Sermons on Striving:

Favoritism Forbidden PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 14, 2023

Showing favoritism goes against God's command to love our neighbors as ourselves, and we should strive to treat everyone equally, as God does.

Good morning, church family! Today we are diving headfirst into the book of James. We're going to discuss a topic that we all wrestle with from time to time. That's right, we're talking about favoritism, and how it goes against the Golden Rule and God's judgement. It's a tough subject, but as Billy ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Topics: Treat Others, Golden Rule

God’s Love Is For Giving: A Confessional Sermon On John 3:16

Contributed by David Dunn on Jan 20, 2026

John 3:16 reveals a love that gives before we act, inviting weary believers to stop striving, receive grace, and rest in God.

Have you ever wondered why you don’t often hear sermons preached on John 3:16? I don’t mean references to it. I don’t mean quoting it in passing. I mean a full sermon—sitting with it, staying with it, letting it speak. At first, that sounds strange. Because John 3:16 is everywhere. Many of us ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Forward Momentum PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 6, 2024

This sermon encourages believers to persist in their faith journey, striving towards spiritual maturity and heavenly citizenship, guided by the teachings of Philippians 3:12-21.

Welcome, dear friends, to this blessed gathering where we have come together, not by coincidence, but by divine appointment, to delve into the riches of God's word. We are here today, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the grand narrative of God's love and grace. As we gather in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-21

Topics: Momentum, Walk With Christ

Forgiveness And Love PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 7, 2025

God’s grace is a free gift we cannot earn or buy; it transforms our hearts from striving and bitterness to rest, faith, and love.

If you’ve ever tried to buy a birthday gift for someone who already has everything, you know the head-scratching feeling it brings. What do you give the person who lacks nothing? Now lift your eyes a little higher and imagine bringing your best to the God who has never needed a thing. We sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:20-23

Topics: Bitterness, Sin

Money Is A Terrible Master, But A Great Servant Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Money can either serve us or control us. We should strive to achieve financial freedom and use money to make a lasting impact.

Ever heard of Centralia, Pennsylvania? Back in 1962, a coal mine fire started there and it's still burning today, right under the ground. Crazy, right? Money is kinda like that fire. It can be used for good stuff or it can cause a lot of damage. When money takes over our hearts, it can burn us up ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24, Mark 10:17-27

Topics: Financial Management, Wealth Accumulation, Consumerism, Economic Inequality

Practical Work Ethic Series

Contributed by Phillip Day on Jan 10, 2007

Paul moves from the words of encouragement to Timothy in Chapter 1 to words of wisdom in a credible work ethic that all Christians should strive to maintain.

Practical Work Ethic 2 Timothy 2:1-26 I. Work’s Zeal (v. 1-7) a. Enduring Hardship (v. 3-4; 2 Corinthians 4:10) b. Maintaining Integrity (v. 5; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27) c. Brings “first” fruits (v. 6) II. Work’s Motivation (v. 8-13) a. Jesus is alive (v. 8) b. God’s Word is active (v. 9; Hebrews ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

An Appeal For Prayer Series

Contributed by Gary Moore on Jan 21, 2008

I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your Prayers to God on my behalf.

The gospels attest to Jesus’ habit of prayer. Having observed Jesus’ prayer life, the disciples were encouraged to ask him to teach them to pray more effectively. The book of Acts speaks often of the efficacy of the church as it was devoted to prayer. The epistles of Paul are laced with prayers and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:30-33

Denomination: Congregational

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

Pressing On Toward The Goal Series

Contributed by David Simpson on Aug 19, 2016

The goal of finishing the race must be before us as Christians. Heaven awaits. Strive toward the victory of heaven by living out your faith every day.

Sermon Lanier Christian Church August 14, 2016 David Simpson Pressing on Toward the Goal Philippians 3:13-14 But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Christian Church

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 Excellent Spirit

Contributed by Samuel Fulkerson on May 5, 2013

We all should be striving for excellence in all aspects of our life and living. Jesus Christ and His shed blood is a clear path to His greatness.

Quotes: “Anything worth doing, is worth doing right.” ― Hunter S. Thompson “Next to excellence is the appreciation of it.” -William Makepeace Thackeray “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” -Aristotle ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

The Growth Of The Saints

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Sep 30, 2018

The Lord provides our salvation, but that does not absolve us from any responsibility. We are responsible for our growth and maturity, striving for Christ-likeness in this life.

The Growth of the Saints 2 Peter 1: 5-8 Following his introduction and reminder of the glorious benefit of salvation, Peter immediately extended a challenge to the believers who would read this letter. While salvation is an act of God’s marvelous grace offered to those who are underserving, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

Rich Man And Lazarus

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jul 10, 2022

Many may go to church but alas only a few, very few, who strive hard to follow Jesus and His commandments would make it to heaven!

Rich man and Lazarus Luke 16:19 "Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 "And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores..” This morning God reminded me of the parable of the rich man ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Meaning Of Meaninglessness

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

The Bible rejects the idea that all is meaningful. It stresses the reality of the meaningless, for the more we know of this reality, the more we will strive to avoid it and stay on the road of meaningfulness.

Pastor W. Robert McClelland had to endure the painful experience of hearing his grown son curse God and cry out in angry rebellion at Him. His son had worked hard for congressman Jerry Litton in his senatorial campaign. When the polls closed that Tuesday night and Litton come through with an ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18