Sermons on Effort:

Living In Christ Part 2: Bearing Fruit Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Aug 11, 2008

We must put forth an effort towards becoming fruitful.

Living In Christ Part 2: Bearing Fruit Text: Eph. 4:25-32 Introduction 1. Illustration: There are no short cuts to maturity. It takes years for us to grow to adulthood, and it takes a full season for fruit to mature and ripen. The same is true for the fruit of the Spirit. The development of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32

Denomination: Methodist

Is The Righteous Life Worth Living?

Contributed by Robert Bravo on Jul 1, 2007

Living righteous in an unrighteous world is hard. Well is it worth the effort?

Is the righteous life worth living? Malachi 3:13 - 18 (NIV) 13“You have said harsh things against me,” says the LORD. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ 14“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Let You Shine Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Aug 6, 2014

Being the light of the world is a cooperative effort between God and ourselves.

Let You Shine Text: Phil. 2:12-18 Introduction 1. Illustration: Jesus himself said to his disciples, "[L]et your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) 

This is a concept that is sometimes a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Methodist

Psalm 27 - The Lord Of Light And Salvation Series

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Apr 7, 2014

This is another message from my efforts to preach through the Psalms.

THE LORD OF LIGHT AND SALVATION TEXT: Psalm 27:1-14 Psalms 27:1-14 KJV A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? [2] When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Monument Of Shame Series

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Sep 7, 2020

Man's efforts without God result in confusion.

Several of the structural designers of the original World Trade Center was attending a conference in St. Louis. During the question and answer period a person asked to one of the chief engineers if he had any regrets about the design of the building. When asked this question, the chief structural ...read more

Denomination: Other

Come Let Us Reason Together.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

The failure of our efforts and the glory of Christ's work.

COME LET US REASON TOGETHER. Isaiah 1:10-18. Isaiah addresses his congregation as “rulers of Sodom” and “people of Gomorrah”, and begins to reason with them (Isaiah 1:10). It is all quite shocking: how dare he expose our comfortable, upright congregation to such strong language? After all, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Experiencing The Word Of God Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 2, 2003

1. Being a student of the Word takes effort. 2. Being a student of the Word turns effort into joy. 3. Being a student of the Word turns the written Word into the Living Word.

Ravi Zacharias, a Christian intellectual who travels around the world lecturing in secular settings on spiritual themes, tells of an experience he had in Columbus, Ohio. He writes, “A few weeks ago, I did a lectureship at Ohio State University. As I was being driven to the lecture, we passed the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:9-16

Denomination: Methodist

Instant Christian

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jul 10, 2011

We have adapted the Christian life to the culture. We want it hot, easy, quick and effortless.

The American people expect everything fast, easy and cheap. And we often treat the Christian life like that. We want it to be like a McDonald’s drive through — drive up to the window, get what you want and drive off. Have you noticed all the ads that tell us about the products ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-24

Denomination: Methodist

Disposable People?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 18, 2008

THE CHURCH MUST NEVER SEE INDIVIDUALS AS DISPOSABLE! We must give every effort to try and try again to reach those that are not in the ark of safety. Comfortable with the 99? One?

THERE IS A TERRIBLE DANGER OF SEEING PEOPLE AS DISPOSABLE. By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I. THERE IS A CRY IN THE CHURCH WORLD TO USE PEOPLE TO BUILD THE CHURCH. THAT IS NOT GOD’S PLAN --- GOD’S PLAN IS CLEAR --- USE THE CHURCH TO BUILD BETTER PEOPLE. A. Life can become so ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:39-44

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Eating The Fruit Of Your Labor - Part Ii Series

Contributed by Pastor (Dr.) Francesca Fajinmi on Dec 31, 2016

This is the second part of the sermon on "Eating the fruit of your labor". Debunking the notion that the fruit of our labor is worth eating.

Another example of labor in the Bible was the labor of Judas and Lazy man JUDAS He performed hard labor to betray Jesus Christ. It cannot be an easy task to betray Jesus! What effort it must have taken to convince the high priest that he can turn Jesus over to them? But he prevailed and his ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-11, Acts 9:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Use Those Skills! Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Sep 14, 2013

We all have skills that can be used to build the kingdom of God, here on Earth, in peoples lives, for eternity.

We all have skills! I’m particularly impressed by skilled musicians and people who extremely good capacity for retaining information. I guess that that is because these are not skills or abilities that I have naturally. However I understand that there are some people who can’t wire a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 28:20-21

Denomination: Salvation Army

And One To Grow On Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 30, 2015

The key to spiritual maturity is knowing and walking with Jesus.

1. Darwin Awards There is a book of the Darwin Awards. These are awards that are issued every year to the people who do the "stupidest stuff" which results in their own death. In the chapter called, "Macho Men" are three examples: * There was the story about Larry and his friend Joseph who just ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It’s The Times In Between

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Apr 25, 2021

Take note here as how we read the entrance to self effort! This is when David is only relying on David! How many can relate to the words David is using to describe the condition of his life?

It’s the Times In Between... 1 Samuel 21:10-15 NKJ 10 Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3, Psalm 56:1-13, 1 Samuel 21:10-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Kill A Church Without Trying

Contributed by James Roberts, Jr. on Feb 17, 2005

How to go about killing a church without any effort at all.

HOW TO KILL A CHURCH WITHOUT TRYING Ephesians 3:20-21 Revelation 3:1-3 Paul is telling us that through the church God is to get glory. Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages. The church was instituted by Christ to further the Gospel story and to give all glory to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

Conscientious Damage Control

Contributed by Tiger Gullett on Dec 28, 2003

Making a consciencious effort to control self inflicted storms in our lives.

Introduction : As we approach the beginning of a new year, we have the opportunity to look back on the last year and take a survey of our lives. We have the opportunity of a new beginning. Many people put down new year resolutions, but I think if we were honest with ourselves, we would admit that ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:11-20

Denomination: Baptist