Sermons on Extra Effort:

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

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

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

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

What Are You Looking At ? Series

Contributed by Randall Lavere Ii on Oct 20, 2006

2nd in a series of 2. Rather than focus on the problems of life, we should look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

What are you looking at? Hebrews 12:1-3 Continue dialogue from Zaccheus. He rose above the rest of the crowd, and made the extra effort to see Jesus passing through. We talked about getting into position to receive the blessings from God, and how the timing in life is everything. (Marvin & ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Charismatic

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

Look Into The Face Of Christ, And See The Heart Of God.

Contributed by Don Schultz on Dec 6, 2001

Because we cannot ascend to God (which is attempted during the Christmas season), God descends to us, and gives us meaning and joy.

Luke 2:1-20 Look Into The Face of Christ, and See the Heart of God. Of all the holidays during the calendar year, both secular and religious, I would describe Christmas as a high-effort holiday. We have lots of low-effort holidays, like Memorial Day or Labor Day. How much effort do those ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

The Armor Of God For Christians

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Apr 18, 2006

Look at the Armor for every Christian

The Full Armor of God for Christians Ephesians 6:10-6:18 by: Rodney A. Fry – Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church INTRODUCTION It was the first day of soccer practice and the coach handed a ball to each player. “Boys,” he said, “I want you to practice shooting on the goal from the spots you might ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

It Is Finished Series

Contributed by Ryan Loyd on Jul 29, 2014

Words uttered at the end of a man's life take on extra significance. What did our Lord say in His final moments? And what do they speak to us today?

John 19:28-30 28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30 When he had ...read more

Scripture: John 19:28-30

Denomination: Pentecostal

There Is A Lion Out There? (Fear) Series

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

This two part lesson studies LIONS in the Bible. The lion represents FEAR! Fear is opposed to faith. Will the lion hinder us? Will the lion launch us? It is up to you!

THERE ARE LIONS OUT THERE? HOW DID I GET HERE? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I do this lesson in two parts. ILLUSTRATION: A. I use a pint jar. I fill it up with ping pong balls. ( You can substitute: English walnuts, or something cheap, etc.) enough to fill the small jar. (A large ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Tower Of Babel Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on May 22, 2022

The Tower of Babel was a man centered plan. God supernaturally confused the languages and scattered the people. There are over 7,000 languages spoken in the world today. Pentecost was the Tower of Babel in reverse! The Holy Spirit comes to reach those separated from God by sin.

Someone says, what are you saying? I can’t understand you. You are talking nonsense. Stop babbling. You know what they are referring to right? It is a reference to what happened in Genesis Chapter 11 at the tower of Babel. The story of the Tower of Babel is uber significant. It explains the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9

Denomination: Baptist