Sermons on Effort That Is Worthless:

To God Be The Glory Series

Contributed by Larry Grant on Jul 10, 2021

Power and glory belong only to God. He himself calls his Church, and rules, sanctifies and preserves it through his Word and his Spirit. Therefore, in return for the goodness bestowed upon us, we ought to thank and praise God, directing all our efforts to the recognition and glory of his name.

Our Prayers, Our Passions & Our Praise The position is that the end of all things is at hand. The miserable destruction of the nation foretold by our Saviour is now very near; consequently, the time of their persecution and our sufferings is but very short. The world itself will not continue ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Where Will I Go?

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Oct 1, 2019

This sermon is going to review the story of the children of Israel at the Red Sea in order to show that while many battles in life cannot be won through our own effort, God is more than capable and willing to secure our victory if only we would stand still and let Him fight for us!

Where will I Go? Exodus 14:5-14 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 “Self-esteem is that speck in the eye which most effectually mars human vision; the Great Surgeon of souls removes this from us chiefly by sanctified afflictions.” Charles Spurgeon Ever face a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:5-14, Hebrews 11:1, James 1:2-5, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Baptist

Born To Be A Better Savior Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 23, 2022

Jesus was born to be our savior. But what does that mean, and what difference can that make in our lives?

There was a Christian who gave a Bible to somebody who was going through a rough time. Their life had been one disaster after the other, but in all that time there was never really made an effort to follow Jesus. So, as this Christian gave a Bible to the man… he encouraged him to read it, and he ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 7:22-27, Luke 2:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What A Wonderful World Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 17, 2017

When we "Contend For The Faith" we need to realize the importance of contending for the fact that we have been created in the image of God. We're not an accident - we have value and a reason to live. But if folks damage that "image" how can they fix that?

(We started out the sermon with a video from BBC One Videos - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auSo1MyWf8g - which displays the wonder of God’s creation accompanied by a poetic reading of the song “What A Wonderful World”) What a wonderful world we live in. The Psalmist observed “When I look at ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Remember The Joy

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Apr 28, 2009

Our strength to live out this Christian life is NOT rooted in effort but rather in “THE JOY OF THE LORD!!!” In our sermon today we will see: 1. WE HAVE PERMISSION TO ENJOY GOD (8:9,10) 2. WE HAVE A PROCESS FOR ENJOYING GOD (8:10a) 3. WE HAVE

“THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH” “Second Sunday after Easter” Nehemiah 8:9-12 Fr. Christopher M. Nerreau Introduction: (Read passage) • Over the last several weeks I have preached messages of misunderstanding who Christ is, applying the resurrection of Christ to your heart, having faith in ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:9-12

Denomination: Orthodox

Laodicea: Knock, Knock! Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Feb 14, 2021

Becoming a tepid or lukewarm church doesn’t take any effort at all … none. All we have to do is sit in the pews, sing the same old hymns, hear the same old sermons over and over again, and eventually you’ll end up with a tepid church full of lukewarm Christians.

The sun showed them no mercy. Directly overhead, it blazed and beat down on them. They were tired and hungry and very thirsty, so the sight of a well … even a Samaritan well … was a more-than-welcome sight. Jesus and the Disciples didn’t have a jar or a bucket with them, so they had no way to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22, Isaiah 55:1-2

Denomination: United Methodist

Be Present Series

Contributed by Kory Labbe on Sep 5, 2025

Every healthy relationship we have in life requires us to show up! We need to make a proactive effort if we want to grow closer to someone. This story about Zacchaeus shows us that our relationship with Jesus can also benefit from doing what is necessary to move closer to Him.

When was the last time that you just sat in the silence and waited on God? Every day we are bombarded By noise. In fact, scientists are starting to study what different types of noise do to individuals. If you were to go to my office at work and walk through the behavioral health hallway, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Initiating The Turn-11(2024)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Oct 8, 2024

11 of 12. Luke informed his audience of the initial steps that God took to turn His people toward Himself. God began the process of turning of His people toward Himself. But what principles does God use to begin turning people toward Himself? In Initiating the Turn, God uses...

‘INITIATING The TURN’-XI—Luke 1:24a(:5-25) Attention: The aftermath of Hurricane Helene(Cat. 4; Landfall in Florida, Sept. 27, 2024; Sept. 28 it carried not only wind, but unprecedented amounts of rain into mountainous areas of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, & Tennessee causing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:24, Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Baptist

Knocked Down But Not Knocked Out

Contributed by Karl Perry on Dec 31, 2006

It’s good to know that it does not matter how many times we get knocked down, just as long as we get up again? And the good thing about this is the fact that when we do get back up, we may not have our full balance and composure, but just the mere effort

“KNOCKED DOWN, BUT NOT KNOCKED OUT!!” II CORINTHIANS 4:8-9 8. We may be troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9. Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. In the sport of boxing there are all kinds of ways that a boxer can be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Are No Atheists In Hell

Contributed by John Gaston on Jan 25, 2023

People with "no religion" have grown to over 30% of the population. We must reach them.“There Are No Atheists in Hell” because all of them became believers, just too late! See the reasons why, God's efforts to reach them, and what you need to tell them.

THERE ARE NO ATHEISTS IN HELL Luke 16:22-29 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: ONLY HEARING ONE SIDE 1. A Judge was about to swear in a member of a jury when he was told that the man was deaf in one ear. 2. “You really can’t serve on the jury.” “Why not?” 3. “Because you can only hear one side!” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:22-29

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Cross The Line

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 19, 2018

Our world has drawn new lines in the sand in an effort to separate us from those who need what only Jesus can give. Our world says – keep your religion to yourself – we don’t want it here. Jesus says cross the line, I'm here for you.

Cross the Line John Chapter 11 Jesus crosses the line and goes back to Judea where his friend Lazarus has died. Sometimes God will call us and ask us to cross the line. To go from a place of relative safety to a place of danger. The last time Jesus was in Judea they tried to kill Him by ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God's Will For Our Lives Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 2, 2018

1. Be grateful for God's goodness (vs. 18-19). 2. Make extra efforts to reach people for Christ (vs. 18). 3. Learn your limits (vs. 19-20). 4. Take the time to rest (vs. 21-23). 5. Be open to new opportunities from the Lord (vs. 21-23).

God's Will for Our Lives The Book of Acts - Part 63 Acts 18:18-23 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - November 2, 2014 BACKGROUND: *Tonight, we will come to the end of Paul's second missionary journey. We will see Paul finish his work in Corinth and begin to head home for a while. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Most Expensive Meal In History Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 22, 2012

Adam and Eve ate one of the most expensive meals in history. Why did they do it? And was there a more expensive meal than that one?

OPEN: A few years back George Beane of Palmdale, California, stopped at a local Burger King and ordered 4 sandwiches at the drive-through window. Total cost of his bill: $4.33. However, when he handed the girl at the drive up window his debit card she absent mindedly punched in the numbers ... and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Mighty God Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Nov 27, 2007

This is the second sermon in this series. 1. He Knows Where You Are. 2. He Knows What Shape You Are In. 3. He Knows How Much Time You Have Left. 4. He Knows The Efforts You Have Made To Save Yourself. 5. He Knows That You Need Him.

Our Mighty God Have you ever found yourself at the mercy of someone else? Has your car ever broken down while you are quite a distance from home? Have you ever had a flat tire and gone to get the spare only to find that the spare was flat too or you don’t have one? Have you ever been traveling ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Give Them Jesus! Series

Contributed by Mark Nichols on May 18, 2008

Jesus makes some exclusive claims…but He has the right to do so because He offers what NO ONE else can! In our efforts to reach the lost, let’s make sure we give them what they can’t get anywhere else…let’s give them Jesus!

TEXT: John 14:6-8 TITLE: “Give them something they can’t get anywhere else!” SERIES: The Growing Church Part 2 TOPIC: Evangelism OCCASION: Burnside Christian Church PROP.: Jesus makes some exclusive claims…but He has the right to do so because He offers what NO ONE else can! In our efforts ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ