Sermons on Human Effort:

What The Hell... Is It?

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 3, 2025

Hell is not God’s cruelty but humanity’s final refusal of love—the tragic absence of the presence that could have been heaven.

PART 1 — The Whisper Beneath the Questions Sometimes life feels like a hallway with too many closed doors. You step forward, expecting something good, and the moment your hand reaches for the doorknob, it locks. You pray, and nothing moves. You wait, and nothing changes. You do everything you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:28, 1 Timothy 6:16, Deuteronomy 32:22, Ezekiel 33:11, Revelation 21:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Challenges Of Rebuilding

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jun 2, 2014

This was a presentation to the Canadian Valley Technology Center near OKC) on the anniversary of the EF-5 tornado that destroyed their facilities. They are in the process of rebuilding. This was to encourage their moral in the effort.

1. Daniel and Ezekiel Webster Doing Nothing Lawyer and statesman Daniel Webster was a powerful orator who gave early evidence of his quick mind and his way with words. One day Webster’s father, was to be absent from the home. He left Daniel and his brother Ezekiel specific work instructions. ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

The Bewitching Hour PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 5, 2025

Relying on the Holy Spirit’s power, not our own efforts, keeps our focus on Christ and sustains us daily by God’s grace.

If you’ve ever started your morning with grand intentions and then tripped over your own shoelaces by lunch, you’re in good company. We set the coffee, open the calendar, whisper a prayer, and head out the door with a heart set on Jesus. Then the rush hits. Emails multiply. Expectations pile high. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-3

Topics: Bewitching Hour, Spiritual Influence

It Is The Mandate That Cures The Madness

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Sep 20, 2025

Mandate speaks of divine authority, purpose, and assignment. Without God’s mandate, efforts to address spiritual, moral, or societal problems remain powerless.

IT IS THE MANDATE THAT CURES THE MADNESS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Mark 5:1-20 Key Verse: “And he said unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” – Mark 5:19 Supporting Texts: Luke 4:18-19, Isaiah ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Justification By Faith Apart From Works

Contributed by Glenn Robinson on Aug 5, 2002

This sermon show how Abraham, David, and all believers are made right in the sight of God based on their faith apart from any efforts of their own

The question of the ages is "How can sinful man be made right in the sight of a Holy God?" Can we work for it ? Ro. Ch 1-3 show that all are sinful. Paul asks the question "How were the Patriarchs justified?" I) ABRAHAM WAS JUSTIFIED WITHOUT WORKS Vss. 1-3 A) ABRAHAM’S WORKS Vs. 2 If ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Missing It

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Dec 12, 2008

Despite the best efforts of the P.C. crowd the gospel can be seen and heard everywhere at this time of year but... how many are "Missing It"?

Dakota Community Church December 14, 2008 (am) Missing It Galatians 4:4 4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons John 1:10-12 10He was in the world, and though the world was ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-5

Denomination: Mennonite

Heaven's Door Is Narrow

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Nov 13, 2009

Pentecost 14 (C) - Heaven’s door is narrow. By only trusting in God’s grace alone will believers live to make every effort to enter.

HEAVEN’S DOOR IS NARROW (Outline) September 6, 2009 -- PENTECOST 14 -- Luke 13:22-30 INTRO: Today Jesus points out that the door to heaven is narrow. This does not mean that heaven is full. The Lord’s will is to see all mankind saved. But not all people are saved! Why? When left on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: Lutheran

We Preach Christ Not Ourselves

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 1, 2018

How are we to understand the New Testament? Are some of its instructions now irrelevant to us? Should we preach ourselves, our denomination, or popular opinion which contradicts the New Testament?

Prelude How are we to understand the New Testament? Are some of its instructions now irrelevant to us? Should we preach ourselves, our denomination, or popular opinion which contradicts the New Testament? Purpose: Let’s examine the popular notion that we can ignore or reinterpret clear New ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-12

Denomination: Baptist

Turning Religion Into Relationship

Contributed by Devin Hudson on Feb 18, 2002

John sermon series--8th sermon

Turning Religion into Relationship “Nick at Night” John 3.1-15 3 men died and were standing at the pearly gates. What have you done to deserve Heaven? 1st—police officer, enforced law, fought crime. Peter, “OK, go on in.” 2nd—very wealthy and gave lots of money to charitable causes. Peter, “OK, go ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15, John 3:1-21, John 3:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Why Jesus Was Raised From The Dead

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Sep 15, 2015

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST IS ESSENTIAL FOR SALVATION TO BE AVAILABLE TO HUMANITY. BY JESUS CHRIST’S DEATH AND RESURRECTION GOD HAS SOLVED HUMANITY’S SIN PROBLEM AND HAS CREATED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GUILTY HUMANITY TO STAND BEFORE HIM AND BE JUSTIFIED..

WHY WAS JESUS RAISED FROM THE DEAD MATTHEW 28:1-8 THROUGHOUT HISTORY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO EXPLAIN THE MYSTERY AND MEANING OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST. HOW DOES IT HELP US AS WE STAND BEFORE GOD AS OUR RIGHTEOUS JUDGE? AS WE SHALL SEE TODAY, THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST IS ESSENTIAL ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Sanctity And Service

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jul 14, 2023

Christians cannot be transformed by default. ... When it comes to worship, we have to put forth an effort because sincere worship does not happen by default.

Romans 12:1-2  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  (2)  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: United Methodist

Open The Door As Wide As A Needles Eye! Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Aug 11, 2010

With mankind it is impossible for us to gain our salvation through our own effort. God has made it possible because with God all things are possible!

The first of two camels in this sermon series Think of a time when someone has asked you instructions to get somewhere. What about this scenario? Someone asks you, what do I have to do to get into Jade Stadium to watch the test games in the 2011 Rugby World Cup? I think the answer would be a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Salvation Army

Opened Eyes, And Burning Hearts

Contributed by Jacob Holmes on Nov 25, 2002

What happens with Divinity,and humanity unite.

Opened Eyes, and Burning Hearts. Unaware of the reality of the resurrection of Christ, two men embarked on a two hour journey, that was interrupted by the son of God himself. They spake as if he were just another prophet, and believed as if he were still dead, all the while, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-36

Denomination: Church Of God

Right In Their Own Eyes Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on Dec 14, 2001

The story of Abimelech demonstrates the shortfalls of Human Wisdom.

Right in their Own Eyes Text: Judges 9 Introduction The Poem "Smart" by Shel Silverstien (from Where the Sidewalk Ends--available at your library) Judges 21:25 "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit" or "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" Proposition:. ...read more

Scripture: Judges 9:1-53

Denomination: Assembly Of God