Sermons on Run In Vain:

A River Runs Through It

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 4, 2024

Paradise began with a river flowing from the Garden, and in Heaven a river flows from the throne of God. The message is a brief consideration of the role these rivers play in the economy of God.

“A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold” [GENESIS 2:10-11]. “The angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:10-11, Revelation 22:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Jacob: A Captive On The Run

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 24, 2024

We have become captives to situations and occurrences in our lives. Because of the failure of others and yourself in life, anxieties are skyrocketing, and you become a stronger captive to these situations.

Opening illustration: Illustration of Sadhu Sundar Singh and how he was a captive till he came to Jesus dramatically. His life did a complete 180. Illustration of Saul who was a persecutor of Christians and a captive to the system and world changes. Introduction: In Genesis 32 we see Jacob as a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:24-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Running The Race With Perseverance

Contributed by Antonio Manaytay on Nov 21, 2024

This sermon explores the three key principles in running the race: laying aside hindrances, fixing our focus, and enduring until the finish.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2 "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." Introduction: The Race of Faith Life is often compared to a race. It’s not a sprint but a marathon—one that requires endurance, focus, and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Running The Race With Patience

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Sep 16, 2025

The Christian life is a spiritual marathon that requires endurance, discipline, and a steadfast focus on Jesus Christ to reach the finish line and obtain eternal rewards.

RUNNING THE RACE WITH PATIENCE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Hebrews 12:1-2 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Empowered To Run And Not Be Weary Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 30, 2025

God has not called you to run the race of life in your own strength. He has made supernatural strength available to help you run and not be weary, to walk and not faint.

EMPOWERED TO RUN AND NOT BE WEARY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Isaiah 40:28-31 "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:28-31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

They Will Soar, They Will Run, They Will Walk

Contributed by John Gaston on Jul 25, 2023

Isa. 40:31 tells us the source of our strength and the three stages Christians can be traveling in, and yet be revived in. Lastly, we note the way we can renew our strength.

THEY WILL SOAR, THEY WILL RUN, THEY WILL WALK Isa. 40:31 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A little girl was getting quizzed by her Sunday school teacher to determine how well she knew the Bible. The teacher asked several questions, and the poor girl had not answered any of the questions correctly. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Running The Race To Win!

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 2, 2023

The Corinthian version of the Olympics was something the people of Corinth knew well. Paul used this knowledge to show how believers could win, or lose, rewards depending on how each one runs his or her race.

Based on a message preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO; not an exact transcription. Introduction: Paul had led many Corinthians to faith in Christ during his stay there (see Acts 18). Now he’s away from them and he’s pointing out some problems these new believers were having. Here in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Time Is Running Out

Contributed by James Lowe on Aug 3, 2023

Time is running out for this world

Time is running out Ephesians 5:16 “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Redeeming the time= making the most of your time) Romans 13:11 in the NLT version, “This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation (deliverance) is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Running From God Series

Contributed by Mark Lindsey on Aug 7, 2023

The prophet Jonah is an interesting study, for his response to God’s call upon his life often mirrors our response when God calls upon us to be obedient to Him.

“RUNNING FROM GOD” JONAH 1:1-17 The prophet Jonah is an interesting study, for his response to God’s call upon his life often mirrors our response when God calls upon us to be obedient to Him. The Book of Jonah contains four chapters. Each chapter describes Jonah’s struggle to submit to God’s ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Come Home Running Series

Contributed by Jacob Burdette on Aug 14, 2023

A look at what we as Christians and we the church must do.

Come Home Running If you have your Bible, please open it to Joel Chapter 2. John ordered flowers to be sent to the opening of his friend’s new branch office. When John`s friend got there, he was shocked to see the flowers with the inscription. “Rest In Peace.” He was so outraged that he stopped ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:12-17

Running The Race Victoriously PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2023

Encourage believers to persevere in their faith journey, endure God's discipline as a sign of His love, and strive for holiness, keeping their focus on Jesus and the reward of righteousness and peace.

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ! Today, we're going to be delving into a powerful passage from the book of Hebrews, Chapter 12, verses 1 to 11. It talks about running the great race of life, sticking with it even when it gets tough, and keeping our eyes on the prize. It's all about ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-11

Topics: Finishing, Race, Well

Therefore, Run The Race Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 21, 2023

As we continue our therefore series, we take a look at Hebrews 12, and how we are the run our race.

Part of my misspent youth was spent hanging around Racehorses and those who bet on horse races. I’ve mentioned before that my sister and I both had horses when we were teenagers, and when we lived in Hammond River, just outside of Saint John, New Brunswick, we boarded them at a farm that provided ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-7

Denomination: Wesleyan

When The Running Stops

Contributed by David Dunn on Jan 12, 2026

When life’s motion slows and striving no longer sustains us, God reveals that true strength comes from knowing Him, not from constant movement.

I’ve done a little to-ing and fro-ing in my day. I traveled around the world five times by the age of eleven. So movement came early for me. Packing, leaving, arriving, starting over—those weren’t dramatic events; they were normal. Motion felt natural. Stillness had to be learned later. So ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 11:32, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 34:8, John 17:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Running For What Lasts

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Feb 1, 2026

This morning we look at how St. Paul calls us to run the race with eternal purpose, drawing lessons from the Ancient games of Corinth.

Running for What Lasts GOOD MORNING. We have a great Gospel lesson this morning. But I spent a whole hour on very recently at our Wednesday Night Bible Study. However, there are two things I want to grab from it before we jump to our Epistle lesson this morning. First, the parable’s main point is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Anglican

Running Your Race

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Oct 25, 2025

“Running Your Race” calls believers to reject comparison and discouragement, embrace their God-given lane with faithfulness and joy, and keep their eyes fixed on Jesus—the One who empowers, sustains, and rewards every step of the journey.

Running Your Race I remember the first time I attended a large Christian conference. Though we all shared a love for the Lord and His Word, this “unknown” attendee quietly wondered if anyone could see past the mask of confidence—past the polished smiles and ministry talk—to the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:45-46, 1 Samuel 18:7, Mark 12:43-44, 1 Corinthians 3:5-7

Denomination: Baptist