Sermons on Effort That Is Worthless:

Is The Righteous Life Worth Living?

Contributed by Robert Bravo on Jul 1, 2007

Living righteous in an unrighteous world is hard. Well is it worth the effort?

Is the righteous life worth living? Malachi 3:13 - 18 (NIV) 13“You have said harsh things against me,” says the LORD. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ 14“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

From Wee Little To Great Big Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jul 13, 2006

In order to draw nearer to Jesus we need to make the effort.

From Wee Little to Great Big Text: Lk. 19:1-10 Introduction 1. Read Lk. 19:1-10 2. Illustration: A certain man was troubled with dizzy spells. He went from one doctor to another and none could tell him what the problem was. He tried everything, it seemed. Finally, it was bothering him so ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

Psalm 27 - The Lord Of Light And Salvation Series

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Apr 7, 2014

This is another message from my efforts to preach through the Psalms.

THE LORD OF LIGHT AND SALVATION TEXT: Psalm 27:1-14 Psalms 27:1-14 KJV A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? [2] When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Let You Shine Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Aug 6, 2014

Being the light of the world is a cooperative effort between God and ourselves.

Let You Shine Text: Phil. 2:12-18 Introduction 1. Illustration: Jesus himself said to his disciples, "[L]et your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) 

This is a concept that is sometimes a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Methodist

Come Let Us Reason Together.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

The failure of our efforts and the glory of Christ's work.

COME LET US REASON TOGETHER. Isaiah 1:10-18. Isaiah addresses his congregation as “rulers of Sodom” and “people of Gomorrah”, and begins to reason with them (Isaiah 1:10). It is all quite shocking: how dare he expose our comfortable, upright congregation to such strong language? After all, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Monument Of Shame Series

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Sep 7, 2020

Man's efforts without God result in confusion.

Several of the structural designers of the original World Trade Center was attending a conference in St. Louis. During the question and answer period a person asked to one of the chief engineers if he had any regrets about the design of the building. When asked this question, the chief structural ...read more

Denomination: Other

Experiencing The Word Of God Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 2, 2003

1. Being a student of the Word takes effort. 2. Being a student of the Word turns effort into joy. 3. Being a student of the Word turns the written Word into the Living Word.

Ravi Zacharias, a Christian intellectual who travels around the world lecturing in secular settings on spiritual themes, tells of an experience he had in Columbus, Ohio. He writes, “A few weeks ago, I did a lectureship at Ohio State University. As I was being driven to the lecture, we passed the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:9-16

Denomination: Methodist

The Secret Of Ineffective Prayer Series

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Jul 26, 2006

Most unanswered prayer goes back to our not doing something right to begin with, so we need to make sure that our prayers are not obstructed by worthless and unnecessary obstacles

The Secrets of Ineffective Prayer Griffith Baptist Church – 7/23/06 P.M. Service Text: Matthew 6:5-15 Theme: Most unanswered prayer goes back to our not doing something right to begin with. We need to make sure that our prayers are not obstructed by worthless and unnecessary ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Denomination: Baptist

How To Stop The Lord's Work

Contributed by Maurice Brown on Jul 2, 2001

Satan is busy today in his efforts to destroy the work of His People.

INTRODUCTION A. What is your attitude towards the work of the Lord? 1. Every Christian should be interested in the growth of the Lord’s work 2. We should be doing all we can to help build up the Church. B. Ezra and Nehemiah had a zeal for the Lord’s work 1. Ezra wanted to ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:17-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Reward Of Godly Wisdom

Contributed by David Quackenbush on Feb 3, 2001

Fearing God and obeying his Word is great gain, and is worth the effort.

The Reward of Godly Wisdom (Proverbs 3:1-12) 1. My son do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; 2. For length of days and years of life, and peace they will add to you. 3. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Conscientious Damage Control

Contributed by Tiger Gullett on Dec 28, 2003

Making a consciencious effort to control self inflicted storms in our lives.

Introduction : As we approach the beginning of a new year, we have the opportunity to look back on the last year and take a survey of our lives. We have the opportunity of a new beginning. Many people put down new year resolutions, but I think if we were honest with ourselves, we would admit that ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

How To Kill A Church Without Trying

Contributed by James Roberts, Jr. on Feb 17, 2005

How to go about killing a church without any effort at all.

HOW TO KILL A CHURCH WITHOUT TRYING Ephesians 3:20-21 Revelation 3:1-3 Paul is telling us that through the church God is to get glory. Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages. The church was instituted by Christ to further the Gospel story and to give all glory to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

Am I A Team Player

Contributed by Robert Donato on Nov 15, 2012

Evangelism and church growth, just like all of life, is a team effort.

Becoming a Team Player Eph 4:1-3 “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3

Denomination: Nazarene

"Self-Control": Our Pursuit For Our Growth Part 4 Series

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Sep 7, 2010

Let us make every effort to add self-control to knowledge.

Ever heard of the marshmallow test? Let’s watch this video.[1] [SHOW VIDEO] When Stanford University conducted this famous test in the 1960s on a group of four-year-old children, it revolutionized the emotional intelligence concept. “The researchers then followed the progress of each ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-7

Denomination: Baptist

Fig Leaf Fashions

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Dec 8, 2011

A sermon about the futility of trying to cover our sins by human effort.

Fig Leaf Fashions Genesis 3:1-21 Scripture Reading (6-7) I. The Cause for the Fig Leaf Fashions v. 1-7a A. The serpent scheming Let's start with some background. Adam and Eve are living in the Garden of Eden, Paradise. In Chapter 2:16,17 God has given them a simple instruction. Whenever I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-21

Denomination: Baptist