Sermons on No Effort:

Not By Might But By My Spirit

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Nov 8, 2025

This sermon proclaims that God’s work in rebuilding His temple—and in strengthening His people today—is never accomplished by human effort but solely by the empowering, obstacle-flattening, hope-renewing work of the Holy Spirit.

Not by Might but by My Spirit Zechariah 4:1-9 Let’s begin with the remarkable story of how God’s people — weary from exile yet renewed by hope — rebuilt the house of the Lord. Because of their idolatry, moral corruption, and rejection of God’s prophets, the nation of Judah fell to ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Desperation That Breaks Through Resistance

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 18, 2025

Desperation is often seen as a last resort, but in the life of a believer, it can be the catalyst for divine breakthrough. When we reach a point where all human efforts fail, desperation drives us to seek God with intensity and faith.

DESPERATION THAT BREAKS THROUGH RESISTANCE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 32:24-30 Supporting Texts: Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:1-7, Matthew 15:21-28, Psalm 34:6 INTRODUCTION: Desperation is often seen as a last resort, but in the life of a believer, it can be the catalyst for divine ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:24-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Sermon On A Mother's Special Day

Contributed by William Meakin on Feb 24, 2023

Mothering Sunday, more commonly known as Mother’s Day is a day when most offspring will give thanks and show appreciation for all the efforts and love given over many years from a very special person.

William Makepeace Thackeray, a British journalist and novelist once remarked: “Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.” Proverbs 31:25-29 confirms: Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12, Isaiah 66:13, Psalm 127:3, Isaiah 49:15

God Appoints His Servant To Hard Tasks!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 16, 2024

As one who follows the Risen Lord, you may be assured that Christ has assigned you to do a particular task. And that task will require your finest effort, because God appoints His servant to hard tasks.

“The word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’ Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.’ But the LORD said to me, ‘Do ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Cost Of Holy Living Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jan 28, 2025

Holy living demands self-denial, perseverance, and complete devotion to God. Though it comes with sacrifices, the eternal rewards far outweigh the temporary costs. As believers, let us embrace the call to holiness, knowing that God’s grace will sustain us.

Title: THE COST OF HOLY LIVING By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Luke 9:23 Supporting Texts: 1 Peter 1:15-16, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 5:10-12, Galatians 2:20 INTRODUCTION: Holy living is a command and an essential aspect of the Christian journey. However, it comes with a cost—self-denial, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 5:10-12, Galatians 2:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What You See May Not Be The Truth

Contributed by Paul George on Jun 9, 2006

Because of our tendency to pass quick and critical judgment on others, our Lord has chosen to address this issue. Chapter 7 verses 1-12 addresses an issue plaguing the religion of Jesus’ day and of ours, that of misdirected effort.

What You See May Not Be The Truth Matthew 7:1-12 A while back, I read the very distressing account of an incident in the life of a young bachelor. He worked in an office where every year the boss gave each employee a turkey as a bonus for the holiday season. Of course, the bachelor could never ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-12

Denomination: Holiness

Work Till Christ Comes

Contributed by Jason Spangler on Jul 4, 2006

Your work reflects who your are, so put forth the greatest effort to make the most impact in your work by following Paul’s example to the Thessalonians; remember, vocation is ministry more so that ministry is vocation

2 Thessalonians 3: 6-15 Title: Work till Christ comes: “do what is right” Introduction: How does Eschatology, the theology concerning the second coming, the Parousia (pah-ro̅o̅-seeʹuh), affect our behavior? • Talk of the end of the world tend to make people behave strangely; we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Minimalism

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on May 14, 2003

We often try to get away with putting forth the least effort possible in order to achieve the greatest results. But this is far from a Biblical concept. God has a better idea in mind, as he has already shown in Christ.

Passage: 1 Peter 1:13-21 Intro: One of the most prevalent tendencies among human beings is our desire expend as little effort as possible to achieve our goals. 1. weight loss without diet or exercise, pill. 2. destroy Iraqi regime in a week. 3. “what do I need to do to pass this course” 4. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Longest Day

Contributed by William Yates on Feb 13, 2004

In this text we see the story of how the Israelites faced the armies of five kingdoms in their efforts to defend the Gibeonites. We can learn from this text to trust in a God who would stop the rotation of the world if He needed to.

The Longest Day Joshua 10 The Sun Stands Still 1 Now it came to pass when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai and had utterly destroyed it--as he had done to Jericho and its king, so he had done to Ai and its king--and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 10:1-15

Never Give Up On The Lost

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Aug 26, 2006

This is the second part of a two-part message. The two things needed to reach the lost is (1) compassion, and (2) persistent effort. We cannot remain passive and expect the lost to return. We need to make connections with the lost constantly.

The sinners flock to Jesus, not because He preaches a compromising message but for the way they were treated – Jesus loves them. • The first thing needed for reaching the lost is compassion. • We need to show more compassion to those we need to bring to Christ. • Love makes the different. It ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Man's Control Dissipates Power Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Sep 29, 2003

Man’s effort to control and secure the forces of life generates greed and idolatry. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Man’s system simply does not work – if the goal is a good, Godly life of abundance and peace.

Man’s Failing Control Dissipates Man’s effort to control and secure the forces of life generates greed and idolatry. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Man’s system simply does not work – if the goal is a good, Godly life of abundance and peace. Some things just don’t ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:10-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Free From The Law: The First Question Of Romans 7 Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 21, 2004

Our sanctification (being set apart for God as holy) does not occur through human efforts to keep the law, but through the power of the Spirit animating, motivating, and empowering us to do God’s will. It is a matter of motives and means.

Free from the Law: The First Question of Romans 7 (Romans 7:1-6) 1. Sally was married to Bill for many years. Then one evening Bill had a heart attack and died. Several years latter Sally remarried a man named Jack. Jack was in many ways different than Bill. Bill didn’t like to eat breakfast (he ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Surviving The Wait

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jan 20, 2011

Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do

Opening illustration: A professor in a world-acclaimed medical school once posed this medical situation - and ethical problem - to his students: "Here’s the family history: The father has syphilis. The mother has TB. They already have had four children. The first is blind. The second had died. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Discipline Of Prayer Series

Contributed by David Scudder on May 30, 2009

Since prayer is really just talking to God, then why is it so hard? Some of us have no problem spending a lot of time talking to other people? So why does it take so much effort to talk to God?

Purpose: To show that a false commitment to Christ will cause a lack of desire to pray. Aim: I want the listener to be sure that he is totally committed to Christ. INTRODUCTION: For many years medical science thought that ulcers were caused by stress and spicy foods. But, in 1979 two Australian ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Key To Fruit-Bearing Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Sep 19, 2008

The parable of the Vine and the branches gives us the assurance that however weak and frail we are, God the Trinity can and will produce beautiful fruit in our lives. It is not a question of will power or any kind of self effort. All that is needed is con

Opening illustration: Suppose you walked into your kitchen one morning and found Jesus sitting at the table. What would you do? Would you say: "Jesus! I’m thrilled to see You! I just wish I had time to talk, but right now I’m running late for work. When I get home tonight, we’ll have a nice visit"? ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational