Sermons on Try Harder:

The Paradox Of Power

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 28, 2025

This sermon 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 reveals the life-changing paradox that our greatest infirmities are not obstacles to God's power but the chosen arena where His strength is made perfect.

Introduction: Our Vain Obsession with Strength We live in a world that worships at the altar of strength. From the moment we rise to the moment we sleep, we are bombarded by a single command: Be strong. Look upon the images that flicker before our eyes, listen to the philosophies of this age. The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Grace Is Not Just Fair

Contributed by Joel Bernardino on Oct 9, 2025

Have you ever asked yourself these questions, “Why does my neighbor seem to have a better life than I do? Why does life seem so unfair sometimes?” Yes, many things in life are hard to understand; that’s why we need to understand the grace of God.

GOD’S GRACE IS NOT JUST FAIR Pastor Joel Bernardino | October 9, 2025 INTRODUCTION Have you ever asked yourself these questions? • “Why does my neighbor seem to have a better life than I do?” • “I’m smarter and more resourceful, yet life seems easier for them.” • “Life seems so unfair ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Christmas Day

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Dec 24, 2022

Jesus through the eyes of Mark

Skipping Christmas Christmas Day December 25, 2022 One of my friends asked what I was going to preach on for Christmas Day and I told him, the birth story of Jesus from the Gospel of Mark. In all honesty, Mark really doesn’t have a birth story. So, this should be really short! Right?! Nah! As ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Fatigue Has Come

Contributed by Damien Saylor on Nov 22, 2020

What happens when we are wore out?

Sermon: Fatigue has come. - Fear, This has been the word that has gripped our world since the beginning of this year. - Now Fear has boiled over to fatigue. Q- How many of you are tired of masks, hand sanitizers, fear of going out, & simply making one wrong move & touch ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:3-16

Denomination: Baptist

Tetelestai

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Apr 19, 2003

When Jesus spoke the words, "it is finished!" from the cross, He took care of our eternal destiny once and for all.

How are you at completing projects? My life and house are littered with my half-completed projects – books to read, pictures to hang, messes to clean - even harder now that we have a baby Our “to-do” lists are more like “never-do” lists Mt. Rushmore – supposed to be portrayed to the ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30, Luke 9:30-31

Denomination: Lutheran

No More Excuses

Contributed by Sherman Gordon on May 19, 2007

Life is filled with opportunities and adventures with our name written on it. We must choose to go after these wonderful opportunities and leave behind the excuses as to why we cannot accomplish something.

NO MORE EXCUSES MATTHEW: 25:14-30 I HAVE ONLY JUST A MINUTE, ONLY SIXTY SECONDS IN IT. FORCED UPON ME, CAN’T REFUSE IT, DIDN’T SEEK IT, DIDN’T CHOOSE IT, BUT IT’S UP TO ME TO USE IT. I MUST SUFFER, IF I LOOSE IT, GIVE ACCOUNT, IF I ABUSE IT. IT’S ONLY JUST A MINUTE, BUT ETERNITY IS IN IT . . . ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Short Challenge: Remembering Our First Love Series

Contributed by Nate Herbst on Jan 14, 2009

A short, practical encouragement on remembering our first love, Jesus.

Short Challenge: Remembering our first love. Rev.2:2-4 – “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:2-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Joy Of "Do-Overs" (Living In An Etch-A-Sketch Culture)

Contributed by Pb Stetser on Jul 6, 2004

This is a sermon about the fact that God provides a way to ’start-over’ (powerpoint slides available upon request)

The Joy of “Do-Overs” Preached 01-18-04 by Captain PB Stetser As with all of my sermons, the PowerPoint slides I used are available if you think they would be helpful. Simply email me at PBStetser@use.salvationarmy.org and request the slides for the specific sermon. Blessings! PB What are ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Holiness

Revival Part 3 Prison Revival Series

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Apr 13, 2008

Revivals and Riots Wherever Paul went he had either a revival or a riot Strange that his revivals were sometimes in prison and his riots in the temple … but no so strange In his text he had both Revival at an Unusual Time Revivals have characte

Disclaimer Please note that all my sermons come from the Lord. But I get my info from many sources from my library and other sources. I do not claim all material as my originality. I don’t quote all sources but I give credit to the Lord who is the author of all sermons. “All originality and no ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Our Mission

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Apr 22, 2008

the will of God, the work of God, and the Word of God that ALL believers should be concerned with

See Matthew 28:18-20. I. The will of Christ to which we all must surrender 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 1 Timothy 2:4 Who will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Asked To Do Hard Things Series

Contributed by Jason Smith on Oct 19, 2013

We shouldn't expect the work of the Lord to be easy.

Ezekiel put in A LOT of effort to obey God, even to the point where obeying God put him into uncomfortable situations. He was asked to do many difficult things. Here are some examples: In Chapter 4 of Ezekiel, God wants Ezekiel to get the point of the siege God is going to let happen to ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 24:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Run From Satan So You Can Avoid Him.

Contributed by Dr.w.samuel Legon on Mar 9, 2019

We must keep our selves sale and clear of Satan.

RUN FROM SATAN SO YOU CAN AVOID HIM. 1st Peter 5: 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Live In The Word Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Jul 23, 2023

This is the 3rd sermon in the series "Live Well".

Series: Live Well [#3] LIVE IN THE WORD 1 Peter 1:22-2:3 Introduction: As we have studied 1 Peter, we have already learned that we are to live in hope because of our salvation and we are to live in holiness because we have been made new through our salvation. This study teaches us to live in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Buck Stops Here

Contributed by Mike Kern on Jan 27, 2002

A Challenge to take personal responsibility in our lives.

THE BUCK STOPS HERE by Mike Kern Genesis 3:9-13 Introduction We’ve all heard of the sign on Pres. Harry Truman’s desk, The Buck Stops Here. What a noble sentiment for the leader of country… a willingness to deal with whatever came his way, an acceptance of responsibility for the burdens of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:9-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Madness Of The Prophet Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Mar 5, 2004

Moses, Pt. 14 of 15

THE MADNESS OF THE PROPHET (NUMBERS 22:1-35; 25:1-9; 31:6-8) My sister who returned from Hong Kong in the mid-90s after a few years of work there brought home many VCDs and told about the street vendors in Hong Kong that sold original VCDs as well as pirated VCDs and illegal computer software such ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible