Sermons on Human Effort:

What God Wants Most Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 17, 2006

An effort to get the congregation to give more thought and understanding to what God desires in worship and to align their desires with His.

1. Title: What God Wants Most 2. Text: John 4, et al 3. Audience: Villa Heights Christian Church, AM crowd, October 17, 2006, 3rd in the series “Stand In Awe” 4. Objectives: -for the people to understand that God’s desires are to be at the center of our worship; to understand some of the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:21-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

This Is That!

Contributed by Johnny Carver on Sep 5, 2008

This message deals with the importance of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the believer’s life to be effective in our efforts in ministry.

Scripture: Acts 2:16 Title: “This Is That” Introduction: I am fully persuaded that the disciples of Jesus failed to understand everything that Jesus said to them during the time they spent together. · I am also fully persuaded they stood in awe at the miracles Jesus performed before their very ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

"Real Power" Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Sep 29, 2010

We cannot please God by means of our own effort, but only by means of the Holy Spirit’s power.

God calls on everyone to reject the idea that they can justify themselves by their own good works. That’s what everyone who has yet to come to Christ is doing - seeking to justify themselves in the sight of God, in the sight of others or in their own sight. Religion leads to the “comparison ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Staying On Course Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on May 2, 2011

Make the effort to stay faithful (winning over complacency) and make the choice to obey God (winning over compromise).

It easy to make promises, but to keep them is another matter altogether. • You may be passionate and sincere when you make a stand, but to stay on course requires much, much more. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, say this: “It is in the nature of a fire to go out, you must keep it ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 13:1-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Relying On The Work Of The Spirit

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Apr 5, 2022

When we bear witness to the saving power of Christ, we must rely on the Spirit to empower our efforts.

Jesus had told them to wait—His first disciples, I mean. He had given them important work to do—the most important work of all, actually—but He had told them not to attempt it just yet. No. They were to wait. “Don’t give,” He said, “until you have received. Nothing can be done by you until ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-41

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Blood, Sweat, And Tears In The Church Of God

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Dec 27, 2017

Blood, swat and tears is hard work and effort in the church to be and accomplish all that God wants from your church.

Prayer- Introduction- This morning I want to talk a moment about the church. I say by sermon title the church of God because there are churches out there that I believe never ask God what He thinks about decisions that are made in His church. I believe there are churches that are nothing more ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:4-5

Denomination: Nazarene

The Law Vs. Grace Vs. Faith PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 7, 2025

God’s promises are received by faith, not by our efforts; grace, not performance, secures our acceptance and hope in Christ.

Some of us walked in today with lists—mental ledgers of what we did right and where we fell short. We carry them like heavy backpacks. We whisper, “Maybe if I try harder, God will be pleased.” And our hearts grow tired, tight, and tentative. Then we come to Romans 4 and hear a fresh breeze blow ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:13-16

Topics: Grace, Gift

Knowing Who You're Looking At - Meeting Jesus Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 9, 2005

The Bible frequently refers to Jesus as the "Son of Man" (even more than it calls Him the Son of God) Why was He called the "Son of Man", and what can mean to us?

OPEN: In the late 1700’s, the manager of Baltimore’s largest hotel refused lodging to a man dressed like a farmer because he thought this fellow’s appearance would discredit his inn. So the man left. Later that evening, the innkeeper discovered that he had turned away none other than then ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Tower Builder And The Warring King Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jul 28, 2009

We examine two parables that deal with discipleship and specifically the carefully weighing the cost of following Jesus. No matter where you are spiritually, Jesus calls us to seriously consider discipleship.

The Parables of Jesus The Tower Builder and the Warring King Luke 14:28-32 July 26, 2009 This week we are going to turn to two parables that are about discipleship. It is a “Who from you…” parable. This refers to the phrase in verse 28 of Luke 14 that in the NIV says, “suppose one of you.” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:28-32

Denomination: Church Of God

The Great Battle Of Armageddon: The Removal And Binding Of Satan Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 9, 2017

We look at the vision of the great battle of Armageddon, the final battle of human history. This is where human history ends. It’s where the Lord Jesus intervenes and stops the madness of humanity.

Tonight, we look at the vision of the great battle of Armageddon, the final battle of human history. This is where human history ends. It’s where the Lord Jesus intervenes and stops the madness of humanity. Jesus will return to earth and destroy all the ungodly and evil of this world. This is ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Doubt Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Apr 25, 2023

Only the gospel can make sense of the human heart, only Jesus can meet humanity’s deepest needs, only life in Jesus can provide unrivaled hope and joy.

Last week, we spoke about how Jesus appeared to His disciples after the resurrection, when they were gathered behind locked doors. In the midst of their fear and anxiety, Jesus told the disciples not to be afraid, revealing himself to them and assuring them that He is alive and well. However, not ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rejoicing In God's Lagniappe Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Oct 8, 2011

Paul wanted the Philippians to know how wonderful it was to serve Christ and praised their efforts to be the servants God called them to become...

Sermon Brief Date Written: October 6, 2011 Date Preached: October 9, 2011 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: A Series from Philippians Sermon Title: Rejoicing In God’s Lagniappe Sermon Text: Philippians 4:10-20 [ESV] Introduction: Here as Paul concludes his ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom's Children Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 3, 2017

Know your mother and throw out the other. Stop trying to earn your way, and start enjoying your way to heaven.

Mary Hickey talks about the time when she was expecting her first baby. Then, a six-year-old neighbor girl was particularly curious. She wanted to see the baby furniture and hear her list of possible names. When she asked where the baby was, Mary was a walking show-and-tell even at four months. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:21-31

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Priceless Work Of Art

Contributed by Dan Buis on Feb 24, 2001

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

As you know, today is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Preparation for today’s worship has been a struggle this week. I’ve struggled between two desires. One is to enjoy celebrative worship. I believe Sunday morning is a time for celebration. We should celebrate, forgiveness, eternal ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Great Mistakes

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 22, 2002

To err is human, to forgive is divine!

Great Mistakes! Thesis: To err is human, to forgive is divine! Text: Mark 14:27-31 "You will all fall away,’ Jesus told them, ’for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee. Peter declared, ‘ ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:27-31, Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational