Sermons on Effort That Is Worthless:

The Problem Of Cultural Christianity

Contributed by Steve Johnson on Nov 22, 2001

Cultural Christianity, or "Hollow Christianity" is characterized by worthless worship, worthless words and worthless wisdom....

"The Problem of Cultural Christianity" Matt. 15: 1-20 Introduction: 1. What is Cultural Christianity? There are many possible answers. 2. As we go through the sermon this morning, You might arrive at your own answer. 3. I believe it is best summed up as "A religion of symbolic devotion". 4. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From Jeremiah – Part 25 – Do Not Keep Sinning For Judgment Comes – Worthless Offerings Are Unacceptable Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 21, 2024

The efforts of sinful man to obtain his own acceptance with God is no more than sin wanting to shake hands with holiness and to say, “We are the same, just a bit different in appearance.” Judah was found wanting, wicked and ready for judgement. God gave them to Babylon.

LESSONS FROM JEREMIAH – PART 25 – DO NOT KEEP SINNING FOR JUDGMENT COMES – WORTHLESS OFFERINGS ARE UNACCEPTABLE PART 25 - Jeremiah 6:20-30 CHAPTER 6 [A]. THE WILFUL REJECTION OF THE PEOPLE TO GOD’S CALLING IN THEIR LIVES (a). VERSE 20 - WORTHLESS AND INSINCERE OFFERINGS ARE NOT ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 6:20-21, Isaiah 8:14, 1 Peter 2:8, Jeremiah 6:22-23, Jeremiah 6:24-26, Revelation 9:21, Jeremiah 17:9-10, Romans 3:10-12, Revelation 2:27, Joshua 6:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Makes One Last Effort, But Defeated Once For All Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 21, 2018

At the end of the thousand years the Devil is to be loosed temporarily from the Abyss (20:7), but he has not learned his lesson; he begins where he has left off. He will assemble the nations for the final attack on God.

Tom Lowe 11/23/17 Book of Revelation Commentary Lesson: V.B.2: Makes one last effort, but defeated once for all (Rev. 20:9-10) Scripture (Rev. 20:9-10, KJV) 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

These Are The Days Of Elijah – "Days Like These Require A Sustained Effort”

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jun 22, 2021

During Elisha’s ministry, the Jordan River parted instantly, poisoned waters were healed, the borrowed iron ax head flowed to the surface, dead children had been raised to life, but the miracle Israel needed now would be difficult. This miracle will require a sustained effort.

What a great blessing Elisha had been to the nation of Israel. He faithfully used his God given double portion for the benefit of others. Israel was facing another persistent enemy, the Syrians. Prophet Elisha is on his death bed, over 80 years old in a weakened condition, yet God’s people are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 13:14-19, Psalm 119:89-91, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Galatians 6:7-10

Denomination: Methodist

Sermon 13: Christian Life And Ministry Are A Team Effort Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 12, 2026

As the apostle Paul concludes his letter to the church at Colossae, he mentions 11 people in the last 12 verses. From this we notice that Paul was someone who knew how dependent he was on others for his own wellbeing and for the advance of the Gospel. Christian life and ministry are a team effort.

Introduction: A. The America’s Cup is a sailing competition and is the oldest international competition still operating in any sport and has the oldest trophy dating back to 1851. 1. Dennis Conner is one of America’s most successful yachtsman and has won in many different kinds of sailing ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:7-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Can’t Reach Heaven By Human Effort Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 10, 2026

This message teaches that no amount of human effort, ingenuity, or ambition can bridge the gap to God; salvation, purpose, and divine elevation come only through Him.

YOU CAN’T REACH HEAVEN BY HUMAN EFFORT By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 11:1-9 Key Verse: “And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” (Genesis ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Turn The Volume Up? Precedent? God Demands Effort!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 18, 2021

God needs to get our attention to focused on movers, shakers, and ignitors. We must avoid excuses and be doers of the word. Hear God's words.

PRECEDENT… TURN THE VOLUME UP? GOD DEMANDS EFFORT… By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com HAVE YOU EVER TALKED TO YOURSELF? THERE IS A PRECEDENT SET BY A LADY THAT FOR 12 YEARS HAD BEEN VERY SICK AND WEAK. SHE WAS AT THE END OF HER ROPE. 12 YEARS THIS LADY WAS UN-CLEAN. 12 years ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:25-34, Luke 14:18-21, Isaiah 40:29-31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Choices: The Power Of The Little

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 18, 2017

There is a special promise to those faithful in the little things. Little things could open the doors to greater things... This SMALL open door could be the opportunity to the heart of God.

CHOICES? THE HARVEST OF LITTLE BITS? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com TEXT: Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. CHOICES AND ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Understanding Potential

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Dec 12, 2014

There are no sadder words of pen or tongue than the words what might have been... Study ABSALOM an understand lost potential.

UNDERSTANDING OUR POTENTIAL By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com NO SADDER WORDS OF PEN OR TONGUE THAN THE WORDS: WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN... Sooner or later we are going to have to rely on the PROMISES AND WORD OF GOD... I. WE HAVE THE TENDANCY TO BASE POTENTIAL ON EXTERNAL FEATURES... LOOK ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:6-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Small Things? You May Never See? You May Never Know?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Sep 2, 2021

In the ministry we may have many questions? Why can't I see the fruit of my labor now? Little things can kill the effectiveness of ministry. Are we called to success or faithfulness. Love small things. Never use comparison.

SMALL THINGS? YOU MAY NEVER SEE? YOU MAY NEVER KNOW? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (Two part) A VICTIM SPIRIT WILL OFTEN SAY: LORD, I DON’T KNOW HOW I AM GOING TO DO THIS? WE NEED TO HAVE THE ATTITUDE TO SPEAK: LORD, I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE HOW YOU ARE GOING TO HANDLE THIS! ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:10, Hebrews 12:12-15, 1 Peter 5:7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Do What You Can, Where You Can, When You Can.

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Dec 11, 2024

We find we are inexcusable in our do nothingness. We must try and do our best. God rewards honest efforts.

DO WHAT YOU CAN! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) BLESSED ARE GIVING HANDS: Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1, Matthew 19:26, Acts 9:26-29

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Promotion: Iron Sharpens Iron

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jun 14, 2023

OFTEN THE ENEMY OF BEST IS BEING GOOD. Once we learn to be good at somethings we stop improving. Do we keep our tools sharp?

PROMOTION: ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE? IRON SHARPENS IRON… By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) I have a little, tiny hammer, I ask what kind of house could you build with this little, tiny hammer? *EDIFY: construction, build up, kindness, to instruct, to teach, to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:11-15, Proverbs 27:17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Nothing, Human Intentions Brought To Nothing!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 30, 2020

Have you ever given your best effort and it seems like NOTHING? No one sees? No one says THANK YOU? The fruit seems to "not remain?" Peter says: LORD WE HAVE FISHED ALL NIGHT, WE HAVE TAKEN NOTHING. Does your work seem like NOTHING? Why do we get frustrated?

NOTHING, MY HUMAN INTENTIONS, NOTHING By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com *FRUSTRATE, FRUSTRATION: to bring to nothing, disappointment, to make of none effect, to make void, I AM SO TIRED OF NOTHING… I AM FRUSTRATED REALLY BAD. NOT ONLY FISHING WHAT WE EAT… FISHING IS HOW I ...read more

Scripture: John 21:6, Mark 11:22, John 21:3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Will Only A Few Be Saved? Series

Contributed by Darian Catron on Aug 23, 2019

Will there only be a few people saved? And how can we be among the few? What is necessary for us?

INTRODUCTION: Illustration/Story/Quote/Statistic- A family one day decided to go on a vacation. So they went to the ocean, to the beach to enjoy a day of swimming and relaxation. This was their first time to see an ocean of water and white sandy beaches. They set up their spot. Mother laid ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30, Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Throw In The Towel Vs Shake It Off.

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 20, 2020

Seems we can develop the eternal babyhood of believers. We must change and grow and develop. Problems come and go... we must shake the problems in the fire. Quit reacting and start acting by faith.

HOW EASY IS IT TO THROW IN THE TOWEL? MATURITY--- SHAKE IT OFF By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com The farmer had an old mule named TOM. TOM was like a family member. Tom pulled the wagon to town. They plowed with TOM. With age TOM went blind. He was still a good mule and obedient. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:3-5, Luke 6:37, 2 Peter 3:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God