Sermons on Human Effort:

Lost

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Apr 26, 2010

Even when our efforts are not always aligned with his intentions and we make mistakes and sometimes make a mess of things, he knows the heart

LOST 2 Kings 22:1-20; key verse: 13 INTRO Pastor Wayne Cordeiro, Leading on Empty writes of his daughter, adopted when only three days old. The apple of his eye, Abby, compromised her faith and morality, making choices that expelled her from College and for two years was searching for her ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 22:1-20

Denomination: Salvation Army

Service - Pit Stops Along The Way

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Jan 19, 2009

Giving without heart is nothing more than dutiful response in an effort to relieve us of guilt or convince ourselves we’re good people.

The American Memorial Day weekend automobile race known as the Indianapolis 500 (a.k.a. Indy 500) attracts 400,000 spectators every year! It is probably the largest single sporting event that draws such a large crowd. The race requires many pit-stops – tire changes, fuel, oil, or repairs when ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Denomination: Salvation Army

New Year -Goodness Of God

Contributed by Bala Samson on Dec 31, 2018

He watches your efforts, your patience, your steadfastness and God would surely reveal His goodness in a mighty way in His time.

Goodness of the Lord Jeremiah 31:12” You will be radiant [with joy] over the goodness of the LORD—For the grain, for the new wine, for the oil..” Friends! Wish you all a blessed New Year - 2019! May the Hands of the Lord be upon you, your family and all that you do this year! I am excited to ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Why Doesn’t The American Church See More Changed Lives?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2018

A look at Jesus' selection of the twelve disciples and what that means for the way that we should organize our efforts if we want to have maximum impact.

THE BEST STRUCTURE: Does the American church have the best structure for changing lives? - Matthew 10:1-4. - Here I have a golf club. If I need to dig a hole, I can make it happen with a golf club. Now, it certainly will not be particularly efficient, but I will eventually get the job done. A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Walk Out Of Church Doing Nothing With What You Heard Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Jul 6, 2021

Be a doer of the Word of God and you will not be deceived plus you will be blessed beyond your own efforts. You cannot out do God! Amen.

INTRODUCTION: Last week, we talked about a falling away from the faith that must occur before the end comes. This falling away is going to be the result of deception that will blanket this world. The Scripture is quite clear: 2 Thessalonians 2:3 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:3

Denomination: Baptist

Smell Good Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 13, 2024

When you feel defeated, trust Christ to use your feeble efforts and faltering speech to make an eternal difference in people’s lives.

A marathon, for most runners, seems long, but it is always 26.2 miles. Always. Except for the Lakeshore Marathon held in Chicago on Memorial Day weekend 20 years ago (2005). That day the 529 runners who finished actually ran 27.2 miles, one mile more than they were supposed to. Only, nobody told ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Harvest Time PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 29, 2023

The sermon emphasizes trusting God's process, acknowledging that spiritual growth comes from God's work through us, not from our own efforts.

Good morning, everyone! I'm so glad to see all of you here today, ready to lean into the Word of God and see what He's got to say to us. We're going to spend some time in 1 Corinthians today, specifically in chapter 3, verses 6 through 9. So if you've got your Bibles, go ahead and flip with me to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

Topics: Trust, Process

Rise To Action PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 4, 2024

This sermon explores aligning our hearts with God's will, overcoming obstacles through faith, and fostering collective effort for transformation, inspired by Nehemiah's story.

Good morning, beloved! It is indeed a joy and a privilege to stand before you today, to share and to learn from the Word of God. Our hearts are united in this sacred space, bound by our shared love for the Lord and our desire to draw closer to Him. As we prepare to unpack the profound wisdom found ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-10

Topics: Courage, Go

Weariness PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 27, 2025

Faithful, unseen acts of kindness matter deeply to God; persist in doing good, trusting that your efforts will bear fruit in His perfect timing.

Some days feel like a long string of unnoticed kindness. A parent packing lunches after a long shift. A nurse offering a smile under a mask. A teacher giving one more call to a student who’s fallen behind. A caregiver who holds a trembling hand at midnight. Seeds of goodness go into the soil, and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9-10

Topics: Perseverance

Justification

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 31, 2025

Justification is one of the most profound doctrines of the Christian faith. It is the divine act by which God declares a sinner righteous on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ.

JUSTIFICATION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." – Romans 5:1 Supporting Texts: Romans 3:24, Galatians 2:16, Titus 3:7, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 2:8-9 INTRODUCTION Justification is one of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Axes Upon Thick Trees

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Aug 2, 2006

A thick tree requires more effort than a tender plant in cutting it down.God wants you to become His battle axe, to cut down such trees.

Jeremiah 51:20-23: ”Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider; With thee also ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 51:20-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Face Of Fasting At A Holy Marriage Series

Contributed by Paul Kallan on Mar 4, 2003

To fast means to integrate the gospel into human life. It is the unity of the two opposites between the difficulty to overcome the human tendency to evil and the joy of embracing the Word of God.

Once there was a father with a son who was lazy. He tried to convince his son that he should join him in the work on his farm. The son was not convinced. The father was actually worried, how his son would earn his living after his death. Therefore, before his death, the father called his son and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:18-22

Denomination: Catholic

The Role Of The Son In The Redemption

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 8, 2025

Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, left His heavenly glory to become human in order to save humanity. This act of divine condescension was not for His benefit but ours.

THE ROLE OF THE SON IN THE REDEMPTION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: John 10:17-18 "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it ...read more

Scripture: John 10:17-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

His Pains, My Gains (The Power Of The Cross)

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 16, 2025

The cross of Jesus Christ remains the most powerful symbol of love, sacrifice, and redemption. It was on that rugged cross that heaven’s mercy met humanity’s misery.

HIS PAINS, MY GAINS (THE POWER OF THE CROSS) By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Isaiah 53:3–6 (KJV) “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Supporting Texts: John 19:1–30, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:3-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

It’s Kingdom Time! - Sermon On Mark 1:14-15 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 6, 2023

The arrival of the kingdom demands an immediate human response: repent and believe

Mark 1:14 After John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!” Introduction: Jesus Won You’re traveling with a friend, walking north from Jerusalem and you see off in the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-15