Sermons on Extra Effort:

Equipped To Serve Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jul 31, 2019

Titus is one of three epistles of Paul referred to as pastoral epistles. While these were written to young pastors that Paul desired to equip for ministry, there is much wisdom that is applicable for every believer. Paul begins this epistle with an effort to encourage and equip Titus for ministry.

Equipped to Serve Titus 1: 1-4 Our text today comes from one of the Pastoral Epistles. Titus was a young preacher and faithful helper of Paul. We know from Verse 5 that Paul had left Titus on the Island of Crete to settle the churches there and set in order their worship and operation. This was a ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Looking In God's Mirror

Contributed by Bruce Hadley on Jul 27, 2021

James compares the Word of God to a mirror because you look into a mirror to be able to see yourself in effort to make changes to your appearance. Looking in the Holy Scriptures is like looking in a mirror. It reveals to us as God sees what’s in us.

James 1:22-24 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-10, James 1:22-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Positive Leadership Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 5, 2021

A leader is not content just to be a Christian. He wants to be a good Christian, and the best Christian he can be. They put forth effort in order to grow. They are ever reaching up to find better ways to apply God's Word in their lives.

Late one night in Philadelphia and elderly couple came into a little third class motel. The husband said to the night clerk, "Please don't tell us you don't have a room. My wife and I have been all over the city looking for a place to stay. We didn't know about the big ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:5-9

Happy New Year - A Year For Spiritual Growth

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 22, 2021

Some people think God’s grace should cause you to relax your morals. Instead, the Bible says we should increase our effort … we should turn up our intensity because of God’s grace.

In just a few weeks the calendar will turn to 2020 – can you believe that? Can you believe we are about to see 2020? Our nation will elect or reelect a president next year. 2019 has been a big year for the stock market and for technology. Already the news channels are telling us about famous people ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:2-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Dangers Of Fault Finding Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 24, 2025

Fault finders usually do not see any good in the efforts of other people. They put on the air of perfection and act as if they are incapable of making mistakes. Such people easily offend others through their actions and speeches. They focus on everyone’s faults except theirs.

As Christians, we're called to build each other up, not tear each other down. Yet, fault finding is a subtle sin that can creep into our lives, damaging relationships and hindering our walk with God. The Pharisees: A Classic Example In John 8:3-11, the Pharisees brought a woman caught in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21, John 8:3-11

Alien Visitors To Earth – Congress Listens – July August 2023 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 23, 2023

The world is more focussed than ever on sci-fi movies and alien life, so much so, that a hearing was convened by the United States Congress into Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UFOs). What is the Christian perspective on this?

ALIEN VISITORS TO EARTH – CONGRESS LISTENS – July August 2023 As I am writing this now, (early August 2023) there is a Congressional hearing in the United States called by the White House, into UFOs which are now called Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). This hearing is chaired by a Mr ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16, Philippians 1:9, Ephesians 6:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18, 2 Timothy 3:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Comforting Kingdom

Contributed by Ryan Sato on Jan 13, 2005

Have you ever heard of “Happy Hour?” This is a time where we try to distract ourselves from all the problems of the world and try to cope with the reality of real life…..I think one of the reasons that “Happy Hour” was created was in an effort to cope wi

Opener: Have you ever heard of “Happy Hour?” This is a time where we try to distract ourselves from all the problems of the world and try to cope with the reality of real life…..I think one of the reasons that “Happy Hour” was created was in an effort to cope with our sorrows. This topic of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Mission Of The Church

Contributed by Norman Lawrence on Oct 20, 2008

So often we say that we have a great work to do, but yet are unsure of what we as the church are supposed to be doing... Jesus would never send us forth before giving us a job description to center our efforts around...

E-Mail support@churchletters.net for the Powerpoint to go with this message. Fred Somebody, Thomas Everybody, Peter Anybody, and Joe Nobody were neighbors, but they were not like you and me. They were odd people and most difficult to understand. The way they lived was a shame. All four ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Landmine Of Slothfulness Series

Contributed by Charles Stanley on Sep 20, 2007

Some people go about their work with energy and joy, giving their best effort to every detail. Others do as little as they can, as slowly as they can, as indifferently as they can. What about you? Do you work with intensity or indifference—or somewhere i

Landmines in the Path of the Believer Part 2: The Landmine of Slothfulness Summary: Some people go about their work with energy and joy, giving their best effort to every detail. Others do as little as they can, as slowly as they can, as indifferently as they can. What about you? Do you work ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Fig Tree And Judgment Series

Contributed by Ps Trevor Bartley on Aug 17, 2018

So many people when they think of judgment they believe that it is a negative thing, but it is all about the outcome. If you are being judged or assessed on your performance and then rewarded for your effort it is a good thing, when you know you did your very best.

JUDGMENT! There are a number of judgements found in the Bible. So many people when they think of judgment they believe that it is a negative thing, but it is all about the outcome. If you are being judged or assessed on your performance and then rewarded for your effort it is a good thing, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-14

Denomination: *other

Unity: Saints, Prepare The Church – Part 5 Of 6 Series

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Oct 14, 2014

Saints must build the Body of Christ through active participation/action. Every church worker is vital; if only one slacks off, the entire effort of the church suffers. Whatever your ability, if you are working for the Lord, it is “for the profit of all."

1. Basics Ephesians 4:12-13 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:12-13

Denomination: Church Of God

Compelled To Continue

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Mar 5, 2017

Have you ever felt as if your efforts were in vain, and questioned if you were making a difference? We find ourselves questioning God, and tempted to abandon the work. We are not the first to feel this way. God is able to provide the strength we need.

Compelled to Continue Jeremiah 20:9 The life and ministry of Jeremiah was interesting to say the least. He is commonly known as the “Weeping Prophet,” and for good reason. His ministry spanned forty years in Judah, leading up to their captivity at the hands of the Babylonians. During his faithful ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:9

Denomination: Baptist

Hindered But Not Hopeless Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Nov 11, 2020

There can be no doubt that Paul endured much for the sake of the gospel. From a worldly perspective, one might have thought his efforts had largely failed. However, Paul kept the faith and continued serving the Lord. We should be thankful for his perseverance.

Hindered but not Hopeless 1 Thessalonians 2: 17-20 What precious and powerful words are recorded for our exhortation in these few verses! These words reveal the very heart and soul of the apostle Paul. He, of all men, knew what it was to face adversity and extreme difficulty in ministry. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

Victory Over Dieases

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Sep 29, 2020

Victory over diseases begin with a desperate desire to be well (2) A willingness to Act on Your Faith: put forth an effort, A Willingness to put Faith in Christ alone, A Willingness to Acknowledge the true source of victory and A Willingness to Praise God and Testify before men.

Victory Over Diseases Mark 5:21-34 Introduction: Jesus returned again to Capernaum, and was met by Jairus, a ruler of the Synagogue, whose daughter is sick unto death. On his way to Jairus' house, the woman of our text interrupts him and receives a "wayside miracle" ... an ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-34, Luke 10:19

Denomination: Methodist

Image Is Everything Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 24, 2019

We live in an image-driven culture and our churches seem to be buying into the concept in their efforts to reach people, but more than ever, what people need is for us to be genuine followers of Christ. Consider these thoughts from our Family Minister Scott Jewell.

*Disclaimer- You need to know your audience to do what I did. It could probably be tamed down with wearing just a pair of sunglasses. I started behind the closed doors at the entrance of the sanctuary. When the entrance music for WWE’s The Big Show started to play, I flung the doors open and ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ