Sermons on Striving For God:

You Have To Earn God's Love Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Jun 6, 2025

You don’t have to earn God’s love—He gives it freely by grace. Stop striving, and rest in the gift of His love.

### **I. Introduction: The Lie We Believe** Video Ill.: Sermon Bumper 1 The world is full of lies. And sadly, many times the lies of the world are believed and become our truth. And the devil—called in Scripture the father of lies, the prince of deception—spreads them far and wide. He uses this ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13, Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:8-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Holiness Or Uncommoness?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Nov 19, 2007

We are to strive to holy like God not just be uncommon.

I have a co-worker who is trying to share with the folks at his church his understanding of holiness and spiritual warfare. When I first heard him, I was not very receptive for I thought he had fallen into the error of sinless perfection. In addition, he seemed obsessed by battling demons, which ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Chosen To Praise God

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Nov 11, 2019

Today’s sermon is going to review the character, sphere and ground of our blessings in order to spur us on to not only praise and glorify His name with our lips but also through His power strive to become blameless in His sight!

Chosen to Praise God Ephesians 1:3-6 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.” Psalms 29:2 Ever get so excited about what God has done in your life that all you want to do is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-6, Psalm 29:2

Denomination: Baptist

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

Pressing Toward The Mark

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 4, 2025

Pressing toward the mark involves commitment, focus, discipline, and the refusal to settle for less than God's best.

PRESSING TOWARD THE MARK By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Philippians 3:12-14 Supporting Texts: 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 12:1-2, Luke 9:62, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 INTRODUCTION: The Christian journey is not a sprint but a lifelong race. It is marked by challenges, victories, setbacks, and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Separation

Contributed by John Mccormack on Jan 25, 2014

STRIVE FOR PEACE IN THE CHURCH.

SEPARATION OBSERVATION: THE ISSUE OVER LAND IS NOT A NEW ISSUE. ABRAHAM (ABRAM) EXPERIENCED THIS REALITY WITH HIS NEPHEW, LOT. ABRAHAM WISELY AVERTED THE DISPUTE. INTERPRETATION: GENESIS 13:9 (NKJV) IS NOT THE WHOLE LAND BEFORE YOU? PLEASE SEPARATE FROM ME. IF YOU TAKE THE LEFT, THEN I WILL ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:9

Denomination: Baptist

Mold Me And Make Me Sermon Ii: . . . By Helping Me Face My Fears Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 25, 2020

In striving to do God's Will on earth as it is done in Heaven, mature Christians realize that if it is to be according to His Will we must have help to face our fears.

MOLD ME AND MAKE ME AFTER THY WILL . . . BY HELPING ME FACE MY FEARS My Brother-in-law, who lived in Africa for ten years, tells about his wild life experiences – some of which, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:11-12, Exodus 4:10-17

Discovering Your Purpose Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 15, 2003

As we understand the ramifications of Christ dwelling within us, we will strive for maturity in our faith and can become all that God desires for us to be.

Discovering Your Purpose A truck driver was hauling a load of 500 penguins to the zoo. Unfortunately, his truck broke down. He eventually waved down another truck and offered the driver $500 to take the penguins to the zoo. The next day the first truck driver got his truck fixed and drove into ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-12

Denomination: Baptist

"Be Perfect” Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jul 9, 2022

Jesus said, 'You therefore must be perfect'. What an unreasonable demand! And yet, there are so many reasons to strive for it.

INTRODUCTION We’re continuing in our series in the Sermon on the Mount. In our passage for today, Jesus starts by saying, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’ What do you think of that!? Back in March I told you about an interview I heard on Radio 4. The reporter was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Baptist

Keep Pure Series

Contributed by Matthew Sullivan on Feb 18, 2008

As the Church we should always strive to be a strong imitation of God.

In Senior High you really imitate each other. What becomes trendy for one eventually becomes trendy for everyone else? When I was in H.S. the thing to do was to role up your jeans at the bottom, there was even a certain fold you had to follow, and everybody did it. Everybody’s hair was feathered in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Alert And Always Praying

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Feb 4, 2022

Christians must strive to be in constant dialogue with God the Father. We can live a life of prayer that is constant, intense and unselfish.

BILLY MITCHELL! THE FATHER OF WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE. THE YEAR IS 1919, AND THIS WORLD WAR ONE HERO WAS CONVINCED THAT MASTERING THE SKIES WAS THE KEY TO VICTORY IN COMBAT. ALTHOUGH IT COST HIM HIS CAREER, MITCHELL CONTINUED HIS ALL-OUT PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FOR AIRPOWER. HE ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18, Ephesians 6:12, James 5:16, Matthew 26:41, Colossians 4:2, Luke 21:36, 1 Peter 4:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Free Methodist

How To Avoid The Worst Woes In Life - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jan 28, 2023

1. Don’t keep people from God’s Kingdom. Help them go in! (vs. 13). 2. Don’t be greedy. Be generous! (vs. 14). 3. Don’t make people worse. Make them better! (vs. 15). 4. Don’t treasure gold. Treasure the things of God. (vs. 16-22). 5. Don’t be satisfied with less. Strive for God’s best. (vs. 23-24).

How to Avoid the Worst Woes in Life - Part 1 The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 23:13-24 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared January 28, 2023) MESSAGE: *In this chapter you will hear the strongest words of condemnation Jesus ever spoke during His ministry here on earth. Eight times Jesus called these ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13-24

Denomination: Baptist

Now Is The Time PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 16, 2023

To urge believers to live in obedience to God's Word, recognizing the urgency of the present time, and to strive for righteousness by setting aside sinful desires and clothing themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Good morning, family! We're going to dive deep into Romans 13:11-14 today, exploring the themes of living in obedience to God's Word, the urgency of now, and the blessing of righteousness. As Charles Spurgeon once said, "Obedience is the grand test of love." So, let's test our love for God today by ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11-14

Topics: Obedience, God's Word

Setting The Record Straight PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 26, 2023

This sermon explores how Christian life involves striving and commitment, viewing trials as opportunities to grow closer to God and rely on His strength.

Good morning, beloved family of God. It is a joy to gather with you today, under the canopy of God's grace and in the warmth of His love, to share in the wisdom of His word. Today, we are going to be focusing on a scripture passage that is as profound as it is poignant, as challenging as it is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Topics: Bad Things Happen, God's Blessings

Finishing First

Contributed by Mike Kern on Jun 30, 2002

Striving for first place in God’s kingdom may mean coming in last in this kingdom.

Finishing First Mark 9:33-35; Matt 20:20-28 When the United States of America began the Apollo project to put a man on the moon, our motivations were not entirely scientific… In fact, the so-called space race was driven largely by the ego of the American public. The Soviet Union was the first to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:33-35, Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational