Sermons on Effort That Is Worthless:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Gospel: Start And Continue By Faith Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Nov 17, 2015

None of us ever became Christians through our human effort. God reached down. Salvation comes by faith in Christ. Believe in Jesus Christ, He died on the cross for you.

Dance with the one who brung ya. In a sense that was Paul’s message to the Galatians. You became a Christian by faith in Christ and experienced a new birth. In Galatians 3:1-5 Paul asks them why switch to human effort to live the Christian life? Faith in Christ brung ya to the dance why ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Mercy, Truth And Fear Of The Lord

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Dec 23, 2014

To show that it's all GOD's Divine effort to cleanse us by using His Mercy and Truth - the LORD JESUS CHRIST and the Fear of the LORD enables us to turn away from evil.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you have reverential fear of the LORD? Do you trust and depend on GOD's Mercy and God's Truth alone? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that it's all GOD's Divine effort to cleanse us by using His Mercy and Truth - the LORD JESUS CHRIST and the Fear of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Parable Of The Prayers Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 10, 2014

The focus is humility in prayer out of a realization that righteousness can not be reached by means of our own efforts. Prayers are heard & answered because of God's mercy not because of our self-justifying merits.

LUKE 18: 9-14 [PARABLES IN LUKE] THE PARABLE OF THE PRAYERS [Luke 11:39-11;54] In this section Jesus tells a story of a Pharisee and a tax collector. Both were sincere and devout. As a matter of fact, one kept the law scrupulously, or thought he did. The other was in a profession in which ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist