Sermons on Effort Required:

Crossover PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 27, 2025

Trusting God at life’s uncertain crossings requires both faith and obedience, as He calls us to step forward and follow Him into the unknown.

Have you ever stood at the edge of something new—heart thumping, hands trembling—wondering how you’ll make it across? Maybe it’s a decision you can’t delay, a diagnosis you didn’t ask for, a door you’re afraid to open, or a river of unknowns that seems swollen and wild. You can hear it rush; you ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-9

Topics: Courage, Conviction

The Only Means Of Revival

Contributed by Thomas Lanthrip on Nov 4, 2006

Are you weary from the daily struggles of life? Do you long for a brighter more spiritually uplifting life? There has been and currently is a lot of effort being placed on “Revival”, but the problem is in our methodology; “Revival” cannot be structured by

Quote: Lord, revive the church—beginning with me. SAMUEL M. SHOEMAKER First things first, Revival is not an evangelistic campaign, neither is it about what I can receive from Jehovah. It can be stated this way by an old statement from Teddy Roosevelt: “Ask not what my country can do for me ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 57:10-15

Denomination: Baptist

Effective Giving

Contributed by Steve Smith on Jan 23, 2010

The example of the Macedonian our Corinthian churches give us tremendous advice on the sensitive subject of tithing for NT believers today! Advice that is easy to understand requiring very little interpretation!

So much is said about tithing and yet it is probably the most difficult subject for me to speak on. I think it would be actually easier if the church was wealthy. Why is this such a sensitive subject? Or maybe its me, but why is it so hard to preach on? What about to you? Think about it for a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Minimalism

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on May 14, 2003

We often try to get away with putting forth the least effort possible in order to achieve the greatest results. But this is far from a Biblical concept. God has a better idea in mind, as he has already shown in Christ.

Passage: 1 Peter 1:13-21 Intro: One of the most prevalent tendencies among human beings is our desire expend as little effort as possible to achieve our goals. 1. weight loss without diet or exercise, pill. 2. destroy Iraqi regime in a week. 3. “what do I need to do to pass this course” 4. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Building Blocks In God's Holy House

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Jan 23, 2022

We are “living stones,” called to be linked with one another in Christ, tightly integrated like stones in a wall. This requires us to strengthen our connections with each other, in fellowship, mutual support, and prayer.

God has given us a real blessing in this church building. In many ways, it’s a hub for congregational life. It serves as a centre of our worship, our learning and study, and it’s a place for our communion together. It’s a good gift of God to us. Yet how does the Bible speak about our places of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Steps In Getting To Know God Intimately Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 1, 2025

Growing in intimacy with God requires intentional steps of seeking Him with all our hearts, obeying His Word, worshipping in spirit and truth, trusting in Him completely, and walking in humility and repentance.

Title: STEPS IN GETTING TO KNOW GOD INTIMATELY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: James 4:8 Supporting Texts: Jeremiah 29:13, John 17:3, Psalm 63:1-2 INTRODUCTION: To know God intimately is the desire of every believer. It involves a personal and deep relationship that goes beyond surface-level ...read more

Scripture: James 4:8, Jeremiah 29:13, John 17:3, Psalm 63:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Work Till Christ Comes

Contributed by Jason Spangler on Jul 4, 2006

Your work reflects who your are, so put forth the greatest effort to make the most impact in your work by following Paul’s example to the Thessalonians; remember, vocation is ministry more so that ministry is vocation

2 Thessalonians 3: 6-15 Title: Work till Christ comes: “do what is right” Introduction: How does Eschatology, the theology concerning the second coming, the Parousia (pah-ro̅o̅-seeʹuh), affect our behavior? • Talk of the end of the world tend to make people behave strangely; we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In The Shadow Of Bulls & Goats Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Aug 23, 2012

Before Christ gave up his life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, there was a system that God put into place through Moses that resembled what was to come in Christ. This system of sacrificing animals and shedding blood was the people’s effort to g

Today we begin a short series on what I believe may be the best chapter of the bible in terms of explaining exactly what Christ has done, because it puts in the historical perspective of why sacrifices were necessary in the first place. You can read more about the old covenant in chapter 9. That ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-10

The Seeds Of Kindness

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jun 3, 2020

What does God require of His people? Can external habits reveal internal problems? What kind of seeds of kindness are you planting? Random acts of kindness? Planned, purposed seeds?

THE SEEDS OF KINDNESS--- By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I have pill sizes baggies with about 10 seeds in each one, random. I also put two cheerios for donut seeds? What will you grow? *QUESTION: CAN EXTERNAL HABITS REVEAL INTERNAL PROBLEMS? WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE AND EXPECT OF HIS ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:8, Matthew 10:24, 1 Chronicles 11:17, 1 Corinthians 9:7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Together We Thrive PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 6, 2024

This sermon emphasizes the importance of unity within the Christian community, anchored in the gospel of Christ, for spiritual growth and testament of God's love.

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters, to this sacred gathering where we come together, not as strangers, but as family, bound by the love of our Heavenly Father. It's a joy to see each one of you here, eager to share in the Word of God, ready to be nourished by His truth. Let's turn our hearts and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:16

Topics: Thriving, Christ

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Put A Positive Spin On Every Problem

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

The Holy Spirit helps us view problems with the mind of Christ. When you are tempted to say, "All these problems make me think that my efforts are not worth it, remember Romans 8:28.

1. The Holy Spirit increasingly sanctifies those who are a part of His family. The Spirit frees us from the problems, restrictions and penalties of sin as He sanctifies us. 2 Cor. 3:18, Paul writes, "But we all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are changed from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do Not Lose Heart

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 30, 2005

This sermon ties together Exodus 34:29-35 and 2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2 in an effort to deal with the things in our lives that keep us from fully experiencing the glory of God.

Do Not Lose Heart Exodus 34:29-35 / 2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2 Intro: Many times I’ve heard it said that a woman who is having a baby has a certain “glow” about them. It is certainly true that most people express their emotions, both positive and negative on their faces. We know when we see a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 34:29-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Grace Transforms 3 Series

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Sep 24, 2011

Christianity never becomes about human effort. We do not move on from grace – we move deeper and deeper into it. The gospel not only ignites us to faith, it fuels our entire journey.

Dakota Community Church September 25, 2011 Grace Transforms 3 Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. 1. What is biblical grace? 2. Where does grace originate? 3. Grace ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Mennonite

Valued Words Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Mar 8, 2012

It takes a change of heart as well as a change of mind that we might speak righteously. Yet the difficult task of refining our speaking process is worth the effort, for the righteous use valued words that bring blessings

THE WORDS OF THE RIGHTEOUS VALUED WORDS PROVERBS 10: 31-32 Words spring from the heart and are then formed by the mind. If the heart is pure, righteous speech should flow out of it. If the heart is wicked it also flows from the mouth. Yet even if the heart is pure it is not a given that ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

Abcs Of Spiritual Growth

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Feb 28, 2010

Growth is expected in our spiritual lives but unlike physical growth, our spiritual growth does not just happen, we need to give effort and consideration if we are to move from milk to solid food.

ABCS of Spiritual Growth 06/30/08 AM Text: Various, 2 Peter 3:18 Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25 Introduction It’s not uncommon to speak of the “ABC’s” of a topic when talking about the basics of that topic. When we see a book titled “The ABC’s of Child Development” we can pretty much guess that the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ