Sermons on Strive Lawfully:

Introduction To James Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on May 4, 2005

This is the introductory message to a series on the book of James. It explores the background of the letter, and then reviews the first 8 verses. The theme of the message involves the strive for holiness, and the wisdom available to us from God.

Today we launch our exploration through the book of James. Let’s start off with some James trivia. Bible trivia is great to play because everyone wins. If you know the answers, you get confirmation of your Biblical knowledge. If you don’t know the answers, you learn something new. It is a ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-8

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Shadow Of His Style Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 17, 2009

Believers need to learn to expect the unexpected and inexplicable from God, but we won’t experience such until we are sold on God’s one agenda and striving with one accord.

The shadow of your smile When you are gone Will color all my dreams And light the dawn… The year was 1965. The movie was The Sandpiper. The stars were Elizabeth Taylor as the seductress and the late Richard Burton as the Episcopal priest she seduced. The sentiment in the song is that our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: *other

Doing What We Love

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Apr 11, 2012

Jesus calls us to love to a way of living and being and acting out of a foundation of the revealed, enacted love of God for us, which we then strive to delight in and live out of.

Doing what we love January 15, 2012 Intro: Last Sunday I began by asking us to create a list of some fictional characters that are well known and generally admired by our culture (show list). Then I asked for some adjectives that we might use to describe these characters, and we brainstormed a ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-19

Denomination: Baptist

Thrive (Part 1)- Thriving In Our Time Series

Contributed by Kory Ferree on Aug 7, 2017

You were made for more than to just barely get by or merely survive… you were made to come alive in Christ, to strive toward Him and thrive in your life.

You were made for more than to just barely get by or merely survive. You were made to come alive in Christ, to strive toward Him and thrive in your life. We are called as Christians to be more than conquerors through Christ, Who loves us and lives through us. As believers, we have this beautiful ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:24, Romans 8:31-39, Ephesians 5:15-17, Colossians 4:5

Denomination: Baptist

Who Am I Becoming? Being Thankful! Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Nov 18, 2016

Being thankful is something we need to strive for in the affluent society in which we live. We have to be careful not to allow what we do not have to make us unthankful.

INTRODUCTION • VIDEO CLIP • SLIDE #1 • We are getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, and this leads us into the next characteristic we need to allow to develop. Being Thankful! • Speaking of which, how many had a nice time at our Thanksgiving Dinner last Sunday? How many ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christians And Sin And Forgiveness Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 30, 2017

As we image Christ more and more, so does the nature of God abide in us. Let’s strive daily to attain that blessedness, and pray for all Christians to aspire to that state.

Thursday in Christmas Season: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Reformation-Revolution John the Baptist’s witness to Jesus was like the little snowflake that hits the snowbank and causes an avalanche. “Behold the Lamb of God” was a sentence that to a Jew tuned to the prophets would evoke images of Isaiah’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:7-10

Denomination: Catholic

Reversing Anxiety Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Feb 19, 2019

As we strive to live the life that God intends we will encounter many obstacles, difficulties and challenges… storms (winds and waves) that we will need to overcome. This message is about overcoming anxiety.

Reversing Anxiety Good morning MGCC! SO…. ARE YOU READY - to encounter the living God through His… Holy, Inspired and authoritative Word? ARE YOU READY – for God’s word (like the rain and snow that fall from the sky causing things to bud, grow and flourish) TO FALL ONTO – your heart and mind… ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34, Philippians 4:4-9, 1 Peter 5:5-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Faith Of The Gospel

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Oct 25, 2017

To establish that Christians are charged to “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” The unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace should be the mission of every church of Christ.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Suitable Character in Gospel Affairs 2. Standing Fast in One Spirit 3. Striving Together with One Mind Remarks. 1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing the theme: “The faith of the gospel.” Our text reads: “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:4-6, Philippians 1:27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Nothing Just Happens

Contributed by Jerry Gatson on Jan 17, 2020

If we strive for nothing, we will get it every time! Receiving and achieving what we are believing God for starts with making S.M.A.R.T.T. goals.

Nothing just happens! In order to receive what you desire when you pray, there must be a desire and there must be prayer. What do you desire? What are you praying for in your life? What are you goals? Make sure goals are SMARTT goals! SMARTT is an acronym that stands for: SPECIFIC: A ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-2

Denomination: Charismatic

The Marks Of Sinful Criticism. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Mar 4, 2024

May we use our speech to edify and save, rather than tearing down and destroying. Let us strive to be constructive critics, speaking truth in love, for the glory of God.

we are going to explore the marks of sinful criticism, which are contrasted with the characteristics of constructive counsel. Sinful criticism, also known as faultfinding, is a behavior that we must be aware of and avoid in our Christian walk. Firstly, let us examine the motives behind our words ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:10, Genesis 37:4, Job 12:1-3, 1 Corinthians 14:3

A Living Sacrifice To God PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Explore the themes of holiness, transformation, and sacrificial living as outlined in Romans 12:1-8, reminding us that God is not in a hurry and we should strive to live according to His will and grace.

Good morning, family! Today, we are diving deep into the heart of Paul's letter to the Romans. We'll be focusing on Romans 12:1-8 where we are called to holiness, the power of transformation, and living a life of sacrifice. It's a tall order, isn't it? But as Harry Ironside once said, "No sacrifice ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Topics: Personal Responsibility

The Steps Of Following Jesus PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

As Christians, we must strive for an honest understanding of who Jesus is, take decisive action in response to His call, and deliberately share the Gospel with others, as modeled by the early disciples.

Good morning, brothers and sisters! It's a joy to be with you all today as we dive into God's Word together. Today, we'll be exploring a passage that illustrates three key elements of our Christian walk: honest understanding, decisive action, and deliberate sharing of the Gospel. As David Platt ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-42

Topics: Personal Evangelism

Reconciled Through Christ Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Dec 11, 2011

The Colossians believers had become recipients of God’s marvelous act of reconciliation. They had been made acceptable to God and are challenged to continue striving forward in the truth that had saved them.

COLOSSIANS 1: 20-23 RECONCILED THROUGH CHRIST Having proclaimed the deity and work of Christ, Paul now reveals what it means to the people in Colossae. He thus returns to the thought of redemption. With joyful wonder the Apostle testifies to the Colossians believers that they too have become ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Eclipse Of The Heart (March 27, 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 23, 2022

This morning let us strive to look at this story from a different angle as we give weight to the bitterness and indifference of the elder brother. Today we will focus on the hungry heart and the alienated heart.

ECLIPSE OF THE HEART Text: Luke 15:1 - 3, 11-32 Luke 15: 1 -3, 11- 32  Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.  (2)  And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: United Methodist

Introduction To The Fruit Of The Spirit Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

People who eat only fruit are called fruitarians. In this series on the Fruits of the Spirit we are going to be Biblical fruitarians, and strive to consume all God has revealed about spiritual fruit.

A doctor, an engineer, and an attorney were debating whose profession was the oldest. The doctor said, " it's obvious the medical profession was the first. The Bible refers to God creating Eve from Adam's rib, and that is surgical procedure." But the engineer said, "No! ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-24