Sermons on Extra Effort:

An Example To Follow

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Nov 11, 2001

When reflecting on serving Christ with our effort and time, we are called to do so in the way Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. This is our example to follow.

Yes, our focus on making a commitment to serve God with our hands begins with a story about feet. Our Bible story takes place at a time shortly before Jesus would give up his life for us. Jesus and the disciples were making arrangements to celebrate a special holiday meal together called the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

Heaven's Door Is Narrow

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Nov 13, 2009

Pentecost 14 (C) - Heaven’s door is narrow. By only trusting in God’s grace alone will believers live to make every effort to enter.

HEAVEN’S DOOR IS NARROW (Outline) September 6, 2009 -- PENTECOST 14 -- Luke 13:22-30 INTRO: Today Jesus points out that the door to heaven is narrow. This does not mean that heaven is full. The Lord’s will is to see all mankind saved. But not all people are saved! Why? When left on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: Lutheran

"This Thing Doesn't Work"

Contributed by Brad Henry on Aug 26, 2011

We are talking about News Years resoultions. If you really want to change it takes discipline to get into the word of God but the benefits far outweigh the effort.

Now that the New Year is right around the corner there are those infomercials that tout great fitness. It seems that each year the machines get weirder. Hang upside down, spin 360 degrees then throw up. That loses about 5 lbs. Then there are those that bend you like a pretzel while listening to Rap ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:14

Good To Go

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 29, 2010

Funeral service for Alberta Perry Faulkner, the mainstay of the church's missions support efforts and a world traveler, nurse, teacher, Scout leader, senior citizen sponsor.

I had my car repaired not long ago. It took about as long to check out at the cashier’s desk as it did for the mechanics to do the work, because at the desk I had to sign several forms, initial a couple of others, present my credit card and sign the charge slip, and then wait for the clerk ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Open The Door As Wide As A Needles Eye! Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Aug 11, 2010

With mankind it is impossible for us to gain our salvation through our own effort. God has made it possible because with God all things are possible!

The first of two camels in this sermon series Think of a time when someone has asked you instructions to get somewhere. What about this scenario? Someone asks you, what do I have to do to get into Jade Stadium to watch the test games in the 2011 Rugby World Cup? I think the answer would be a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Salvation Army

If You Were Only Guilty Of One Fleeting Sinful Thought, A Lifetime Of Righteous Deeds Could Not Justify You.

Contributed by David Goering on Aug 9, 2018

Our sin has earned a wage of infinite loss and this loss cannot be undone, even if we dedicated our entire life as an effort to undo it.

SCRIPTURE: James 2:10 "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in ONE point, he is guilty of all." Romans 3:20 "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." PROPOSITION: To use these texts and others to ...read more

Jeremiah, Jesus And Our Evangelical Call Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 2, 2018

This Advent, try to spend more time and effort and even money in preparing yourself and helping others to welcome the Lord at Christmas than you spend on presents.

First Sunday of Advent 2018 Jeremiah has to be one of the saddest prophets of any age of the Hebrew people. His message could be summarized in one word–disaster. It was a disaster for the people who were delivered from Egypt by God through Moses, who were led through the desert, given the land of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-36

Denomination: Catholic

Remember To Whom You Belong Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Mar 10, 2019

The strength to fight temptation is found only in Christ. Satan uses every effort to convince us to sin. We must remember to whom we belong.

World-acclaimed illusionist Roy Horn goes to work on Friday evening, October 3, 2003, amid a celebrative atmosphere. It is his 59th birthday, and more than a thousand friends have just thrown him a party. And now an audience of fifteen hundred people waits excitedly inside the Mirage Hotel for a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Other

Five Ingredients Of A Successful Christian Race Series

Contributed by Donald Mcculley on Mar 19, 2019

Living a life of victory and success is not by accident. It requires diligence and effort! Paul gives us five ingredients to achieve a successful life and win the gold (crown).

FIVE INGREDIENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN RACE I CORINTHIANS 9:18-27 INTRODUCTION: I’m indebted to my dear friend Bro. Truman Kimbrough for this outline and idea. Living a life of victory and success is not by accident. It requires diligence and effort! Paul gives us five ingredients to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:18-27

Denomination: Baptist

Play Vs. Work? Toys Vs. Tools?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 19, 2021

Perhaps we find more joy in pleasure, fun and entertainment than we do effort, work and sweat? Playing games offer little profit?

PLAY VS WORK? TOOLS VS. TOYS? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Do you know what is called the oldest toy in the world? The stick may just be the oldest toy. Sticks can be an endless source ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23, Luke 21:16-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The False Prophet And The Mark Of The Beast - Esg, Biotechnology, And The Internet Of Things (Iot) Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Aug 31, 2022

As the world moves closer to the return of Christ, you can be sure that we will also see increased efforts in Satan to implement his grab at world dominance.

Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship www.mycrossway.org Watch this message at: https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/episodes/150073 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercises all the authority of the first ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 13:11-18

Denomination: Brethren

What Are We Going To Do With All This Love?

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 3, 2025

The parents of a ten year old son was failing math in public school. After exhausting all efforts they decided to enroll their son into a private Catholic school.

What Are We Going To Do With All This Love? “So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ...read more

Scripture: John 19:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Smart Investing Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

Make a deliberate investment decision to spend your time, money, effort and attention on the things that last. And what lasts? Loving God, and loving your neighbor.

Last month I had the fun of deciding how to invest the profit of the sale of my New Jersey house. And it was fun, and I think I’ve made good choices. But my track record is nothing to boast about. When I cashed in a chunk of my IRA for the down payment on that same house, I told my broker that I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God’s Amazing Grace PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 30, 2025

God’s grace is a free gift we cannot earn; through faith, we receive His love and acceptance, not by our efforts but by His mercy.

Some of us walked in today with hearts like clenched fists—trying to hold it all together, trying to square the accounts with God, trying to make sense of a week that wore us thin. We wonder if grace has a limit, if mercy has a meter, if love has a ledger. We keep a mental checklist: pray more, try ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, John 1:16

Topics: God's Grace, Grace, Embracing Grace

April: My Month Of Supernatural Lifting

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 28, 2025

Supernatural lifting is a divine promotion that comes from God and not from human effort. In this month of April, May God lift you beyond your expectations!

APRIL: MY MONTH OF SUPERNATURAL LIFTING By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 75:6-7 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 40:31, 1 Samuel 2:8, Genesis 41:38-44, Daniel 2:21, Proverbs 4:18 INTRODUCTION Supernatural lifting is a divine promotion that comes from God and not from human effort. It is when God ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 75:6-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God