Sermons on Not Striving:

Joseph-Dreams Can Come True Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 10, 2021

A dream can be an escape from reality, but it can also be an alternative to a present inadequate reality. A dream can provide an ideal toward which we strive and thereby change reality for the better.

Vanna White, the glamorous star who shows the letters on Wheel of Fortune, was a leader in her church youth group in North Myrtle Beach, North Carolina. Her pastor wrote about how he asked her, when she was a senior, what she was going to do after graduation. She responded that her dream was to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:2-20

Staying In Step (Mother's Day 2010).

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 21, 2021

The Holy Spirit is at work in godly mothers who strive to raise their children the way that they are to go so that they will not depart from it. ... . This sermon tells the story of George Foreman's mother.

STAYING IN STEP (Mother's Day 2010) Text: John 14:23 – 29 John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and ...read more

Scripture: John 14:23-29

Denomination: United Methodist

Dreams Can Come True Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 24, 2021

A dream can be an escape from reality, but it can also be an alternative to a present inadequate reality. A dream can provide an ideal toward which we strive and thereby change reality for the better.

Vanna White, the glamorous star who shows the letters on Wheel of Fortune, was a leader in her church youth group in North Myrtle Beach, North Carolina. Her pastor wrote about how he asked her, when she was a senior, what she was going to do after graduation. She responded that her dream was to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:2-20

Eclipse Of The Heart (March 27, 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 23, 2022

This morning let us strive to look at this story from a different angle as we give weight to the bitterness and indifference of the elder brother. Today we will focus on the hungry heart and the alienated heart.

ECLIPSE OF THE HEART Text: Luke 15:1 - 3, 11-32 Luke 15: 1 -3, 11- 32  Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.  (2)  And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: United Methodist

Perfecting The Saints

Contributed by Wilson Oshorakpor on Jul 4, 2022

God demands holiness and perfection from his children. As saints of God, believers must strive to constantly abide in God's presence and depend wholly on him to attain perfection.

TEXT: 1 Peter 5:10 "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." GOD DEMANDS PERFECTION No matter how close you are to God, you must strive for perfection ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10, Psalm 138:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Exceeding Expectations Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jun 16, 2023

Jesus said that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. This means that He wants us to exceed the spiritual expectations prescribed by the Law; as we are to strive for excellence in our walk with God.

I have entitled our message, “Exceeding Expectations,” and I want to begin by sharing a true story. A contractor in Mexico was hired to build a Catholic Church, but he used cheap materials in order to make more money. He reasoned that the quality of the materials did not matter, so long as the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-22

Denomination: Baptist

Seek Things From Above Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jun 24, 2023

“Seek” implies striving, and “Set your mind” implies concentration. “Mind” includes understanding, attitude, and will. It means to employ one’s faculty for thoughtful planning, emphasizing the underlying disposition.

Text: Colossians 3:2 Theme: Seek things from above KJV: Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. CSB: Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Lightfoot: All your thoughts must abide in heaven, not on the earth. Phillips: Give your heart to the heavenly ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:2

Denomination: Methodist

Pursuing Righteousness

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jan 28, 2025

Righteousness is a journey that requires dedication and dependence on God. By pursuing righteousness, we grow closer to God, reflect His character, and become lights in a dark world. Let us prioritise righteousness, trusting God to guide and sustain us in this pursuit.

Title: PURSUING RIGHTEOUSNESS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Timothy 2:22 "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Supporting Texts: Matthew 5:6, Proverbs 21:21, 1 Timothy 6:11, Isaiah 51:1, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:22, Matthew 5:6, Proverbs 21:21, 1 Timothy 6:11, Isaiah 51:1, Philippians 3:12-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

You Might Be A Pharisee

Contributed by Tiger Gullett on Apr 12, 2002

Jeff Foxworthy has made famous "You Might Be A Redneck" jokes. Nobody wants to be a redneck! Well, we should strive to not be a Pharisee. This message gives signs for, "You might be a Pharisee.."

*8 WARNING SIGNS THAT YOU MIGHT BE A PHARISEE IF..." ------------------------------------------------------- I. YOU ARE OUTWARDLY CLEAN BUT INWARDLY UNCLEAN (V39-41) a) IN OTHER WORDS YOU TALK A GOOD TALK BUT YOUR INSIDES ARE UNCLEAN 1. From the outside a Pharisee looks good, but inwardly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-52

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is In The Spotlight? Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Oct 4, 2002

Are you striving to capture the attention of the world or to even make God take notice of you through your righteous achievements? The glory of man does not endure–it pales in comparison to the glory of Christ.

In Greek literature, Virgil wrote about the plight of humanity and how something new needed to be done to help man out of his predicament. In Greek thought, God was removed, a mere spectator, like someone observing a play in an amphitheater or a stadium– –sometimes intervening in a helpful way ...read more

Scripture: John 13:31-38

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Conformation And Transformation

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 20, 2002

The world wants you to conform to its thinking and its ways but what is needed is a transformation achieved through the new birth experience. Once achieved, we are to strive to be conformed to the image of His Son.

CONFORMATION AND TRANSFORMATION “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 I. Worldly conformation…the “ easy and popular way” “Enter in at the narrow gate; ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Baptist

Run The Race Of Faith

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Oct 28, 2003

As we run the race of faith, we run away from the love of money and we run after godliness with contentment. We run striving with the strength that comes from God’s promises

Run the Race of Faith Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Word of God through which the Holy Spirit works contentment in our hearts today is 1 Timothy 6:6-12 [Read the text] Dear friends, who find contentment in Jesus: A story is told about New ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Work Six Rest One! (Labor Day)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 6, 2022

We all have different ideas about what would be the ideal life, and we all strive to acquire it. We will never have the ideal life until we get to heaven.

Some say that heaven will not be heaven for some people. Illus: That reminds me of the story one of the fellows in church told me. He told me that Bill, Ron, and Jack all died and went to heaven. When they got there, they discovered the most beautiful golf course they had ever seen. St. Peter ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:15-20

Denomination: Baptist

In Remembrance (2022 Version) Maundy Thursday

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 12, 2022

We strive to live out all that Jesus taught us about being His disciples. Our legacy involves living out what we believe in our thanksgiving, holiness and harmony.

IN REMEMBRANCE (2022 version) Maundy Thursday Text: I Corinthians 11:23-26 1 Corinthians 11:23-26  For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread,  (24)  and when he had given thanks, he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Denomination: United Methodist

The Dark Side Of Halloween Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Oct 31, 2025

May this sermon serve as a reminder of God's love and the importance of living a life that honors Him. May we all strive to live in the light of His love and avoid the darkness of the world

Reasons Why Halloween is Demonic 1. Halloween originated from ancient pagan festivals that worshipped false gods. (Deuteronomy 12:30-31, 2 Corinthians 6:14-17) 2. It involves occult practices, divination, and spiritism.(Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Galatians 5:19-21) 3. The holiday promotes fear, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:17, Galatians 6:7-8