Sermons on Effort That Is Worthless:

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

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

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

Anointing For Sustainable Success Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 5, 2025

The anointing is not a luxury—it is a necessity for sustainable success in God’s kingdom. Without it, efforts become burdens, and progress becomes temporary.

ANOINTING FOR SUSTAINABLE SUCCESS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Isaiah 10:27 (KJV) “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.” Supporting Texts: ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 10:27, Psalm 92:10-14, Acts 10:38

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 Joy Of The Lord PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2025

True strength comes not from our own efforts, but from receiving and resting in the deep, sustaining joy that Jesus freely gives to us.

Some weeks feel like a treadmill stuck on high speed. Emails multiply, news headlines weigh heavy, and the to-do list seems to lengthen while our energy shortens. Maybe your smile has been performing overtime while your heart has been running on empty. Friend, you’re not alone. And you’re not left ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10

Topics: Joy

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

By His Stripes-12

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Nov 5, 2020

12 of 13. The prophet Isaiah declared a future time when God’s Servant would provide the remedy for sin. Jesus is God’s remedy for sin. By His stripes I receive the Servant's...

BY HIS STRIPES-XII—Isaiah 53:10-11(52:13—53:12) OR: God’s Remedy For Sin Attention: Read Isaiah 53:4-12 God has provided the only foolproof REMEDY for sin...Jesus, His only-begotten Son, His Servant! Background: ~650 years prior to the Cross of Christ Jesus, Isaiah prophesied of the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

Spots And Stripes Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 20, 2021

If you want true success in life, don’t depend on your shrewd deals or your spent schemes. Instead, depend on the Lord.

Ted Engstrom and Edward Dayton, in a Christian Leadership Letter some time ago, talked about a young man who was appointed president of a bank. Intimidated by his new responsibilities, he nervously sought the advice of his gray-haired predecessor: “Sir, what has been the secret of your success?” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 30:25-43, Proverbs 3:5-6, James 1:17, Galatians 3:3, 1 Peter 3:1-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 15:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

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

Autumn Trees Without Fruit – Doubly Dead And Uprooted Jude 1:12 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 16, 2022

Autumn fruits that are withered from worthless trees. - this is the next description Jude gives of these wicked false teachers who savage the truth of the gospel. These men cause havoc but they are described as "doubly dead and uprooted". God hates His truth being destroyed.

AUTUMN TREES WITHOUT FRUIT – DOUBLY DEAD AND UPROOTED Jude 1:12 What was the title of the last message? And how did Jude describe the false teachers in the one before that? Remember, what the false teachers represent, but then the Christians must be the opposite. (This is part of ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:12, 1 Kings 13:1-5, Mark 11:20, Hosea 9:16, Deuteronomy 29:28, 2 Chronicles 7:17-22, Psalm 1:3, Romans 8:10-11, John 10:27-28, Romans 16:25, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Colossians 2:7, Job 19:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Justification By Faith Apart From Works

Contributed by Glenn Robinson on Aug 5, 2002

This sermon show how Abraham, David, and all believers are made right in the sight of God based on their faith apart from any efforts of their own

The question of the ages is "How can sinful man be made right in the sight of a Holy God?" Can we work for it ? Ro. Ch 1-3 show that all are sinful. Paul asks the question "How were the Patriarchs justified?" I) ABRAHAM WAS JUSTIFIED WITHOUT WORKS Vss. 1-3 A) ABRAHAM’S WORKS Vs. 2 If ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Service - Pit Stops Along The Way

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Jan 19, 2009

Giving without heart is nothing more than dutiful response in an effort to relieve us of guilt or convince ourselves we’re good people.

The American Memorial Day weekend automobile race known as the Indianapolis 500 (a.k.a. Indy 500) attracts 400,000 spectators every year! It is probably the largest single sporting event that draws such a large crowd. The race requires many pit-stops – tire changes, fuel, oil, or repairs when ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Denomination: Salvation Army

Trusted Servants Series

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Jan 25, 2006

The hallmark of the trusting laborer is the Holy Spirit fruit that is evident in his life, no matter what the harvest is that the Lord brings forth from his efforts.

Turn Your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 3:6-10 Title: Trusted Servants Theme: Hallmarks of a Trusting Laborer Series: Laboring Together With God Introduction: There is a swinging pendulum of reactions in the church of Jesus Christ in regard to the attitude of her laborers. When one sees the results ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:6-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lost

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Apr 26, 2010

Even when our efforts are not always aligned with his intentions and we make mistakes and sometimes make a mess of things, he knows the heart

LOST 2 Kings 22:1-20; key verse: 13 INTRO Pastor Wayne Cordeiro, Leading on Empty writes of his daughter, adopted when only three days old. The apple of his eye, Abby, compromised her faith and morality, making choices that expelled her from College and for two years was searching for her ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 22:1-20

Denomination: Salvation Army