Sermons on Not Striving:

The Call To Sainthood Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Mar 19, 2024

As Christians, we are summoned to strive for sainthood. In this message Dr. Vorce initiates the conversation into the essence of a saint, the path to becoming a saint, embodying saintliness, and the hope of a saint. “...called to be saints:..” (Romans 1:7)

An Exegesis of Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. • Sainthood Defined: ONE SET APART, CONSECRATED, HOLY ONE... (Let’s see what the Commentators say…) • In the NT the word hagios, when used ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:7

Denomination: Church Of God

Marks Of A Healthy Church

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on May 20, 2024

Within the necessary unity of the church, there is also beneficial diversity. Such unified diversity seems like a paradox, but in reality, it is a thing of beauty. Healthy churches must strive to promote unity and diversity at the same time.

Marks of a Healthy Church Ephesians 4: 11-16 In the preceding verses of chapter four, Paul has spoken about the unity that is necessary within the body of Christ in order for the church to be effective in daily life and service unto the Lord. Within this necessary unity, there is also beneficial ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Lost Oil - Refilling What's Been Depleted Series

Contributed by Barry Tallis on May 3, 2025

This sermon addresses spiritual depletion and teaches believers how to be refilled with the Holy Spirit through surrender rather than striving, emphasizing the power that comes when divine presence is prioritized over performance.

INTRODUCTION Church! Last week we talked about the broken altar - that place of worship and surrender that many of us have neglected. Today, we're diving into something equally critical - THE LOST OIL! In Scripture, oil represents the Holy Spirit, the anointing, the presence of God. And let ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:6, Psalm 46:10

The Vineyard PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 29, 2023

This sermon aims to explore the depth of God's love for us, as illustrated in The Parable of the Vineyard and the concept of being grafted onto Christ the Vine, emphasizing that we are not striving for God's love, but securely planted in it.

Today’s sermon is grounded in Matthew 21:33-46 and Philippians 3:4b-14. We’ll be exploring The Parable of the Vineyard, God's Love Poured Out in Christ, and what it means to be Grafted onto Christ the Vine. You know, it reminds me of something that A.W. Tozer once said: "God never hurries. There ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46, Philippians 3:4-14

Topics: Vineyard, God's Love, Christ

Go! And Be Still: Knowing The Lord In The Storm - Psalm 46:10 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 14, 2025

In a time where chaos seems to rule, where noise fills every moment, and distraction dulls our discernment - "Be still, and know that I am God!" is not a polite suggestion from God. This is a divine command — a call to stillness in a restless world.

Go! And Be Still: Knowing the Lord in the Storm - Psalm 46:10 Psalm 46:10 (NLT): “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honoured by every nation. I will be honoured throughout the world.” Introduction This is not a polite suggestion from God. This is a divine command — a call to stillness ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:10, Exodus 14:14, Jeremiah 9:23-24, Isaiah 46:9-10, Matthew 11:28, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Perfect Father

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Aug 11, 2015

There is the debt of gratitude, the debt of service, and obligation but the greatest debt that a father can teach his children about is the debt of love owed to God the Father for providing a Savior who paid the price for their sins.

Message: There have been many great fathers throughout history who are wonderful examples of self-sacrifice, commitment, leadership and strength. Men who were excellent role models for their children. But Jesus tells us that our Heavenly Father is the greatest of all because He is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:48

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Division For Righteousness

Contributed by Dana Visneskie on Aug 6, 2004

This message talks about how to maintain a Spirit of Unity in the marriage, home and churches. This message explains the difference between Physical unity and Spiritual unity and how we need to strive for Spiritual unity to be blessed.

Title: Division For Righteousness Text: II Chron 10:15 and II Chron 11:4; I Kings 11:29 Read Text!!! Pray!!! Introduction: Two men were riding a bicycle built for two when they came to a steep hill. It took a great deal of struggle for the men to complete what proved to be a very steep climb. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 10:15

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Tree Of Goodness Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 12, 2006

The Bible tells us that we should strive for goodness in our lives... but Jesus said no one was good except God. How can we be asked to do something that only God can accomplish?

Open with audience reciting the following verse: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...” Galatians 5:22-23a OPEN: A preacher once spoke of the fact that some of the people in his congregation had gotten in the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Yeast And The Narrow Way

Contributed by Richard Francis on May 19, 2007

This is about the yeast of the Holy Spirit working in us, making us more like Jesus, helping us to walk the narrow way between the kingdom of this earth and the kingdom of God as we strive to serve Jesus.

The woman and the yeast, the Kingdom of God is… Luke 13: verse 20 - 21 Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.“ Yeast is also referred to as Leaven Leaven was a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:21-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"The Big Game"

Contributed by Ben Randall on Feb 4, 2007

A coach wants from his football team, what God wants from His church team. - With one exception. – We aren’t striving for a trophy that lasts for a year, but for the trophy that will last for eternity.

THE BIG-GAME! I. Today at 6PM EST, the Indianapolis Colts will meet the Chicago Bears on a field of battle in Miami, Florida. They will be contending for a trophy that tells the world that they hold the title of Super Bowl champions. – It is the “big day” for football fans. – We will watch teams ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It's Not Fair

Contributed by Carl Allen on Dec 6, 2007

Seeing the vision of God and hearing the voice of God made a tremendous difference in Habakkuk’s life. We also need to strive to see what it is that God has for us and listen for His guiding direction

It’s Not Fair Habakkuk 2 Intro This chapter reports an experience Habakkuk had that is similar to one recorded by the psalmist Asaph in Psalm 73. He was bewildered at the providential working of God in the world: he was disturbed because the wicked seemed to be prospering while the righteous ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Qualified

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 6, 2003

“Qualified” is a welcomed word for anyone who strives to reach a definite goal in any area of life (athletics; employment; academics, etc.). How infinitely more thrilling to be declared “qualified” for an eternal home in heaven!

QUALIFIED “Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

Is Jesus Really The Only Way To Heaven? Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on May 27, 2012

There are at least several dozen different religions in the world if not hundreds. There are many people in remote areas of the world. There are millions of people who are striving to live a good life, and there are many millions who do not believe in J

GodQuest - Is Jesus Really the ONLY way to Heaven? If Jesus is the only way… What about People who are Moral? What about people who are Other Religions? What about people who are Unreached? Slide Intro Good morning. This week we are finishing up our GodQuest series. We have been looking at some ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lost Our First Love

Contributed by Mark Engler on Sep 28, 2017

The application to this is if we put Jesus first in our lives and if we continue to strive for Him, continue to draw ourselves close to Him, He will improve us and make us more like Him everyday.

Lost Our First Love ME I love Jesus and I love being a minister of Christ. I honestly believe being a minister is the most important thing I could do on the face of the earth. I love to preach and teach God’s word and I’m glad He led me here to MVC. Honestly though, He chose a tremendously ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Provision & Presence Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 20, 2013

Our age and our culture teach us that we can never be satisfied, but must continually strive towards satisfaction by the things we amass. The Psalms have a different approach. In them we l

Psalm 67 is a little short psalm of just 7 verses, but they burst forth with praise just as we should knowing what God has done for us! 1 – 2 Notice that the psalmist wants the favor of God, not so he can be blessed primarily, but so that others will know God’s way of salvation. ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel