Sermons on Try Harder:

Paul And Anania: From Goodness To Going

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 25, 2009

God’s call is for those of us who think that looking good is sufficient to go share the Gospel; and to those who are discipled to be alert to the potential in those whom God has placed in our paths.

I heard this week about a very, very special automobile. It was built in the 1920’s by the Italian manufacturer Bugatti, and it was designed to be sold to the outrageously wealthy. This car was equipped with 450 horses under the hood; it was some 22 feet long and weighed about 6000 pounds. It was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Circle Maker 3: Pray Hard Series

Contributed by Mark Batterson on Nov 15, 2011

The Bible is a promise book and a prayer book. And while reading is reactive, prayer is proactive. Reading is the way you get through the Bible. Prayer is the way you get the Bible through you.

Introduction In standardized math tests, Japanese children consistently score higher than their American counterparts. While some assume that a natural proclivity toward mathematics is the primary difference, researchers have discovered that it may have more to do with effort than ability. In one ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hurdles And The Peace Of God Part 1 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 13, 2015

Part one of this two part series focuses on how we can have peace in the midst of our troubles. The example used is a track runner who runs the hurdles.

“Hurdles And The Peace Of God…” Part 1 Scriptures: John 14:1-3; 27; Gen. 3:8-9; Mark 4:35-40; Isa. 26:3 Introduction How many of you have had a long week? How many of you have had a long 2015? This morning I want to briefly share with you from a topic of “Hurdles And ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Burden Of The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

Jesus says, happy are those who take following me seriously enough to bear the burden of the cross. Take up the cross and follow me Jesus said, and His demand is still the same today, and the promise is still the same, that those who suffer with Christ shall also reign with Him.

Florence Chadwick was the first woman ever to swim the difficult and cold 21 mile stretch of water between Catalina Island and the California coast. She failed on her first attempt because of poor vision. After 15 hours and 55 minutes of numbing cold she asked to be taken out of the water. A heavy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

The Burden Of The Cross Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

In this last beatitude Jesus provides His disciples with a defensive weapon to penetrate the fog of persecution. He promises great reward in heaven to those who will press on in the dark, knowing the light is still shining beyond.

Florence Chadwick was the first woman ever to swim the difficult and cold 21 mile stretch of water between Catalina Island and the California coast. She failed on her first attempt because of poor vision. After 15 hours and 55 minutes of numbing cold she asked to be taken out of the water. A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

When Life Is Hard Jesus Is There Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Oct 15, 2021

This message goes from John 11 on the death Of Lazarus but goes beyond to all hard times in life.

“WHEN LIFE IS HARD JESUS IS THERE” John 11 Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ July 25, 2021 VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/fGe6WlCL8dY INTRODUCTION: This morning, we come to a passage of Scripture which deals with death, a matter which is truly one of those hard things we ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:15, Matthew 28:20, Galatians 6:2, John 13:34-35, Psalm 27:10, Isaiah 49:15, Ecclesiastes 12:1-5, John 14:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"In The Last Days” – Where On Earth Is This Going? Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 27, 2022

The signs of the times are indicating we live in the last days the bible speaks of. What are these "last days" and how do we read them against history? We look at the current events in the world to gain some insight. It will but get worse.

“IN THE LAST DAYS” – WHERE ON EARTH IS THIS GOING? This is a biblical term found four times in the New Testament in the NASB. Only two of these will concern us in this message. They are – {{2Timothy 3:1 “Realise this, that IN THE LAST DAYS difficult times will come,”}} and {{2Peter 3:3 “Know ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1, 2 Peter 3:3, Matthew 24:34, Matthew 24:3, Matthew 16:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Timothy 3:12-13, Philippians 2:9-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Beginning Of… Sin (Again) Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 23, 2010

God’s grace overwhelms the “second chance.”

Scripture Introduction To give someone a leg up means to help them climb higher by standing on your knee or in your cupped hands, like a human step stool. A billboard in St. Louis advertised a local church by proclaiming: “Jesus gives a leg up!” That is both helpful and hopeful… ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:18-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Bread Of Life Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 19, 2023

If you want Jesus to fill your hungry soul, come to Him, trust in Him, and stay with Him.

It’s not clear what Joby Pool was planning for this year’s Easter feast, but if his snack plans were any indication, it would’ve been an epic celebration. That’s because police arrested Joby Pool for stealing a trailer containing 200,000 Cadbury Crème Eggs earlier this year (2023). As you ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-71

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Righteousness – The Fourth Step To Happiness Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Feb 12, 2008

This is the fourth of the "Be" attitudes.

Starving For Righteousness – The Fourth Step To Happiness We have been making a journey through a section of the scripture known as the beatitudes. The beatitudes are found in Matthew chapter five. All of them begin with the word “blessed.” Another word for blessed is happy. So as we have been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Please Let God Double Your Money & Your Joy

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Nov 5, 2003

This is a sermon on giving to the work of the Lord.

Please Let God Double Your Money And Your Joy GNLCC 10/19/2003 Deuteronomy 28:1-14 Luke 12:13-21 Today, we’re going to talk about money. Money is one thing that can cause us to lose our minds. Jack Benny was a comedian in years past, and Jack prided himself on what a cheapskate he was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21, Deuteronomy 28:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fools And Factions Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on May 31, 2003

Lets work together as servants, building on the one foundation, Jesus Christ, so as to build up the church in unity according to God’s wisdom, not human wisdom.

The Corinthians self-image was of a spiritually mature congregation, endowed with all the spiritual gifts they needed, well taught and self-sufficient. In fact they were quite similar to many churches today, particularly those of an evangelical persuasion, let me say. They thought their learning ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-22

Denomination: Anglican

Getting Past Disappointment

Contributed by Richard Tow on Feb 1, 2016

This message looks at the way people in Scripture processed disappointment and observes the impact on their lives. Then Pastor Richard gives five keys to getting past a disappointment and moving forward in your life.

Getting Past a Disappointment
 (10-04-15 www.LifeChurchSpringfield.org) I want to begin this ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 5:22-23

Denomination: Charismatic

Consider The Lilies

Contributed by James May on Jul 30, 2003

Sometimes we just need to stop and realize how much God cares for us and just what he does to supply our every need.

Pastor James May CONSIDER THE LILIES Matthew 6:26-29, "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:26-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Law Keeping - The Real Story Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Jun 10, 2002

The trouble wit hlaw keeping is that we’re unable to do it. The good thing about the law is that it drives us back to dependence on the grace of God in Jesu Christ

Here’s what happens to people from time to time. They realise they have a problem with a particular sin or sins, so they decide to do something about it. They read something like Romans 6, that we read last week and they decide that from now on they’ll be slaves of righteousness. Whenever they feel ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:7-25

Denomination: Anglican