Sermons on Effort That Is Worthless:

Salvation PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 3, 2025

God’s grace meets us in our brokenness, offering forgiveness and new life through Jesus, not by our efforts but by His love and sacrifice.

Friends, welcome. If you walked in today with a weary heart, a worried mind, or a wound that won’t seem to heal, you’re in good company. We bring our whole selves to God—our victories and our valleys, our bright smiles and our buried secrets. Deep down, we sense something is wrong, and we long for ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Topics: Salvation, Romans Road

The Bewitching Hour PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 4, 2025

Relying on the Holy Spirit’s power, not our own efforts, keeps our focus on Christ and sustains us daily by God’s grace.

If you’ve ever started your morning with grand intentions and then tripped over your own shoelaces by lunch, you’re in good company. We set the coffee, open the calendar, whisper a prayer, and head out the door with a heart set on Jesus. Then the rush hits. Emails multiply. Expectations pile high. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-3

Topics: Bewitching Hour, Spiritual Influence

Smell Good Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 13, 2024

When you feel defeated, trust Christ to use your feeble efforts and faltering speech to make an eternal difference in people’s lives.

A marathon, for most runners, seems long, but it is always 26.2 miles. Always. Except for the Lakeshore Marathon held in Chicago on Memorial Day weekend 20 years ago (2005). That day the 529 runners who finished actually ran 27.2 miles, one mile more than they were supposed to. Only, nobody told ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Sanctity And Service

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jul 14, 2023

Christians cannot be transformed by default. ... When it comes to worship, we have to put forth an effort because sincere worship does not happen by default.

Romans 12:1-2  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  (2)  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: United Methodist

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

Jehovah-Tsidkenu - The Lord Our Righteousness PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Our righteousness comes not from our own efforts, but from the Lord Himself, and we should look forward to His promise of safety, security, and a day when all will be made right with hope and joy.

Good morning, family. Today, we're diving into a powerful, hope-filled promise from the book of Jeremiah, a promise of safety, security, and a day when all will be made right. We'll be focusing on Jeremiah 23:5-6, where it says, "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up for ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:5-6

Topics: Names Of God

Understanding Who You Are Part #1 Your Identity In God

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jul 11, 2025

For far too long we have as black people (a term that by the end of this lesson I may not use, and you may choose not to use anymore) have been lied to, left out, belittled, tricked, bamboozled, made to feel insignificant, worthless, useless, and cursed by God with blackness.

Opening: - For far too long we have as black people (a term that by the end of this lesson I may not use, and you may choose not to use anymore) have been lied to, left out, belittled, tricked, bamboozled, made to feel insignificant, worthless, useless, and cursed by God with blackness. That’s not ...read more

Denomination: Apostolic

You Are Somebody Special To God Series

Contributed by Troy Campbell on Nov 8, 2011

Have you ever felt like a failure in life? Have you ever experienced insecurity? Some are insecure about your appearance, your abilities, your personality, your life? Have you ever felt unloved and worthless? Have you ever said the following words: “I

Title: Who Am I – 6 “You Are Somebody Special to God – 2” Text: I Peter 2:9-10 Last week I started preaching on the subject that “You Are Somebody Special to God.” It was a very encouraging message to everyone that hears it. We all need to know from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10, Daniel 1:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Cost Of Holy Living Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jan 28, 2025

Holy living demands self-denial, perseverance, and complete devotion to God. Though it comes with sacrifices, the eternal rewards far outweigh the temporary costs. As believers, let us embrace the call to holiness, knowing that God’s grace will sustain us.

Title: THE COST OF HOLY LIVING By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Luke 9:23 Supporting Texts: 1 Peter 1:15-16, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 5:10-12, Galatians 2:20 INTRODUCTION: Holy living is a command and an essential aspect of the Christian journey. However, it comes with a cost—self-denial, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 5:10-12, Galatians 2:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

An Example To Follow

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Nov 11, 2001

When reflecting on serving Christ with our effort and time, we are called to do so in the way Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. This is our example to follow.

Yes, our focus on making a commitment to serve God with our hands begins with a story about feet. Our Bible story takes place at a time shortly before Jesus would give up his life for us. Jesus and the disciples were making arrangements to celebrate a special holiday meal together called the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

Opposition To Godly Things

Contributed by Scott Hippler on Aug 8, 2001

Acts 4:1-4 What opposition have you encountered in your walk with with God? What was your response? God will bless your efforts!!!!

Satan’s #1 tool to oppose us and to defeat us is the various forms of opposition that come at us in everyday life and especially when we are attempting something great for God. In those times of ministry, outreach and evangelism - Satan will pull out all of the stops to knock us off course, to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Folly Of Man

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Aug 2, 2003

As farcical as was the building of the tower of Babel, it is not one wit more so than for any man to attempt to gain heaven by his own efforts or good works.

“THE FOLLY OF MAN” "Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. "Then they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They had brick ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Be Intentional #1 - Living By Decision Instead Of Default Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 27, 2003

First in a series on living a life characterized by intentionality. This message dealso with being a person who makes determined effort to strengthen his or her relationship with God.

Be Intentional #1 – Living By Decision Instead of Default Various Scriptures December 29, 2002 Introduction Today we begin a series that will take us well into the New Year, as we look at becoming people of purpose, people of intentionality. I’ve mentioned before that this is probably the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-16, Isaiah 29:16

Denomination: Wesleyan

Building For Eternity

Contributed by Howard Parnell on Oct 7, 2002

One day we will all find out that no matter how valuable the materials we use to build with, if the foundation is faulty all effort is in vain.

BUILDING FOR ETERNITY Matt. 7:24-29 INTRO. This passage comes at the end of the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount in which he gives the beatitudes...shows the importance of his believers in the world (salt of the earth)...tells the Jews that he is the fulfillment of the Law of Moses...gives a new view ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

"Wait On Me!" (God)

Contributed by Doug Warren on Apr 16, 2002

WE HAVE BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF HOW TO WAIT ON GOD, IT REQUIRES ENERGY AND EFFORT TO DO SO, BUT THERE ARE ENCOURAGING RESULTS WHEN WE WAIT UPON HIM.

Intro: One of the things I am NOT GOOD AT is waiting. I am the person who paces the floor waiting for the microwave popcorn which only takes three and one-half minutes! (Do I need therapy? Most likely!!:) We live in an "instant society" of fast food, instant information on demand, pay-at-the-pump ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31

Denomination: Baptist