Sermons on Extra Effort:

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

Altar Of Stones

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jun 7, 2015

To show that we worship GOD in JESUS's name and no man-made, self-effort worship will be accepted. Our worship is accepted by GOD because of JESUS.

I. EXORDIUM: Are you a worshipper? Yes. Hebrews 12:28 Hebrews 12:28 Let us therefore, receiving a kingdom that is firm and stable and cannot be shaken, offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship, with modesty and pious care and godly fear and awe; II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 27:5

Denomination: Pentecostal

#15 Understanding Love: Sweat And Dirty Hands?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 1, 2016

To understand love we must go beyond human logic and realize the lesson that sometimes all we can do is DIG THE WELL AGAIN. We also consider all the tears and sweat that Nehemiah invested to rebuild God's church and walls.

#16 LOVE UNDERSTANDS: SWEAT AND DIRTY HANDS By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com What a strange text about understanding love? Proverbs 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. Proverbs 14:4 (NLT) Without oxen a stable stays clean, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

Ordinary Man Hey...extra-Ordinary God Part 1

Contributed by Ronald Crandall on Mar 25, 2011

We all have felt ordinary, second rate...But how does God see us and is there really a plan for my life?

Just an ordinary man hey? With an extraordinary God! „H Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

God Can Use A Rib

Contributed by Bill Andrews on Aug 17, 2012

Take the extra mile.

In the book of Genesis, starting at Genesis 2 and 22, we become witnesses of an awesome event, which shape the destiny of relationship. Read along with me: “And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.”- Genesis 2:22 God had to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lord’s Patience Is Only Giving Us Extra Time To Be Saved

Contributed by Dr. Abraham Obadare on May 17, 2021

This is an exposition of 2 Peter 3 as we learn not to become swayed by scoffers who cast doubts in our minds about the return of Jesus Christ. Jesus is coming as He promised; what seems like a delay is only a chance for us to repent. In the mean time, we should live godly as we await His return.

1. In the last days, there will be scoffers (v. 3) 2. The scoffers will be following their own evil (sinful) desires (v. 3) 3. They will mock the promise of the coming of Jesus Christ saying “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Crashing Through

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Aug 4, 2010

The importance of going the extra mile.

Acts 1:12-14 KJV Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. [13] And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:12-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Fighting Above Your Weight Class

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Jan 6, 2012

A sermon about going the extra mile.

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 KJV I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: [27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. I. INTRODUCTION—FIGHTING ABOVE ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:26-27

Denomination: Pentecostal

How The Holy Spirit Uses Our Feeble Efforts In Powerful Ways

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. The Holy Spirit uses our feeble efforts to share the gospel in order to break down the barriers of opposition that stand in the way of people coming to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

1. The Holy Spirit uses our feeble efforts to share the gospel in order to break down the barriers of opposition that stand in the way of people coming to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Peter addressed the crowd on the day of Pentecost and said, "Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Effort Ends: Accessing Your 11th Hour Favor

Contributed by Rev Emmanuel O. Adejugbe on Dec 15, 2025

The "11th Hour" is the moment of maximum pressure, where the impossible seems completely locked in, and failure feels absolutely inevitable. It’s when our human effort and resources have finally run out

We are talking about 11th-Hour Miracles: those sudden, decisive breakthroughs in your business or career that defy the clock, human logic, and the odds. I.The Heavy Weight of the 11th Hour Friends, let's get real for a moment. Have you ever felt that sinking, anxious feeling? The business ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16, Acts 12:6-7, Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Genesis 24 - How To Find The Right Person For Me - Part 5 Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jun 10, 2011

What is it that sets Rebekah apart? Perhaps it is that although Kate marries prince William, who in the future will be crowned the king of England, Rebekah marries Isaac from whom will come Jesus, who in the future will be acknowledged as the Prince of Pe

Genesis 24 - HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT PERSON FOR ME - Part 5. Both have beautiful jewelry, except that one has a sapphire ring on her finger and the other wears a nose ring. One woman arrives to her wedding in a limousine. The other on a camel. One veils her face as she walks the aisle of a huge ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:1-67

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Messiah Who Asks The Tough Questions Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Mar 25, 2011

Jesus is calling us to radical discipleship.

A Messiah Who Asks Tough Questions Text: Matt. 19:16-30 Introduction 1. Illustration: Video of a Father answering tough questions from his little girl. www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYUXLO1j_sw 2. Just as we have children who ask us tough questions, we also have a messiah who asks us tough ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Methodist

Spirit Of The Law Part 2

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 1, 2023

How does Jesus explain the Spirit of the law. Let's continue our look at the Sermon on the Mount in in Matthew 5 part 2.

Did Jesus tell us to be as perfect as God? How is that possible? Let’s understand the context and the Spirit of the law in Matthew 5:38-48. Eye for an Eye Let’s begin with an eye for an eye. You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. (Matthew 5:38 CEB) Have we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Baptist

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