Sermons on Effort That Is Worthless:

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

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

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

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

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

Understanding And Walking In Divine Favour

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 20, 2025

Divine favour is the supernatural grace of God that positions a person for blessings, promotions, and breakthroughs beyond human ability and effort.

UNDERSTANDING AND WALKING IN DIVINE FAVOUR By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 5:12 "For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield." Supporting Texts: Proverbs 3:3-4, Luke 2:52, Genesis 39:21, Esther 2:17, 2 Corinthians ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:12, Proverbs 3:3-4, Luke 2:52, Genesis 39:21, Esther 2:17, 2 Corinthians 9:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

Chaff Or Tree? How To Thrive In A Withering World Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 3, 2025

This psalm promises a blessed life to those who delight in God’s Word. The sermon describes the meaning of “blessed life,” and contrasts it with the life that is like worthless, weightless chaff. Then it reveals how to have that blessed life through delighting in Scripture.

* For hundreds of free downloadable audio and video sermons, visit TreasuringGod.com. Meditation is the natural activity that comes from delight. The first time you fell in love with someone you meditated on that person - day and night. People who love football have their thoughts consumed with ...read more

Completing Joy Series

Contributed by Sheila Crowe on Aug 12, 2004

The only thing that really matters in life is joyously moving forward in Christ to achieve the goal of perfection.

Many of you have probably already heard of ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder. However, many of you might not yet have heard of a new disorder that is being diagnosised. A serious illness of which I fear many of us may be suffering. It is called AAADD (Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder). ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-17

Denomination: United Methodist

Sleep ,sleep Peaceful Sleep Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on May 27, 2021

Proverbs makes a great effort to bring home the idea that there is a "right way" to live, and a wrong one. Every effort must be made to find the right way. Nothing must stop you from doing that. And everything possible must be done to avoid the wrong way.

Sleep ,Sleep Peaceful Sleep Prov. 3:1 -35 A fairy tale often ends with the statement that they lived happily ever after. Proverbs chapter 3 on the other hand, start with happiness and a long life. " My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-35

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Casual Christians Will Become Casualties

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 25, 2023

Barna research contrasted captive & casual believers, which we can see in Abraham & Lot. We'll see how their faith, or lack of it, guided their choices, and see the outcome of their choices.

CASUAL CHRISTIANS WILL BECOME CASUALTIES Gen. 13:1-18 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: BAD-MOUTHING TO THE WRONG PERSON. An elderly woman came into church. An usher asked her where she’d like to sit. She said, “I’d like to sit down front.” The usher said, “No, you don’t want to sit down there; our pastor is ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Kill The Rose?invest Alittle More?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 9, 2002

Roses have thorns, but this cannot be our focus? Would you invest a little more effort and look beyond the thorns?

Kill the rose, or give it another chance? Give it another chance? Wade Martin Hughes, Sr Kyfingers@aol.com Text: Luke 13: 6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7. Then said he unto the dresser of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:6-9, Galatians 6:9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God's Message Of Salvation

Contributed by Leonard Davis on Jul 23, 2009

Picking yourself up by your bootstraps is a great idea but the impossibility of doing that is like finding salvation by your own efforts.

GOD’S MESSAGE OF SALVATION A Call to Faith We have heard the expression "Pick yourself up by your bootstraps." The picture this brings to mind is that of someone pulling on his or her shoes and as a results being lifted off the ground. In a way, this is rather humorous when we realized the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:1-21

Denomination: Baptist