Sermons on Human Effort:

Let You Shine Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Aug 6, 2014

Being the light of the world is a cooperative effort between God and ourselves.

Let You Shine Text: Phil. 2:12-18 Introduction 1. Illustration: Jesus himself said to his disciples, "[L]et your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) 

This is a concept that is sometimes a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Methodist

Psalm 27 - The Lord Of Light And Salvation Series

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Apr 7, 2014

This is another message from my efforts to preach through the Psalms.

THE LORD OF LIGHT AND SALVATION TEXT: Psalm 27:1-14 Psalms 27:1-14 KJV A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? [2] When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Come Let Us Reason Together.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

The failure of our efforts and the glory of Christ's work.

COME LET US REASON TOGETHER. Isaiah 1:10-18. Isaiah addresses his congregation as “rulers of Sodom” and “people of Gomorrah”, and begins to reason with them (Isaiah 1:10). It is all quite shocking: how dare he expose our comfortable, upright congregation to such strong language? After all, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Self-Control": Our Pursuit For Our Growth Part 4 Series

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Sep 7, 2010

Let us make every effort to add self-control to knowledge.

Ever heard of the marshmallow test? Let’s watch this video.[1] [SHOW VIDEO] When Stanford University conducted this famous test in the 1960s on a group of four-year-old children, it revolutionized the emotional intelligence concept. “The researchers then followed the progress of each ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-7

Denomination: Baptist

Get Up PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 5, 2024

This sermon emphasizes that true help and victory come from God, not human sources, and encourages perseverance and faith in God during hardships.

Good morning, beloved. We gather here today, not by chance, but by divine appointment, drawn together by a common bond of love for our Lord and Savior. It's not just another Sunday; it's a day that the Lord has made, and we are here to rejoice and be glad in it. In the book of Mark, chapter 5, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:38-42, Psalm 60:11-12, Psalm 121:1-2

Topics: Vain Help, Man

Experiencing The Word Of God Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 2, 2003

1. Being a student of the Word takes effort. 2. Being a student of the Word turns effort into joy. 3. Being a student of the Word turns the written Word into the Living Word.

Ravi Zacharias, a Christian intellectual who travels around the world lecturing in secular settings on spiritual themes, tells of an experience he had in Columbus, Ohio. He writes, “A few weeks ago, I did a lectureship at Ohio State University. As I was being driven to the lecture, we passed the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:9-16

Denomination: Methodist

Am I A Team Player

Contributed by Robert Donato on Nov 15, 2012

Evangelism and church growth, just like all of life, is a team effort.

Becoming a Team Player Eph 4:1-3 “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3

Denomination: Nazarene

Sin, Righteousness And Judgement Have Changed

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Mar 25, 2015

To show that the divine effort changed all the meaning of sin, righteousness and judgement.

I. EXORDIUM: Are you a sinner? Yes, I am but I am also a son of GOD. Im a sinner forgiven by GOD and in His Grace and Mercy, He gave me the right to become a child of GOD. John 1:12 (Amplified Bible) 1:12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, ...read more

Scripture: John 16:8-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Why Works Won't Work Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jan 24, 2008

Paul stresses the foolishness of trying to get into heaven by our own efforts

WHY WORKS WON”T WORK Romans 4:1-15 Old story of frog that jumped in a bucket of milk. Instead of just giving up the frog began to swim and swim and swim. The frog swam so much that the milk turned to butter and the frog hopped out of the bucket. Great story about working so had that you ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-15

Worship Is A Matter Of Who, Not How

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 1, 2014

If we fail to meet the Lord Christ in worship, our efforts will be futile.

“The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” [1] Christians have been fighting ...read more

Scripture: John 4:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

Marriage Matters Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Mar 25, 2016

Biblical look at marriage, in an effort to restore its rightful place in our thinking

I want to land on my feet in life, don’t you? So, on big subjects that the world is really goofing up right now, we need solid answers. We need to be able to navigate the landing. I’m talking about Christian people being real and our faith making a difference in the way we approach ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Discernment Camp Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 27, 2012

Solomon is training us to develop discernment, the ability to distinguish between truth and lies, integrity and dishonesty, foolishness and wisdom. From his words, we can draw four important principles.

Discernment Camp (Proverbs 20:5-8) 1. Once when Red Skelton was being interviewed he was asked if he ever was at a loss for words. He hesitated a minute then said, "I dreamed I died and went to heaven. Just as I was taken before God, he sneezed...and I just didn’t know what to say to Him!" 2. We ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:5-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Room For Improvement

Contributed by Johnny Carver on Jan 3, 2004

Always exert an effort to improve on the way we serve the Lord in everyday life.

Scripture: Phil. 3:12 – 13 – 14 Title: “Room For Improvement” Introduction: I don’t know how many times I have sat down with someone and encouraged them to “Prioritize” their life. What are the most important things in your life? What would you list as the “Most Important Thing” in your life? – ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Holy Spirit Vs. A Spiritual Nuisance Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 16, 2011

If we serve the Lord in the Spirit's power, God will assist and bless our efforts.

The Holy Spirit vs. A Spiritual Nuisance (Acts 13:4-12) 1. The Upshot newsblog carried a breath-taking article this week: Jordan Rice, a 13-year-old Australian boy, has emerged as a tragic-heroic figure in news accounts of the disastrous Australian floods, after he asked a rescuer to save his ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:4-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Running The Race

Contributed by Willem Slomp on Jan 5, 2005

Make every effort to keep your eyes fixed on the Lord your God

READ: HEBREWS 12: 1- 15 TEXT: HEBREWS 12: 14-15 SING: PSALM 125: 1,4 PSALM 18: 7, 9, 10 PSALM 38: 7, 8, 10 HYMN 9: 1-5 HYMN 10: 1, 9, 10 Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, brothers and sisters: The author of the letter to the Hebrews begins chapter 12 by picturing a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed