Sermons on Futile:

Sermon. Choosing The Right Path

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Sep 4, 2025

Psalm 1 also call on all of us to make a decision and then summarizes the contrast between the righteous and the wicked by describing the blessed life of the righteous as a thriving tree nourished by God's word, and the futile life of the wicked as chaff blown away by the wind

Sermon. Choosing the Right Path Scripture Text: Psalms 1:1-6 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6, Jeremiah 6:16, Genesis 41:52

Denomination: Methodist

Tainted Love Series

Contributed by Erik Estep on May 16, 2012

Today in our passage of Scripture the Apostle Paul is going to point out to us several stages that have marked man’s futile search for love and meaning. And it’s my hope as we examine this text that we’ll discover how we can avoid these stages so that we

“Tainted Love” Romans 1: 18-25 October 2, 2011 Intro: Today we’re beginning a new series of messages entitled “Classic Rock.” Now for me, classic rock is music from the 1960s but when I talked to Matthew and James I was chagrined to find out that classic rock ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Person God Uses

Contributed by Bob Soulliere on Jan 16, 2010

One man lost a valuable watch wile working in an icehouse. He searched diligently for it, carefully raking through the sawdust, but did not find it. His fellow workers also looked, but their efforts, too, proved futile. A small boy who heard about the fr

Acts 4:1-35 The Person God Uses In Directions, James Hamilton writes; Before refrigerators, people used icehouses to preserve their food. Icehouses had thick walls, no windows, and a tightly fitted ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Foolish Wisdom-2(2024)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Nov 25, 2024

2 of ? The apostle Paul related that the wisdom of the Cross-work of Christ, was seen as foolishness by those who were perishing. The wisdom of the Cross can be misinterpreted. But How can wisdom be properly interpreted? Foolish Wisdom is interpreted thru...

FOOLISH WISDOM-II—1Corinthians 1:19-21(1:18--2:5) Attention: Fred had been sent to the big city in order to receive some training for a new position. Fred’s co-worker—Billy Bob—was charged with escorting Fred to work. While they were walking, Fred was bombarded by all the unfamiliar lights & ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:19, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

1 Peter Commentary —chapter 1 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 18, 2021

Peter’s first epistle is addressed to Gentile believers among the dispersed (the scattered) of Israel. They have been released from the futile way of life they learned from their ancestors (1:18). Those who were at one time, not a people, had become nothing less than the people of God (2:10).

Tom Lowe 4/2/2021 Text: 1 Peter, Chapter 1 (KJV) 1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Stubborn Evangelist Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

This short story is one where Jonah is in flight; it’s also one where God is in pursuit. Jonah’s life is really one of a boomerang for he ends up in the place that ran from in the beginning. For four chapters we’ll witness Jonah’s futile flight as well as God’s persistent pursuit.

Note: The entire book of Jonah is read before I preach. Today we launch a new four part series entitled Jonah: The Stubborn Evangelist. And it is coming at just the right time for our church (more on the timing in just a moment). Most only know it as an amusing story about a prophet and a “whale.” ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Enjoy Your Ice Cream Cone - Ecclesiastes 1:1-3, 2:24-25 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 11, 2025

No matter how wisely you live, you can’t control outcomes. The world calls it bad luck. Christians call it hard providence. Whatever you call it, this sermon will help you learn how to enjoy whatever moment of God’s perfect plan you are currently in.

Ecclesiastes 1:1 The words of the Preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 "Absolute futility," says the Preacher. "Absolute futility. Everything is futile." 3 What does a man gain for all his efforts that he labors at under the sun? 2:24 There is nothing better for man ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3, Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

The Security Of Community Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jan 26, 2022

Wise living according to Solomon is not isolation, but rather connections and family and friends and fellowship… all of which we might summarize with the word: community.

WISE LIVING: THE SECURITY OF COMMUNITY Ecclesiastes 4:1-16 #wiseliving2022 READ ECCLESIASTES CHAPTER 4:1-16 [Jennifer Holmes] STORY 1 Beaker looked out over the lip of the nest and decided it was a long way down to the ground. Why did nests have to be built so high up? He got dizzy looking from ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Vanity Of Vanity, All Is Vanity!

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Mar 25, 2010

Life is meaningless if we leave God and eternity out of the picture.

Intro: 1. “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day To the last syllable of recorded time, And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow a poor player That struts and frets ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Ecclesiastes Part 1 (Chapter 1-6)

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Sep 17, 2022

NASB

Notes by Marilyn Hickey: Searching for the meaning in life. Chapters 1-7 are about seeking vanities. Solomon had Sophia wisdom insight, skill (human or divine), intelligence (biblehub.com) https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/sunesis.html: a running together, a flowing together ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard

Get Back? - Never! Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Oct 29, 2007

33rd in a series from Ephesians. Once we’e experienced the new life in Christ, there is no way we ever want to go back to our old life.

In April 1969, the Beatles released a song with some ties to Tucson. I know that Steve Ponzo, and maybe many of the rest of us, are familiar with these lyrics: Jojo was a man who thought he was a loner But he knew it wouldn’t last. Jojo left his home in Tucson, Arizona For some California ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Done With The Old Life Series

Contributed by David Welch on Apr 10, 2018

25th in the Ephesians Series dealing with putting of the old life and putting on the new

“Done with the Old Life” Ephesians 4:17-24 I. Our Wealth and Worth In Christ 1-3 Paul broke out in exuberant praise in his prison cell. He had been incarcerated for preaching the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. With time on his hands, he contemplated the wonder of God’s work not only ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The War Is On Series

Contributed by Lanny Carpenter on Apr 18, 2004

Describes the reason why unbelievers are the way they are -- because of the way their mind works.

THE WAR IS ON! EPHESIANS 4:17-19 INTRO.: The battle lines have been drawn in the sand. 1. The forces have taken their positions, and are prepared for the worst. 2. The leaders have exhausted every resource, and have resigned themselves to the inevitable. 3. Weapons are readied, now aimed toward ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-19, Colossians 3:10

Denomination: Methodist

Increase Your Hope In God Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

Christ died so that both your faith and your hope are in God. He died to transform you from the power of sin.

James Hammond was a plantation owner during the Civil War who served as a congressman as well as the 60th governor of the state of South Carolina. Besides defending slavery, Hammond was guilty of an unbridled sexual appetite. In 1839, Hammond purchased an eighteen-year-old slave named Sally, along ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

All Is Vanity Without God

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Aug 11, 2001

A sermon for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost about the vanity of life

Pentecost 9 Luke 12:13-21 Ecclesiastes 1:2,12-14 2:18-23 "All is Vanity without God"   I would like to share one of Aesop’s Fables with you this morning. "When a dog which had stolen a piece of meat out of a butcher’s shop, was crossing a river on its way home, he saw his own shadow reflected in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-31

Denomination: Lutheran