Sermons on Try Harder:

Hezekiah's Heaps

Contributed by Troy Borst on Sep 8, 2005

All of the things that Hezekiah did were to help his people return to God. Part of what he reinstated and restored was the giving of tithes. It was the final piece of the picture he was trying to restore.

HEZEKIAH’S HEAPS 2 CHRONICLES 31:5-10 INTRODUCTION... 3 Sermons (http://elbourne.org/sermons/index.mv?illustration+1136) One sunny Sunday morning a shrewd minister who desperately needed funds for his struggling church stood up in the pulpit and announced: ‘Brothers and sisters, I have before me ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 31:5-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Men And Women Think Differently Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 13, 2006

If you are going to minister to people of both genders, you have to respect both genders and try to understand how both genders operate. This is true in marriage, church, evangelism, business, and community.

Men and Women Think Differently (Genesis 3:1-7) 1. The differences between men and women are legion. 2. For example, "In a Harvard study of several hundred preschoolers, researchers discovered an interesting phenomenon. As they taped the children’s playground conversation, they realized that all ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Romans, Part 19 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 21, 2011

Understanding the role of God in our lives is critical. We are called to be slaves to Him, to His power, and to His authority. It is when we try to take charge that we get into the difficulties of life.

Romans, Part 19 Romans 6:15-23 Introduction - We are no longer under the bonds this world wants to place on us Gal 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:15-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ishmael And Isaac: From Mistake To Mission

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 20, 2009

We live with dreams deferred, and act hastily, out of impatience. Either we then go into denial or we try to make do with a substitute. But Christ makes all dreams ever new.

The playwright Lorraine Hansberry asks it: "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up, like a raisin in the sun?" A dream deferred. A dream deferred is something you’ve put heart and soul into, for a long time, but it’s delayed. It hasn’t come. It’s incomplete. What happens to a dream ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Standing On The Rubbishes

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 30, 2010

Revised from an earlier message for a small church trying to affirm a new direction: Focus on what you have accomplished, know the heart of Christ for His church, confirm loving relationships.

Bethesda First Baptist Church, Bethesda, MD October 3, 2004 Some things end, but are not completed. Other things are completed, but do not end. There is a world of difference between the two. Some things end, but are not completed. Some things stop, unfinished. All these recent accidents ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Fresh Wind Of The Spirit

Contributed by Robert Bravo on Jul 1, 2007

Life can get tough at times. The enemy is always trying to destroy us. Sometimes we need a fresh filling of Gods spirit. It empowers for life and mininstry. We can be overcomers.

The fresh wind of the Spirit Acts 1 says: Acts 1:1 - 26 (NASB) 1The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. 3To these He also ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-26

Denomination: Nazarene

The Path Of Life

Contributed by Joe Rowland on Jun 30, 2008

We are all on a path of life, and at different times, Satan will try to put up a road block in our lives. With Jesus’ help we can overcome these obstacles in our paths of life.

The Path of Life Psalm 142 1 Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. 2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 142:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Gospel Of Judas

Contributed by Rev. Bruce A. Shields on Apr 23, 2006

How does this Coptic Gnostic Text make its way from the lost to try and force itself into mainstream Christianity? Is this an actual Gospel? What can we make of this new discovery?

“The Gospel of Judas” Rev. Bruce A. Shields First Baptist Church of Tawas City Michigan USA www.tawasbaptist.org April 23rd, 2006 † WELCOME † SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 26:25 “Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:25

Denomination: Bible Church

Mine, Mine, Mine

Contributed by Ervin Kimrey on Dec 27, 2008

This sermon looks at the rebellion of some against the church, God’s man and God himself. Many times people claim athority that is not given to them by God, yet they try to take it anyway.

MINE, MINE, MINE Text: Numbers 16:1-35 Ill: Bill Cosby—Joke about kids fighting over a toy---“Mine, Mine, Mine” ---“I don’t care about justice, I Just Want Peace” Unfortunately, that’s the attitude many churches have today, They just want peace regardless the cost. (compromise) Folks, When ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 16:1-35

Denomination: Baptist

In His Presence My Cup Runs Over

Contributed by Sherry Proskine on Aug 20, 2008

We all want to be happy. We try hard to hold onto happiness. But, happiness is dependent on happenings. There’s something far more outlasting available to us--Joy.

Open: Ever notice when your cup of happiness is full, someone always bumps your elbow? You’re no longer happy. Maybe even a little wet! That little action just stole your Happy away. Why? Because happiness is dependent on "happenings". What goes on around you--circumstances—they dictate ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Freedom's Children Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 26, 2009

The message encourages believers to know their spiritual mother, the way of promise, and to discard the way of law. In other words, stop trying to earn your way and start enjoying your way to heaven.

Freedom’s Children (Galatians 4:21-31) Van Morris, of Mt. Washington, Kentucky, tells the story of an elderly woman from out of town who walked into a local country church. A friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up the flight of steps. “Where would you like to sit?” he asked. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:21-31

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Jesus Way Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Nov 13, 2008

Part 1 in series Slowing Down. In this first message in the Slowing Down series, Dave explains that most people struggle to follow Jesus the Way because of the way they try to follow Jesus.

The Jesus Way Slowing Down, part 1 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers October 11, 2008 Years ago my wife Christy, and Greg McLaughlin, took a van full of teenagers to Arizona to work on an Indian reservation for a week. After a couple dozen hours of driving, they passed through The Painted ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13

Denomination: Free Methodist

Christians In Costume

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Dec 2, 2008

Soon you will have an army of children descend on your home dressed in costume and saying Trick or Treat as they try their best to load their bags up with candy. This was not what Halloween was intended to be.

Christians in Costume Soon you will have an army of children descend on your home dressed in costume and saying Trick or Treat as they try their best to load their bags up with candy. This was not what Halloween was intended to be. But today our society has turned it into a night of fun and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

#1down? Why Am I Here? Did I Miss It?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 11, 2008

Must read! We look at John the Baptist and the battle that tried to hinder his full touch of Jesus’ hands. I may not understand today, but I have to press on and try again!

DOWN? WHY AM I HERE? DID I MISS IT? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com If you can preach this sermon with out tears, please don’t preach it! I have an OSCAR THE GROUCH, remember he lives in a garbage can? On the side of Grouch’s garbage can, it says: UNWELCOME TO GROUCH LAND? And a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:19-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

Contributed by Michael Tkachuk on Aug 10, 2014

While Jesus was praying on the mountain, the disciples were in a boat trying to cross the sea. Jesus approaches the boat walking on water. They thought it was a ghost and it frightened them until Jesus spoke up.

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Our Gospel reading this morning talks about the apostles’ struggle with fear as a raging storm tosses their boat like a cork on the churning sea. Now fear could be a good thing or it can be a bad thing. It can cripple us or it can be a lifesaver. Someone once ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-34

Denomination: Catholic