Sermons on Getting Started:

What Does It Mean To "make Every Effort" To Enter The Kingdom? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 10, 2025

This passage has two troubling phrases: "make every effort" and "try . . . and not be able." What are we to do with those? And do they mean that God is setting up difficult barriers to get into the Kingdom?

WHAT DOES "MAKE EVERY EFFORT" MEAN? It doesn’t mean that it’s nearly impossible but that you should focus your attention. - Luke 13:22-24a. - Jesus is asked an important question: “[A]re only a few people going to be saved?” (v. 23). - That's a great question. What is the nature of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Source Of Significance Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Jan 7, 2004

1st in series based on John 1&2. The problem is that we human types keep trying to find the good life in all the wrong places, using all the wrong tools, with all the wrong resources, and getting miserable empty results.

Living the Good Life A Study of John 1 & 2 Having what it takes to make it in the world today… Jesus came for one purpose John 10:10b “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” To give us an abundant life. God never intended that we be miserable, hurt, damaged, or ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Gift Is Not The Box

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jan 16, 2025

God gave us a gift in His Son. That gift must be taken out of the "box" and utilized in order to get the full benefit of the gift. Many Christians keep Jesus in a box where He is not allowed to operate freely in their lives.

The Gift Is Not The Box Scripture: Proverbs 20:11; John 3:16; First Corinthians 13:11 Good morning Strangers Rest. The title of my message today is “The Gift Is Not The Box” and I want to focus your attention on spiritual maturity. Proverbs 20:11, from the New American Standard Bible, says, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:11, John 3:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rest In The Future!

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 29, 2013

God from the beginning of time mandated/demonstrated that we all must rest in Him. We have to connect with Him to get energized! We also have to learn to rest in the future – placing our lives into the hands of the Lord.

`Rest in Our Scripture for this series - Isa. 40:29-31: "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope (rest) in the Lord will renew their strength. They soar on wings like eagles; they will ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Change Loks Like Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Sep 2, 2005

Think about the one thing in yourself that you would most like to see changed before you get too old. Or better, what would those closest to you say that they would like to see changed in your life?

About 30 years ago, I started to see poems and prayers pop up on my mom’s refrigerator. They read something like this: “Lord, don’t me become a mean old woman. Help me become sweeter and sweeter as I grow older and older.” I called her yesterday and asked her about those poems and prayers. My ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Denomination: Baptist

Have It Your Way?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 13, 2002

Many times we seek to understand and manipulate God by our human ideas. We need to get rid of our preconceptions about what God is doing in our lives and let Him direct how we think and pray.

Do you ever watch one of those martial arts movies – pick one, any one, it doesn’t matter – how about "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon?" There is always a scene, at least one, where the hero or heroine is taking on a whole group of bad guys or gals. Two of them square off in the middle – and when ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:23-45

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Turn The Motor Back On

Contributed by Brian Undlin on Jun 23, 2014

How we, (like the Galatian church) lose our power and joy, and how to get it back. We've all done it, allowed a "truth" other than Christ to become our focus and slowly lose the Holy Spirit's power.

Galatians. NLT Why do you expect God’s blessing on your life? (I asked them to write on a sermon guide) _____________________________________________________________________________________ ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith That Floats Series

Contributed by Kory Labbe on Oct 30, 2025

When Jesus gets in your boat, everything changes. Sometimes God’s greatest invitations come in the middle of ordinary moments. In Luke 5, Jesus steps into Peter’s empty boat and turns a night of failure into a calling that changes everything.

Faith that Floats: When Jesus Gets in Your Boat Luke 5:1–11 (NLT) Theme: When Jesus gets in your boat, everything changes. Sometimes God’s greatest invitations come in the middle of ordinary moments. In Luke 5, Jesus steps into Peter’s empty boat and turns a night of failure into a calling that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Five Pressing Desires In Christian Living Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jan 10, 2019

Paul gets a clear vision of Christ and abandon all that he was for (1) a Personal Knowledge of Christ (2) a Personal Position in Christ (3) the Personal Power of Christ (4) a Personal Perfection in Christ (5) a Personal Possession of Christ.

Subject: Five Pressing Desires Text: Philippians 3:1-15 Introduction: Paul, who is the writer of our text, provides a plan for the Philippians Church as they move forward to become the best that they could be for Christ. Rather than be complacent with where they were, they needed to set their ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-15

Denomination: Methodist

Wisdom From God - James 1:5-7 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jul 21, 2015

Wisdom! The Lord has it and He wants you to get it from Him! We need to pursue the Lord and His wisdom with a single minded focus in order to glorify God by being "a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ".

Wisdom! Is there anyone here who is wise and has all of the wisdom they will ever need? And, you all have probably heard the old quote attributed to Yogi Berra about the fork in the road, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it!” Life is filled with forks in the road, choices, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5-7

Denomination: Nazarene

Christmas Hangover Blues

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 27, 2023

Christmas busy-ness can leave us unfocused and exhausted. Joseph & Mary show us how to get back to work, reconnect with friends, and set new goals and work on them. Let's be transformed!

CHRISTMAS HANGOVER BLUES Matt. 2:19-23 INTRODUCTION A. SONG: “The 12 Pains (not ‘Days’) of Christmas,” by Bob Rivers; 1. “The first thing at Christmas that's such a pain to me, Is finding a Christmas tree.” 2. “The second thing at Christmas that's such a pain to me: Rigging up the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:19-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Straight Street

Contributed by Nick S Panico on May 20, 2016

Acts 9 tells of Saul's journey to "Straight Street." It's the journey of a man who was lost in religion and how he finds his way to a real relationship with the Living God. How to get to and live on Straight Street.

“Straight Street” Acts 9:1 through Acts 9:11 (NIV) 1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas - Part 1

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Oct 9, 2020

Time and time again God tried to get His message of love through to His human creation with little response. Finally, when there was no other way, He wrapped up His message in person. Jesus was and is that message.

There’s a story about a man in Wales who sought to win the affection of a certain lady for 42 years before she finally said, "Yes." The couple, both 74, recently became "Mr. and Mrs." For more than 40 years, the persistent, but rather shy man slipped a weekly love letter ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fighting Racism And Prejudice Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jul 18, 2021

Racism and prejudice are essentially pride in our accomplishments, in my family, and in my tribe. How do you get rid of this kind of prejudice against other classes of people and generations of people? You must humble yourself.

I was but a high school student when President Ronald Reagan gave one of the most famous Cold War speeches against the backdrop of the Berlin Wall. For those who may not know the story, the Berlin Wall was erected more than a decade after the conclusion of World War II in Berlin. Essentially the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

Suit Up! Series

Contributed by Robert Fox on Jan 29, 2007

It’s not enough to join the team and take your position, you need to put on the equipment and learn to use it so you don’t get taken out of the game on the first play. Student Ministry PowerPoint format.

[Suit Up] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:17) This material was originally presented to a High School audience in PowerPoint format. If you have any ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Baptist