Sermons on Striving For God:

Forcing God's Blessings? Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Apr 20, 2009

Because we all want to be blessed, we can have a tendency to force a blessing, whether from God or from someone else, when God freely gives blessings!

In general, what does it mean to be blessed?? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines to bless as to be cared for, to be spoken well of, to prosper, and to be happy. How many of you think that every person in the world wants to be blessed?? Of course, everyone wants to be blessed! We need to be ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Did Jesus Do?

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Feb 27, 2010

If we are to be conformed to the likeness of Christ then we must strive to follow His example in word and deed and do what Jesus did.

What Did Jesus Do? Reading: Luke 4:14-30 Introduction The Gospel makes it clear that as followers of Christ we are “walking in newness of life”; we are raised up from the waters of baptism a new person, the old sinful being having been put to death. Paul writes in his letter to the Romans (Romans ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Victory In Jesus Sermon Iii: True Believers Have Nothing To Fear Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 2, 2020

Choices in life define us in the present and determine our future. Choosing God's Way followed by a life that is true and striving to please Him in all that we do guarantees the believer no separation from God our Father.

TRUE BELIEVERS HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR EXCEPT FEAR ITSELF Remember that famous declaration made on June 8, 1941 to the American people: “We have nothing to fear except fear itself”. In his “Declaration of War” speech to Congress ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1, Romans 8:28-39

Go For The Gold

Contributed by Monte Brown on Feb 28, 2014

In the Olympics, every individual and every team strives to “Go for the Gold.” They prepare, train, and live to “Go for the Gold” most of their lives.

Introduction Our message this morning is “Go for the Gold” and is found in Hebrews 5:1-10. In the Olympics, every individual and every team strives to “Go for the Gold.” They prepare, train, and live to “Go for the Gold” most of their lives. They sleep to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:1-10

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

God Is Unavoidable Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Mar 20, 2017

Have you ever felt like someone was avoiding you? They don't pick up the phone when you call or when they see you coming they turn and run the other way. Don't feel bad, people try to do that with God. But it's pointless to think we can really avoid God.

GOD IS UNAVOIDABLE Have you ever felt like someone was avoiding you? They don't pick up the phone when you call or when they see you coming they turn and run the other way. There can be different reasons for this. Perhaps you talk too much and they don't want to be trapped into having a long ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:5-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

5 Reasons Jesus Chose Fishermen

Contributed by Chris Miller on Feb 6, 2019

There are a few reasons 7 of the 12 first disciples were fishermen. They were not chosen by accident. They possess skills every Christian should strive to possess.

The Bible tells us 7 of the first 12 disciples were fishermen by trade. It is no accident Jesus chose these individuals to be his first disciples. As fishermen, these guys possessed characteristics every Christian should have. Here are 5 reasons Jesus chose fishermen. 1. Fishermen know how to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:5-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Way To Be A Great Dad

Contributed by Rick Crandall on May 9, 2016

1. Stop following misguided feelings (vs. 23-28). 2. Seek godly guidance (vs. 29-30). 3. Put your confidence in Christ (vs. 31). 4. Strive to be a spiritual leader for your family (vs. 31-32). 5. Show the kindness of our Savior (vs. 33-34).

God's Way to Be a Great Dad Acts 16:23-34 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - June 21, 2015 BACKGROUND: *In Acts 16, Paul and his mission team were trying to find out where the Lord wanted them to go next. Then in vs. 9-10: 9. A vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:23-34

Denomination: Baptist

A Good Soldier

Contributed by Phillip Day on Jan 24, 2008

As "Privates First Class" in the army of God, we should strive to be all we can be for Christ.

A Good Soldier 2 Timothy 2:3-4 I. Endures Hardship (v. 3) a. Satan wants to destroy you—physically and/or spiritually (1 Peter 5:8; Luke 22:31) b. We must stand our ground when Satan attacks (1 Peter 5:9; James 4:7) c. God always provides a way to endure (1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Why The Law Cannot Fix Us Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 11, 2020

Although ignorance is a major problem in the Christian world, our biggest issue involves being rightly related to God. Many, sadly, look to law-keeping as the way to know God or receive His forgiveness. This simply will not work; we need regeneration, the work of the Holy Spirit within us.

Why the Law Cannot Fix Us (Romans 7:1-25) 1. Happy Mother’s Day to all our moms. Moms come with all sorts of personalities and approaches toward parenting. A mother is trying to get her son to eat carrots. “Carrots are good for your eyes,” she says. “How do you know?” the boy asks. The mother ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God's Unmerited Favor

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Feb 11, 2019

What role did you play in God’s plan last year? Is Christ happy with your commitment to his church; did you strive to reach your potential in him or did you coast along doing as little as possible, hoping something good will happen?

One of the three ships that bring the colonists to Jamestown is Godspeed, a three-mast square-rigger that sails the Atlantic nearly five months to get to Virginia. The ship is just 88 feet long—about the length of a double tractor-trailer—and has a top speed of +/- 4 miles per hour. Colonists ...read more

Denomination: Other

Jacob Wrestles With God, A Salvation Story. Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jun 6, 2024

Jacob had been at odds with pretty much everyone his entire life, He wrestles with God and surrenders. There is a new beginning. Why do we wrestle with God and not just surrender to him?

Read Genesis 32:22-32 Who here likes a bit of alone time, the family have gone off on a trip and here’s an opportunity, there’s that novel that you would like to finish reading, that project that you’ve been wanting to finish or in my case get started, the hobby that it would be good to lose ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32, Ephesians 2:4-6, Genesis 32:1-32, Jeremiah 29:11-14

Denomination: Salvation Army

Battling Besetting Sin Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 7, 2011

Paul was being defeated by (the law of) sin, forcing him (his renewed mind) to search till God could reveal to him the way of deliverance (the Law of the Spirit). The law of sin is too strong for anyone so you must yield to a higher law if you would have

BATTLING BESETTING SIN (THE ENEMY WITHIN) ROMANS 7:15-8:2 How does one go about battling the sin which so easily besets us? Is there any way to be completely delivered from the sin that has plagued your life for years and years? A person who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ may be ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Be Like Mike

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on Jun 20, 2014

John writes that we are not to be the same as the world but we are to look forward to being the same as Jesus while we strive to imitate and be pure just as Jesus was and is pure.

Be Like Mike 1 John 3: 1-3 (NLT) Intro: Play you tube video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0AGiq9j_Ak . How many remember that commercial on TV? . All the kids and half the adults wanted to be like Mike didn’t they? . Michael Jordan was probably the first to be labeled a super ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

An Attitude Adjustment

Contributed by Troy Borst on Aug 17, 2005

We should strive for the servant attitude of Christ Jesus.

AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11 INTRODUCTION What is an attitude? An attitude is much more than an opinion and much more than a mere feeling. An attitude is an opinion that is acted upon. For example, a person may feel that he or she is more superior to those around them and it hurts ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ