Sermons on Effort That Is Worthless:

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

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

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

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

When Heaven Smiles On You

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on May 24, 2025

The smile of God upon a life is priceless. It cannot be bought with money or earned by human effort, but it is granted through relationship with God, obedience to His Word, and a heart that seeks Him diligently.

WHEN HEAVEN SMILES ON YOU By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Numbers 6:24-26 Supporting Texts: Psalm 67:1, Isaiah 30:18, Deuteronomy 28:2, Proverbs 16:15, Psalm 5:12 INTRODUCTION: The blessing found in Numbers 6:24–26 is not just a benediction; it is a divine declaration of God's intention ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 6:24-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

Seeking God With A Passionate Heart

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 30, 2025

God desires to be found by those who seek Him with a passionate heart. He is not far from us, but we must make a conscious effort to pursue Him with undivided devotion.

SEEKING GOD WITH A PASSIONATE HEART By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Supporting Texts: Deuteronomy 4:29, Psalm 42:1-2, Matthew 6:33, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:8 INTRODUCTION: The pursuit of God ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Is It Worth It?

Contributed by Mark Haines on Jun 25, 2001

An inductive message using the biblical narrative and contrast to lead individuals to the conclusion that no matter what problems may arise it is always worth the effort to be a church where God can change lives.

Intro: His mother called him "rude," his wife referred to him as "arrogant" and his caddie said he was "impatient." That is until he turned to Christ. The Gospel changed Payne Stewart’s life. "There used to be a void in my life," Stewart told Sports Illustrated, ’The peace I have now is so ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

317 - Ten Commandments For Peacemakers Series

Contributed by Joel Vicente on Feb 26, 2005

1. What does peace produce? 2. Can I live in peace with everyone? 3. How can I “make every effort to live in peace”? 10 Christ Commandments

Sermon Study #317 – TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR PEACEMAKERS Illus. Poem: I dreamed death came the other night And heaven’s gate swung wide. With kindly grace an angel fair Ushered me inside. And there, to my astonishment Stood folks I’d known on earth. Some I’d judged and labeled as “Unfit”, “Of little ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-37

Denomination: Baptist

Entering God's Rest

Contributed by Doug Morrell on Dec 24, 2006

As believers we have entered into His rest by grace (peace with God) AND that we also must make every effort to obtain what God has already provided (peace of God)...

“Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience” (Heb. 4:11). From God’s Word we learn that rest has several meanings: * The seventh day of creation and the weekly Sabbath celebrating it (Gen. 2:2; Heb. 4:4-9) * The ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Sadness To Singing

Contributed by J. Allen Lucas on Mar 25, 2009

It is normal to fell forsaken when we feel forgotten and all of our efforts seem to be useless. But there is One who is touchable and approachable when we’re struggling with feelings of infirmity.

From Sadness To Singing Psalm 13:1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? [2] How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? [3] Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal