Sermons on Human Effort:

The Magi Surface Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 21, 2015

The visit of the Magi piques our curiosity but also reveals the importance of honoring Jesus Christ — no matter how much effort it takes.

The Magi Surface (Matthew 2:1-12) 1. Some people think the Bible teaches that the fruit Adam and Eve ate in the Garden was an apple….. probably a fig. Most of us know the Christmas narratives fairly well, but we often assume things that the text does not actually say. 2. Lin Smalec writes, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Grace At Work 3 Series

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Aug 12, 2012

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Dakota Community Church August 12, 2012 Grace at Work - 3 Unity According to our passage unity depends upon four primary things the first one being: 1. How we treat one another Four qualities are given as the correct treatment of each other here: Ephesians 4:2-3 Be completely humble and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3

Denomination: Mennonite

God's Welfare Program And Handfuls Of Purpose! Series

Contributed by Victor Ramlall on Feb 26, 2013

The law of gleaning demonstrates God's provision for the poor who are required to make a diligent effort as opposed to the welfare system that exist in our day.

Ruth 2:15-18 KJV And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: 16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not. 17 So she gleaned in ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:15-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Evangelism Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Feb 15, 2019

The early church was successful in their efforts to reach the world around them for Jesus and Acts 4:32-35 gives us insights as to why.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Have you ever wondered why you have tried to do something, but it did not seem to work? • You put time and effort into the endeavor, yet at the end of the day, it just did not work. • Then maybe you tried again with the same result, so after a while, you just gave up. • As ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon On Speed Of Achievement

Contributed by William Meakin on Feb 13, 2023

Achievement is defined as a thing done successfully with effort, skill or courage. Unless failure occurs, it is usually the given result in any task or endeavor.

Marcus Tullius Cicero, a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar and philosopher once remarked: “It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, force of character, and judgment.” Ephesians 1:11 confirms: “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:5, 2 Peter 3:9, Amos 9:13-15, Isaiah 40:31

Solemnity Of The Ascension Of The Lord And Mother's Day

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Apr 11, 2024

We are chasing a sense of enoughness. But it remains ever out of reach, and the effort and anxiety are burning us out. American "performancism."

Martha Campbell said of flunking her final exams and the resulting report card, and what her parents did: "I got a no TV for a week in math, a no dessert for a month in history, and a just wait 'til your father gets home in social studies." My seminary Bible teacher said, “The ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:15-20, Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

Exercising Yourself Unto Godliness

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Mar 20, 2022

Godliness is a necessary condition to enjoy the blessings of the kingdom of God. Every believer must make conscious efforts and discipline to live a godly lifestyle.

Exercising Yourself Unto Godliness Study Text: 1 Timothy 4: 7 - 8 Introduction: - As Christians, our priority must be kept on eternal things which cannot be seen, and not temporal things which are seen. - Paul tells Timothy that the same work and commitment that others put towards ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Joy Of The Lord PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2025

True strength comes not from our own efforts, but from receiving and resting in the deep, sustaining joy that Jesus freely gives to us.

Some weeks feel like a treadmill stuck on high speed. Emails multiply, news headlines weigh heavy, and the to-do list seems to lengthen while our energy shortens. Maybe your smile has been performing overtime while your heart has been running on empty. Friend, you’re not alone. And you’re not left ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10

Topics: Joy

Hold On PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 11, 2025

The sermon encourages perseverance in doing good, assuring that faithful, unseen efforts matter and will ultimately yield a harvest in God’s perfect timing.

Some of us walked in today a little weary, a little worn, and a little wondering. You’ve been faithful in the small things—praying for prodigals, blessing neighbors, showing up for work with integrity, holding your tongue when it would be easier to snap, trusting God when the calendar feels crowded ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Topics: Perseverance, Endurance

Where Dwellest Thou?

Contributed by Victor Ramlall on Jan 20, 2014

Christians are more than earth bound creatures; we are called to dwell with Him, in the secret place of the Most High, in the heavenlies far above all principality, mights and dominion and every name that is named, in this world and the world to come!

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-39

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Sick Church, A Lame Man, And Two Broke Preachers

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 10, 2020

The churches of this day confront broken humanity. Whether we attempt to touch those who are broken through our wealth or with the power of Christ depends upon how we see ourselves as servants of the Lord.

“Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Can God Have A Son?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jun 20, 2009

Nothing is too hard for God!

My understanding is that Islamics and even some groups who use the term Christian have a problem with Jesus being the Son of God. After all, one means one how can God have a Son? While I understand that the doctrine of the Trinity or Tri-unity of God is hard for the human mind to grasp, it is ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 48:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Jesus? Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 3, 2008

History records that he was a great man. Yet he had humble beginnings. He grew up in a small village, an ordinary boy who did nothing to draw attention to himself. Like most boys his age, he attended school. He also worked in the family business and did

A Great Man History records that he was a great man. Yet he had humble beginnings. He grew up in a small village, an ordinary boy who did nothing to draw attention to himself. Like most boys his age, he attended school. He also worked in the family business and did his best to grow up strong and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:13-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Tail Of Two Kingdoms

Contributed by Andy Payne on Jan 16, 2010

The reason why there is so much muck in the world is due to the battle of the wills. Jesus wants this to be different. But for it to be different—we need to surrender our wills to his wills and be like him.

The Tale of Two Kingdoms James 4:1-6 Intro: Charles Dickens Tale of Two Cities Pub. 1859 Historical novel Around French Revolution end of 18th C The Two Cities are i. London and Paris ii. The Old Paris (before the Revolution) and the New Paris (after) Thought to be a metaphor for the ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Sanctity Of Life Sunday 2014

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 22, 2014

Sanctity of Life includes assisted suicide as well as abortion but abortion is the predominate abuse of life in America today. This sermon deals with the tragic consequences to the abortive mother as well as the judgement of the US because of this sin.

Today has been designated as Sanctity of Life Sunday On a January 13, 1984 proclamation, President Ronald Reagan designated January 22, 1984 as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day. The date was chosen to coincide with the 11th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case that first ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 59:1-3

Denomination: Nazarene