Sermons on Self Effort:

Giving Up On Grace Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

We like to do things our own way. God often times is much too slow for our schedule ? or He doesn?t do things the way we would ? so we short circuit His work by coming up with our own, much better plan - but that can mean giving up on grace.

Do you ever read The Family Circus? I always like the ones where the Mom and Dad tell their oldest son to go get the mail or something - and instead of walking out the door and down the driveway and back - he goes out his window, around back, through the garden, plays with the dog, jumps the ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Ice Tea And Skittles

Contributed by Roosevelt Wright on Mar 24, 2012

A sermon about the Christian response to perceived racial injustice, especially in the wake of the slaying of Trayvon Martin

Are there some things that challenge your sense of justice and fair play? Most of us get angry when we see someone cheated out of an opportunity or robbed of their liberty. When we watch the news and see men released from prison after serving decades on bogus charges, our sense of justice is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Staying Holy For The Holidays PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 17, 2023

This sermon explores the power of submitting to God, resisting temptation, and living in accordance with God's will as guided by James 4:7.

Welcome, dear friends, to this sacred gathering where we come together to seek wisdom and understanding from the Word of God. We come from different walks of life, carrying different burdens, joys, hopes, and dreams. Yet, we are united by a common thread - our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7

Topics: Resisting, Temptation

Honest Thanks

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Nov 24, 2009

Is our thankfulness, honestly thankful? A brief look at thankfulness at a thanksgiving service

One morning a woman who was a known atheist stepped out of her home on the hillside and was taken back by what a beautiful morning it was. The Cook Inlet sparkled, the air was fresh and crisp, the sky was a blue as she had ever seen it and Denali loomed over the whole scene. She was so overwhelmed ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Pharisee And Tax Collector Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 22, 2010

The true “righteous” person is not someone who flawlessly observes all the “rules”, but someone who begs for mercy and is accepted by God--despite having plenty of human imperfections. To illustrate this, Jesus tells a story of two people who are polar o

In preparation for this sermon, I did my taxes last week…so I have lots to say about that tax collector! How do we get to Heaven? By human effort? By keeping the rules? That works only if we could obey perfectly, which excludes all of us. Occasionally someone comes along who thinks ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, Luke 18:9, Luke 18:1-14

Denomination: Congregational

What More Could I Have Done To My Vineyard That I Have Not Already Done?

Contributed by Byron Perrine on Jul 9, 2019

This message was originally delivered at a community Thanksgiving address recounting the contributions of the Puritans to our American heritage, and challenging Christians to remember and preserve their Christian heritage.

(If you have found this sermon helpful, please visit us at www.HeritageRestorationProject.org or www.ChristianWisdom.info) We owe a great debt to the Puritans of the New England colonies who started the tradition of Thanksgiving. I remember when as a kid in grade school we colored pictures of the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:1-5, 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: United Methodist

The Christian Walk Of Christlikeness, Humility And Unity Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jul 6, 2023

The Christian walk is a call to a higher walk of Unity, Love and Peace in the Body of Christ. The oneness within the Body of Christ empowers believers to overcome their differences and embrace a new way of being.

Sermon - The Christian Walk of Christlikeness, Humility and Unity Scripture - Ephesians 4:1-6 “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, Romans 12:18, 2 Corinthians 13:1, Colossians 3:15, Hebrews 12:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Acknowledging Our Weakness To Become Strong

Contributed by Glen Vanderkloot on Nov 30, 2004

God’s power is strongest when we can admit our weaknesses

As I was growing up, my favorite children’s story was ‘The Little Engine that Could’ attributed to Mabel C. Bragg, a teacher in Boston, Massachusetts. The gist of the story is that a long train must be pulled over a high mountain. Larger and more powerful engines are asked to pull the train ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Please Do Not Let Your Fruit Spoil

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Nov 23, 2004

Nine perils of allowing spiritual fruit to spoil. Failure to fully appropriate the fruits of the Spirit lead many to a false assumption that they are not doing anything wrong. (Symptons include possessiveness, frenzied actions, passivity, leniency, s

Please, Do Not Let Your Fruit Spoil (Gal 5:22,23) Many believers are suffering needlessly because they are not allowing the Spirit of God to exhibit the fullness of the nine fruits of the Spirit in and through them. Consequently, many tolerate the leaven of neutrality, apathy and indifference ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"What Sort Of People Ought You To Be…”

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Feb 28, 2010

By possessing and growing these seven qualities, we will be able to live victoriously in this life and to joyously in the next

“What Sort of People Ought You To Be…” Growing A Christ-Like Character Reading: 2 Peter 3:10-18 Text: 2 Peter 1:1-11 INTRODUCTION In our lesson today we are going to consider the final words of the Apostle Peter as they are recorded in Second Peter. This letter is addressed to all the faithful and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Multiply Your Blessings

Contributed by Diana Ball on Dec 1, 2008

Ephesians 1:3 says we have already been given every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms, yet we do not seem to have them. Could it be because we do not know how to reach out and take them?

JOHN 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." The Good News Bible translates that statement of Jesus as, "I have come in order that you might have life ---- life in all its fullness." That’s what our faith ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:11

Denomination: Nazarene

Risking It All PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 20, 2024

Encourages believers to emulate Christ's sacrifice, share His gospel, and remain steadfast in faith and service despite challenges.

Welcome, brothers and sisters, to this blessed gathering where we come together, united in faith, to hear the Word of God. We gather here not as strangers, but as a family, bound together by our shared love for our Savior. Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the book of Mark, chapter 8, verses ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Topics: Sharing, Gospel

A Kingdom Of Reward

Contributed by David Dewitt on Jan 9, 2001

Jesus has offered us great rewards in His kingdom

A Kingdom of Reward Matthew 25.14-30 August 24, 1997 Morning Service Introduction I. Big Responsibility: FFA President, Planning the annual banquet, Order of ceremony, who would do what and how things were to be done, Working for weeks to get it done - went well and was enjoyed by all II. Special ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Church Of God

Not What I Will Series

Contributed by Stephen Brown on Dec 29, 2015

How do we live out our salvation? Do our lives represent a surrendered life?

Not what I will… The two "basics" we have addressed so far are salvation and the church. First, we discovered why we must be saved and how we can be saved. Second, we discovered the reality of being saved. We are the dwelling place of God; we are the church no matter where we go and what ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:20

Denomination: Baptist

What's It Going To Cost Me? Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Feb 3, 2021

We can know the price of an item but not necessarily understand what it's going to cost us. Jesus asks us to make and informed and deliberate decision about deciding to follow Him by outlining what it's going to cost us. (spoiler alert: it's everything - but it's worth it.)

You can hear the audio of the sermon on my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/7655599 Following Jesus - Counting the Cost Intro: • Price is Right show – fascinating and compelling game show where we are entertained by watching people guess the price of various products. (use logo ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-26, Mark 7:9-13, Ephesians 5:25, Mark 10:16, Luke 6:27, John 13:34-35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ