Sermons on Human Effort:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Better Than New

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Jan 6, 2013

Many people are "into" restoration of antiques and artifacts, but restoration of human relationships and human beings is much more difficult. Christ not only "restores" but makes sinFULL human beings better than new.

Better than New Romans 5:6-12 I. NO one is exempt from sin. (Rom 5:12) A. Everyone is a sinner because everyone sins. (Rom 3:23) B. Adam’s “bad apple” seed ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Water, The Wilderness, & The Wedding

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Aug 3, 2021

The grand mystery of our universe could be the wonder at the complexity of the stars and planets and galaxies. It could be the cells of the human body, DNA, or the united function of the human body systems, or the brain, it could be human works of art...

The grand mystery of our universe could be the wonder at the complexity of the stars and planets and galaxies. It could be the cells of the human body, DNA, or the united function of the human body systems, or the brain, it could be human works of art, or the mystery of how an unborn baby forms in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17, Luke 4:1-13, John 2:1-12

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Contributed by Johnny Carver on Dec 20, 2003

This is a message that attempts to draw our attention to the reason the Gift of Jesus is so indescribable when it comes to man’s efforts to describe Him.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15 Title: “The Gift That Keeps On Giving” Purpose: To encourage people to develop a relationship with Jesus. Introduction: Another very appropriate Scripture for the beginning of this message is, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15, 2 Corinthians 9:15-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

How To Be Right With God (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Sep 22, 2007

In Romans 3:21-25a, Paul gives us seven elements of the righteousness that God divinely imputes to those who trust in his Son. This sermon looks at the first element.

Scripture In his commentary on Romans, John MacArthur notes that centuries ago Job asked the most important question it is possible to ask: “But how can a man be in the right before God?” (Job 9:2b). That is, “How can anyone be right in the presence of God?” Job then said of God in Job ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Is The Great Prophecy In Isaiah Chapter Nine Concerning Jesus' Birth? Series

Contributed by Sean Lester on Feb 4, 2016

This passage inspires hope that a savior would come to save people from the destruction humans and humanity bring upon themselves.

The Junior Bible Quiz Sermon Series What is the great prophecy in Isaiah chapter nine concerning Jesus' birth? For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Pentecostal