Sermons on effort that is worthless:

Formed PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 16, 2023

Christian transformation is not about human effort but about the power of the Holy Spirit renewing our minds, leading us to live lives of devotion to God, and not conforming to the patterns of this world.

Good morning, church family! I am so excited to be sharing God's word with you today, focusing on Romans 12:1-2. Oswald Chambers, a renowned Christian leader and theologian, once said, "Beware of harking back to what you once were when God wants you to be something you have never been." This is a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Topics: Transformation, Habits

On Earth Peace Series

Contributed by Jyotirmaya Deep on Dec 17, 2022

None of the human efforts can gain peace. It is the Prince of Peace that gives the perfect peace. Surprisingly, the peace is for us. Prince of Peace can only give the Peace you need. Peace of Jesus is a balm for all your aches.

1. INTRODUCTION: As Christmas is coming a sense of relief is being made in our hearts. It is bringing a sense of Peace in our hearts because soon we will be celebrating Christmas the coming of the Prince of Peace from Heaven to Earth. In the read text (Luke2:8-15), we see that a multitude of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-15

Denomination: Other

Steps To God's Anointing

Contributed by Larry Elder on Jul 14, 2003

Only through God’s Holy Spirit can a Christian accomplish the amazing works of the Lord! Never will we see the fullness of God through our own efforts and abilities.

Steps to God’s Anointing Zechariah 4:6 ’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. Intro: Only through God’s Holy Spirit can a Christian accomplish the amazing works of the Lord! Never will we see the fullness of God through our own efforts and abilities. We deal ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:6, Zephaniah 4:6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Dark Night Of The Soul Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Feb 18, 2002

All people’s efforts to be right with God have failed, because people chose to exchange the truth about God for a lie. Their only hope is the Gospel of God’s grace.

You’d have to say that there’s nothing pretty about the picture of the world that we find in this passage from Romans ch1. Here we take off the rose coloured glasses and look, with a degree of reality, at the world we live in. I was talking to someone the other day about watching television and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-31

Denomination: Anglican

The Economics Of War

Contributed by Ron Hietsch on Oct 10, 2005

We are at war against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. To win a war it is necessary for all to sacrifice and focus effort and resources on winning the war.

Text 2 Corinthians 8: 1-5 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran

The Problem Of Dirty Feet

Contributed by Bob Hostetler on Jul 5, 2001

If Jesus, our Lord and Teacher, washed his disciples’ feet, we also should serve each other, there should be no task, no role, no effort that we will not do for each other.

The Problem of Dirty Feet Scripture Reading: John 13:1-17 Text: John 13:14 They arrived in groups of twos and threes, talking loudly, laughing boisterously. . . They were Galileans, all of them but one, and they were men of the sea, men of the soil, and—a couple—men of the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17, John 13:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Focus On Jesus Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Mar 17, 2009

We are to direct people’s attention to Jesus. We have faith in the Person of Jesus, not faith in ’faith’ or our efforts. The more you know Him, the stronger your faith.

It is not an everyday affair that you see a miracle. These men just did and they were shocked. • The people stared at Peter and John as if they were the ones who made this man walked (v.12). • Peter directed the people’s attention to JESUS. He did not explain much about the miracle. Acts 3:16 By ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:11-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Blood Is Thicker Than Water

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Mar 25, 2009

God’s first and last thought is the welfare of his children! The Provision of the Cross is an act of covenant. It is not a half-job effort to fix things. It is a plan that would never turn back!

At some point or another you may have used this familiar phrase - Blood is thicker than water. The context in which we use it is to describe the meaning that blood-related families are more important than anyone else. R’ Richard Pustelniak, congregational leader for the Jewish community called ...read more

Scripture: John 19:26-27

Denomination: Salvation Army

Mining Some Truths!!!

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Feb 28, 2012

Like the Master wrapped a message around an event which caught public attention (Luke 13:5), an effort is made here to weave some truths around a global event

Mining some truths… August 5th 2010. For a bunch of thirty three men it was going to be a routine “day in the office”. Only that their office was good 2000 feet below the Earth’s surface, their “office cubicle”… ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:13-14

Denomination: *other

God Gives The Growth

Contributed by Evelyn Weston on May 9, 2006

ROGATION - Spring Farm Blessing - Some may think that it’s our efforts that produce growth, but the credit really belongs to God. Includes three jokes related to farming!

Additional texts: Ezekiel 34:25-31 Psalm 65 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 Gospel text of your choosing Grace to you and peace, from God our Father,and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ. Amen One spring, a farmer purchased an old, run-down, abandoned farm. The fields were grown over with weeds, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Read It, Hear It, Do It! Series

Contributed by Jake Kircher on Jan 23, 2006

God’s Word needs to have a very important role in our lives. We need to make an effort to read it, really hear it and understand it, and then put it into practice.

Tonight I wanted to start off by talking about that well known fact that men don’t do directions of any kind. If you have ever wondered why men can’t ask for directions I have the answer for you here tonight. Just watch… ***Play commercial clip of man asking woman for directions to be met with ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What's The Point?

Contributed by Norbert Garcia on Nov 7, 2014

It is okay to be discouraged when working for the Lord. It is not okay to be defeated. How can we as servants of the Lord maintain our enthusiasm and continue with our efforts when we work for the Lord.

What’s the Point? 1 Corinthian 15:58 Do you ever get discouraged? Do you ever get to the stage that you cry out to no one in particular, but to everyone, and say “What’s the point!” Have you reached that moment in time where you just wonder “Why bother?” I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58

Denomination: Adventist

Agnostic Nazarenes - Mark 6:1-6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2023

In his hometown, the people didn’t believe Jesus because he was a local handyman. Such an irrational conclusion is due to living by feeling instead of fact. Agnosticism is an effort to justify ignorance.

Mark 6:1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him and such miraculous ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6, Matthew 13:54-58, Luke 4:16-30

The Clay Was Marred... God Is Not Finished...

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Sep 1, 2023

We know the often life becomes marred clay... Life is more than junk and garbage. People are valuable to God. People are not disposable. We need to exert greater effort.

#1 THE CLAY WAS MARRED… GOD IS NOT FINISHED… TRUST THE PLAN! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) What does heat and hot water do to butter? To a tea bag? To an egg? WE NEED MORE THAN BAND AIDS… THE MASTER! THE CLAY! THE LESSON OF THE REVELATION: GO ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-6, Matthew 16:26, Habakkuk 2:1-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

4 Stages Of Christian Growth

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 8, 2025

Every believer is called to grow from spiritual infancy to maturity in Christ. Spiritual growth is not automatic; it requires intentional effort in studying God’s Word, prayer, service, and obedience.

4 STAGES OF CHRISTIAN GROWTH By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen." Supporting Texts: Hebrews 5:12-14, Ephesians 4:13-15, Colossians 2:6-7, 1 John ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 5:12-14, Ephesians 4:13-15, Colossians 2:6-7, 1 John 2:12-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God