Sermons on Effort:

Going Beyond What Is Expected?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Sep 23, 2016

This is a two part lesson as we consider are we going along que sera, sera? Or will we apply extra effort and go beyond our duty?

THE CALL? GOING BEYOND THE DUTY CALL AND WHAT IS EXPECTED! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (Two part) I. INTRODUCTION: Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:15-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Best Laid Plans Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 19, 2019

Robert Burns wrote a poetic apology to a mouse for having destroyed its home. How often are we like that mouse when we try to leave God out? What does the Psalmist have to say about finding balance between faith and effort? Check out these thoughts from our Family Minister, Scott Jewell

There’s a popular saying that goes, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” Where does this saying come from? Many attribute this to John Steinbeck’s book- Of Mice and Men, written in 1937. He actually got the title from a poem by Robert Burns- To a Mouse, written in 1786. ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Therefore, Bear Fruits Worthy Of Repentance"

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Sep 16, 2018

understanding what repentance really is

Weekend Message/Devotion Matthew 3:8 September 16, 2018 Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance How often do we pray for forgiveness and repentance? It is within our daily prayers at the Gunter house. In Matthew’s account of John the Baptist in Chapter 3, we come across a very interesting ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Get Smart - 2 Peter 1:5 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 9, 2025

Is the Christian life supposed to be hard work? Or should it be easy?

2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, having made every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5

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

Keeping Clean In A Dirty World

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jun 2, 2018

Becoming holy requires intentional effort; being unholy requires no effort.

Keeping Clean in a Dirty World Haggai 2:10-14 Rev. Brian Bill June 2-3, 2018 Video: A Prayer for Holiness I came across this honest prayer written by Frank Morris... “Dear Lord, so far today I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, haven’t lost my temper, haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

Sovereignty And Sweat: How God Blesses Our Faithful Labor - 1 Samuel 10-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 7, 2025

Success is supplied by God, not our effort, but it comes only through our effort. The right understanding of sovereignty and free will will increase effort and decrease worry and pride.

1 Samuel 10:1-8 Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him, saying, "Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance? 2 When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel's tomb, at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to ...read more

The Power Of Persistent Prayer SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

Many believe prayer is a futile effort, but without the ministry of prayer, our efforts are in vain.

Many people believe that prayer is a waste of time, but in reality, without the ministry of prayer, our work becomes futile. The early church understood the significance of prayer and relied on it to accomplish great things. Prayer is not just a religious duty; it is a powerful tool that connects ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:14

Topics: Prayer, Persistence

The Mandate Of Christian Living

Contributed by John Harper on Feb 3, 2009

Live with honor and make the effort to qualify for the prize.

II Peter 3:11-18 December 17, 2008 Pastor John L. Harper Warden Assembly of God “The Mandate of Christian Living” Introduction: I. MANNER OF LIVING (vs. 11-13) A. Live with honor 1. Honor God with holy living 2. Honor God with godly living B. Live in humility 1. Be humble as we look forward to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:11-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Spirit Of The Disciplines Ii

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jan 27, 2007

We are to "make every effort" to grow to be like Christ. Growth comes through conscious efforts.

2 Peter 1:5-8 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Garden Of Gethsemane

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on May 30, 2009

Seeking Gods will in our life takes moments of great surrender just as Jesus demonstrates for us in the garden. Our Heavenly Father works out the events of our life in a mysterious way we can not comprehend it all.

The Garden of Gethsemane Exodus 12:1-10 Mark 14:12-42 One of the most famous paintings in the world is that of Heinrich Hofman and his work entitled Christ in Gethsemane 1890. Most of you know it well, it depicts Jesus kneeling and resting on a rock as he prays looking up. The colors of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:12-42

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

All In Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 4, 2012

To follow God requires 100% effort. It's "All In" or "All Out" in our service -- no holding back!

1. Examination At 3:00 a.m. one cold morning a missionary candidate walked into an office for a scheduled interview with the examiner of a mission board. He waited until 8 a.m. when the examiner arrived. The examiner said, “Let us begin. First, please spell baker.” ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:2-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ