Sermons on Human Effort:

The Gospel & Who We Are Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 23, 2008

The Gospel is not about 1) Pleasing People; 2) A Human Centered Message; 3) A Human Devised Message, but a 4) Christ Centered Message.

Now that the Olympics are wrapping up in Beijing, one of the strangest events took place. International Olympic Commission President Jacques Rogge said that Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt was disrespectful to his rivals. He saw it as a disrespectful display of Ego as Usain won gold in the men’s ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:10-12

Denomination: Other

Kill The Rose?invest Alittle More?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 9, 2002

Roses have thorns, but this cannot be our focus? Would you invest a little more effort and look beyond the thorns?

Kill the rose, or give it another chance? Give it another chance? Wade Martin Hughes, Sr Kyfingers@aol.com Text: Luke 13: 6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7. Then said he unto the dresser of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:6-9, Galatians 6:9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

One Prayer Closer To God

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 30, 2006

Effort to show that pursuit of closeness with God is the sure path to fullness of joy and can be helped by the use of the Psalms as a basis for prayer

1. Title: One Prayer Closer To God 2. Text: Psalm 16 3. Audience: Villa Heights Christian Church, AM crowd, April 3, 2005 -for the people to understand how the Psalms are prayers to be used in our prayers to God, and how this Psalm describes the close relationship we should be seeking with ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Message Of Salvation

Contributed by Leonard Davis on Jul 23, 2009

Picking yourself up by your bootstraps is a great idea but the impossibility of doing that is like finding salvation by your own efforts.

GOD’S MESSAGE OF SALVATION A Call to Faith We have heard the expression "Pick yourself up by your bootstraps." The picture this brings to mind is that of someone pulling on his or her shoes and as a results being lifted off the ground. In a way, this is rather humorous when we realized the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

"The World Is My Parish" -The Life Of John Wesley Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on May 17, 2015

John Wesley's faith-journey and his efforts to revitalize faith in England and America, which led to the establishment of the Methodist Church.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was born in 1703 from a devout Anglican family in Epworth, England. His father Samuel was a minister; his mother Susanna spent quality time with each child and was determined to bring her many children to a clear understanding of Christian teachings. Both of ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:5-9

Denomination: Congregational

How Then Shall We Live Series

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 11, 2011

In this last sermon in the 2 Peter series, we focus on the effort that we must put forth to be ready for the coming of the Lord.

Introduction: A. The story is told of a minister who visited an elderly woman in the nursing home. 1. The young minister said, “At your age you should be thinking about the hereafter!” 2. The older woman said, “Oh, I do all the time. No matter where I am – in my room, down ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:11-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Surrender Series

Contributed by Betty Johnson on Jan 12, 2011

This is the second in the holiness series of messages speaking of the importance of surrender in the life of the believer, as opposed to trying to be holy in our own efforts.

Holiness Unto the Lord Surrender Scripture: 1 Thess. 4:1-8 Text: 1 Thess. 4:3 Last week I introduced a series called, “Holiness unto the Lord” and I suggested to you that most denominations have a doctrine of holiness. And we were reminded last week that God calls us - God’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Denomination: Wesleyan

Draw Near To God: Three Obstacles To Overcome

Contributed by Barnabas Park on Jan 6, 2019

In our efforts to draw near to God, we have three things to overcome: myself with sinful nature; the world; the devil

“Draw Near to God” (James 4:1-10) 1/6/2019 1. What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10, Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer Keys - Persistence Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Oct 27, 2011

Please forgive me for stating the obvious, but persistent prayer is hard work. It drains us. It is hard, but it is eventually worth the effort.

Prayer Keys - Persistence “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1 Have you seen that cartoon with the pelican having a frog for dinner? His dinner is not agreeing with him. In fact, his dinner is violently ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Half-Way Discipl

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 6, 2017

Jesus specifically targets, in this passage, the excuses we might use to give half-effort when being His disciple.

“Half-Way Discipl…” LUKE 9:57-62 INTRODUCTION… THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT DO HALF-WAY (P) There are somethings in life that we should never do half-way. Most things in life we should give our best effort, persevere, and see to completion. Giving half-effort while swimming means that you drown and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Same Old Same Old--Vs Change

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 17, 2022

We are commanded to grow in grace. Real growth demands effort and a good plan. Will we stay the same and refuse to change?

THE SAME OLD SAME OLD VS. CHANGE By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com WHAT IF A CATERPILLAR DESIRED TO STAY A CATERPILLAR? CHANGE: Let us look at complete metamorphosis. There are four stages of growth. EGG, LARVA (CATERPILLAR), PUPA (COCOON), ADULT (BUTTERFLY.) Maybe use the frog: ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 13:23, 2 Peter 3:18, Job 14:13-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Tenacious Love - 1 Peter 4:8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 26, 2025

No matter how deep your love, it can grow cold. We must make every effort to keep it growing.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8

Don't Get Tired Of Doing Good PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 3, 2023

Explores the importance of doing good for the right reasons, persevering in our efforts, and the impact of unwearied goodness on our lives and community.

Good morning, everyone. It's such a joy to see you all here today, ready to delve into God's word together. We're going to be focusing on a passage from Galatians today, specifically Galatians 6:9-10. But before we get to that, I want to share a quote with you. It's from A.W. Tozer, a man who had a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9-10

Topics: Not Getting Tired, Doing Good

There Are Two Sides To Every Story PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 16, 2023

Explores the transformative power of a relationship with Christ, emphasizing that true change comes not from self-effort, but from looking to Jesus.

Good morning, beloved family of Christ. It's a joy to see each and every one of your smiling faces here today, ready to share in the Word of God. Before we get started, let's just take a moment to read the Scripture we're going to be talking about today. It's from 2 Corinthians 5:17, and it says, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Topics: New Story

The All-Sufficient One (God's Unlimited Power) Series

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Sep 6, 2025

Your impossible situation is not too big for God. Today we discover El Shaddai, the all-sufficient One who specializes in accomplishing what seems utterly impossible.

The All-Sufficient One I AM Series: From Burning Bush to Bethlehem Main Text: Genesis 17:1 Supporting Texts: Genesis 18:14, Luke 1:37 Theme: God's Unlimited Power Introduction Abraham sits outside his tent at ninety-nine years old. He stares across the desert sand. Thirteen years have passed ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:1, Hebrews 11:11-12, Exodus 3:14, Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalm 13:1-2, Romans 4:19, Genesis 18:11, 1 Corinthians 1:27, 2 Peter 1:4, 1 Kings 17:12, Matthew 14:17, 2 Corinthians 4:7, Ephesians 3:20, Psalm 50:10-12, Genesis 17:2, Philippians 4:19, Romans 8:28, Hebrews 13:5, Numbers 23:19, Matthew 11:28, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Genesis 12:10-20, Genesis 20:1-18, Romans 4:20-21, Philippians 4:13, Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 6:26, Romans 6:14, Genesis 21:8-14, Habakkuk 2:3, 2 Peter 3:8, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Genesis 18:14, Luke 1:37, Ephesians 3:20-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational