Sermons on Human Effort:

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

The Man Behind Christmas

Contributed by Roger Wilson on Dec 16, 2005

An exploration of the human side of Christ

Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:6-33

Good Government Series

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Dec 9, 2011

Human Government at it's best.

Intro: 1. In the early nineties, the leaning Tower of Pisa began to lean too far. Seeing that the 180-foot-high tower would soon become dangerous, engineers designed a system to salvage the twelfth-century landmark by holding the lean constant. First the engineers injected supercold liquid ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Beginnings Of Life

Contributed by Ed Wood on Nov 17, 2006

This is a message on the Sanctity of Human Life.

THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE Genesis 25:23 INTRO: When does human life begin? How often have you heard that question during discussions about abortion? Others look for a point midway during fetal development where the unborn child can be declared fully human. Some even say that life does not begin ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:23

Denomination: Baptist

God's Hand In Creating Life

Contributed by Ed Wood on Nov 17, 2006

This is a message on the Sanctity of Human Life.

GOD’S HAND IN CREATING LIFE Ecclesiastes 11:5 INTRO: Throughout the Old Testament, the development of a child in the womb is described as God’s creative act of making a new person. The means by which a single cell becomes a baby is one of the great unsolved mysteries of biology. Although we ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:5

Denomination: Baptist

"Non-Violent War"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Aug 21, 2015

We are not fighting other humans...

"Non-Violent War" Ephesians 6:10-20 The famous autobiography of Corrie Ten Boom, called "The Hiding Place," tells how the Ten Booms, a Christian family living during the Nazi occupation in World War 2 risked life and limb in order to save Jews and others from certain death in concentration ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: United Methodist

Overview Of God's Will

Contributed by John Romeo Verastigue Etis on Dec 8, 2014

Discovering the whole will of God to humanity.

Read Isaiah 46:9-11 ESV As we grow close in our experience with Him, His Will unfolds in His perfect timing! In this lesson, we will try to explain what the whole will of God is, just in a three statement. I. God's will is Decreed. • This is so known as Providential Will of God. It cannot ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 46:9-11

Denomination: Christian Church