Sermons on Try Harder:

Getting Back On Track Pt. 3 How Do I Come Back

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jul 16, 2012

This sermon looks at what David had to do to get back on track in his relationship to God after the affair with Uriah and Bathsheba.

Getting Back On Tack: How Do I Come Back 2 Samuel 12:1-31 John 21:15-25 7/15/2012 Calvary Have you ever tried to fix something or a situation, and the more time you spent trying to fix it the worse it became? We’re going to look at why fixing stuff our way does not always ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Pharisees Confront Jesus: What Does It Mean To Be A Hypocrite? An Issue Of The Heart Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jul 10, 2023

The Pharisees today are often regarded as hypocrites, mean, nasty, people who killed Jesus, and it’s true that they plotted against Jesus. But in general these were not bad people. These were religious leaders trying to help the people live according to God’s ways.

A lot of the scriptures that we look at, I feel like we get to understand another piece of the puzzle about who Jesus really is. It’s like we dive into a moment in history and we get to look over the shoulder of Jesus and see what he does, and why he does it, and we’re amazed. We want to live like ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-5

Denomination: Salvation Army

How To Handle A Sanballat

Contributed by Brady Cook on Jan 6, 2022

Usually, when we talk about Nehemiah, we focus on the wall. But what about the conditions he built it in -- namely, discouragement? - How are you supposed to focus on doing God's Work when others are trying to constantly tear you down?

https://hillsidechurchofchrist.com/how-to-handle-sanballat-and-tobiah/ Usually, when we have a sermon from Nehemiah 4, we fixate on a single verse: “The wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.” (Neh. 4:6) We then dissect this verse and what it means to have ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Flip Side Of Discipleship Series

Contributed by Andrew Hamilton on Oct 26, 2002

As much as Jesus calls for complete surrender, he also makes that call of ordinary people - putting discipleship within all of our grasp

The Flip Side of Discipleship Intro Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by US Air Force pilots and the replies from the maintenance crews. Problem: "Left inside main tire almost needs replacement." Solution: "Almost replaced left inside main tire." Problem: "Test flight OK, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:13

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Soft Heart - Hard Heart Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 14, 2012

As humans we naturally try to do what is in our own best self interest. This doesn't always coincide with the character of God. Such is the case with divorce. Jesus shocks His men and the Pharisees with a refreshing look at relationships. As we look at th

In one of the rides at Disneyland, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, there is a holding room that resembles an archeological dig deep under a Southeast Asian jungle. A covered well sits in the center of the room with a rope extending down into the well. A sign clearly says “do not pull ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-16

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Breathe Like A Believer

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Nov 19, 2003

In Psalm 51 King David gives us a picture of the "spiritual breathing" believers do every day. We exhale our sorrow and repentance over our sins. We inhale God’s mercy and forgiveness by faith.

Take a deep breath and hold it. Now exhale. What just happened? You took some air into your lungs. Your lungs removed the oxygen from the air for your body to use. You then exhaled what your body doesn’t need—carbon dioxide. What you took in sustains your life. What you breathed out is of no ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Josiah: When Reform Is Not Enough

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 28, 2007

True revival comes when there is: 1. A call to prayer. 2. A reemergence of God’s Word. 3. A sense of conviction and true repentance.

Josiah: When Reform Is Not Enough 2 Chronicles 34:16-21 The story of Josiah, King of Judah, is one of the most unusual in the Old Testament in many ways. He was only eight years old when he took the throne. He is one of the last kings to reign before the nation was overrun by the Babylonians. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 34:16-19

Denomination: Methodist

Fully Equipped For Godly Living Series

Contributed by David Welch on May 23, 2018

Message 19 in our exposition of Paul's letter to the Corinthians. This message takes a side trip to 2 Peter 1 to explore God's provision for living godly in and ungodly world

Chico Alliance Church Pastor David Welch “Fully Equipped for Life and Godliness” 2 Peter 1:3-11 Review I. Reproof for fleshly behavior 1-6 A. Reproof for a divided church 1-4 B. Reproof for a defiled church 5 C. Reproof for a defeated church 6 1. Defeated by lawsuits before ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Worship - Satisfy Yourself Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

You had enjoyed food and friendships and being productive and investments and vacations and hobbies and reading and shopping and sports and TV and travel … but not God.

Today, we launch a new series, Seven Practices of a Healthy Christian. This series fits nicely after talking through Creed for the summer. First, we discussed our creed and now our deeds. Beliefs always precede our behavior. You can find today’s sermon notes on YouVersion and go to “Live event.” ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:47-48, Psalm 63:8, Psalm 63:1-5, Psalm 34:8, Habakkuk 1:14-17, Matthew 22:37-38, Psalm 37:4, 1 Corinthians 16:22, Habakkuk 3:17-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Turn My Eyes

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 8, 2025

Revival begins when the eyes turn from vanity to the Word, restoring focus, holiness, and joy through Christ’s living presence.

Introduction — When the Heart Goes Blind Revival rarely begins with thunder. Sometimes it begins with the smallest motion of the eyes. “Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me according to Your word.” (Psalm 119 : 37) That’s not the cry of a nation in trouble. It’s the sigh of one ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:37, Psalm 85:6, Matthew 6:22, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Germinating Gentleness Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 30, 2003

A gentle spirit gives the world a taste of the presence of Jesus. As we become as gentle as Jesus, we will treat others like He does.

Germinating Gentleness Rev. Brian Bill 7/29/01 Pastors are not always known for their gentleness because many of us talk too long or preach too loud. On the other hand, people are not always real gentle with pastors either. I heard about a minister who received a note from an ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Making Life Count

Contributed by Richard White on Feb 24, 2005

What will we leave behind, what will be our legacy. Even in the face of death, Paul’s concern was for his young protoge Timothy.

Making LIFE COUNT 2 Timothy 2:1-2:13 I still remember the exact moment when I realized that I was truly an adult. It wasn’t my 18th birthday, or when I enlisted in the Navy a few years later. It wasn’t even when I got married a year after that I first realized I was an adult when I was 22 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who Prevented You From Obeying The Truth? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 24, 2007

We must take responsibility for our failure to obey the truth. Two personality factors that contribute to disobedience are self-indulgence and competitiveness. Final message in revival at Emmaus Baptist Church, Quinton, VA

I’ve lived in the Washington area long enough now that I know the lingo. I understand what you do when you get caught doing something you are not supposed to do. I’ve discovered that if you cannot get away with a “no comment” and you don’t have a lawyer to send people to, you stand up and you ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:7-25

Denomination: Baptist

Clean Heart Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 9, 2009

If we want to find life and joy in our relationship with Christ, we must focus on Scripture not tradition, and focus on a clean heart not clean hands.

Clean Hearts (Mark 7:1-23) Alan Kraft, in his book, Good News for Those Trying Harder, shares a story about a time when his wife borrowed his car and heard a CD he had loaded in the sound system. The song touched her. When she asked him about it, he was able to recite the lyrics, but was unable ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What's Marriage Really All About? Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Nov 18, 2014

We cannot fully understand or appreciate what marriage is really all about until we see a picture of the way things really are.

“Getting A Clue: What’s Marriage Really All About?” Mt. 19:1-12; Eph. 5:22-33 Sometimes, to fully understand something we need to see a picture of how things really are. For example, we know our heart pumps life-giving blood that keeps us alive. But it’s only when we see a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed