Sermons on Human Effort:

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

What Is Worship?

Contributed by Samuel M on Mar 24, 2024

Worship is the spontaneous and automatic reverential action or response we perform after seeing God. Bowing down, singing a song, kneeling down, facedown and so on are examples of actions used to adore, praise, and glorify God.

Then the LORD appeared to him by [a]the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground – ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-2

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

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

Naughty Or Nice Christmas 2025: Choose A List

Contributed by Troy Borst on Dec 11, 2025

The purpose of the birth of Jesus Christ was and is the salvation of the human soul.

NAUGHTY OR NICE: CHRISTMAS 2025 CHOOSE A LIST REVELATION 12:1-17 #naughtyornice INTRODUCTION… Origin of N & N List, wiki/Santa_Claus_Is_Comin%27_to_Town Our Christmas series this year is called “Naughty or Nice.” If I am honest, it is just a gimmick to make a series of sermons. The idea of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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 Value Of One Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jan 23, 2001

Human life is full of dignity and worth because we are made in the image of God -- Jesus sees the value of every human being and calls us to do the same.

The Value of One Rev. Brian Bill 1/21/01 An elderly man was out walking along the beach early one morning when he noticed a teenager ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Catching up with the youth, he asked him what he was doing. The student responded by saying that ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

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

Salvation PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 4, 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

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

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

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