Sermons on Self Effort:

Is Jesus Mark On You?

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Sep 29, 2023

The trademark of the living Christ should be something that others will clearly notice and readily recognize upon those that call themselves followers of the Christ. Yield to the Holy Spirit allow him to mold you and transform you more and more into the image of Jesus.

If we are Honest ... Often ... When we are shopping, ...... we will look for name brands that we know. For brands ... that we ... trust. We often recognize those products ... by their trademarks ...... or by ... their ... logos. Companies spend millions of dollars on research ... in order that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-13, Ephesians 4:4, James 3:8-10, John 13:15, Matthew 20:26-28, Matthew 5:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

If I’ve Received Salvation, Why Do I Still Struggle? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 18, 2023

Romans 7 delves into the struggles we as Christians experience in this world: wanting to follow God yet often caught up in our sin nature. What does Paul teach us about how we are to look at that reality?

DEAD MAN WALKING: Dying with Christ is important because it means we’ve been freed. - Romans 7:1-4a. - Chapter 7 obviously flows from chapter 6. Last week in chapter 6 the big ideas we talked about were the (a) we are dead to sin and alive to Christ and (b) that we have to choose if we are going ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Empowered By God's Spirit 2 Timothy 1:7 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 28, 2024

2 Timothy 1:7 declares, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline" (NLT). Let us uncover the depth of this verse and how it shapes our lives as believers.

Empowered by God's Spirit Introduction: Today we gather to delve into the transformative power of God's truth, focusing on 2 Timothy 1:7 which declares, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline" (NLT). Let us uncover the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7, Acts 1:8, 1 John 4:18, Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

More Than Just Sending Cards Or Giving Chocolates And Flowers

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Feb 12, 2022

Americans spent $21 billion on Valentine's Day in 2021 to send cards or buy chocolates and flowers for their loved ones. God wants us to show our love more than that. As Christ always loves us, He wants us to love others every day!

Opening: A husband always carried a photo of his wife in his wallet. Whenever he faced a difficult situation, he opened his wallet and saw the picture of his wife. When his friends saw what he did, they said, "You love your wife so much, don't you?" He replied, "When I saw my ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:27-29, 1 Corinthians 1:18, John 15:13, Galatians 2:20, 1 John 3:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mine-Mine-Mine All Mine (The Meaning Behind The Parable Of The Rich Fool)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jul 28, 2016

I hope that this Message brings new insight to the Parable of The Rich Fool. Only in Jesus can we come to the place of "Euphraino" That is a time and a place to Rejoice.

For those not familiar with and Anglican Service; There are four Scripture readings directly before the Message: Today's assigned readings are : Hosea 11:1-11; Psalm 107: 1-9,43; Colossians 3:1-11 and Luke 12:13-21 God created the physical world ... the material world ... and called it ... "good" ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21, Psalm 42:1-2, Exodus 2:11-15, Acts 5:1-11, Luke 12:13-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Dont Run The Race For Fun, Run To Win

Contributed by Richard Papafio on Jun 20, 2019

This Christian life we live is a race, make sure you are in the best of shapes always. So you can win the race. Stay fit to win

May the peace of the Lord be with you. Topic: *DONT RUN THE RACE FOR FUN, RUN TO WIN* 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 King James Version (KJV) 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Charismatic

What Is Ministry Acceptable To God?

Contributed by Rohith Krupal Gokula on Nov 19, 2018

What is acceptable and pleasing ministry to God.

When John and James requested Jesus to grant them seat one on the right and another on the left in the glory, remaining ten disciples heard it and began to be indignant at James and John (v41). Then Jesus called all of them and gave them a timeless lesson which is contrary to the philosophy and ...read more

Summer Disappointments

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 24, 2008

When we feel disappointment in life, we blame our own expectations, we blame those who love us, and ultimately we blame God. Repentance and acceptance of grace takes us away from self and toward contentment.

Those of you who attempt to grow gardens know that it takes infinite patience and infinite hope to be a gardener. It takes infinite patience because it can be a great deal of work and a lot of expense and much waiting to get any kind of results. Incidentally, I dispute the notion that you can ...read more

Scripture: Micah 7:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do When Your Culture Is Destroying Itself

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2024

Western culture cannot sustain itself if it continues as it has during the past several decades. How shall those who follow Christ respond when the culture in which we live moves inexorably toward self-destruction?

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Follow When It’s Hard To Understand - John 6:60 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 14, 2025

Have you ever faced a moment when following Jesus simply didn’t make sense? When His Word cut across what the world calls “reasonable”? Maybe you’ve read something in Scripture and thought, “Lord, this is hard to understand!”

Go! And Follow When It’s Hard to Understand John 6:60 (NLT): “Many of his disciples said, ‘This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?’” Introduction: When Faith Doesn’t Make Sense Have you ever faced a moment when following Jesus simply didn’t make sense? When His Word cut across ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-68, 1 Corinthians 1:23, Proverbs 3:5-6, John 6:63, Romans 8:6, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Bearing The Fruit Of Faithfulness

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Aug 18, 2019

God calls us to bear the fruit of faithfulness, regardless of what the world around us may say or do, leaving Him in charge of the details and the outcome.

Bearing the fruit of faithfulness 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 NKJ Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. Illus. By David Jeremiah Integrity is telling the truth to yourself. Honesty ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-9, 1 Corinthians 4:1, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unrelenting Favor

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Mar 28, 2021

God’s Favor is everywhere! Gods favor knows no boundaries, has no inhibitions, doesn’t look for qualifications, is not based on getting in return, only for opportunities to show itself!

Psalm 30:4,5 NKJ Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. One definition of the word favor by Webster is: special ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:4-5, Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Isa 53: 3 Jesus Was Despised Series

Contributed by Robert Irvine on Apr 15, 2024

In Theology, if something is duplicated in the Bible, we can assume that God is making an effort to get our attention on the issue. So it’s interesting that the word “despised” is repeated twice in this verse. So we can say that God wants us to know that Jesus was despised.

There is a general rule in Theology that if something is duplicated in the Bible, we can safely assume that God is making a determined effort to get our attention on the issue. And so it’s interesting that the word “despised” is repeated twice in this verse. So we can say that God wants us to face ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:3

Denomination: Baptist

Faithfulness Produces Grace – Ruth, Part 3 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Oct 23, 2022

God still provides, even when we think there is no hope. But - don’t miss this - WE have to make an effort! Ruth went to work, she did not just wait for God’s blessing – she set out to survive and God honored that through Boaz!

“Faithfulness produces Grace” – Ruth, Part 3 Ruth Sermon Series, Part 3 Ruth 2:1-17 Introduction - Last week we set the foundation of Ruth around some very difficult times -- Famine causes a family to move from God’s land, disobeys God’s commands - Week 1 exposed a hard lesson – and one that ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Failed Journey

Contributed by John Rohrbeck on Aug 2, 2008

No matter how well we think we have made preparations, there are times that we fall short of our goal. It is not through our own efforts that we will attain eternal life - it is only through obedience to God’s plan and acceptance of Jesus as our Savior.

Wednesday evening – How do we put that in perspective? We thought we had a plan. We were taking the youth to the Real Life Church in Macon to their Judgement House presentation called “the METH Effect”. I had called earlier in the week to try to make a reservation and was told that the earliest ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God