Sermons on Self Effort:

Its Boldly Thrown Out There--"Take Up Your Cross And Follow Me."

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jun 24, 2017

The Cross allows us to "deny oneself" from pure self interest to serve a higher purpose. It's a way for us to continually do a self check, and for us to be sanctified.

13A There is a story by Guy de Maupassant titled "The Necklace." The Necklace is a tale of a young woman named Mathilde who wishes she was rich and also wishes she was accepted in higher social circles. However, her husband is an ordinary French citizen without the resources to fulfill her ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:37-42

Denomination: Catholic

What Will Harboring Pride In Our Hearts Do To Us?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 21, 2024

Pride is self-esteem, confidence, and satisfaction in self. Some people try to run their own lives without God, as if they do not need Him, because they put themselves first.

Obadiah is the shortest book of the Bible. It is titled “The Vision of Obadiah” as it prophesies the judgment to fall on the nation of Edom. The Edomites were descendants of Esau which made them related to the children of Israel (Genesis 25:19-27:45). Because of Edom’s defiance of God, their ...read more

Scripture: Obadiah 1:3-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Freedom's Fruit Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 8, 2017

Defeat the flesh by depending on the Spirit: live by the Spirit and so conquer the desires of the flesh; be led by the Spirit and so conquer the deeds of the flesh; and walk with the Spirit and so enjoy the death of the flesh.

Jo Guerrero’s five-year-old daughter, Barbara, had disobeyed her mother and had been sent to her room. After a few minutes, Jo (the mom) went in to talk with her about what she had done. Teary-eyed, the little girl asked, “Why do we do wrong things, Mommy?” Jo replied, “Sometimes the devil tells ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Love Of God-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 16, 2021

1 of 5. Paul highlighted the necessity of self-giving love to the proper outworking of Christian living. Self-giving love is essential to true Christianity, but How or in what ways is it essential? As A Christian, the Love of God must...

The LOVE Of GOD-I—1Corinthians 13:1-13 Attention: Valentine’s Day is upon us, & our society is confused about the meaning of ‘love’, because it can carry a variety of meanings. In our society ‘love’ is most often portrayed thru books, movies, & television in a sentimental sense or a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Figuring God

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Jun 13, 2005

Despite our best efforts to understand the Doctrine of the Trinity, we can never quite figure God out.

Figuring God John 16:12-15 May 22, 2005 Let’s play a few games this morning. You’ve seen these little puzzles that are called “brain teasers.” Let’s see if you can figure these puzzles out. A customer at a 7-11 store selected four items to buy, and was told that the cost was ...read more

Scripture: John 16:12-15

Denomination: Methodist

Surrendering For Sucess Series

Contributed by Darrell Tomasek on Oct 26, 2005

This sermon explores the fact we must surrender our efforts and will to truly enjoy all that God has for us.

Surrendering for Success Galatians 3:1-9 1. God’s Goal: A. That we would abandon our life to Him (Galatians 2:20). B. That we would walk in the power of His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). 2. The way to failure is clear (1-5): A. Try to accomplish this by obeying the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Commission....our Purpose

Contributed by Paul Gabriel on Mar 18, 2004

Expository message applying Paul’s commission towards the lost while exhorting believers to greater evangelistic effort

Intro Acts 26:16 - But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Essence And Extract Of Jesus Ministry Series

Contributed by Marc Bertrand on Dec 4, 2002

A challenge to match evangelistic effort with social concern in our world. Preached from an evangelistic perspective to an evangelical audience.

The Extract and Essence of Jesus Ministry Introduction: (From Harvey Conn - Planting and Growing Urban Churches) The house is for William and Mary Elliot, both in their sixties. Community residents for over forty-nine years, today, for the first time in their lives, they will own their home. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:29-39

Denomination: Baptist

This Is That!

Contributed by Johnny Carver on Sep 5, 2008

This message deals with the importance of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the believer’s life to be effective in our efforts in ministry.

Scripture: Acts 2:16 Title: “This Is That” Introduction: I am fully persuaded that the disciples of Jesus failed to understand everything that Jesus said to them during the time they spent together. · I am also fully persuaded they stood in awe at the miracles Jesus performed before their very ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Will To Win Series

Contributed by Rob Yanok on Sep 10, 2008

Success and Winning is a product of effort and never occurs by chance, therefore we must be Intentional, we must WILL IT!

“The Will To Win” – Pastor Rob Yanok Text: Joshua 1:8, John 15:16, I Cor. 9:24 Proverbs 21:5 – Says “The Thoughts of the diligent tend only to the plenteous...” I. Thoughts on Winning 1. Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing – Vince Lombardi 2. Winners spend time building ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grace And Identity Series

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Mar 22, 2011

Other than our faith, there is nothing we can appeal to in an effort to merit God’s favor.

Grace And Identity Romans 2:25-3:8 I. Paul Defines A True Jew A. Did the Jews have special privileges others did not have? Do they now? Where does the modern day Christian fall in this scheme? 1. The Jews did have special privileges. 2. God gave his Law to them; he called them as his special ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Staying On Course Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on May 2, 2011

Make the effort to stay faithful (winning over complacency) and make the choice to obey God (winning over compromise).

It easy to make promises, but to keep them is another matter altogether. • You may be passionate and sincere when you make a stand, but to stay on course requires much, much more. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, say this: “It is in the nature of a fire to go out, you must keep it ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 13:1-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Close Is Not Enough Series

Contributed by Tim White on Mar 19, 2014

Knowledge is good, effort is commendable, and lifestyle is important. However, you can get all that right and miss Jesus.

"If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost" (II Cor. 4:3). Mark 12:28-34 Is close always good enough? Not when you think about it. • If 99.9 percent were good enough ... • The IRS would lose 2 million documents this year. • 22,000 checks will be deducted from the wrong ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding And Walking In Divine Favour

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 20, 2025

Divine favour is the supernatural grace of God that positions a person for blessings, promotions, and breakthroughs beyond human ability and effort.

UNDERSTANDING AND WALKING IN DIVINE FAVOUR By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 5:12 "For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield." Supporting Texts: Proverbs 3:3-4, Luke 2:52, Genesis 39:21, Esther 2:17, 2 Corinthians ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:12, Proverbs 3:3-4, Luke 2:52, Genesis 39:21, Esther 2:17, 2 Corinthians 9:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Resilient PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Encourage believers to remain steadfast and resilient in their faith and work for the Lord, even in challenging times, knowing that their efforts are not in vain.

Good morning, Church Family! Today, we're diving into the heart of 1 Corinthians 15:58, where we'll be talking about staying resilient in difficult times, the power of perseverance, and the strength of faithfulness. Now, we all face challenging times, don't we? Moments when it feels like the world ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58

Topics: Staying The Course