Sermons on Effort That Is Worthless:

The Man Who Sold His Future Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 7, 2011

What’s wrong with being godless? If you can answer that question, you can avoid the tragedy that took Esau’s future away from him.

OPEN: A man filled his car with gas at a self-service gas station. After he had paid and driven away, he realized that he had left the gas cap on top of his car. He stopped and looked and, sure enough, it was gone. He thought for a second and realized that other people must have done the same ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Tyranny Of Tradition

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 22, 2022

We must realise that we are susceptible to transforming the Faith through the introduction of our best efforts to make the Faith more meaningful.

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” [1] Traditions are essential to civilisation. Societies are built around traditions which most of those living ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Divine Audit: Recalculating The Worth Of Your Life

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 20, 2025

This sermon on Philippians 3:7-8 explores why the Apostle Paul counted his most impressive achievements as worthless garbage, revealing the radical re-evaluation of life that occurs when we discover the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ.

Title: The Divine Audit: Recalculating the Worth of Your Life Text: Philippians 3:7-8 (KJV) At certain times in our lives, it’s wise to take stock. We do a financial audit to check our assets against our liabilities. We do a performance review at work to measure our accomplishments. We look in the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-8

Denomination: Baptist

It Is Finished Shout The Victory

Contributed by Larry Whitley on Apr 12, 2001

The Finish work of savation no human effort is needed, only what we try to added would ruin it.

It Is Finished "SHOUTS OF VICTORY!" TEXT John 19: 19-30 Text Rev 21: 6 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. Rev. 21:6 and he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will ...read more

Scripture: John 19:19-30

Denomination: Methodist

Paul's Commission....our Purpose

Contributed by Paul Gabriel on Mar 18, 2004

Expository message applying Paul’s commission towards the lost while exhorting believers to greater evangelistic effort

Intro Acts 26:16 - But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

This Is That!

Contributed by Johnny Carver on Sep 5, 2008

This message deals with the importance of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the believer’s life to be effective in our efforts in ministry.

Scripture: Acts 2:16 Title: “This Is That” Introduction: I am fully persuaded that the disciples of Jesus failed to understand everything that Jesus said to them during the time they spent together. · I am also fully persuaded they stood in awe at the miracles Jesus performed before their very ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Will To Win Series

Contributed by Rob Yanok on Sep 10, 2008

Success and Winning is a product of effort and never occurs by chance, therefore we must be Intentional, we must WILL IT!

“The Will To Win” – Pastor Rob Yanok Text: Joshua 1:8, John 15:16, I Cor. 9:24 Proverbs 21:5 – Says “The Thoughts of the diligent tend only to the plenteous...” I. Thoughts on Winning 1. Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing – Vince Lombardi 2. Winners spend time building ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pursue Reconciliation Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Mar 16, 2005

Christ calls his followers to be different from the world. We show this difference in our efforts to reconcile relationships.

(based on Southeast Christian Church’s “Living a Life of Integrity”) SERIES: “WORDS OF WISDOM FOR KINGDOM LIVING” TEXT: MATTHEW 5:17-26 TITLE: “PURSUE RECONCILIATION” INTRODUCTION: A. A young insurance salesman had just completed a training seminar in which the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Might Have Been?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 15, 2005

Little effort, little satisfication? there are no sadder words of pen or tongue, than the words, what might have been.

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN, IF I TRIED A LITTLE HARDER? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com INTRODUCTION: Have we really been trying? Oct. 1978: Mrs. Fannie Turner of Little Rock, Arkansas passed her written drivers test on the 104th attempt, and thus made the Guinness Book of World Records. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:6-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Figuring God

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Jun 13, 2005

Despite our best efforts to understand the Doctrine of the Trinity, we can never quite figure God out.

Figuring God John 16:12-15 May 22, 2005 Let’s play a few games this morning. You’ve seen these little puzzles that are called “brain teasers.” Let’s see if you can figure these puzzles out. A customer at a 7-11 store selected four items to buy, and was told that the cost was ...read more

Scripture: John 16:12-15

Denomination: Methodist

"Real Power" Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Sep 29, 2010

We cannot please God by means of our own effort, but only by means of the Holy Spirit’s power.

God calls on everyone to reject the idea that they can justify themselves by their own good works. That’s what everyone who has yet to come to Christ is doing - seeking to justify themselves in the sight of God, in the sight of others or in their own sight. Religion leads to the “comparison ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Grace And Identity Series

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Mar 22, 2011

Other than our faith, there is nothing we can appeal to in an effort to merit God’s favor.

Grace And Identity Romans 2:25-3:8 I. Paul Defines A True Jew A. Did the Jews have special privileges others did not have? Do they now? Where does the modern day Christian fall in this scheme? 1. The Jews did have special privileges. 2. God gave his Law to them; he called them as his special ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Surrendering For Sucess Series

Contributed by Darrell Tomasek on Oct 26, 2005

This sermon explores the fact we must surrender our efforts and will to truly enjoy all that God has for us.

Surrendering for Success Galatians 3:1-9 1. God’s Goal: A. That we would abandon our life to Him (Galatians 2:20). B. That we would walk in the power of His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). 2. The way to failure is clear (1-5): A. Try to accomplish this by obeying the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Essence And Extract Of Jesus Ministry Series

Contributed by Marc Bertrand on Dec 4, 2002

A challenge to match evangelistic effort with social concern in our world. Preached from an evangelistic perspective to an evangelical audience.

The Extract and Essence of Jesus Ministry Introduction: (From Harvey Conn - Planting and Growing Urban Churches) The house is for William and Mary Elliot, both in their sixties. Community residents for over forty-nine years, today, for the first time in their lives, they will own their home. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:29-39

Denomination: Baptist

What God Wants Most Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 17, 2006

An effort to get the congregation to give more thought and understanding to what God desires in worship and to align their desires with His.

1. Title: What God Wants Most 2. Text: John 4, et al 3. Audience: Villa Heights Christian Church, AM crowd, October 17, 2006, 3rd in the series “Stand In Awe” 4. Objectives: -for the people to understand that God’s desires are to be at the center of our worship; to understand some of the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:21-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ