Sermons on Extra Effort:

The Challenges Of Being A Cheerful Giver

Contributed by Joseph Betz on Nov 22, 2006

Lay Sermon on Stewardship. The focus is on the historical and social responsibility of being a Christian and giving and does not mention biblical tithing.

"The Challenges of Being a Cheerful Giver" Sermon Preached by Joseph A. Betz Setauket Presbyterian Church, NY October 22, 2006 Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9: 6-15 The Apostle Paul writes, "God loves a cheerful giver." The original Greek word he used was hilaron for cheerful, which translates into ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Radical Gospel

Contributed by Ian Lyall on Oct 11, 2008

Is the Gospel we preach, and the God we preach the same as Paul had preached to the Thessalonians in AD 49?

The first epistle to the Thessalonian, of which we just heard the first chapter, is the earliest of Paul’s writings. We read in Acts chapter 17 of his visit to Thessalonica (modern-day Salonika) in the year 49; of how he preached in the synagogue for two Sabbaths, but was then driven from the city ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Responding To Opposition To Being A Christian

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Oct 15, 2007

Throughout history there is always been opposition to Christianity, this sermon deals with some of the ways we can respond to such opposition

49“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! 51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52From now on there will be five in one family ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:46-53

Denomination: Lutheran

God, Are You Imagining Things?

Contributed by Coz Von on May 9, 2016

Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

Are we predestined to be saved or lost? By the foreknowledge of God and through His infinite wisdom God knows the future and what the outcome of our choices would be, Knowing this, isn’t it true that the outcome of my salvation is pre-determined? Is my quest for salvation just a matter of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Brothers Return (Genesis 43)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 26, 2024

Can youthful egos be turned to humility? Can God finally bless us when they do? Let's look at Genesis 43.

Does the reality of life often turn youthful bragging and lack of wisdom into humility? Does God sometimes bring wonderful surprise blessings after many years of trial and testing? Let’s look at Genesis 43. Why did Joseph’s brothers eventually need to return to Egypt? Now the famine was severe in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Father's Day 2001

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 16, 2001

Scriptural thoughts from the book of Proverbs in an effort to honor Fathers.

FATHER’S DAY 2001 INTRO.- It’s Father’s Day and someone wrote, “What my dad taught me.” - My dad taught me about religion - “You better pray that stain will come out of the carpet!” - My dad taught me about behavior modification - “Stop acting like your mother!” - My dad taught me about time ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Move With God Beyond Your Comfort Zone Series

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Mar 18, 2003

Sometimes it takes effort to move out of our comfort zone.

Iliff and Saltillo UM Churches January 26, 2003 Move with God Beyond Your Comfort Zone How to: Go for the Gulp Matthew 14:22-33 INTRODUCTION: Picture yourself at 4:00 a.m. out in a rowboat on a choppy lake with the wind blowing like crazy and the waves slapping up around the side of the boat. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Methodist

Missing Christmas

Contributed by Bernard Dawson on Dec 15, 2002

An effort to draw attention to the risk of missing the real meaning of Christmas.

MISSING CHRISTMAS Luke 2:1-7 George Mason was an astute businessman. He was also unsocial, single and against Christmas. He was a modern day Ebenezer Scrooge who wished for Christmas to move along so business and profits could resume. On Christmas eve as his workers were leaving he accidentally ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7, Luke 2:25-36

Denomination: Holiness

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

From Wee Little To Great Big Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jul 13, 2006

In order to draw nearer to Jesus we need to make the effort.

From Wee Little to Great Big Text: Lk. 19:1-10 Introduction 1. Read Lk. 19:1-10 2. Illustration: A certain man was troubled with dizzy spells. He went from one doctor to another and none could tell him what the problem was. He tried everything, it seemed. Finally, it was bothering him so ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

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

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

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

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