Sermons on Extra Effort:

Is The Lord Delayed In His Coming?

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Aug 6, 2018

There is a wrong way and a right way to look at the Lord’s apparent delay in coming again.

Introduction Peter most likely wrote this, his second letter (2 Pet. 3:1 ) to the churches of Asia Minor (1 Pet. 1:1 ), from a Roman jail a short time before his martyrdom (some time during the period AD 64-67). If 1 Peter has as its main focus a defense against threats from outside the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Thank You Or No Thanks!

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 22, 2012

Sometimes we get busy and forget to say Thank You for all that God has done for us. Being thankful is very important to God. When we have a thankful heart, we are showing God that we recognize where our blessings come from. It also reminds us to keep our

Opening illustration: One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You've Got A Lot Going For You, Part 1: God The Father

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jul 29, 2019

Too many Christians feel inadequate to be any use to God or their church. Paul reminds the Ephesian Christians of the resources they have going for them.

In any church you’ll find some members who sit on the sidelines, feeling like they don’t really belong on the team. They have heard a number of times that God loves them, but in their hearts, they wonder. They feel a little lonely at church, a little on the sidelines. And they’d like to get to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Glory That Shines Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Mar 31, 2021

A look at the meaning of "glory" and how the glory of God is part of the Christmas story

Sometimes, you need a wingman. That’s the pilot term for your partner in the air - the guy who flies alongside you to help you, and you help him. Sometimes, you just need another person alongside you to help you through - a 2nd set of ears at the doctor’s office; a witness to the business deal; ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:19-23, Isaiah 6:1-5, Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon # 35 - The Sanctity Of Marriage Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Sep 14, 2023

Marriage is God’s idea and the directive for a happy marriage is given by God Himself. When we honor marriage and treat our spouse the way God wants us to, our homes will be blessed and our families will be a blessing to many.

We read in Matthew 22:2, “The kingdom of heaven is like to a certain king, who made a marriage for his son..”(Webster) Have you ever wondered why the kingdom of heaven is likened to the marriage of a king’s son? Often we consider marriage to be a normal part of our lives, but fail to realize that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:2, Genesis 2:18, Genesis 2:20, Genesis 2:22, John 2:11, Exodus 20:14, Matthew 5:27-28, Genesis 12:15, Genesis 12:17, 2 Samuel 11:1, Ephesians 5:31-32  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

You've Been Marked!

Contributed by Je Layugan on Oct 17, 2023

God marked Cain for protection after Cain killed his brother Abel. The mark on Cain is a sign of a cursed spirit, yet at the same time a symbol of God’s mercy, an assurance for us that wherever we have been, whatever we have become, God still loves us, God still longs for us.

There were these 2 brothers who asked their parents, “Why can’t we live in that beautiful garden with all kinds of animals and fruit-bearing trees?”. The mother replied, “Because when your dad and I were young, we were foolish and disobeyed its creator. We were expelled from that place created ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-17, Isaiah 64:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Why Did God Let This Happen?

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 23, 2001

In the midst of a nation where people are beginning to ask questions about where God was when New York & Washington were hit, this is a humble effort to deal with that question.

OPEN: A little girl came home from a neighbor’s house where her little friend had died. "Why did you go?" questioned her father. "To comfort her mother," said the child. "What could you do to comfort her?" "I climbed into her lap and cried with her." APPLICATION: In this mother’s time of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Evangelism On Purpose Series

Contributed by Douglas Bryan on Feb 5, 2004

This is the second sermon in a series called "On Purpose." Instead of just letting evangelism happen, we need to put forth a concerted effort to reach the lost for Christ.

EVANGELISM ON PURPOSE 1 Corinthians 16:5-9 INTRODUCTION: A. Several years ago I had the opportunity to learn at the feet of a preacher by the name of Marvin Phillips 1. Marvin is a fiery kind of preacher with a great heart for evangelism a. During that week he talked a lot about doing things ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:5-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Spirit Gives Life The Flesh Profits Nothing

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 4, 2003

The Spirit initiates, creates, and give birth to new things. Replace fleshly efforts with the empowering, enabling and energizing power of the Spirit overflowing from within your heart.

The Spirit initiates, creates, and give birth to new things.(2 Cor. 3:6) "It is He who has qualified us making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant (of salvation through Christ) not ministers of the letter (of legally written code) but of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Work To Eat Or Eat To Work?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 17, 2003

Why work? Work has meaning as a witness, as a way of focusing our efforts for the Kingdom. Look at the work of Christ, so that you do not lose motivation to work.

Is there anyone here today whose name is Rockefeller? No? Then maybe there is a member of the Kennedy family, other than Mrs. Currie – and I don’t think she is of the Hyannisport Kennedys? No one? Well, let me try someone else – the Sultan of Brunei, possibly the richest person in the world. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

#6divine Possibilities: Rise Above The Minimum! Series

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 15, 2005

Are we satisfied to barely make it? What could just a little more zeal and effort accomplish in our churches. Let us rise above the minimum!

SPEAK TO THE DIVINE POSSIBILITIES: RISE ABOVE THE MINIMUM? GROW PRIORITIES THAT INVEST IN THE ETERNAL! SEEK FIRST? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com We are studying Divine Possibilities: 1. Climb into God’s Envelope; 2. Accept the Mantle; 3. Starving at a feast; 4. Let God! 5. DYING ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Inside Out Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 27, 2005

The Christian life is a life of growth, and growth means change. Growth takes great effort on our part, but behind it all is God’s work within us.

Inside Out (Philippians 2:12-30) 1. Today I must humble myself before this congregation. 2. I realized that I skipped a section of Philippians….the Moores through me off! 3. It doesn’t take much to get me confused! But I am not alone. 4. One woman recalls: When I was pregnant with my now 2 year ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Axes Upon Thick Trees

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Aug 2, 2006

A thick tree requires more effort than a tender plant in cutting it down.God wants you to become His battle axe, to cut down such trees.

Jeremiah 51:20-23: ”Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider; With thee also ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 51:20-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Faith To Face The World Series

Contributed by Mark Tonkery on Feb 3, 2012

You and I are faced with many trials each day and this sermon series will be an effort to give us as Christians encouragement to face and overcome the world we live in.

Sermon idea adopted from Mark A. Copeland http://executableoutlines.com/home.htm INTRODUCTION A. Happy New Year! Starting today and on the first Sunday of each month I will be preaching a series of lessons on “Faith to Face the World.” You and I are faced with many trials each day ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Peacemaking Owns The Future

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 16, 2010

Our dedication to arms-building reflects our personal insecurity and our lack of faith. God is Lord of History and efforts to make peace build His Kingdom.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC May 3, 1987 It’s a great gift to be self-contained, to be so secure within your own person that whatever is happening around you just does not get to you and shake you. It's a great gift to have the presence of mind to focus on what you need ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Baptist