Sermons on Strive:

Epaphras' Wrestling Ministry

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 5, 2022

We usually think of prayer as peaceful, but Paul described Epaphras as “wrestling” in Col. 4:12 with the word “agonize.” The same word is translated as "STRIVE" in an Olympic event and as "FIGHT the good fight of faith!" Join the wrestling match!

EPAPHRAS' WRESTLING MINISTRY Col. 4:12 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Bonehead Bandits 1. Two teenagers robbed the Grandon City, Kansas public library. They raced up to the counter with an empty pillow case. “Put it in,” they demanded of the clerk. “Put what in?” “The money. Put it in and nobody’ll ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Need For Unity And Harmony

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 28, 2025

Unity and harmony are essential for believers to thrive. Whether in the church, home, or community, division brings destruction, while unity attracts God’s blessing. As followers of Christ, we must strive for peace, love, and understanding, knowing that we are one body in Him.

THE NEED FOR UNITY AND HARMONY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 133:1 "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Supporting Texts: John 17:21-23, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Romans 12:16, Ephesians 4:3, Philippians 2:2 INTRODUCTION Unity and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 133:1, John 17:21-23, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Romans 12:16, Ephesians 4:3, Philippians 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

Honor Your Wife - 1 Peter 3:7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 7, 2025

Strive to understand your wife, especially areas of weakness. She is more sensitive, which makes her more vulnerable to pain. LISTEN to her and understand what it is like for her. And honor her status as a fellow heir of salvation. This will result in unhindered prayer.

1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way live with your wives according to knowledge as a weaker, feminine vessel, showing honor as also coheirs of the grace of life so that nothing will hinder your prayers. Introduction There is a movie titled “What Women Want,” and the main character of that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:7

Survivor: What Am I Doing Here Series

Contributed by Mark Milioni on Jan 11, 2001

Imagine going through life without ever getting it. You think you have an idea, you work and strive but life is hard and things just don’t work. Have you ever thought, what am I doing here?

Imagine going through all the work and effort of Survivor and not winning. Same with Olympics. Imagine going through life without ever getting it. You think you have an idea, you work and strive but life is hard and things just don’t work. Have you ever thought, what am I doing here? What am I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

I Am Sorry Series

Contributed by Alan Tison on Feb 27, 2008

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used 8 phrases to help us live in community. These 8 phrases when used properly will strengthen our relationships with one another as we strive to please God. Today we will look at the second beatitude and learn what it m

Introduction: Frank and Edna had been married for 40 years and so there children surprised them with a party to celebrate their marriage. The night was filled with laughter, good friends and memories. Later that evening Frank and Edna got back to their house and they began to go through the cards ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jude’s Warning, Part 3 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 4, 2016

Only God is able to keep you from falling away and stumbling. Because of that, His joy fills our hearts and souls as we live faithfully for Him. Can't we live and strive for His joy in our lives more and more?

Jude’s Warning, Part 3 Jude 17-25 Introduction - Tonight we will conclude our study of the book of Jude - Last time we discussed four critical things about false teachers -- These make it easy to spot them, and to recognize their actions Jude says that they are judged for four things: ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:17-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How We Can Defeat The Darkness Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 22, 2017

How can we defeat the darkness? 1. Put a priority on prayer (vs. 1-5). 2. Rely on our Redeemer (vs. 6-16). 3. Strive to stick together (vs. 12-16). 4. Live in loyalty to the Lord (vs. 17).

How We Can Defeat the Darkness Acts 12:1-17 (Reading vs. 1-5) Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church April 6, 2014 (Revised Sept. 18, 2016) *Anybody paying any attention at all knows we are living in a time of growing darkness. A five-minute glance at the headlines is enough to prove that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Dependence On God Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jun 18, 2022

There are contrasting ways to go about any task. There is striving, pushing and fighting verses a dependence on God. There is a human effort that leaves God out verses a quiet trust in Almighty God as provider. And which way you approach your tasks will be the difference of frustration or blessing.

What is your favorite book? What is mine you ask? Well it is How to get Better Grades and Have More fun. It can be purchased on Amazon for a penny and I recommend you get a copy. If you don’t want to spend one penny (plus shipping and handling) then at least read the free look inside part here: ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

God Tests Obedience, Not Loyalty - By Pastor Ondu Joseph

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Feb 17, 2025

Loyalty without obedience is meaningless. God does not test how much we claim to love Him; He tests whether we will follow His commands. Let us strive to be not just hearers of the Word but doers, walking in full obedience to His will.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:22 - "But Samuel replied: 'Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'" Introduction: Many believers equate loyalty to God with ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Meeting God

Contributed by Terry Hovey on Feb 28, 2025

You can't just come however you want. He is the one and only true God, and we are to strive toward His standards, not the other way around. We can't approach Him just willy nilly, because...

Meeting God Exodus 19:1-16 What do you expect when you come to church on a Sunday morning? Do you come for the fellowship with like-minded believers? Singing songs you've learned to love over the years? Maybe listen to a sermon that encourages and makes you feel good? Or maybe you prefer to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:1-16

Denomination: Methodist

What Does A Man Get For His Toil?

Contributed by William Baeta on Aug 5, 2001

“For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labours under the sun?”

Theme: What does a man gain for his toil Text: Eccl. 1:2, 2:21-23; Col. 3:1-5, 9-11; Lk. 12:13-21 Read Eccl. 2:21-23 “For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. What does a man get for all the toil and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21, Ecclesiastes 2:21-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Moving Forward In Favor Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Dec 16, 2014

I believe God has called us serve faithfully where He's assigned us . . . where we’re at. Most of the time, what we do for the kingdom goes unnoticed, unrewarded, unacknowledged. Yet you keep right on working/striving.

Introduction: A You and I are not ministering in the limelight of a national ministry, where thousands of people know what we are doing (Perry Stone’s, Ron Philipp’s, Damon Thompson’s, Rick Pino’s, John MacCarther’s, John Piper’s, John Kilpatrick’s) 1 God ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:10-16

Denomination: Baptist

Jehovah-Tsidkenu, God Our Righteousness Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Oct 10, 2022

God says, “I have done it myself.” Instead of striving to do good deeds, to climb the walls of the pit to escape from sin, we must recognize our own inability. “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).

What does it feel like to be in God’s presence? Have you ever felt his presence in a moment in time? It’s royal, God’s presence. Like royalty is present. It’s soft, like a whisper. It’s like a cloud comes over you, a cloud of God’s presence. It’s like the moment in time slows down. You become ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:1-8

Denomination: Salvation Army