Sermons on Extra Effort:

Complete In Jesus

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 9, 2022

Have you ever questioned your salvation? As long as we keep our trust totally in Christ, we stand assured of God’s promise of eternal life. But as soon as we rest any weight on the thin ice of our own efforts, we topple into insecurity.

Have you ever wondered about your salvation; about whether or not you are going to heaven when you die? Some questions we might have are, “What am I supposed to do in order to gain God’s acceptance and love?” “Do I have to read the Bible all the way through?” “Do I have to knock on a million ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-23, Colossians 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

All We Need Is Love. Oh, Really?

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Jul 29, 2008

Did you ever heard or thought that doctrines are not so important? All we need is Jesus… We don’t need that extra stuff. As Christians, how many doctrines we got so far? Muslims got 5. 1.Allah Akbar – Allah is one. 2.Mohamed is his prophet

Did you ever heard or thought that doctrines are not so important? All we need is Jesus… We don’t need that extra stuff. As Christians, how many doctrines we got so far? Muslims got 5. 1. Allah Akbar – Allah is one. 2. Mohamed is his prophet. 3. Give to the poor. 4. Fast at the end of Ramadan. ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Ordinary Day Breakthroughs

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on May 3, 2019

Sermon thesis: The LORD uses our ordinary days to develop our character, our faith and our spiritual strength so that we may be able to reflect His glory and live an Abundant Life here on this Good Earth. How we handle ordinary days can lead to extra-ordinary days!

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10; Jeremiah 18:1-4 Title: Ordinary Day Breakthroughs Sermon thesis: The LORD uses our ordinary days to develop our character, our faith and our spiritual strength so that we may be able to reflect His glory and live an Abundant Life here on this Good Earth. INTRO: ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10, Jeremiah 18:1-4

Denomination: Nazarene

Don't You Get Weary, Children

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 26, 2010

Revision of earlier sermon, done for Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church, Washington, DC. Spiritual weariness comes when we see obligation instead of privilege, or when we see no results from our efforts. But God in Christ will bring ultimate victory.

Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church, Washington, DC, February 6, 2005 Last May our son got married. He and his bride passed out little bottles of soap instead of the traditional rice, so we all celebrated at the end of the wedding by blowing bubbles. Well, my daughter’s child, a little less ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

To Be Like Jesus!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on May 5, 2025

In the Bible, God tells us that WE have ‘role models’ too. In 2 Thessalonians 3:9 Paul says that he & his friends made an effort to be “models for you to follow.” And Paul repeated that idea many times for those early Christians:

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TO BE LIKE JESUS! Scriptures: 2 Thes. 3:7-9; 1 Cor. 4:16, 11:1; Php. 3:1; Matt. 5:13-16; 2 Cor. 3:18 For over 3 weeks recently I was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Matthew 5:13-16, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 3:1, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Surviving In Satan's Realm Series

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Jan 14, 2008

In warfare the better you know your enemy the more effective you are in overcoming him. Christians dare not be ignorant of the devil’s schemes and his limited powers.

Turn your Bibles to John 10:27-29 Title: Surviving in Satan’s Realm Theme: Our Most Persistent Enemy Explored Series: Grasping Our Authority in Christ John 10: 27-29 says, “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no ...read more

Scripture: John 10:27-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Put A Positive Spin On Every Problem

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

The Holy Spirit helps us view problems with the mind of Christ. When you are tempted to say, "All these problems make me think that my efforts are not worth it, remember Romans 8:28.

1. The Holy Spirit increasingly sanctifies those who are a part of His family. The Spirit frees us from the problems, restrictions and penalties of sin as He sanctifies us. 2 Cor. 3:18, Paul writes, "But we all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are changed from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do Not Lose Heart

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 30, 2005

This sermon ties together Exodus 34:29-35 and 2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2 in an effort to deal with the things in our lives that keep us from fully experiencing the glory of God.

Do Not Lose Heart Exodus 34:29-35 / 2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2 Intro: Many times I’ve heard it said that a woman who is having a baby has a certain “glow” about them. It is certainly true that most people express their emotions, both positive and negative on their faces. We know when we see a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 34:29-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It's Not What You Know

Contributed by Greg Carr on Jul 6, 2006

Religion has been described as following a set pattern of dos and don’ts, an outward expression with no inward authenticity, or the human effort to reach God. Religion knows about God without knowing Him.

At about the end of May and the first part of June hundreds of thousands of students walk across stages and platforms to receive a diploma. This is something they have been working hard for. During the WMU graduation on May 21, Mr. Probasko’s last statements to the class of 2006 was, “Would the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Abcs Of Spiritual Growth

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Feb 28, 2010

Growth is expected in our spiritual lives but unlike physical growth, our spiritual growth does not just happen, we need to give effort and consideration if we are to move from milk to solid food.

ABCS of Spiritual Growth 06/30/08 AM Text: Various, 2 Peter 3:18 Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25 Introduction It’s not uncommon to speak of the “ABC’s” of a topic when talking about the basics of that topic. When we see a book titled “The ABC’s of Child Development” we can pretty much guess that the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Valued Words Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Mar 8, 2012

It takes a change of heart as well as a change of mind that we might speak righteously. Yet the difficult task of refining our speaking process is worth the effort, for the righteous use valued words that bring blessings

THE WORDS OF THE RIGHTEOUS VALUED WORDS PROVERBS 10: 31-32 Words spring from the heart and are then formed by the mind. If the heart is pure, righteous speech should flow out of it. If the heart is wicked it also flows from the mouth. Yet even if the heart is pure it is not a given that ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

Grace Transforms 3 Series

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Sep 24, 2011

Christianity never becomes about human effort. We do not move on from grace – we move deeper and deeper into it. The gospel not only ignites us to faith, it fuels our entire journey.

Dakota Community Church September 25, 2011 Grace Transforms 3 Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. 1. What is biblical grace? 2. Where does grace originate? 3. Grace ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Mennonite

Report To Headquarters Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 21, 2011

The Great Commission Jesus left his followers is about discipleship. Making disciples, baptizing disciples, and teaching disciples the whole counsel of God is the particular way the church is to focus her efforts to glorify God.

Report to Headquarters (Acts 14:21-28) 1. Many Americans do not take honesty seriously. A boss asked one of his employees, 'Do you believe in life after death?' 'Yes, sir,' replied the new employee. 'I thought you would,' said the boss. 'Yesterday after you left to go to your brother's funeral, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:21-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Escaping Your Alcatraz

Contributed by David Edward Ray on Nov 26, 2016

Escaping your Alcatraz is a message of hope for those that are caught in their own prison of addiction, depression or anything that has us bound. All of our efforts cannot set us free. The Spirit of the Lord can.

On June 11, 1962, Clarence Anglin, John Anglin and Frank Morris tucked papier-Mache heads resembling their own likenesses into their beds, broke out of the main prison building via an unused utility corridor and departed Alcatraz Island aboard an improvised inflatable raft to an uncertain fate, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, James 1:2-4, Revelation 12:11, Psalm 142:7, John 8:36, Zechariah 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Commanded To Love Each Other Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 16, 2016

As disciples we are called to love one another, that is a command that is easier to say than actually do, for us to live in a way that the love of God is fully demonstrated requires real effort in our daily lives.

Disciples who Love Straight to the question: If you could only use one word to describe God what word would you choose? Would it be Almighty? Omnipotent? Creator? It’s Valentines Day and the word I am looking for is Love! The bible tells us simply and clearly that “God is ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Pentecostal