Sermons on Effort That Is Worthless:

The Magi Surface Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 21, 2015

The visit of the Magi piques our curiosity but also reveals the importance of honoring Jesus Christ — no matter how much effort it takes.

The Magi Surface (Matthew 2:1-12) 1. Some people think the Bible teaches that the fruit Adam and Eve ate in the Garden was an apple….. probably a fig. Most of us know the Christmas narratives fairly well, but we often assume things that the text does not actually say. 2. Lin Smalec writes, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Grace At Work 3 Series

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Aug 12, 2012

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Dakota Community Church August 12, 2012 Grace at Work - 3 Unity According to our passage unity depends upon four primary things the first one being: 1. How we treat one another Four qualities are given as the correct treatment of each other here: Ephesians 4:2-3 Be completely humble and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3

Denomination: Mennonite

The Power Of Transforming Grace - Lessons From Jacob And Esau Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Aug 26, 2012

The story of Jacob's favor focuses on the question of our ability to be used by God, and demonstrates that the nature of His grace is completely independent of human effort.

"The Power of Transforming Grace" Genesis 25 Can God Use Me? My past is marred by sin. I’ve got the scars, the tattoos, the wounds and the memories of all that I’ve done wrong. Can God use me? Can God Use Me? Other Christians can help the poor and give money to the church, but ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:1-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Evangelism Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Feb 15, 2019

The early church was successful in their efforts to reach the world around them for Jesus and Acts 4:32-35 gives us insights as to why.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Have you ever wondered why you have tried to do something, but it did not seem to work? • You put time and effort into the endeavor, yet at the end of the day, it just did not work. • Then maybe you tried again with the same result, so after a while, you just gave up. • As ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Welfare Program And Handfuls Of Purpose! Series

Contributed by Victor Ramlall on Feb 26, 2013

The law of gleaning demonstrates God's provision for the poor who are required to make a diligent effort as opposed to the welfare system that exist in our day.

Ruth 2:15-18 KJV And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: 16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not. 17 So she gleaned in ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:15-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Unquenchable Love Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 16, 2011

A sermon from Song of Songs. From a series about the life of Solomon. An effort to make the book understandable and more useful for the average person.

Song of Solomon, esp. 2:16 Introduction: Normally, I’d like to start out with some humorous story or something, but I’ll just say this. I’m going to do something today I’ve never done in 26 years of preaching. I’m going to preach from the Song of Songs. ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 2:16, Song of Songs 2:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bona Fide- A Study Of James- Part 10- "Herman- Who?" Series

Contributed by Randy Edwards on Mar 13, 2017

Part 10- we move slightly from the book of James into learning to rightly use and understand scripture in an effort to become Bona Fide

Bona Fide Part 10 A study of James- “kind of” “ The truth , the whole truth and nothing but the truth” As I was praying and preparing for this week’s sermon I wanted to continue our sermon series on James I believe the dots we are connecting are important for ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15

Denomination: Baptist

Exercising Yourself Unto Godliness

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Mar 20, 2022

Godliness is a necessary condition to enjoy the blessings of the kingdom of God. Every believer must make conscious efforts and discipline to live a godly lifestyle.

Exercising Yourself Unto Godliness Study Text: 1 Timothy 4: 7 - 8 Introduction: - As Christians, our priority must be kept on eternal things which cannot be seen, and not temporal things which are seen. - Paul tells Timothy that the same work and commitment that others put towards ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sermon On Speed Of Achievement

Contributed by William Meakin on Feb 13, 2023

Achievement is defined as a thing done successfully with effort, skill or courage. Unless failure occurs, it is usually the given result in any task or endeavor.

Marcus Tullius Cicero, a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar and philosopher once remarked: “It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, force of character, and judgment.” Ephesians 1:11 confirms: “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:5, 2 Peter 3:9, Amos 9:13-15, Isaiah 40:31

Solemnity Of The Ascension Of The Lord And Mother's Day

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Apr 11, 2024

We are chasing a sense of enoughness. But it remains ever out of reach, and the effort and anxiety are burning us out. American "performancism."

Martha Campbell said of flunking her final exams and the resulting report card, and what her parents did: "I got a no TV for a week in math, a no dessert for a month in history, and a just wait 'til your father gets home in social studies." My seminary Bible teacher said, “The ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:15-20, Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

Divine Speed

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jan 22, 2025

Divine speed refers to the supernatural ability granted by God to accomplish tasks or reach goals faster than human effort can achieve.

Title: DIVINE SPEED By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Kings 18:46 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 40:31, Habakkuk 2:3 INTRODUCTION: Divine speed refers to the supernatural ability granted by God to accomplish tasks or reach goals faster than human effort can achieve. When God’s hand is upon a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:46, Isaiah 40:31, Habakkuk 2:3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Promotion To Labor PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Understand God's generous nature, our role in His kingdom, and that true elevation comes from Him, not from human efforts or comparisons.

Good morning, family! Today we'll be diving into the book of Matthew, chapter 20, verses 1-16. We'll be talking about God's overwhelming generosity, the work we're called to do in His kingdom, and the truth that real promotion, real elevation, comes only from Him, not from man. As Duncan Campbell ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Topics: Equal Pay

The Nameless Woman

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Jun 29, 2010

In this passage we meet a woman without a name, or a named sin. But we get to put our name in the story, and our sin, and see how our God reacts to us in love

Luke 7:36-8:3 We really don’t know much about her. We don’t know her name. We don’t know what she did. But the people living her town knew both. They knew all about her sins, whatever they were, they were public, and they were shameful. You are free to use your imagination ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Ten Keys To Reaching Youth

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Dec 10, 2002

Ten Keys to Reaching Youth (I Cor. 9:22,23) Young people struggle with loneliness, feelings of worthlessness, relativistic confusions, anger, hurt, meaninglessness, indifference, and unmet needs. Paul gives us insights into reaching them for Jesus Christ.

Ten Keys to Reaching Youth - I Cor. 9:22,23 Many young people struggle with loneliness, feelings of worthlessness, relativistic confusions, anger, hurt, meaninglessness, indifference, and unmet needs. Only 12% of people under 18 are coming to church in America. Even worse, only 10% of these ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:22-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fresh Start

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 3, 2010

1)PURSUING THE PRIZE REQUIRES A PROPER AWARENESS 2) MAXIMUM EFFORT 3) FOCUSED CONCENTRATION 4) PROPER MOTIVATION 5)PROPER RECOGNITION & 6) PROPER CONFORMITY.

The Olympics are coming soon to Vancouver British Columbia. Athletes all over the world are preparing for their various events. They of course train in such a way as to be the best of the best. Their goal; an Olympic Gold Medal, and hearing their national anthem playing while their flag is raised ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Denomination: Other