Sermons on Self Willed Efforts:

Our Own Cross To Bear

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Mar 7, 2026

We like the idea of following Jesus—until we hear Him talk about a cross. In Our Own Cross to Bear, we consider Jesus’ call to deny ourselves and discover that the life we try to protect is the very life we lose. The life we surrender to Christ is the one we truly find.

Our Own Cross to Bear Mark 8: 34-38 I. Introduction I have to be honest. Preparing this message has been a challenge. It’s a hard word, but it is Jesus explaining the very heart of discipleship. The words Jesus spoke that day to his disciples and to the crowd are just as pertinent to discipleship ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Denomination: Methodist

How We Live Reflects Who We Are

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Aug 6, 2009

Know who you are in Jesus, and then live it. How we live reflects who we are.

How We Live Reflects Who We Are Aug 2, 2009 1 Peter 1:13-25 Intro: Chickens don’t fly around in the sky, perch on telephone wires, or swoop down and capture some prey. That’s not who they are. Whales don’t walk around on land, or dig around in the dirt looking for a meal. That’s not who they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

Free To Live The Life Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 1, 2004

Education, self-help books, and personal improvement efforts can make life richer and better. But nothing can do what God does when a person turns his or her life over to Jesus Christ. IN Jesus Christ, we can have victory in the fullest sense.

Free to Live the Life (Romans 8:1-4) 1. Once in a while you read a news story that makes you feel good: MONTERREY, Mexico (Reuters) - A Mexican boxing champion beat up and hospitalized a gunman who shot at him outside a gym in a crime-plagued city on the U.S. border. Prosecutors in Ciudad ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Smacking Yourself Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Nov 5, 2012

Exposition of 1 Timothy

Text: Matt 4:18-20, Title: Weigh In or Filet Out, Date/Place: NRBC, 9/9/12, AM Opening illustration: Note the difference between the big time “rock star” fisherman at a tournament, and the guy who hits the pond early in the morning on his day off. “I have to be frank with you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7

Denomination: Baptist

Full Or Empty (Palm Sunday)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 22, 2021

There is a difference between being full and being empty. There is also a difference between being empty and emptying one's self.

FULL OR EMPTY Text: Philippians 2:5 - 11 The late Bishop Fulton J. Sheen was greeted by a burst of applause when he made his appearance as a speaker at a meeting in Minneapolis. He responded by saying: “Applause before a speaker begins is an act of faith. Applause during the speech is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Move With God Beyond Your Comfort Zone Series

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Mar 18, 2003

Sometimes it takes effort to move out of our comfort zone.

Iliff and Saltillo UM Churches January 26, 2003 Move with God Beyond Your Comfort Zone How to: Go for the Gulp Matthew 14:22-33 INTRODUCTION: Picture yourself at 4:00 a.m. out in a rowboat on a choppy lake with the wind blowing like crazy and the waves slapping up around the side of the boat. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Methodist

You're Not The Boss Of Me

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Jan 10, 2012

To share how we can overcome difficult times by Soaking in God's Word, Soaking in Prayer, and soaking in service to God.

You’re not the boss of me. This is a phrase that most of us parents have more than likely heard from our children when speaking to one another. I believe that most kids will learn this phrase and use it towards their siblings more than any other phrase. It seems to me that this is one of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:9-11

Denomination: Other

Investing In Treasures Or Trinkets?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 30, 2002

We need to invest time and effort in other people.

2 Peter 1 :7 And to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. I am pondering and my mind ponders the goodness of God. Today, I took two older ladies for a ride, just to get them out of the house for a few hours. We were so far in the country, there was no bridge to cross the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:7, Jude 1:22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God Is Not Unjust!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Apr 10, 2014

Your efforts are not only noted by God but would be rewarded!

God is not unjust! Hebrews 6:10”God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”(Memorize) During these 40 days of fasting, I am feasting on the Word of God! I am thoroughly enjoying! Every day ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Abraham: A Journey Of Faith - A Journey That Begins With God Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Sep 11, 2016

Our journey of faith begins with God, not our efforts.

Can you finish this well-known saying? “A journey of a thousand miles begins with…a single step.” That’s what the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu observed 2600 years ago and the point of the saying is to encourage action when facing a daunting task which threatens to paralyze ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Make A Difference

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Apr 27, 2017

have the right attitude about work - share the effort

Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Denomination: Episcopal

Sermon On The Rewards Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on May 12, 2022

A reward is defined as a thing given in recognition, effort or achievement.

John Burroughs, an American naturalist and nature essayist once remarked: “To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:33-34, Hebrews 11:6

Sermon On Goals & Dreams

Contributed by William Meakin on Oct 11, 2022

Goals are defined as the object of a person’s ambition or effort.

Robert Edward Turner III, otherwise known as Ted Turner, an American entrepreneur, television producer, media proprietor, and philanthropist once remarked: “You should set goals beyond your reach so you always have something to live for.” Philippians 3:13-14 reminds us: “Brothers, I do not consider ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25, Jeremiah 29:11, Acts 2:17, Ecclesiastes 5:7

Understanding Works Series

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Jan 4, 2003

In this sermon we explore the difference between works by human effort and godly works.

Good deeds or works fall primarily into two categories: man driven works and God produced works. Man-centered religion always works to improve self in the hope that we will reach the level of salvation. Even Christians fall into this trap. Man driven works is either the attempt to become a god or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:8-10, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Practical Christian Living Series

Contributed by William D. Brown on Mar 30, 2014

~Paul tells the believers in Colossi to love heavenly things; set your hearts and minds on things above --

#8~Col. 3:1-11 ~IN THIS CHAPTER, PAUL BEGINS DEALING WITH PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN LIVING~ 1-12-14 We'll be in chapter 3: today, but to help us get connected back up with our thought line let's read: ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11

Denomination: Baptist