Sermons on Effort Required:

Compelled To Continue

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Mar 5, 2017

Have you ever felt as if your efforts were in vain, and questioned if you were making a difference? We find ourselves questioning God, and tempted to abandon the work. We are not the first to feel this way. God is able to provide the strength we need.

Compelled to Continue Jeremiah 20:9 The life and ministry of Jeremiah was interesting to say the least. He is commonly known as the “Weeping Prophet,” and for good reason. His ministry spanned forty years in Judah, leading up to their captivity at the hands of the Babylonians. During his faithful ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:9

Denomination: Baptist

The Easy Button

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Sep 1, 2019

Don’t get caught up in only believing the possibilities of what you think is happening in the now or have seen in the past! Because no matter where you are at in life, He wants you to dream bigger than your efforts are capable of delivering.

The Easy Button... How many of you here this morning remember the easy button commercial Staples launched February 3 2005? Every time someone got in a situation that seemed impossible to figure out, all they had to do was push the easy button and everything magically worked out perfectly without ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:2-3, Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 11:28-30, Ephesians 3:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Fig Tree And Judgment Series

Contributed by Ps Trevor Bartley on Aug 17, 2018

So many people when they think of judgment they believe that it is a negative thing, but it is all about the outcome. If you are being judged or assessed on your performance and then rewarded for your effort it is a good thing, when you know you did your very best.

JUDGMENT! There are a number of judgements found in the Bible. So many people when they think of judgment they believe that it is a negative thing, but it is all about the outcome. If you are being judged or assessed on your performance and then rewarded for your effort it is a good thing, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-14

Denomination: *other

Unlocking Divine Blessings SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 9, 2023

Many individuals expend unnecessary effort in worry, work, and struggle without God's blessings. Haggai's message to the people, in nine points, taught them how to align their priorities correctly. He provided them with a word from God that reverberated with wisdom and guidance.

Many people spend too much time worrying and working without experiencing the blessings of God. In Haggai's message to the people, he taught them how to prioritize their lives according to God's will. By aligning their actions with God's purpose, they could tap into His supernatural blessings. Let ...read more

Topics: God's Provision, Prioritizing God

The Veil Torn

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 12, 2025

When Jesus died, God Himself tore the temple curtain from top to bottom—forever removing every barrier between His holiness and our hearts. The way into His presence is wide open, not by our efforts or rituals, but by the finished work of Christ.

Introduction – A Wall Comes Down, A Veil Is Rent Down I still remember the summer of 1964 when our family crossed from West Germany into East. We were crammed into a Volkswagen bus—my parents up front, four sisters and two brothers jammed shoulder to shoulder. The youngest, little Sarah, was still ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:51, Hebrews 10:19-22, John 19:30, Hebrews 4:16, John 4:23, 1 Corinthians 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Turning Religious Reluctance-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Mar 20, 2018

2 of ? Jesus bore witness of His Messianic identity to a religious woman who was reluctant to believe. How/When will God’s people turn the reluctancy of the religious? Turning religious reluctance God’s way requires...

TURNING RELIGIOUS RELUCTANCE-II—John 4:1-42 Turning the Religious Lost Attention: Everybody has a religion—right or wrong!...Everybody has a belief system to which they subscribe—right or wrong. Even atheists have a religion & are religious people. These may be Reluctant to turn, But by the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-42

Denomination: Baptist

Live A Life Of Love Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Apr 9, 2002

Having pursued understanding and received grace, Paul calls us to live on another level. It begins with living a life of love, which requires that we continually put off the old and put on the new.

Live a Life of Love Pastor Jim Luthy Ephesians 4:25-5:2 In the film "Grand Canyon" an immigration attorney breaks out of a traffic jam and attempts to bypass it. His route takes him along streets that seem progressively darker and more deserted. Then the predictable nightmare: the man’s fancy ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let Jesus "Open The Door"

Contributed by Neal Gray on Mar 17, 2002

A CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Pastor preaches on how we want to be effective servants of the King. But more than our desire is required. Jesus must allow us to succeed in His work here on earth.

A Wide Door for Effective Service: Let Jesus "Open the Door" Author: Dr. Neal Gray Passage: Revelation 3:7-13, KJV Purpose: We want to be effective servants of the King. But more than our desire is required. Jesus must allow us to succeed in His work here on earth. Allow us, please, Lord ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Holiness

Who Is In God's Family? Series

Contributed by David Asch on Oct 18, 2004

In this text Mark shows us what it takes to be in God’s family – who it is that makes us God’s family. We’ll see that it requires a radical commitment, but has radical benefits.

WHO IS IN GOD’S FAMILY? Mark 3:20-35 INTRO: Becoming a part of Anne’s family required a radical commitment: My family was not very “hands on.” We didn’t hug or kiss very much at all. But in Anne’s family, you could not leave a family meal or gathering of any kind without kissing everyone in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prophet, Priest, And King

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Jun 28, 2007

Three offices in the Old Testament required anointing: prophet, priest, and king. A unique characteristic of the Christ, is that he fulfills all three offices at once. Only Jesus holds all three offices.

(Other Scripture passages) 1 Kings: 17:17-24 Galatians 1:11:24 Psalm 30 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen. (Psalm 19:14) Our readings today show ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-11

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Call To Resolve—part 2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jan 2, 2002

A particular resolve is required of God’s people/witnesses. What must God’s people resolve to maintain? Part 2 of a 3-part sermon. Christian resolve maintains God’s...

THE CALL TO RESOLVE—II—Joshua 23:1-16 Faithful/Called/Chosen/Elect/Determination Christians should resolve to continue in what they know to be right. Joshua reminded Israel of the resolve required of God’s people/witnesses. A particular resolve is required of God’s people/witnesses. What must ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 23:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Call To Resolve—part 3

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jan 2, 2002

A particular resolve is required of God’s people/witnesses. What must God’s people resolve to maintain? Part 3 of a 3-part sermon. Christian resolve maintains God’s...

The Call to Resolve—III—Joshua 23:1-16 Faithful/Called/Chosen/Elect/Determination As an out of town man on his first business trip to Jacksonville, FL, his car phone rang. Answering, he heard his wife’s voice urgently warning him, "Herman, I just heard on the news that there’s a car going the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 23:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Living In The Second Mile

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Nov 19, 2007

I believe that we as Christians are required to live in the second mile. I have been working with people and Pastoring long enough to observe that all successful people live by the second mile principle.

Title: Living in the Second Mile Scripture: St. Matthew 5:41 (Adapted from sermon from Rev. Edward Hardee, 7/2000) Preached at Perfected Praise Worship Center, Oklahoma City On Sunday, November 18, 2007 http://www.thewordministryokc.com We have entered into this Thanksgiving week, in a few ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:41, Matthew 5:41-45

Denomination: Baptist

No More Bridge Burning!

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Nov 16, 2008

We cannot call ourself a Christian and leave relationships! Life is all about relationships. Relationships require constant attention; they are never maintenance free. Every good and lasting relationship is based on love.

No More Bridge Burning I Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Power Series

Contributed by Bruce Landry on Mar 31, 2008

Have you come to know the "Power of God". Is He all powerful and capable of doing all things required in your life? God indeed is able, will we come to know Him fully.

“God’s Power”Ephesians 1:19-23 God’s Power that raises… God’s Power that brings us into Heaven… God’s Power that exalts… In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. After pondering his problem, he ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:19-23

Denomination: Baptist