Sermons on Extra Effort:

The Preparation Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Nov 29, 2007

Part 2 of a 6 week series on sharing faith. This is the power of our evangelistic effort-prayer.

OUT OF THE SALTSHAKER AND INTO THE WORLD Part Two—The Preparation of Prayer Mark 4:3-8, 13-20, 26-29 Sunday, July 29, 2007 Pastor Brian Matherlee In preparation for a meeting in a large city, famed evangelist Billy Sunday wrote a letter to the mayor and asked for the name of individuals he knew ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:3-29

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Verge Of Victory

Contributed by Kirk Devine on Aug 24, 2008

God has called us all to reach destiny, but it takes some effort on our part.

THE VERGE OF VICTORY HEBREWS 12:1=3 Olympic runner, Bernard Lagat… Favored to win 500 and 1500 meter race and didn’t place in either race… He was on the verge of victory, but failed to reach it… Verge: The edge, brink, or transitional state Many of us are headed towards destiny, but oftentimes, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

16 Pentecost C

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Sep 20, 2001

Jesus invites us to be shrewd in our efforts to spread the gospel, and extravagant in our praise of God.

16 Pentecost C Luke 16:1-13 23 September 2001 Have you ever been suckered by someone shrewd? So shrewd that you can only admire his shrewdness? I once attended a trade fair and entered a whole lot of the draws that are always there. The next week there was a knock at the door with a man ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Up The Down Side

Contributed by Dr. Amen Howard on Jul 31, 2014

It takes tremendous effort to make it to the top. Well, sometimes that’s the way it is for believers.

At times we may feel as though we’re going up the down side in life. Someone might say, “What are you talking about?” Let me give an example. Have you ever tried to go up and down the escalator? You might take two steps forward and fall back four steps. What should you do ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:18-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

Live A Life Of Holiness In A Tainted World Series

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Jun 13, 2013

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

What holiness means; the word holiness is a noun that means "state or character of being holy." Holy is an adjective that means "belonging to, derived from or associated with a divine power” and also "set apart to the service of God. Holiness must be the goal of every person who is serious ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wrestling With God Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 2, 2013

Here, God empties Jacob of his NATURAL effort and teaches Jacob to trust Him completely.

What images come to mind when I mention the word wrestling? For some, it is an image of a High school wrestling match. Others happily envision Dad wrestling with his son. And a few of us think of the theater of “professional wrestling” with Iron Rings of death and tag team death ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:1-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rejoicing In His Salvation

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Apr 2, 2011

David recognized that the joy of salvation is not the product of man’s work or effort but is rather of God.

REJOICING IN HIS SALVATION “And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation.” Psalm 35:9 David recognized that salvation is not the product of man’s work or effort. He referred to salvation as “His (God’s) salvation”. The Apostle Paul ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 35:9

Denomination: Baptist

Fullness And Limitation, Time And Space Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 18, 2017

we must focus on the efforts we need to make to improve our imaging of Jesus and Mary.

Thursday of Seventh Week in Course Joy of the Gospel We continue in the season which the Extraordinary Form calendar still calls Septuagesima, or the seventy days before Easter. The penitential season of Lent begins on March 1, and we must focus on the efforts we need to make to improve our ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:41-50

Denomination: Catholic

Why Should We Study The Bible? Series

Contributed by Sean Lester on Jan 1, 2016

A motivational message meant to cause the hearer to put forth an effort to be skilled in handling the truth of Scripture.

The Junior Bible Quiz Sermon Series Why should we study the Bible? Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 Purpose of the message: A motivational message meant to cause the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15-115

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Great Physician Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 16, 2021

Jesus supports all the medical efforts to heal all diseases, even those that are caused by sin.

People who survive great dangers and diseases are often creative people who do the unusual. Robert Muller, in his memoirs, Most Of All, They Taught Me Happiness, tells of how creative he became under pressure. In 1943 he was a member of the French Resistance. Using the name of Parizot, he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

The Power Of Teamwork Among Church Workers Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 8, 2025

The church is not built by one person but through the united efforts of many who faithfully serve together.

THE POWER OF TEAMWORK AMONG CHURCH WORKERS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Romans 12:4-8, Ephesians 4:11-16, Nehemiah 4:6 INTRODUCTION: The church is not built by one person but through the united efforts of many who faithfully ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The God Who Unlocks Divine Favour Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 17, 2025

Divine favour is God’s supernatural hand that distinguishes, promotes, and blesses beyond human effort.

THE GOD WHO UNLOCKS DIVINE FAVOUR By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 102:13 — “Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.” Supporting Texts: Proverbs 3:3-4, Esther 2:15-17, Genesis 39:21, Luke 2:52, Exodus 3:21 INTRODUCTION: Favour ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 102:13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Smell Good Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 13, 2024

When you feel defeated, trust Christ to use your feeble efforts and faltering speech to make an eternal difference in people’s lives.

A marathon, for most runners, seems long, but it is always 26.2 miles. Always. Except for the Lakeshore Marathon held in Chicago on Memorial Day weekend 20 years ago (2005). That day the 529 runners who finished actually ran 27.2 miles, one mile more than they were supposed to. Only, nobody told ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Three Secrets Of An Effective Church - 2 Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Apr 8, 2003

The wonderful gifts God gives to the church

Three Secrets of an Effective Church - 2 BIRDS FLIGHT(all called flying): Flapping - Gliding - Soaring Isa 40:31 Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles(few birds with strong enough wings to soar), run and not get tired, walk and not ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:6-8

You Pray Even When Things Are Good Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Jul 23, 2001

Part one of four sermons that describe a healthy Christian and give steps on how to be one.

You Might Be A Healthy Christian If............. (Series) You pray even when things are good. July 22, 2001 First Baptist Church, Chester, Illinois Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: 1. There was a tavern being built in a town that was formally dry. A. The baptist church held an ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist