Sermons on Effort That Is Worthless:

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

The Failed Father Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 17, 2023

When it comes to fatherhood, bad examples from Scripture can be good examples, once you know what a failed father has done wrong. Eli was a bad example. But what did he do wrong, and what can we learn from him so we can build better fathers?

Someone once said that everyone is an example to others - some are GOOD examples, and some are BAD. And, believe it or not, bad examples can be good examples for us. For example, Eli was a “GOOD EXAMPLE” of a bad example of how to be a father. But before we get to Eli’s story (and what we can ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:22-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

"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

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

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

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

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

Open The Door As Wide As A Needles Eye! Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Aug 11, 2010

With mankind it is impossible for us to gain our salvation through our own effort. God has made it possible because with God all things are possible!

The first of two camels in this sermon series Think of a time when someone has asked you instructions to get somewhere. What about this scenario? Someone asks you, what do I have to do to get into Jade Stadium to watch the test games in the 2011 Rugby World Cup? I think the answer would be a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Salvation Army

Heaven's Door Is Narrow

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Nov 13, 2009

Pentecost 14 (C) - Heaven’s door is narrow. By only trusting in God’s grace alone will believers live to make every effort to enter.

HEAVEN’S DOOR IS NARROW (Outline) September 6, 2009 -- PENTECOST 14 -- Luke 13:22-30 INTRO: Today Jesus points out that the door to heaven is narrow. This does not mean that heaven is full. The Lord’s will is to see all mankind saved. But not all people are saved! Why? When left on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: Lutheran

Good To Go

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 29, 2010

Funeral service for Alberta Perry Faulkner, the mainstay of the church's missions support efforts and a world traveler, nurse, teacher, Scout leader, senior citizen sponsor.

I had my car repaired not long ago. It took about as long to check out at the cashier’s desk as it did for the mechanics to do the work, because at the desk I had to sign several forms, initial a couple of others, present my credit card and sign the charge slip, and then wait for the clerk ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Jeremiah, Jesus And Our Evangelical Call Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 2, 2018

This Advent, try to spend more time and effort and even money in preparing yourself and helping others to welcome the Lord at Christmas than you spend on presents.

First Sunday of Advent 2018 Jeremiah has to be one of the saddest prophets of any age of the Hebrew people. His message could be summarized in one word–disaster. It was a disaster for the people who were delivered from Egypt by God through Moses, who were led through the desert, given the land of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-36

Denomination: Catholic

If You Were Only Guilty Of One Fleeting Sinful Thought, A Lifetime Of Righteous Deeds Could Not Justify You.

Contributed by David Goering on Aug 9, 2018

Our sin has earned a wage of infinite loss and this loss cannot be undone, even if we dedicated our entire life as an effort to undo it.

SCRIPTURE: James 2:10 "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in ONE point, he is guilty of all." Romans 3:20 "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." PROPOSITION: To use these texts and others to ...read more

If You Could Have Anything You Wanted Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 16, 2011

1st in a series about life of Solomon. An effort to get the audience to associate Solomon's request with the choices that are placed before them and to prioritize them accordingly

I Kings 3:3-15; II Chronicles 1:1-13 Intro: Wouldn’t it be nice? Wouldn’t it be great to have 3 wishes, for whatever you want? I once asked our church family in Joplin to think that through – If you could have anything you wanted, what would you want? I’ll share some ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:3-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"This Thing Doesn't Work"

Contributed by Brad Henry on Aug 26, 2011

We are talking about News Years resoultions. If you really want to change it takes discipline to get into the word of God but the benefits far outweigh the effort.

Now that the New Year is right around the corner there are those infomercials that tout great fitness. It seems that each year the machines get weirder. Hang upside down, spin 360 degrees then throw up. That loses about 5 lbs. Then there are those that bend you like a pretzel while listening to Rap ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:14