Sermons on Striving:

Introduction To The Fruit Of The Spirit Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

People who eat only fruit are called fruitarians. In this series on the Fruits of the Spirit we are going to be Biblical fruitarians, and strive to consume all God has revealed about spiritual fruit.

A doctor, an engineer, and an attorney were debating whose profession was the oldest. The doctor said, " it's obvious the medical profession was the first. The Bible refers to God creating Eve from Adam's rib, and that is surgical procedure." But the engineer said, "No! ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-24

Joseph-Dreams Can Come True Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 10, 2021

A dream can be an escape from reality, but it can also be an alternative to a present inadequate reality. A dream can provide an ideal toward which we strive and thereby change reality for the better.

Vanna White, the glamorous star who shows the letters on Wheel of Fortune, was a leader in her church youth group in North Myrtle Beach, North Carolina. Her pastor wrote about how he asked her, when she was a senior, what she was going to do after graduation. She responded that her dream was to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:2-20

Staying In Step (Mother's Day 2010).

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 21, 2021

The Holy Spirit is at work in godly mothers who strive to raise their children the way that they are to go so that they will not depart from it. ... . This sermon tells the story of George Foreman's mother.

STAYING IN STEP (Mother's Day 2010) Text: John 14:23 – 29 John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and ...read more

Scripture: John 14:23-29

Denomination: United Methodist

Dreams Can Come True Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 24, 2021

A dream can be an escape from reality, but it can also be an alternative to a present inadequate reality. A dream can provide an ideal toward which we strive and thereby change reality for the better.

Vanna White, the glamorous star who shows the letters on Wheel of Fortune, was a leader in her church youth group in North Myrtle Beach, North Carolina. Her pastor wrote about how he asked her, when she was a senior, what she was going to do after graduation. She responded that her dream was to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:2-20

Perfecting The Saints

Contributed by Wilson Oshorakpor on Jul 4, 2022

God demands holiness and perfection from his children. As saints of God, believers must strive to constantly abide in God's presence and depend wholly on him to attain perfection.

TEXT: 1 Peter 5:10 "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." GOD DEMANDS PERFECTION No matter how close you are to God, you must strive for perfection ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10, Psalm 138:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Exceeding Expectations Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jun 16, 2023

Jesus said that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. This means that He wants us to exceed the spiritual expectations prescribed by the Law; as we are to strive for excellence in our walk with God.

I have entitled our message, “Exceeding Expectations,” and I want to begin by sharing a true story. A contractor in Mexico was hired to build a Catholic Church, but he used cheap materials in order to make more money. He reasoned that the quality of the materials did not matter, so long as the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-22

Denomination: Baptist

Seek Things From Above Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jun 24, 2023

“Seek” implies striving, and “Set your mind” implies concentration. “Mind” includes understanding, attitude, and will. It means to employ one’s faculty for thoughtful planning, emphasizing the underlying disposition.

Text: Colossians 3:2 Theme: Seek things from above KJV: Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. CSB: Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Lightfoot: All your thoughts must abide in heaven, not on the earth. Phillips: Give your heart to the heavenly ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:2

Denomination: Methodist

Eclipse Of The Heart (March 27, 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 23, 2022

This morning let us strive to look at this story from a different angle as we give weight to the bitterness and indifference of the elder brother. Today we will focus on the hungry heart and the alienated heart.

ECLIPSE OF THE HEART Text: Luke 15:1 - 3, 11-32 Luke 15: 1 -3, 11- 32  Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.  (2)  And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: United Methodist

Go! And Be Still: Knowing The Lord In The Storm - Psalm 46:10 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 14, 2025

In a time where chaos seems to rule, where noise fills every moment, and distraction dulls our discernment - "Be still, and know that I am God!" is not a polite suggestion from God. This is a divine command — a call to stillness in a restless world.

Go! And Be Still: Knowing the Lord in the Storm - Psalm 46:10 Psalm 46:10 (NLT): “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honoured by every nation. I will be honoured throughout the world.” Introduction This is not a polite suggestion from God. This is a divine command — a call to stillness ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:10, Exodus 14:14, Jeremiah 9:23-24, Isaiah 46:9-10, Matthew 11:28, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Might Be A Pharisee

Contributed by Tiger Gullett on Apr 12, 2002

Jeff Foxworthy has made famous "You Might Be A Redneck" jokes. Nobody wants to be a redneck! Well, we should strive to not be a Pharisee. This message gives signs for, "You might be a Pharisee.."

*8 WARNING SIGNS THAT YOU MIGHT BE A PHARISEE IF..." ------------------------------------------------------- I. YOU ARE OUTWARDLY CLEAN BUT INWARDLY UNCLEAN (V39-41) a) IN OTHER WORDS YOU TALK A GOOD TALK BUT YOUR INSIDES ARE UNCLEAN 1. From the outside a Pharisee looks good, but inwardly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-52

Denomination: Baptist

Conformation And Transformation

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 20, 2002

The world wants you to conform to its thinking and its ways but what is needed is a transformation achieved through the new birth experience. Once achieved, we are to strive to be conformed to the image of His Son.

CONFORMATION AND TRANSFORMATION “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 I. Worldly conformation…the “ easy and popular way” “Enter in at the narrow gate; ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is In The Spotlight? Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Oct 4, 2002

Are you striving to capture the attention of the world or to even make God take notice of you through your righteous achievements? The glory of man does not endure–it pales in comparison to the glory of Christ.

In Greek literature, Virgil wrote about the plight of humanity and how something new needed to be done to help man out of his predicament. In Greek thought, God was removed, a mere spectator, like someone observing a play in an amphitheater or a stadium– –sometimes intervening in a helpful way ...read more

Scripture: John 13:31-38

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Run The Race Of Faith

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Oct 28, 2003

As we run the race of faith, we run away from the love of money and we run after godliness with contentment. We run striving with the strength that comes from God’s promises

Run the Race of Faith Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Word of God through which the Holy Spirit works contentment in our hearts today is 1 Timothy 6:6-12 [Read the text] Dear friends, who find contentment in Jesus: A story is told about New ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-12

Denomination: Lutheran

The Call To Sainthood Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Mar 19, 2024

As Christians, we are summoned to strive for sainthood. In this message Dr. Vorce initiates the conversation into the essence of a saint, the path to becoming a saint, embodying saintliness, and the hope of a saint. “...called to be saints:..” (Romans 1:7)

An Exegesis of Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. • Sainthood Defined: ONE SET APART, CONSECRATED, HOLY ONE... (Let’s see what the Commentators say…) • In the NT the word hagios, when used ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:7

Denomination: Church Of God

The Lost Oil - Refilling What's Been Depleted Series

Contributed by Barry Tallis on May 3, 2025

This sermon addresses spiritual depletion and teaches believers how to be refilled with the Holy Spirit through surrender rather than striving, emphasizing the power that comes when divine presence is prioritized over performance.

INTRODUCTION Church! Last week we talked about the broken altar - that place of worship and surrender that many of us have neglected. Today, we're diving into something equally critical - THE LOST OIL! In Scripture, oil represents the Holy Spirit, the anointing, the presence of God. And let ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:6, Psalm 46:10