Sermons on Effort That Is Worthless:

Man, The Created Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 30, 2014

God said He created man in His image. But what do we do if we've damaged and warped that image? How can we ever repair and regain what was lost?

OPEN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3IRZPjdpr0 (Video “Imago Dei” on youtube.com - play it through the 1:00 minute mark then fade out) Psalm 8:3-4 asks an intriguing question: “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:3-4, Genesis 1:24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Change In Religion Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 12, 2020

What did Jesus mean when He told Nicodemus "You must be born again"? And what does His comment about being "born of the water and the Spirit" mean to us today?

OPEN: A man was obviously lost. He saw a little boy was standing by the side of a road and a and pulled up beside him. “Sonny,” he said, “do you know how to get to town?” The kid said, “No sir, I don’t.” Then the man said, “Well do you know the way to route 20?” The little boy said, “No.” And the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Six Informative Vineyards Of Scripture Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 19, 2022

From drunkenness in a vineyard, to murder by lust in a vineyard, and great failure in another vineyard; restitution in vineyards, and vineyards for the poor - these are considered in this message. Taking vineyards by greed, and abiding in the Vine in another vineyard - it is here.

SIX INFORMATIVE VINEYARDS OF SCRIPTURE VINEYARD NUMBER ONE:- THE VINEYARD OF HUMAN FAILURE {{Genesis 9:20-24 “Then Noah began farming and planted a vineyard Gen 9:21 and he drank of the wine and became drunk and uncovered himself inside his tent. Gen 9:22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:20-24, Genesis 9:1-17, Isaiah 5:1-7, 1 Kings 21:1-16, James 1:14-15, Exodus 22:5, Leviticus 19:9-10, Nehemiah 5:1-7, John 15:1-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Am The True Vine (You Are The Branches) - John 15 V 1-11 This Is Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 2, 2022

Abiding in Christ is as simple as the branches abiding in the Vine. Yet what causes some branches to become less productive? In the Part 2 of "I am the Vine, you are the branches," we look at what it means to abide, and at service. Fruit brings glory to Christ and magnifies His Name.

I AM THE TRUE VINE (You are the branches) - John 15 v 1-11 THIS IS PART 2 Welcome to the last Part in this series of messages on the “I AMs” of John’s gospel. We are continuing the thoughts in “I am the Vine” that has much to do with bearing fruit and abiding or remaining. Last time in PART 1 ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-14, Psalm 119:9, Ephesians 5:26-27, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, Matthew 25:23, John 14:15, John 14:21, 1 John 3:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Failure To Communicate Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 25, 2017

Much of the conflict in our lives comes from "a failure to communicate". But it isn't that we fail to make ourselves clear. The problem is often that our communication is corrupt. Do you know what that means and do you know how to fix that?

OPEN: A woman went into the office of a divorce lawyer and told him she wanted to file for divorce. “Do you have any grounds!” the judge asked. “Just two acres,” she said. “Ma’am you don’t understand. I mean do you have a grudge!” “No we don’t have a grudge, we park the car in front of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"I Am The Resurrection And The Life” - Presentation In The "I Am Series Of John’s Gospel” Part 1 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 27, 2022

One of the greatest of all statements made by the Lord Jesus was the one we are going to consider today - "I am the Resurrection and the Life". Every future blessing depends on this fact. He is risen and so shall He raise all His own. Great blessings are ours.

“I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE” - PRESENTATION IN THE “I AM SERIES OF JOHN’S GOSPEL” PART 1 We continue with the seminar series of the “I AMs” in the Gospel of John. Today we look at another glorious truth with eternal applications, just like every one of the “I AM’s” in the Gospel. [A]. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:14-19, John 11:4-6, John 11:11-14, John 11:17-26, John 14:3, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, John 12:23, Acts 2:36, John 10:17-18, Romans 1:4, John 12:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Forgetting What's Behind. Straining For What's Ahead.

Contributed by Quintin Marrow on Apr 3, 2001

Forsaking all past achievements and human advantages, St. Paul strains ahead to be found in Christ; this striving is by faith, and results in an imputed righteousness from God, a sharing in the sufferings of Christ, Christlikeness and participation in the resurrection of the dead.

“Forgetting what’s behind. Straining for what’s ahead.” April 1, 2001 The Rev’d Quintin Marrow St. Anne’s Episcopal Church Oceanside, California The Text: Phil. 3:8-14 In sixteenth-century France, the start of the new year was observed on April first. It was celebrated ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8-14, Romans 6:1-14

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

"The Man Who Is Condemned By God” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Jul 10, 2007

The second in a two part sermon on Psalm one.

As looked at Psalm 1 last time, we said that it naturally falls into two divisions of 3 verses each. Verses 1-3 describe the man who is blessed by God, while verses 4-6 describe the man who is condemned by God. The man who is blessed by God is separated from the world. He thinks differently, acts ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:4-6

Denomination: Baptist

Religion Condemned Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 25, 2008

James exposes the difference between religion that comforts us and religion that reveals the power of Christ among us.

JAMES 1:26 RELIGION CONDEMNED “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” Someone has said, “You can’t believe half of what you hear, but you can repeat it.” This points out a real problem in the church today—we ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26

Denomination: Baptist

Remember What You’ve Got Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 28, 2020

Paul tells us that before we became Christians, we had nothing of value. What did Paul tell us we had that makes a difference in our lives?

OPEN: The year was 1905. There was a baseball game between the Rhyolites and Beattys in Salt Lake City. The batter stepped up to the plate and hit a ground ball toward First Base - but it struck a small rock and shot off at an angle. Fortunately the 1st baseman (William Giffiths) easily fielded ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Expectations – General And Specific – Great And Small Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 16, 2022

Expectations keep us hoping if they are good, and fearful if they are bad. There are many examples in the bible of expectations but I have selected only a few, then we look at Christian expectations. Even cricket is touched on.

EXPECTATIONS – GENERAL AND SPECIFIC – GREAT AND SMALL I wonder how many are familiar with the novel “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens. Pip the orphan boy relates his story that is based around what expectations wait for him, surprises, incorrect assumptions, tragedy and a lot more. Well as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:8-16, Genesis 48:11, 1 Kings 2:15-16, Job 30:26-29, Isaiah 5:2-4, Matthew 11:2-3, Luke 21:25-28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Proverbs 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Monica on Dec 17, 2023

Proverbs 2

Wisdom | Proverbs 2 Verses 1-5 (The Gift of Wisdom) “My son if you…” - Solomon continues his instruction in the ways of wisdom (from chapter 1) - Solomon puts personal responsibility on us: o Receive, treasure, incline, apply, cry out, speak up, seek, search. o It requires EFFORT on our part. ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pressing On To Possess That For Which Christ Jesus First Possessed Me

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Mar 1, 2011

The inner motivation of our hearts must be a response to God's love and not any attempt to earn God's love.

Pressing on to possess that for which Christ Jesus first possessed me Phil 3:12-21 Feb 13, 2011 Intro: I don’t really consider myself a “runner”, though I guess that since I run most days on the treadmill for fitness I suppose I should. But I just don’t see myself that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

Intimate Value Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Aug 6, 2014

The only thing with lasting value is a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, and the most important aspect of our lives is fostering that relationship.

Intimate Value Text: Phil. 3:1-11 Introduction 1. Illustration: "Everything in this world has two aspects - how it looks at the moment, and how it will look in the time to come. The easy way may look inviting at the moment, and the hard way daunting. 

The only way to get our values ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

That I Might Know Christ PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 29, 2023

Understand and embrace the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, recognizing that all worldly gains are insignificant in comparison and that our ultimate goal should be to know and serve God.

Good morning, family! We've got some deeply enriching spiritual food to dig into today. We're going to take a deep dive into Philippians 3:7-11. Now these verses remind us of a truth that Watchman Nee once expressed so well, "May the things of this world so lose their power over us that we do not ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-11

Topics: Life's Goal, Christ