Sermons on Human Effort:

Crossed Boundaries

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 17, 2020

Jesus crossed boundaries to encounter humanity in our deepest need.

March 15, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson John 4:5-42 Crossed Boundaries Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” Jesus had traveled a long distance for ...read more

Scripture: John 4:5-42

Denomination: Lutheran

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

The Role Of Government Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Nov 15, 2016

Human government and human leaders are ordained of God. How do their roles intersect with faithfully living as a disciple of Jesus Christ? That is the focus of this sermon.

As a pastor, there are two things I try never to talk about in church: religion and politics. Well, here we go! Not only talking about both subjects, but wedding them together in a message series. Let me offer some disclaimers as we begin. This will not be a message series that “takes ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

The God Who Breaks Protocols Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 31, 2025

Protocols are created by men, but miracles are orchestrated by God. He operates above human systems and disrupts human order for divine order to manifest.

THE GOD WHO BREAKS PROTOCOLS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Esther 4:10-17 Supporting Texts: Genesis 41:14, Matthew 8:1-3, Luke 13:10-13, 1 Samuel 16:11-13, Daniel 3:28-30 INTRODUCTION: There are seasons in life when established systems and rules appear to hinder progress, and when man-made ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:10-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

No Fault Of Mine

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 20, 2025

Jesus stood on humanity’s fault line, bore our blame, and made us faultless in grace—secure on the unshakable ground of mercy

> “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (ESV) --- Introduction – The Medal, the Fault Line, and the Mirror A church once gave their pastor a medal that read “Most Humble Pastor.” They took it back the next Sabbath—he wore it to church. That little story ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Psalm 40:2, Hebrews 12:28, Isaiah 53:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

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

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

Salvation PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 3, 2025

God’s grace meets us in our brokenness, offering forgiveness and new life through Jesus, not by our efforts but by His love and sacrifice.

Friends, welcome. If you walked in today with a weary heart, a worried mind, or a wound that won’t seem to heal, you’re in good company. We bring our whole selves to God—our victories and our valleys, our bright smiles and our buried secrets. Deep down, we sense something is wrong, and we long for ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Topics: Salvation, Romans Road

The Folly Of Man

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Aug 2, 2003

As farcical as was the building of the tower of Babel, it is not one wit more so than for any man to attempt to gain heaven by his own efforts or good works.

“THE FOLLY OF MAN” "Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. "Then they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They had brick ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Hope That Comes From Faith Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Dec 24, 2017

This is the 46th sermon in the series "3:16- Numbers That Bring Hope".

Series: 3:16- Numbers That Bring Hope [#46] THE HOPE THAT COMES FROM FAITH Galatians 3:16 Introduction: This morning, as we continue our “3:16- Numbers That Bring Hope” Series, I want us to also continue in our Advent Series. The word “Advent” means “arrival”, and it refers to the arrival of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Being Properly Dressed PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2025

Relying on God’s strength and prayer, not our own efforts, equips us to stand firm and face life’s battles with confidence and peace.

Friends, you made it here today—some with a spring in your step, some with a sigh in your chest, and some just barely holding it together. That’s okay. God loves honest hearts. Maybe you’ve been standing in a storm: the phone call you didn’t expect, the bill you can’t pay, the diagnosis you don’t ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Topics: Armor, God

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

Tis The Season

Contributed by Tony Klinedinst on Mar 14, 2003

We examine the Christmas season, weeding through the "hub-bub" in a effort to find the true treasure in celebrating our Savior’s birth.

Tis’ the Season . . . Matthew 1:18-23 I. Christmas makes us believe in miracles. (v. 18) A. What is a miracle? 1. Miracle = “a work of a supernatural origin and character that could not be produced by natural agents and means.” 2. Illus.: USA hockey beats Russia 1980? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

Portraits Of A Father From Proverbs Series

Contributed by Duane Smith on Jun 17, 2007

The purpose of this message is to encourage fathers to take the time and put forth the effort to raise their children in a godly way therby becoming the glory of their children.

PORTRAITS OF A FATHER FROM PROVERBS Proverbs 13:1; 15:5; 27:10; 22:28; 17:6 INTRODUCTION: A. Happy Father’s Day Fathers. 1. If you are here with your dad you are privileged to do so. 2. There are many who would like to be but cannot - enjoy the time together. B. On Mother’s Day we ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 13:1

Denomination: Baptist

#2run--Pass The Baton--Run

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 20, 2009

This is part #2 of a series Run and Pass the Baton. We are in a hard race, we must prepare and learn this is a team effort. PASS THE BATON!

#2.... PASS THE BATON: RUN, RUN, RUN... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I do this two part lesson in a 4 part lesson... I bought a RUNNING BATON at a local sport’s store. The metal one was $8.95, the plastic was $2.50. One could make a baton out of a wood dow. We start with a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:28-31

Denomination: Assembly Of God