Sermons on effort that is worthless:

Living Out Our Calling Series

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Aug 12, 2018

The Lord through Paul calls us to get along, even when it's hard. He says to be humble, gentle, patient, and forbearing with our fellow believers. And through our efforts to do so, God will be glorified in the world. We pursue unity because God is one.

Living Out Our Calling Ephesians 4:1-6 Some people are really hard to get along with. (Can I get an amen?) I remember several times in our past Becky and I have had the thought, “Why does it seem that most of the time, when we have relational conflict, it’s with Christians!?! With fellow brothers ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14, Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Your Calling? (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 10, 2016

Are you going to take the effort to listen to God? How has your faith panned out for God? Will you step out even when God tests your faith by making the most difficult sacrifices in your life? Do you obey God at every level?

Opening Illustration: Narrate the story of our call to the USA as missionaries. Introduction: The Lord's call for Abram to journey to the Promised Land is often equated with a call to missionary service. For the missionary, there is a sense where God has called them from the ease and security of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

3. The Breastplate Of Righteousness Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 1, 2019

Our modern culture is desperate to feel good about itself. But God has provided a true way to feel good about ourselves, to feel good because we are doing good, and to find God's forgiveness when our own efforts fall short.

We are continuing to look at what the Apostle Paul called the whole armor of God. In his letter to the Ephesian Church, chapter 6, he talked about our world as a battle field. And he wasn't picturing the kind of battle like that occurred when we began our attack on Iraq, where our forces ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

The Battle For The Heart

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Aug 1, 2021

The media is full of “heart-healthy” tips that we should follow, but even more importantly are the efforts we make to safeguard our spiritual hearts, or what Solomon calls the wellspring of our spiritual life. Learn more about this battle for our hearts in this Sunday’s message.

The Battle for the Heart Introduction Last week we looked at the battle for our minds, and I ended saying, “That while the battle we are in is spiritual, the primary ground that this battle is fought is in our minds. But what ultimately determines the victory is the place we give to Christ in our ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23, Luke 6:45, Jeremiah 17:9-10, Ezekiel 36:26

Denomination: Foursquare

Complete In Jesus

Contributed by Boomer Phillips on Mar 9, 2022

Have you ever questioned your salvation? As long as we keep our trust totally in Christ, we stand assured of God’s promise of eternal life. But as soon as we rest any weight on the thin ice of our own efforts, we topple into insecurity.

Have you ever wondered about your salvation; about whether or not you are going to heaven when you die? Some questions we might have are, “What am I supposed to do in order to gain God’s acceptance and love?” “Do I have to read the Bible all the way through?” “Do I have to knock on a million ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-23, Colossians 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

Free To Live The Life Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 1, 2004

Education, self-help books, and personal improvement efforts can make life richer and better. But nothing can do what God does when a person turns his or her life over to Jesus Christ. IN Jesus Christ, we can have victory in the fullest sense.

Free to Live the Life (Romans 8:1-4) 1. Once in a while you read a news story that makes you feel good: MONTERREY, Mexico (Reuters) - A Mexican boxing champion beat up and hospitalized a gunman who shot at him outside a gym in a crime-plagued city on the U.S. border. Prosecutors in Ciudad ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Are You Searching For Milk And Honey And Finding Nothing But Grass?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Dec 8, 2006

While we search for a land of milk and honey, we often find nothing but green grass. With patience and love and effort green grass can turn into milk. OBSTACLES ARE WHAT YOU SEE WHEN YOU LOSE SIGHT OF GOD AND THE GOAL. DRY WELLS WILL PRODUCE EMPTY BUCKETS

THIS LAND OF MILK AND HONEY LOOKS LIKE GRASS TO ME? THIS IS NOT AN OBSTACLE --- THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com This is a two part lesson. Let us ponder a few points before we start. Is not this a land of milk and honey? NO, TO MY EYES IT LOOKS JUST LIKE A ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:19

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Graced From Shame (2nd Sunday) Series

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Dec 9, 2006

Has someone put a little "dis" on the front of your grace? Elizabeth knew what that was like. Her freedom was hindered, her past was haunting her, her conditions were less than what they should be, her religion was empty and she her efforts were fruitless

When I was little, if I had something on my face, my mother would often spit on a napkin or her thumb, reach over into my space and wipe the grit, or food, or dirt off of my face. It is a proven fact that a mother’s spit contains the same ingredients found in Formula 409! When we don’t look right, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Methodist

Are You A Grasshopper Or A Giant Warrior?

Contributed by Jennifer Casto on May 21, 2007

So many people in this life want everything but without putting forth any effort...nobody wants to sweat anymore...everyone wants things the easy way...they don’t want to fight their giants--- Yes God wants to prosper you and bless you, but sometimes you

So many people in this life want everything but without putting forth any effort...nobody wants to sweat anymore...everyone wants things the easy way...they don’t want to fight their giants---they just wanna lay down and let someone else do it...and then whine and complain about things the whole ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:25-33

Denomination: *other

Grace Transforms 4 Series

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 1, 2011

I know I need to change, I am painfully aware of the chasm between what I am in Christ and how I appear to be but all of my diligent effort actually takes me in the opposite direction. Rules do not produce obedient hearts; rules breed rebellion.

Dakota Community Church October 2, 2011 Grace Transforms 4 Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. 1. What is biblical grace? 2. Where does grace originate? 3. Grace ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Mennonite

The Call To Holiness

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Mar 26, 2019

The call to holiness is one which we all share. But none of us are called because we are good enough. In fact, by our own efforts none of us could ever be good enough. And yet each of us is called to a purpose greater than any of us could imagine.

A Strange Encounter Imagine for a moment a young woman waking early, just before dawn to begin her daily chores. Still groggy with sleep though the morning is cold and quiet, she feeds the animals, and gathers water for the day’s washing. As she fills her bucket at the well, she imagines the life ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Denomination: Nazarene

Sin That Crouched At The Door Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 19, 2023

Why would Cain kill Abel, and what can we learn from his failure?

Years ago when I was at Purdue I decided to read the Bible for myself. So, I bought myself a Bible Commentary, and a Bible Dictionary, and I made a deal with God: I told Him I’d read everything but the poetry, the prophecy, and the “who-begat-whos.” I set my Bible and study books out where I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lessons From Jeremiah – Part 6 – When The Lord Is Forsaken Disaster Awaits Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 15, 2024

Israel committed two evils and was reaping the bitterness of forsaking the LORD. They were matching Egypt against Assyria but got swallowed by Babylon. The current world has forsaken God and is fast heading to disaster. Great blessing awaits Egypt and Assyria.

LESSONS FROM JEREMIAH – PART 6 – WHEN THE LORD IS FORSAKEN DISASTER AWAITS PART 6 - Jeremiah 2:13-19 CHAPTER 2 [A]. TWIN EVILS HAVE BEEN COMMITTED {{Jeremiah 2:13 for My people have committed TWO EVILS. THEY HAVE FORSAKEN ME, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:13, John 4:10, John 7:37-38, 2 Timothy 3:13, Jeremiah 2:14-15, Exodus 4:22-23, Revelation 16:13-14, Zechariah 14:2-3, Jeremiah 2:16-18, 2 Kings 23:35, Isaiah 19:21-25, Jeremiah 2:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Build A "Mega" Church!

Contributed by Dwight Jones on Nov 27, 2005

We trumpet high impact ministry with all of its frills. Our services are filled with video clips, movie clips and unfortunately scripture clips. We take more time and efforts refining our delivery than we do making sure that what we are delivering has H

In practically every gathering of ministers there is a subject that comes up; that subject is church growth. “How do we get people to come to church?” We have answered that question with a thousand books and yet by and large we are losing the battle for souls. In spite of our best efforts, we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Walking Towards Spiritual Fitness

Contributed by Steve Taylor on Jun 9, 2018

Spiritual growth requires effort and diligence, and it takes time. It’s not a one shot deal. There’ll be constant battles. But just like physical fitness, you’ve gotta keep getting back out there, and start back working out, your body, mind and soul.

Do you ever feel like you’re slipping with your faith? You just can’t seem to keep steady with doing what you know it takes to be a good Christian. You just can’t be that perfect projection of what’s perceived to be the “perfect Christian”. Well believe me, true spiritual growth requires effort ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-8