and vulnerability of human life. The season starts forty days before Easter on a Wednesday, which most churches observe as Ash Wednesday. Some churches have special services on Ash Wednesday and impose ashes on the forehead as a sign of our mortality ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:3

Denomination: Other

Resilient PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Encourage believers to remain steadfast and resilient in their faith and work for the Lord, even in challenging times, knowing that their efforts are not in vain.

Good morning, Church Family! Today, we're diving into the heart of 1 Corinthians 15:58, where we'll be talking about staying resilient in difficult times, the power of perseverance, and the strength of faithfulness. Now, we all face challenging times, don't we? Moments when it feels like the world ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58

Topics: Staying The Course

Combining Prayer & Fasting For Spiritual Victory PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Some spiritual battles require more than human efforts and can only be overcome through prayer and fasting.

Good morning, beloved family. Today, we're going to be diving into the deep waters of Mark 9:29. We'll be talking about the tough stuff – the adversity we all face, the reality of spiritual warfare, and the victory we can find through prayer and fasting. As we gear up for this spiritual battle, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:29

Topics: Spiritual Warfare

The Law Vs. Grace Vs. Faith PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 7, 2025

God’s promises are received by faith, not by our efforts; grace, not performance, secures our acceptance and hope in Christ.

Some of us walked in today with lists—mental ledgers of what we did right and where we fell short. We carry them like heavy backpacks. We whisper, “Maybe if I try harder, God will be pleased.” And our hearts grow tired, tight, and tentative. Then we come to Romans 4 and hear a fresh breeze blow ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:13-16

Topics: Grace, Gift

Growing The Family Of God Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 16, 2017

There is a widespread effort within our culture to destroy the human family, and ultimately to dehumanize all of us, to turn us into commodities. But there is also hope for change.

Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost 2017 From the epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians: Brethren: I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

Oh Lord! Position Me For Greatness

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 11, 2025

Greatness is not an accident; it is the outcome of divine arrangement, preparation, and timing.

OH LORD! POSITION ME FOR GREATNESS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 41:38-44 "And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?" (Genesis 41:38) Supporting Texts: Deuteronomy 28:13, Psalm 75:6-7, Daniel 2:48, 1 Samuel ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:38-44

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Spots And Stripes Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 20, 2021

If you want true success in life, don’t depend on your shrewd deals or your spent schemes. Instead, depend on the Lord.

Ted Engstrom and Edward Dayton, in a Christian Leadership Letter some time ago, talked about a young man who was appointed president of a bank. Intimidated by his new responsibilities, he nervously sought the advice of his gray-haired predecessor: “Sir, what has been the secret of your success?” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 30:25-43, Proverbs 3:5-6, James 1:17, Galatians 3:3, 1 Peter 3:1-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 15:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free