Sermons on Effort That Is Worthless:

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

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

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

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

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

Walking In The Spirit (A Journey Of Divine Transformation)

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Oct 29, 2025

The Christian life involves constant tension between flesh and Spirit. Victory comes not through human effort but through daily dependence on the Holy Spirit's power and guidance.

Walking in the Spirit A Journey of Divine Transformation Introduction The Christian life presents a profound paradox. You possess both a new nature in Christ and the lingering presence of your old nature. Paul addresses this reality with striking clarity in Galatians 5:16-17, where he describes an ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-17, Romans 8:13, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Timothy 3:16, Zechariah 4:6, Ephesians 5:18-20, Galatians 5:16, Galatians 5:22-23, Galatians 5:19-21, John 15:13, Hebrews 12:2, John 14:27, Mark 8:17-21, Matthew 9:10-13, Matthew 14:14-21, Luke 24:44, Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 4:15, John 15:4-5, Galatians 5:17, Romans 7:15-25, John 16:13, John 16:12, Acts 8:26-38, John 16:14, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 1 Peter 1:15-16, 1 Corinthians 12:7, Colossians 3:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 8:11, Philippians 1:6, Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 John 1:9, Romans 8:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Responding To Rejection And Hostility Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 7, 2025

Rejection, especially after genuine efforts to do good, can be deeply painful. But 2 Samuel 10 shows us that our response matters more than the offence itself.

RESPONDING TO REJECTION AND HOSTILITY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Samuel 10:1-19 Supporting Texts: Romans 12:18-21, Matthew 5:44, Psalm 35:1, Isaiah 54:17, Proverbs 26:4-5 INTRODUCTION: 2 Samuel 10 presents a significant lesson in how acts of kindness can be misinterpreted and even met ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 10:1-19

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

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

Enoch

Contributed by Bala Samson on Sep 10, 2025

Mind is gold mine! A person’s mind is a rich, untapped source of valuable ideas, potential, creativity and inner wealth, which can be discovered and ‘mined’ through effort and investigation.

Hebrews 11:5 “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”[a] For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” Introduction Enoch and Elijah were the two individuals in the Bible who were ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sustaining Christian Ministry-4

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 4, 2025

4 of 4. The apostle Peter concerned himself with sustaining Christian ministry. Christian ministry must be sustained indefinitely. But, ?What sustains Christian ministry? Or: ?How is Christian ministry sustained? Christian ministry is sustained thru...

SUSTAINING CHRISTIAN MINISTRY-IV—2Peter 1:12-15 Attention: ‘The Constitution of the United States of America’ is a document that records the unprecedented experimental design for a new country, that was born from the collective wisdom of the founding fathers. One of their main concerns in the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:12-15

Denomination: Baptist