Sermons on Strive:

Gathering For Strength Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 28, 2021

Paul calls the Philippians to stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. His relationship with the church in Philippi illustrates what he's talking about. It's challenging!

[INTRODUCTION AND RECAP] We’re doing a series on ‘why Christians gather together.’ We’re emerging from the Covid pandemic and the various lockdowns and we’ve started to meet together in person so it seems a good time to ask why we gather together. I am loosely following a sermon series I found on ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:18-30

Denomination: Baptist

Culture Shifts: Slow Down, You're Going To Fast

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Jan 21, 2002

This line from a Simon & Garfunkel song describes the breakneck pace of our technologically advancing culture. How do we go about tuning out the world and tuning in to Christ, striving to be faithful Christians in today’s world.

Phillipians 4:8-9 Bibliography: Cultures Shifts, Lesson 3 The world was forever altered in 1436 when Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. Although forms of printing had existed for approximately 400 years, Gutenberg’s moveable type made out of metal revolutionized the printed world. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8-9

Denomination: Methodist

Followers Of God Through Jesus Christ

Contributed by Vernon L Caruthers on Jun 23, 2006

To describe ourself as a "Christian" is an awesome responsibility that is not to be taken lightly. We must strive to live so that others might actually see the SPIRIT and the DIVINE NATURE OF JESUS CHRIST present in all that we say and all that we do.

What Does It Mean to Be a Follower of Jesus Christ? Scripture Reference: Ephesians 5:1-2 ’Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-2

What Can Man Do? (Wcmd)

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Apr 12, 2015

God's blessings bestowed upon man, not enjoyed to the extent of His will for man's striving on earth is plagued with modern issues---the same issues that plagued man in early years, taxation shows the struggle of man in God's plan on earth.

What Can Man Do? (WCMD) by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (April 12, 2015) “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 6:22-27

Denomination: Friends

Healing For The Wounded; Forgiveness For The Those Who Wound Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Jul 8, 2013

An honest/mature Christian honestly evaluates him/herself & strives to do better. When we evaluate ourselves we tend to err in two directions: judge ourselves better than we are or worse than we are.

Bullying: Far From Harmless Healing for the Wounded; Forgiveness for the Those Who Wound 3/10/2013 Chester First Baptist Church, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson Introduction: 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

I Settle For Being Less Than The Best Christian Because …

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Oct 1, 2010

And so the question I have to ask myself is why do I have to strive to be the best Christian I can be? Why can’t I just settle for just getting by in my Christian life?

I settle for being less than the best Christian because … Hebrews 10:11-18 Introduction When I was a young boy growing up one of my favorite shows to watch on television was “ABC’s Wide World of Sports”. It came on every Saturday afternoon and the introduction went ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:11-18

Denomination: Baptist

Remedy Part 4: The Remedy For Meaninglessness Series

Contributed by Stephen Collins on May 3, 2009

Why are we here? What’s the point? All of our striving and searching for meaning ultimately lead to dead ends that don’t satisfy us. God provides the remedy by transforming our lives to be like His Son.

REMEDY The Remedy for Meaninglessness “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee..” Saint Augustine, 420 A.D. Key Scripture: Romans 12:1-2 Icebreaker: "What have you done that you believe in and you are proud of?" That’s the question an ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Church Of God

God Is Holy Different Series

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 8, 2021

The aim of this sermon is to help us to capture a vision of God's holiness so that we realize that we must take God's holiness as seriously as God does and to strive to be holy like God is.

A. One day Charlie Brown and Lucy and Linus were lying on the ground, looking up at the sky. 1. Lucy says, “Aren’t the clouds beautiful? They look like big balls of cotton. I could just lie here all day and watch them drift by.” 2. Then Lucy says, “If you use your imagination, you can see lots of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:28-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Are Fallen From Grace Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Apr 21, 2022

To establish the saints indeed can fall from the grace of God. This lesson refutes the notion: “Once saved, always saved.” Our eternal salvation is promised, but we must continually strive to make: “our calling and election sure.”

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. The saints’ removal from the gospel 2. The saints’ departure from the faith 3. The saints’ falling from God’s grace Introductory Remarks. 1. In our lesson today, we will discuss the theme: “You Are Fallen From Grace.” This will be a topical sermon reviewing the saints’ ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-9, 1 Timothy 4:1-5, Galatians 5:4, Hebrews 12:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Path To Stability Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 26, 2017

The early church experienced amazing growth and power. She was very young and very pure. We must follow the biblical model rather than striving to meet the expectations of contemporary culture if we are to experience God's presence and power.

The Path to Stability Acts 2: 42-44 Today I want to conclude our series: Church – A New Testament Model. Once again we are in the book of Acts, immediately following Pentecost. The Lord had ascended back to the Father, and the Spirit had come, filling the believers. The presence and power of God ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-44

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon # 14 - Stay United, Prayerful And Obedient Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Oct 3, 2024

Jonah’s disobedience brought untold troubles on all the crew aboard that ship. The church too must be wary of those who are divisive and must strive hard to maintain unity, integrity continuing in prayer and being obedient to God.

We read in Jonah 1:11, Then they said to him, "What shall we do to you, that the sea may be calm to us?" For the sea was raging and growing more tempestuous. (AFV) The events that preceded this verse were that the ship on which Jonah voyaged was faced with a severe tempest. The mariners ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:13, Proverbs 16:28, Romans 16:17, 2 Samuel 11:1-2, Matthew 26:40-41, Joshua 7:8, Joshua 7:11, Jonah 1:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Legacy Series

Contributed by Ian Whitmore on Aug 1, 2024

That's the kind of legacy we should strive to leave behind. That in every circumstance in every moment of second of our lives God was praised and God was at the center. That God was pointed too. God is the legacy that will last forever.

Text: Psalm 71:14-18 Michael Jordan, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther, , Mark Twain,. What do all of these names have in common? Because they are all so vastly different. Normally you don’t compare these people, because they did different things. I mean what could Michael Jordan possibly have in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 71:14-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Skeleton At The Feast...

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 11, 2023

We need to consider the root of the problems we face. From where does strife and trouble come? Anger and bitterness become self feeding skeletons that are so weak they waste opportunities. We must identify strive causers.

THE SKELETON AT THE FEAST… By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube Wade Hughes) I have an old SIFTER I use. TEXT: Proverbs 30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 30:33, Hebrews 12:12-15, Matthew 25:24-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Rest Stop

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 7, 2025

Life is a weary journey, but God has built a rest stop into the rhythm of our lives — a Sabbath rest in Jesus Christ, where trust replaces fear, grace replaces striving, and His finished work becomes our peace.

Introduction A photographer was snapping pictures of first graders at an elementary school, trying to put them at ease with small talk. “What are you going to be when you grow up?” he asked a little girl. Without hesitation, she said, “Tired.” She had been watching the adults in her life, always ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Go! And… Live In The Power Of "It Is Finished!” - John 19:30 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 29, 2025

It is finished! - the royal declaration of the King of kings, proclaiming that the mission was complete, the debt paid, the way made open for sinners to be reconciled to God.

Go! And… Live in the Power of “It Is Finished!” - John 19:30 John 19:30 – New Living Translation Introduction: The Cry That Changed Everything John 19:30 (NLT): “When Jesus had tasted it, he said, ‘It is finished!’ Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.” Church, imagine for a moment ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30, Luke 24:44-47, Colossians 2:13-14, John 3:16-17, Romans 10:9, Hebrews 12:1-2, Isaiah 53:5, Psalm 22:1-18, Genesis 3:15, Romans 6:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal