Sermons on Effort Required:

The Weight Of Glory And The Stain Of Blood

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 21, 2025

This sermon explores the Apostle Paul's declaration that he is "pure from the blood of all men" by examining the terrifying weight of spiritual accountability and the costly faithfulness required to have a clear conscience.

Sermon: The Weight of Glory and the Stain of Blood Text: Acts 20:26 "Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men." Introduction: The Echo on the Shore Let us travel back in time. Do not picture a polished pulpit or listen for a gentle organ ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:26

Denomination: Baptist

The High Cost Of Owning God's Blessings Series

Contributed by Jason Pettibone on Mar 23, 2004

Now, let me draw you towards our text in Genesis this morning by asking if you have considered the high cost of blessings. Does that strike you as a strange thought? Blessings are free, right? No, they are not. Blessings come with a price tag

The High Cost of Owning God’s Blessings A couple of years ago, a little book became a best-seller. Bruce Wilkinson was truly blessed by the success of The Prayer of Jabez. (click to buy at CBD.com) I hope you have taken the 20 minutes required to read it! The message in the book was sound... and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Overcoming Opposition By Prayer

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Feb 6, 2005

Where do you see yourself in this picture? Are you being pelted by unfair criticism as you are serving Christ? If so, keep on going and God will reward your efforts. Or do you recognize yourself as one who tends to be critical of others? If so, it’s time

Overcoming Opposition By Prayer (Nehemiah 1:4-11) Illustration: There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health. --Proverbs 12:18 Critics talk much and do little that is constructive. They are more interested in trying to make themselves look ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:4-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Turning Your Worst Experiences To Your Best Legacy

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Nov 26, 2007

God over-turned and overcame the opposition of the Jews and the Romans allowing Paul’s worst time to become His best enduring legacy. Challenge - Can we, like Paul trust and obey God even when our best efforts for Him seem to initially fail?

Turning Your Worst Times to Your Best Legacy (Acts 22) We see a lot of reality shows on TV today but perhaps my favorite is Bridezilla. It amazes me how what should be the best time of a young woman’s life turns out to be her worst legacy. The show chronicles the life and experiences of young ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:1-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christ The Vine

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Dec 19, 2012

I. EXORDIUM: Are you fruitful? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that CHRIST will take care of us in bearing fruits, divine effort thru us. IV. TEXT: John 15:5-6 (New Living Translation, Second Edition) “Yes,

I. EXORDIUM: Are you fruitful? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that CHRIST will take care of us in bearing fruits, divine effort thru us. IV. TEXT: John 15:5-6 (New Living Translation, Second Edition) “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

His Presence Or Presents?

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 15, 2009

During Christmas season we often say, “God’s presence is more important than presents.” But the amount of time and effort we spend on shopping for gifts may indicate otherwise. So, what would Christmas be like if we truly celebrated God’s presence?

Opening illustration: Oswald Chambers once wrote: “It is not God’s promises we need, it is [God] Himself.” At Christmastime we often say, “God’s presence is more important than presents.” But the amount of time and effort we spend on shopping for gifts may indicate otherwise. In certain parts of ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:24-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Person God Uses

Contributed by Bob Soulliere on Jan 16, 2010

One man lost a valuable watch wile working in an icehouse. He searched diligently for it, carefully raking through the sawdust, but did not find it. His fellow workers also looked, but their efforts, too, proved futile. A small boy who heard about the fr

Acts 4:1-35 The Person God Uses In Directions, James Hamilton writes; Before refrigerators, people used icehouses to preserve their food. Icehouses had thick walls, no windows, and a tightly fitted ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Battle For The Heart

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Aug 1, 2021

The media is full of “heart-healthy” tips that we should follow, but even more importantly are the efforts we make to safeguard our spiritual hearts, or what Solomon calls the wellspring of our spiritual life. Learn more about this battle for our hearts in this Sunday’s message.

The Battle for the Heart Introduction Last week we looked at the battle for our minds, and I ended saying, “That while the battle we are in is spiritual, the primary ground that this battle is fought is in our minds. But what ultimately determines the victory is the place we give to Christ in our ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23, Luke 6:45, Jeremiah 17:9-10, Ezekiel 36:26

Denomination: Foursquare

3. The Breastplate Of Righteousness Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 1, 2019

Our modern culture is desperate to feel good about itself. But God has provided a true way to feel good about ourselves, to feel good because we are doing good, and to find God's forgiveness when our own efforts fall short.

We are continuing to look at what the Apostle Paul called the whole armor of God. In his letter to the Ephesian Church, chapter 6, he talked about our world as a battle field. And he wasn't picturing the kind of battle like that occurred when we began our attack on Iraq, where our forces ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

What Is Your Calling? (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 10, 2016

Are you going to take the effort to listen to God? How has your faith panned out for God? Will you step out even when God tests your faith by making the most difficult sacrifices in your life? Do you obey God at every level?

Opening Illustration: Narrate the story of our call to the USA as missionaries. Introduction: The Lord's call for Abram to journey to the Promised Land is often equated with a call to missionary service. For the missionary, there is a sense where God has called them from the ease and security of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Savior Worth Serving Series

Contributed by Douglas Bryan on Mar 21, 2005

While much of the world was unaware that anything special had taken place, when Jesus Christ rose from the dead it was more than just another Sunday. Because of that day we have a Savior Worth Serving. He requires selflessness, sacrifice, and service.

NOT JUST ANOTHER SUNDAY A Savior Worth Serving Matthew 16:21-27 INTRODUCTION: A. While much of the world was completely unaware that anything special or unique had taken place, when Jesus Christ rose from the grave, the world as a whole changed dramatically 1. You see, when the stone was rolled ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Attitudes And Assets

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Jul 7, 2011

Sermon about giving

Our Attitudes and Our Assets 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 Key Verse (5) Introduction: And the Bible has an awful lot to say about money, and so while it may not be the most comfortable of topics it is a very necessary topic, and so even though I am not an expert nor claim to be the best of examples ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

My Hands, His Heart-Transition

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 15, 2020

Sameness is killing us. We need a season of transition. Mary said: DO IT... Do what Jesus says: CHANGE WILL COME. Quit making excuses... God needs YOUR HANDS.

MY HANDS, HIS HEART… TRANSITION? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com ***TRANSITION: abrupt change, to make a difference, radical change, new direction, movement from one place to another, change, passage, go from one stage to another, To shift gears, to prepare for a new ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:10, 2 Kings 4:1-6, John 2:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Pursue Holiness

Contributed by Chris Appleby on May 4, 2001

Sermon for Commissioning of Missionary couple. Holiness as a lifelong pursuit.

"Train yourself in godliness, 8for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." It might seem a strange thing to those of you who know Hugh and Dorothy well, to preach on the pursuit of godliness at ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-10

Denomination: Anglican

Growing In Our Faith

Contributed by Darrell Williams on Sep 22, 2021

God does not want us to be stagnant or ignorant about our faith. He would desire for all his people to keep moving forward toward Spiritual Maturity by growing in our faith in this world of darkness in which we live.

Growing In Our Faith – 2 Peter 1:1-11 5.5.19 by: Rev. Darrell Williams 2 Peter is obviously written by Peter – one of the disciples – the one we see in the Easter story and the one we discussed on Palm ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-11