Sermons on Effort That Is Worthless:

Compelled To Continue

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Mar 5, 2017

Have you ever felt as if your efforts were in vain, and questioned if you were making a difference? We find ourselves questioning God, and tempted to abandon the work. We are not the first to feel this way. God is able to provide the strength we need.

Compelled to Continue Jeremiah 20:9 The life and ministry of Jeremiah was interesting to say the least. He is commonly known as the “Weeping Prophet,” and for good reason. His ministry spanned forty years in Judah, leading up to their captivity at the hands of the Babylonians. During his faithful ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:9

Denomination: Baptist

The Fig Tree And Judgment Series

Contributed by Ps Trevor Bartley on Aug 17, 2018

So many people when they think of judgment they believe that it is a negative thing, but it is all about the outcome. If you are being judged or assessed on your performance and then rewarded for your effort it is a good thing, when you know you did your very best.

JUDGMENT! There are a number of judgements found in the Bible. So many people when they think of judgment they believe that it is a negative thing, but it is all about the outcome. If you are being judged or assessed on your performance and then rewarded for your effort it is a good thing, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-14

Denomination: *other

Hindered But Not Hopeless Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Nov 11, 2020

There can be no doubt that Paul endured much for the sake of the gospel. From a worldly perspective, one might have thought his efforts had largely failed. However, Paul kept the faith and continued serving the Lord. We should be thankful for his perseverance.

Hindered but not Hopeless 1 Thessalonians 2: 17-20 What precious and powerful words are recorded for our exhortation in these few verses! These words reveal the very heart and soul of the apostle Paul. He, of all men, knew what it was to face adversity and extreme difficulty in ministry. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

Removing The Hindrances

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 3, 2022

Christians will pray for those who are lost in sin, but they usually do nothing more than pray. They are either afraid, or they don’t want to make an effort. Jesus had those who prayed unto Him take an active role in assisting Lazarus.

In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus gave His disciples and all believers the Great Commission, in which He said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you.” The ...read more

Scripture: John 11:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

A Soiled Faith

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 6, 2022

Jeremiah's prophecy of the sash. The effort put forth in holding up one’s clothes represents a willingness to labor for the Lord, and letting ones clothes drag along the ground is symbolic of laziness and a lack of zeal for God's work.

In days of old, ladies who wore long dresses would lift them up past their ankles when they were walking near a mud puddle or climbing up some stairs. One reason why they did this was so they would not trip and fall; but another reason was to keep their clothing nice and clean. In order to keep ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 13:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Unlocking Divine Blessings SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

Many individuals expend unnecessary effort in worry, work, and struggle without God's blessings. Haggai's message to the people, in nine points, taught them how to align their priorities correctly. He provided them with a word from God that reverberated with wisdom and guidance.

Many people spend too much time worrying and working without experiencing the blessings of God. In Haggai's message to the people, he taught them how to prioritize their lives according to God's will. By aligning their actions with God's purpose, they could tap into His supernatural blessings. Let ...read more

Topics: God's Provision, Prioritizing God

Keep Pushing

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jan 18, 2025

The Christian journey is a marathon, not a sprint. It demands consistent effort, unwavering faith, and persistence. Just as a woman in labour must push until the baby is delivered, so must we persevere in our spiritual race until we receive our eternal crown.

Title: KEEP PUSHING By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13) Supporting Text: Luke 9:57-62 INTRODUCTION: The Christian journey is a marathon, not a sprint. It demands consistent effort, unwavering faith, and persistence. Just as a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:13, Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Veil Torn

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 12, 2025

When Jesus died, God Himself tore the temple curtain from top to bottom—forever removing every barrier between His holiness and our hearts. The way into His presence is wide open, not by our efforts or rituals, but by the finished work of Christ.

Introduction – A Wall Comes Down, A Veil Is Rent Down I still remember the summer of 1964 when our family crossed from West Germany into East. We were crammed into a Volkswagen bus—my parents up front, four sisters and two brothers jammed shoulder to shoulder. The youngest, little Sarah, was still ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:51, Hebrews 10:19-22, John 19:30, Hebrews 4:16, John 4:23, 1 Corinthians 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Can We Ignore God Without Consequence?

Contributed by Jason Pettibone on Mar 23, 2004

Noah built the ark in the open plain, far from the sea, surely attracting derision. It was hard work that required sustained effort over years and years time. But he BELIEVED and OBEYED God as a result of his faith. God honored that faith by providing a m

Can We Ignore God Without Consequence? We return to the book of Beginnings this morning. Our text is drawn from one of the most well-known stories in the Bible, found in Genesis 6 through 9. The account of Noah. With apologies to David Letterman, here’s a Top Ten list of lessons learned from ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Ho-Hum

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Apr 2, 2006

We are lost in the swamp of compromise, because: 1. We value security over significance. 2. We value what is easy over what takes effort. 3. We value the material over the spiritual. 4. We value mediocrity over excellence.

John Steinbeck, winner of the Nobel Prize, decided to travel around the country he loved in order to explore and enjoy it more deeply. He was also planning on writing about his experiences in a book, but he was surprised that very few people encouraged him to go. Some even said that it was too ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-5

Denomination: Methodist

The Benefit Of Godly Elders

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 4, 2003

Here is an example of how multiple gifts, abilities and perspectives can synergistically work together for a greater total effect than the sum of several individual’s efforts. Without elders, the church can easily be led astray by one person’s agenda, per

Why Elders Are Important - Acts 15:1-29 Illustration:Peter Drucker offers insightful guidance to the church when he calls leadership a peak performance by one who is "the trumpet that sounds a clear sound of the organizations’ goals." His five requirements for this task are amazingly reliable and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You Experiencing Victory Or Something Less?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Nov 27, 2006

So many Christians experience phyrric victories that masquerade for the spiritual victories that are won through the Lord Jesus. Phyrric victories are those which are won through efforts of our flesh that may win a few battles but end up costing us so muc

Are You Experiencing Victory or Something Less? (I Cor 15:57,58) But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (I Cor 15:57,58) Song - ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Freedom's Spirit Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 5, 2009

Through six very pointed questions, Galatians 3:1-5 reminds us that from beginning to end the secret to living the Christian life is not found in our own human efforts, but in trusting God’s Holy Spirit lavishly supplied to every believer.

Freedom’s Spirit (Galatians 3:1-5) On June 23, 2001, the Boeing company finished a labor of love—the complete restoration of the last existing 307 Stratoliner. It was the world’s first pressurized commercial airliner. A New York company used a vintage loom to reproduce the original Pan Am wall ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Kinsman-Redeemer Series

Contributed by Thomas Donelan on Jun 29, 2010

Ruth the widow who left with her mother-in-law and came to Bethlehem and a difficult time, God has blessed her efforts and brought her into favor with Boaz. We have studied how this story as an allegory between Christ & the church. Watch for the blessing.

Introduction Ruth the widow who left with her mother-in-law rather than return to a soft life at her father’s house who more than likely could have arranged for a nice marriage for Ruth came to Bethlhem and a difficult time gleaning in the fields to help support herself and Naomi. God has ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Peculiar People Of The Chosen Generation

Contributed by Joseph Lai on Aug 11, 2013

If you are to rise up to become all that you can be and all that you are in Christ, recognizing who you are as being the peculiar people is just the beginning. You need to allow that revelation to lead you to consecration. And in consecration you make effort to grow in personal holiness.

The Peculiar People A Calling to Recognize your Identity and Purpose "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: " (1Pe 2:9) The same apostle who ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9

Denomination: Independent/Bible