Sermons on Human Effort:

Relying On The Work Of The Spirit

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Apr 5, 2022

When we bear witness to the saving power of Christ, we must rely on the Spirit to empower our efforts.

Jesus had told them to wait—His first disciples, I mean. He had given them important work to do—the most important work of all, actually—but He had told them not to attempt it just yet. No. They were to wait. “Don’t give,” He said, “until you have received. Nothing can be done by you until ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-41

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Blood, Sweat, And Tears In The Church Of God

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Dec 27, 2017

Blood, swat and tears is hard work and effort in the church to be and accomplish all that God wants from your church.

Prayer- Introduction- This morning I want to talk a moment about the church. I say by sermon title the church of God because there are churches out there that I believe never ask God what He thinks about decisions that are made in His church. I believe there are churches that are nothing more ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:4-5

Denomination: Nazarene

The Law Vs. Grace Vs. Faith PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 7, 2025

God’s promises are received by faith, not by our efforts; grace, not performance, secures our acceptance and hope in Christ.

Some of us walked in today with lists—mental ledgers of what we did right and where we fell short. We carry them like heavy backpacks. We whisper, “Maybe if I try harder, God will be pleased.” And our hearts grow tired, tight, and tentative. Then we come to Romans 4 and hear a fresh breeze blow ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:13-16

Topics: Grace, Gift

The Tower Builder And The Warring King Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jul 28, 2009

We examine two parables that deal with discipleship and specifically the carefully weighing the cost of following Jesus. No matter where you are spiritually, Jesus calls us to seriously consider discipleship.

The Parables of Jesus The Tower Builder and the Warring King Luke 14:28-32 July 26, 2009 This week we are going to turn to two parables that are about discipleship. It is a “Who from you…” parable. This refers to the phrase in verse 28 of Luke 14 that in the NIV says, “suppose one of you.” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:28-32

Denomination: Church Of God

The Mediator

Contributed by C.j. Moffett on Sep 9, 2003

Is the full deity and humanity of Jesus simply an item of academic theology, or does it give human faith and redemption meaning?

Illus: I was about 10 years old at the time. My mother had been remarried for about a year and a half. Both she and my step-father worked, and it was summer. We children needed a baby-sitter. So my step-father arranged for his mother to sit us~~our Aunt Betty. I know what some of you are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:3-7, John 14:6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Good Shepherd And Church Unity Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 20, 2013

The Council Fathers recognize the obstacles to human unity, and the key to bringing humans together under the leadership of the Good Shepherd.

Monday of 4th Week in Easter 2013 The Good Shepherd The prophet Isaiah complained, with the voice of God, “all we like sheep have gone astray.” This was truly said of the Hebrew people, and their Jewish descendants. Every time God rescued them from the results of their own bad ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Denomination: Catholic

Rejoicing In God's Lagniappe Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Oct 8, 2011

Paul wanted the Philippians to know how wonderful it was to serve Christ and praised their efforts to be the servants God called them to become...

Sermon Brief Date Written: October 6, 2011 Date Preached: October 9, 2011 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: A Series from Philippians Sermon Title: Rejoicing In God’s Lagniappe Sermon Text: Philippians 4:10-20 [ESV] Introduction: Here as Paul concludes his ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom's Children Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 3, 2017

Know your mother and throw out the other. Stop trying to earn your way, and start enjoying your way to heaven.

Mary Hickey talks about the time when she was expecting her first baby. Then, a six-year-old neighbor girl was particularly curious. She wanted to see the baby furniture and hear her list of possible names. When she asked where the baby was, Mary was a walking show-and-tell even at four months. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:21-31

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Gospel & Who We Are Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 23, 2008

The Gospel is not about 1) Pleasing People; 2) A Human Centered Message; 3) A Human Devised Message, but a 4) Christ Centered Message.

Now that the Olympics are wrapping up in Beijing, one of the strangest events took place. International Olympic Commission President Jacques Rogge said that Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt was disrespectful to his rivals. He saw it as a disrespectful display of Ego as Usain won gold in the men’s ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:10-12

Denomination: Other

The Road To Peaceful Relationships Series

Contributed by Bradley Kellum on Aug 25, 2009

The road to unity is paved with humility. Paul shares 5 reasons why we should express humility in an effort to foster unity.

Paul’s Thesis: Let me give you five reasons you should express humility and pursue unity. Why Should I Express Humility and Pursue Unity? REASON #1: I AM ENCOURAGED BY CHRIST’S PRESENCE. Paul asks these Philippians a rhetorical question that does not need an answer. He asks, "Do you ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Worthless, Worthless Garbage

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Feb 8, 2011

To be transformed by God is to show that everything that everything else we have pursued so intensely in life amount to no more than "a pile of dung."

Worthless, Worthless Garbage Phil 3:1-11 Feb 6, 2011 Intro: How many of you know what this is: I’ll give you a hint: it is the world’s third most valuable commodity, after sugar and coffee. I’ll give you another hint – next week is valentines’ day and millions of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be The Person God Wants Me To Be Series

Contributed by Patrick O'loughlin on Nov 27, 2007

How can I become the person God wants me to be?

Text: Galatians 3:1-14 Title: How to be the person God wants me to be Introduction “Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.” (v1b) Many of you have seen the movie “The Passion of the Christ”. The Passion of The Christ was a great movie because... 1.It was the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God And Government Series

Contributed by John Oscar on Sep 27, 2020

A look into how Christians interact with human government

God and Government Romans Series CCCAG September 26th, 2020 Scripture- Romans 13 I'm going to be honest with you. Out of all the scriptures in Romans, this is the one that I wanted an excuse to avoid because it’s the scripture that everyone will have a strong opinion about, and even more ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Imperishable Price Of Redemption Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Dec 6, 2024

In 1 Peter 1:18-19, the apostle Peter reminds believers that they were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

In 1 Peter 1:18-19, the apostle Peter reminds believers that they were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. This verse highlights the imperishable nature of our redemption and the immense value of the price that was paid for our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:18-19, Hebrews 6:17-18, Ephesians 1:7

Immovable PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 4, 2023

Encourage believers to stand firm in their faith, fully commit to serving God, and find assurance in the fact that their efforts for the Lord are never in vain.

Good morning, church family. It's always a blessing to gather together in God's house. Today, we're diving into 1 Corinthians 15:58, where Paul writes, "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58

Topics: Abounding, Work, Lord