Sermons on Human Effort:

Zechariah's Fifth Vision: Empowered For Service Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 19, 2022

How will we finish the assignments God gives us in life? In this vision, God gave Zechariah the timeless principle that answers that question. This vision in Zechariah 4 has a lampstand and two olive trees. What do they represent? What message is God sending His people in this vision?

Intro Zechariah 4 records this prophet’s 5th vision. As in the previous vision (chapter 3), God is addressing the concerns Zechariah and his companions had in their assignment to rebuild the temple and restore worship in Jerusalem. The concern dealt with in the previous visions was how can we be ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 1:9, Zechariah 2:3, Exodus 25:31-40, Matthew 5:14, John 9:5, Isaiah 60:1-3, John 8:12, Mark 11:22-23, Luke 4:18-19, Acts 1:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Justification Through The Gospel By The Triune God Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 4, 2018

1) A believer’s experience of the Lord Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:1), 2) of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:2-4), & 3) of God the Father (Gal. 3:5) are incontrovertible evidence of having been graciously made acceptable to God through personal faith in the perfect, complete work of Christ.

If you are a fan of classic TV, you will remember the show Bewitched. It is the longest running supernatural themed sitcom of the 1960s–1970s. The focus of the show is on the mixed marriage of a nose-twitching witch, Samantha Stephens (Montgomery), and her mortal husband, Darrin (originally played ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-5

Denomination: Other

Understanding The Present Time 

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Oct 18, 2000

Christian people need to be fully aware of the present time.

INTRO.- ILL.- I have a 3-year older brother named Larry. When he was a senior in high school I was a freshman. They called him "Big Shep" and me "Little Shep." (BUT YOU CAN CALL ME, BIG SHEP!) One day in gym class I got into a fight with a guy 2 years older than me. He was a junior. His name was ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Galatians Part 6: "Watch Your Step!"

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 12, 2005

Watch your step and make sure that you are not deceived by the sinful nature. Remember to be careful not to burn yourself out doing the good for the Kingdom of God. Then we need to remember that being a new creation is what this life is all about.

Galatians Part 6 – “Watch your Step!” On the lighter side this morning: Opening Illustration: A Synagogue’s Custom A young scholar from New York was invited to become Rabbi in a small old community in Chicago. On his very first Shabbat, a hot debate erupted as to whether one should or should not ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seven Words One Friday - 1 The Word Of Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Apr 4, 2012

❶ We Hear the Fulfillment of Prophecy (Isa. 53:12 ❷ We Hear Christ’s Identified with His People ❸ We Hear Of God’s View of Sin Ignorant or Not ❹ We Hear About the Blindness of the Human Heart ❺ We Hear Him P

Luke 23:34 - Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do 10 Famous Last Words 10 This doesn't taste right. 9 "I can make this light before it changes. 8 Now watch this. 7 "Why yes honey, I do think you look fat in that dress. 6 Let it down slowly. 5 Nice doggie 4 It's probably ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:34

Denomination: Baptist

The Throne, The Scroll, And The Lamb Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Sep 30, 2010

We humans strive to create an extravaganza that blows us away ie. Olympic opening ceremonies. Maybe we’re trying to create our own experience of heaven’s spectacle. But even Hollywood couldn’t recreate what we hear about in these chapters of Revelation, w

Probably the most spectacular sight I have ever seen was in Disney World this past winter, and it was a show called Fantasmic. Fire, music, water, lasers, holograms, lights, dragons, fireworks, battles. You couldn’t take your eyes off it, it was so spectacular. We humans strive to create an ...read more

Who Do You Believe? Who Is Driving Your Car? (Session 1) Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 23, 2010

As humans, we function best when we let God be in the driving seat. Maybe our pride does not like it, but we need to be led and directed in life by having a close connection with our Lord. Every one of us at some time of our life has chosen to shove God o

Who is driving your car? Imagine for a moment that you have decided to buy a car. Rather than head off down the London Road to one of the many car dealers, or one of the used car supermarkets at Lakeside, you decide to visit the massive Toomey dealership on Cherry Orchard Way to look at new cars. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Praying In Great Distress

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Apr 9, 2017

When Jesus was preparing for the greatest ordeal any human would ever face--the one who had never sinned to be cut off from his Heavenly Father--he went to God in great desperation. We can and should do the same when we face the inevitable trials of life.

Matthew 26:36-46 Praying in Great Distress Jesus is our example in all things, and today he shows us how to take our anxious thoughts to God. I heard about a guy who was anxious in his driving. He was cutting off people, weaving in and out of traffic. Then he got inpatient at a yellow light, as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 5:20, 1 Peter 5:7

Denomination: Baptist

A Brief Glimpse Of Heaven

Contributed by Craig Condon on Oct 13, 2015

In order for us to understand the resurrection, we have to expand our ideas about who and what God is and what we can do. We can’t limit God with our own limited human reasoning. God continually surprises us. The future he has planned for us is glorious.

Have you ever wondered about what life will be like in heaven after we die? If so, you’ll be interested in what Jesus has to say about the subject in the passage from Luke 20:27-38. The Sadducees’ question about the resurrection was a ridiculous one because the Sadducees did not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-38

Denomination: Anglican

Rejoice And Again I Say Rejoice!

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Jun 27, 2021

God knows what’s around the corner, He knows what’s up around the bend. He knows and that’s all we need to know! That’s where the hard part comes in, because human nature feels like we ALWAYS need to know more!

Rejoice and again I say Rejoice! So lift your hands and praise the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy endures forever! (Psalm 106:1) Hebrews 13:15 15. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Everyone ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:15, Psalm 91:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Day Of Reckoning Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 15, 2022

In Romans 2:1-5, the Apostle Paul presents three principles by which God will judge sinful humanity on The Day of Reckoning. He does so on the basis of: 1) Knowledge (Romans 2:1), 2) Truth (Romans 2:2–3), and 3) Guilt (Romans 2:4–5).

Romans 2:1–5. Therefore, you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-5

Denomination: Other

Measure Upon Measure – Sorrow – The Restoration Of God - Part 7 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 4, 2025

This world is overtaken by sorrow in people’s lives. Sorrow came about through the entry of sin in Eden and marks so much of human living. Jesus was the Man of Sorrows and He lived among sorrow and took our sorrows on the cross. His was a sorrowful road as we see what He did for us.

MEASURE UPON MEASURE – SORROW – THE RESTORATION OF GOD - Part 7 CHAPTER 4 - THE FOURTH CONSEQUENCE Are we not continually bombarded through television and magazines with a variety of advertisements showing groups of people smiling and laughing, seemingly with the world at their feet? What the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:16, Isaiah 53:3-4, Matthew 23:37, John 19:15, Matthew 21:9, Matthew 26:37-38  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rentless Love

Contributed by Patty Groot on Aug 4, 2025

Today’s passage is one of the most vulnerable, heart-wrenching moments in the entire Bible—not from a human being, but from God Himself. It’s raw. It’s emotional. And it’s all about the relentless love of God for His people—even when they run from Him.

I want to begin today by asking a question that might hit close to home for some of us: Have you ever loved someone who didn’t love you back? You gave and gave, and they walked away. You sacrificed, you showed up, you forgave—again and again—but they just… didn’t return it. Maybe it was a child. A ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 11:1-11

Sermon # 4 - In God's True Image Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Mar 12, 2025

God’s image in us as human beings is what makes us special. But, we should also bear in mind that we are the temple of the living God and He dwells within us. Only when we live in total obedience to His word will all of our confusions be turned to peace and rest.

We read in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (ESV) The word of God counsels us ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8, Genesis 11:3-4, Genesis 1:27, Matthew 11:28, Genesis 11:4, Isaiah 66:1, Acts 17:24, Genesis 9:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Character Study Of Tamar Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 24, 2025

Tamar’s story teaches us that God’s justice prevails over human failures. Though she was wronged, God turned her situation around, making her an important link in the lineage of Christ. Her faith and courage ensured that she played a vital role in God’s redemptive plan.

CHARACTER STUDY OF TAMAR – RIGHTEOUS WOMAN WHO SECURED HER LINEAGE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 38:26 "And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more." Supporting ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 38:26, Matthew 1:3, Ruth 4:12, Hosea 10:12

Denomination: Assembly Of God