Sermons on Human Effort:

Live In Unity Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Aug 22, 2012

The Church is one body. Unity is worth the effort.

Introduction “An architectural magazine is responsible for the statement that the members of a Presbyterian church in Waterloo, Iowa, have constructed a new church building out of a single large rock. Stone was scarce, and while looking about for a possible quarry their attention was called ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Christian Church

The Kingdom Way – Grace Over Fairness. Matthew 20 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Aug 9, 2025

MATTHEW 20: GRACE, GREATNESS and THE GOD WHO SEES. GOD’s kingdom operates on grace, not human merit. GOD’s grace defies human fairness, greatness is measured by servanthood, and spiritual sight is found in recognizing JESUS.

2025.08.10. Sermon Notes. THE KINGDOM WAY – GRACE OVER FAIRNESS. Matthew 20. GRACE, GREATNESS and THE GOD WHO SEES. William Akehurst, HSWC SCRIPTURES: Matthew 20:1-34, Romans 9:15-16, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Peter 1:10-11, Revelation 22:17, Matthew 7:21-23, John 15:16, James 4:6, Ephesians 4:1 BIG ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-34, Romans 9:15-16, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Peter 1:10-11, Revelation 22:17, Matthew 7:21-23, John 15:16, James 4:6, Ephesians 4:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Make A Difference

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Apr 27, 2017

have the right attitude about work - share the effort

Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Denomination: Episcopal

Sacrificial Investments

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Aug 10, 2006

To be a Christian, it takes a life-time of effort, obedience, and sacrifice.

IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT “THERE IS POWER IN THE PRESENCE OF A RISEN SAVIOR TO SOLVE OUR DIFFICULTIES, REMOVE OUR PERPLEXITIES, CALM OUR FEARS, EASE OUR BURDENS, DRY OUR TEARS, MEET OUR EVERY NEED, TRANQUILIZE OUR MINDS AND SATISFY EVERY CRAVING OF OUR HEARTS.” THE POWER THAT RAISED OUR SAVIOR FROM ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-46

Denomination: Free Methodist

Sermon On The Rewards Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on May 12, 2022

A reward is defined as a thing given in recognition, effort or achievement.

John Burroughs, an American naturalist and nature essayist once remarked: “To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:33-34, Hebrews 11:6

"Israel’s Experience With Human Kings” When God Says No Series

Contributed by Rev. Clarence Eisberg on Oct 27, 2015

What do you do when God says “No”? How do you feel when God says “no”? Are you happy? Do reject His suggestion and try to find your own way?

The Game of Thrones- Israel’s Experience with Human Kings” “When God Says No” What do you do when God says “No”? How do you feel when God says “no”? Are you happy? Do reject His suggestion and try to find your own way? In Scotland a family ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Christmas - Glad Tiding Of Great Joy

Contributed by Gary Regazzoli on Dec 22, 2019

Here’s the question. What is the deeper reason for celebrating Christmas? What is the reason for the season? Do we need it?

Time of the year – Family, food and fun, but it is also a time to think about the deeper questions of life – but also to ask the question, “is there a purpose to it all?” • Here’s the question. What is the deeper reason for celebrating Christmas? What is the reason for the season? Do we need it? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14, John 3:16-17, 2 Corinthians 8:9

Denomination: Christian Church

Special! Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 17, 2020

If we are so special, how special God must be!

Special! (Psalm 8) 1. Some people are truly special: Aug. 13 (UPI) -- A 95-year-old California man known to neighbors as "Bicycle Bob" was treated to a celebration after he logged his 100,000th mile of cycling… he took up cycling when he retired in the 1990s and has been logging ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Abraham: A Journey Of Faith - A Journey That Begins With God Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Sep 11, 2016

Our journey of faith begins with God, not our efforts.

Can you finish this well-known saying? “A journey of a thousand miles begins with…a single step.” That’s what the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu observed 2600 years ago and the point of the saying is to encourage action when facing a daunting task which threatens to paralyze ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Where's Waldo? Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Aug 27, 2007

Seeking means intentional effort to find. Finding Waldo is not always easy. Neither is finding his kingdom and his righteousness. Yet it is worth the effort.

When I think of seeking or searching, “Where’s Waldo?” The busy pictures where you search for Waldo and other objects that often blend into the rest of the picture. You have to search and search to find him. Sometimes it is easy and it jumps right out at you but usually it is not. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:31-34

Denomination: Church Of God

Go! And Believe The God For Whom Nothing Is Impossible - Luke 1:37 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 17, 2025

"For nothing is impossible with God." This is a promise so short a child can memorise it, yet so powerful it can reshape a life, a family, a church, and an entire future.

Go! And Believe the God for Whom Nothing Is Impossible - Luke 1:37 INTRODUCTION – A GOD WHO BREAKS IMPOSSIBILITY Church, there is a sentence in Scripture so short a child can memorise it, yet so powerful it can reshape a life, a family, a church, and an entire future. It is a sentence spoken in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:37, Luke 1:26-38, Genesis 18:14, Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 19:26, Ephesians 3:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Living Faith / Dead Faith

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Sep 21, 2007

The Bible speaks of a faith that is dead and living faith that empowers the Christian life. This study examines the scriptures that teach about faith and explain how that faith is not the product of man’s efforts, but the gift of God.

Living Faith / Dead Faith Over the last several months I have been praying for God to reveal more about faith to me. As I study the scriptures, I realized that there is much I have yet to understand. This study is the result of a lot of seeking and praying. While I believe that God has answered ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3

Denomination: Baptist

What Was In The Cup?

Contributed by C Matthews on Aug 15, 2001

What did Jesus really see in the cup of his Father’s will while praying at Gethsemane?

What Was In The Cup? Several years ago I had an uncle that was in the hospital preparing for open heart surgery. I went into his hospital room early on the morning of surgery and we talked a little about the surgery and I asked him if he was scared. He responded quickly with, "No!" He told me ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Baptist

I Believe In Pontius Pilate Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jul 13, 2003

1. Jesus Christ humbled himself. 2. Jesus Christ surrendered himself. 3. Jesus Christ gave himself to save us.

The Apostle’s Creed, which we are studying, is a creed of contrasts. Listen to the stark opposites to which we profess faith: “I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary.” From that great pronouncement of Christ’s uniqueness, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-27

Denomination: Methodist

The Perseverance Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Mar 19, 2007

1. He faced opposition from people. 2. He faced the evil of a fallen world.

Annie Dillard is one of my favorite authors. In her book Teaching a Stone to Talk, she writes: “You don’t have to sit outside in the dark. If, however, you want to look at the stars, you will find that darkness is required. The stars neither require it or demand it.” Darkness is a part of the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-4

Denomination: Methodist