Sermons on Strive Lawfully:

The Predecessor From God

Contributed by Dr. Jeffrey Dukeman on Dec 3, 2018

John the Baptist was a predecessor from God at Jesus' Baptism. We today should reflect on all those who have preceded us and helped us to know God, and we should also strive to be predecessors from God for others.

Historian David Barton has an interesting discussion in an article entitled “Christmas—as Celebrated by the Presidents.” Barton writes, Even though Christmas did not become a national holiday until 1870, it has a centuries old history in America. Interestingly, in colonial America, the southern ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-20

Mirroring/Emulating Jesus-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jan 14, 2020

1 of ? Peter calls his audience to mirror/reflect/emulate Christ Jesus. God’s people will strive to intentionally mirror/reflect Christ Jesus. But What of Christ Jesus are God’s people to reflect/mirror? Mirroring Jesus reflects...


MIRRORING/Emulating JESUS-I—1Peter 3:18--4:6 Attention: Every day, just before I leave for work, I put certain things in my pockets as I get ready to leave the house—2 to 3 sets of keys, a comb, a pocketknife, a phone, etc. Hershey(our largest dog) often follows me into the bedroom, lies on the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-22, 1 Peter 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Empty Graves And Second Chances Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Dec 27, 2020

Jesus can to show the way to the Father and He changed our future on the cross. Honor Christmas in our hearts. Try to keep it all year. Let the Spirt of God abide in our hearts and strive to do its work within you.

When we think of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” we automatically think of the three ghosts. What were their names, again? [Pause.] Actually, there were four ghosts, not three. The first ghost to appear was the ghost of Scrooge’s former business partner, Jacob Marley. Weighed down by ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10, John 3:16-17, Proverbs 3:11-12

Denomination: United Methodist

Capturing Victory: Recognizing Our Enemy Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on May 19, 2023

"Recognizing Our Enemy" is the first of five sermons Dr. Vorce delivered at Lakewood Family Church in May and June of 2023. This message guides listeners through the scriptures to help them identify their enemy as they strive to live a life of victory.

"And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." (Mark 10:27) In this Series, we will discuss the following: • Identifying our Enemy • Discernment • Inner Healing (and its practices today) • A Correct View & ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:27, 1 Peter 5:8-9, James 4:7-12, Ephesians 4:25-27, James 3:8-12, 1 John 2:16, Galatians 5:19-21, Galatians 6:7-8, Romans 8:1-14, Philippians 2:12-13, Ephesians 3:16, Hebrews 4:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

He Knows Me Series

Contributed by Adam Weber on Mar 17, 2017

It is easy to get caught up in the pressure of striving to please others, but our lives are actually meant to be lived in worship of God, not seeking the approval of man. In Christ we are fully known and fully loved, something no one else could ever offer

Well… I just wanna welcome everyone here to Embrace… Whether you’re in Tea… or at St. Croix… Whether you’re… in Downtown Sioux Falls… or at Sertoma. Whether you’re in Salem, South Dakota… or at the McCrosson Boys Ranch. Whether you’re at 57th Street… ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Courageous Prayer: Words & Meditations Acceptable

Contributed by John Gaston on Sep 22, 2021

David prayed asking God to help his words and thoughts come up to God's standard of perfection. David's ambition of striving to please God even in the most difficult areas should be our goal as well.

COURAGEOUS PRAYER: WORDS & MEDITATIONS ACCEPTABLE Ps. 19:14 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Jeannie Gibbs was trying to have her mother’s phone disconnected, but the customer-service rep told her that since the account was in her dad’s name, he’d have to be the one to put in the request. 2. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Mirroring Jesus-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on May 25, 2020

2 of ? Peter calls his audience to mirror/reflect/emulate Christ Jesus. God’s people will strive to intentionally mirror/reflect Christ Jesus. But What of Christ Jesus are God’s people to reflect/mirror? Mirroring Jesus reflects...

MIRRORING/Emulating JESUS-II—1Peter 3:18--4:6 Attention: Trusting Grandma: Johnny was at his first day of school. The teacher starts the day with the pledge of allegiance, & instructs them to put their right hands over their hearts & repeat after her. She looks around the room as she ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be Ready Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 29, 2003

The key in becoming infectious in our faith is to make sure that we have set apart Christ as Lord in our lives. When we are striving to live under the control of Christ, people will notice and will then ask us to explain the reason for the hope that we h

How To Be Ready Rev. Brian Bill 2/4/01 It’s fun to compare how life today is different from life 500 years ago. Some of the expressions we use, and the things we do, are based on life in the 1500’s. For instance, did you know that…? • Most people got married in June because they took their ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:15, 1 John 3:1, 1 John 3:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

Fields Of The Fatherless

Contributed by Tom Davis on Oct 1, 2007

Ministry to the poor, the orphan, and the widow is about joining the work of God in his favorite field. Meaning and satisfaction in life don’t come from striving, it comes from loving. The gospel message is a message of love. Loving God means loving peop

Something is Missing God is passionate about orphans The scriptures speak of a God who cares for the alien, orphan, and widow. When you look, these passages (like Psalm 68:5 and James 1:27) come jumping off the page. God speaks about orphans and widows as a unique and special group of people. ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:2-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Saved By Grace Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Sep 11, 2014

In our passage we find the actions that one takes when he is striving to give himself to Christ as God requires in His Word. By the grace that is the believer¡¦s through his salvation, every man can purify & adorn himself as God requires.

TITUS 2: 11-15 SAVED BY GRACE [1 Timothy 2:4-8] Last week we learned that we adorn the Gospel by our behavior and actions (2:10). But why should the Christian pursue this respectable and dignified life? The grace of God is the reason why every member of the God's forever family can and should ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Right Side Up In An Upside Down World Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Oct 1, 2015

Rather than giving a list of ideals to strive for, Jesus was showing the people how widely available God’s kingdom was – even for ordinary, poor, ignorant, imperfect, despised people. The beatitudes describe their struggle & grace to thrive in adversity.

Right Side Up in an Upside Down World Intro: The more I study the Sermon on the Mount, esp. the Beatitudes, the less prescriptive and the more descriptive they become to me. Here is what I mean by that. Last week as I shared them, I introduced the first one (poor in spirit) as a requirement for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Hannah: Model Mother

Contributed by John Gaston on May 11, 2015

God allowed a little bit of human tragedy – childlessness – to plant the seeds for revival. As we study this model-mother, Hannah, we’ll see 5 things about her that every mother can & should strive for.

HANNAH: MODEL MOTHER 1 Sam. 1&2 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. It was Mother's Day. Deborah had cooked a big meal and everyone had eaten to their hearts content. 2. She went to the sink and was beginning to wash a mountain of dishes, when her teenage daughter, Jenny, came in and said, "Mom, today's ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jacob's Three Journeys

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Jan 11, 2012

Life is a journey with the Lord. How far have we gone? Where have our striving taken us? Our entire life should be one continuous seeking of God’s will, worship experience, and giving of praise to God for everything.

Intro: On journeys and pilgrimages (Examples). See I Pet. 2:11; Heb. 11:13; Gen. 4:12. (Cf. believers and unbelievers). Read Gen. 47:9. Jacob lived about 147 years; Isaac 180 years; Abraham 175 years. Jacob had many journeys and struggles in his long and eventful life but none more meaningful than ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22

Denomination: *other

Name Fame And Game Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Sep 8, 2024

Life is a gift, life is a game. How do we treat it matters a lot. The given name and earn name differs at many occasions. Let’s strive for a great and good name which comes from the life lived with the fear of God and humility.

Text: Proverbs 22:1-8 Theme: Debt free Life   Text: Proverbs 22:1. “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,    and favour is better than silver or gold. … 4. The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honour and life. … 6. Train up a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

Run To The Lord! Series

Contributed by Kevin Broyhill on Sep 25, 2024

When life feels overwhelming and when the storms rage, there is one place we can always run to—the Lord. Stop striving, stop running to the wrong places, and instead, run to the One who holds all things in His hands.

Run to The Lord! Psalm 46 Introduction: We all face troubles in life. You face the, I face them… everyone faces them… saved and unsaved alike. Job 5:7 – “…man born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” Truth = as long as we live in a fallen world we are going to face troubles… when ...read more

Denomination: Baptist