Sermons on Try Harder:

Loving Jesus First

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 11, 2022

Martha was working in the kitchen to earn Jesus’ approval, while Mary was sitting in the living room listening to Him teach. But Jesus had no problem with Mary. Why? Because our love of Him must come before our service.

The living room intimacy Mary enjoyed with Jesus will never come out of the busyness of Martha’s kitchen. Busyness . . . breeds distraction. - Joanna Weaver(1) One time a counterfeit bill made it into circulation and no one knew it was fake for quite some time. It was spent hundreds of times on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Climate Change

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 26, 2024

Jesus first ejected all the unbelievers from Jairus' house, then He was able to work the miracle. If we want the supernatural in our lives, we need to have a climate change! We look at 5 keys to change your climate.

SPIRITUAL CLIMATE CHANGE Matt. 9:18-25 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: LOOK WHO’S CAUGHT 1. A Pastor had a dinner at the house of a couple in his church. After he left, the wife noticed his spoon was missing and it bothered her. “I think the Pastor stole our spoon!” she told her husband. 2. A year ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:18-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Price Of Peace

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 4, 2023

Jesus warns his followers that the consequences of following him will be painful and disruptive, and that they’d better be prepared for it.

The disciples were confused. When the Messiah came, peace and righteousness would reign from one end of the earth to the other. All the prophets agreed. And if Jesus was the Messiah as they were all now pretty sure he was, he would be the one who brought it about. He would be the Prince of Peace ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-53

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

28. The Representative Principle Series

Contributed by Gary Regazzoli on Nov 4, 2018

Jesus not only died for us, He also lived for us

[IN GOD’S IMAGE 28 – THE REPRESENTATIVE PRINCIPLE] This message is part of a series of 90 sermons based on the title, “In God’s Image – God’s Purpose for humanity.” This series of free sermons or the equivalent free book format is designed to take the reader through an amazing process beginning ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:17-19, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 10:14, 1 John 1:8-9, Ephesians 2:4-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

The Faith That Saves Us Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 14, 2025

Salvation rests not on our fragile belief but on the unbreakable faithfulness of Jesus, whose obedience secures our eternal assurance.

Introduction — When Faith Feels Fragile There are moments in life when faith feels small—thin as the line of light that leaks under a closed door. Maybe you’ve stood there, wondering if God still remembers your name. You’ve tried to believe, but the doubts keep whispering: Is my faith enough? Am ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:22, Philippians 2:8, Galatians 2:20, Hebrews 12:2, Romans 5:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Road To Heaven - Philippians 3:12-14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 10, 2022

After speaking against legalism in the first half of the chapter, Paul now warns against the opposite error: quietism. Not even Paul has gotten to a place where he can coast. The race goes until you die.

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Costly Actions

Contributed by Chad Ballard on Apr 9, 2002

Actions that lead to the denial of the Lord.

Costly Actions Matthew 26:31-35, 57-75 Chad H. Ballard Introduction Language is such an important thing. It is how we communicate. It’s how we get our thoughts and ideas through to others. And if you’ve ever tried to talk to people who speak another language, you know how difficult it is to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:31-35, Matthew 26:57-75

Denomination: Baptist

These Are The Days Of Elijah Part 1 Series

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2004

Number one in a series looking at the imagery in the modern Hymn These are the days of Elijah, looking at Elijah and being faithful to the word of God.

Introduction These are the days of Elijah. It’s a popular modern hymn. Sorry, but I refuse to call a song a chorus when it has two verses and a chorus just because it was written later than the 18th century. But anyway its quite a popular modern hymn. However, as with so many of our hymns and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-7, 1 Kings 18:1-46

Denomination: Holiness

Short Cuts

Contributed by Jeeva Sam on Mar 20, 2001

We can resist temptation by refusing to take short cuts

I am told that one of the hottest shows on Television these days is called "Temptation Island." It is a ’reality’ show like "Survivor". Four unmarried couples, who are in long-term relationships, are taken to a Caribbean island for two weeks to test and explore the strength of their commitment. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

The Almighty Weaver

Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 4, 2001

You’re Wonderful - because God designed you

Introduction How many times have you gotten envelopes that had big letters on the outside saying something like “You are guaranteed to win 10 million dollars!” Of course, in little tiny print, it says, “if your lucky numbers are the ones chosen at random from the 17 billion others.” And if you’ve ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Waiting 101 Series

Contributed by Mark Batterson on Oct 18, 2005

Most miracles are forfeited because we give up too soon.

A Course in Miracles: Waiting 301 05.20.05 Pastor Mark Batterson This evotional concludes A Course in Miracles. Our next series will be The Game of Life beginning in June. To check out old evotionals visit the evotional archive @ www.theaterchurch.com. Waiting Rooms I went to see the doctor ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Unequal Yoke Series

Contributed by David Moore on Jan 11, 2007

Message No. 1. An introduction to a series on the unequal yoke

The Unequal Yoke Aim: To show how our relationships with the unsaved must be tempered by our understanding of biblical Salvation. Text: 2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1 Introduction: Few matters can be of such vital importance to the welfare of the Christian than the matter of the unequal yoke, and yet ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Six Of Life's Most Important Words Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 19, 2009

This sermon focusing on Six of Life’s Most Important Words. These are focuses on two sets of three words which should readily flow from our lips and yet so often we forget to say them or can’t find the strength to say them.

Six of Life’s Most Important Words Matthew 5:23-24, Colossians 3:13 Last week we started our series on the Lessons in the Game of Life. We’ll look at the lessons of life that if we follow them life just becomes that much easier. If you don’t then you will end up with less joy and more pain in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:23-24

Denomination: Methodist

Getting Off Our "Buts"

Contributed by Dean Kennedy on Aug 26, 2002

It’s time to quit the excuses before we miss the party. This sermon was presented at an on-going Breakfast Ministry for the Homeless

This morning I’m going to give you guys an opportunity to change seats. This will be your only chance though. I want to make sure that you are comfortable where you are. Now for the reason why. I was led to pray over certain chairs here this morning before you came in. I feel God is really ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:15-24, Hebrews 10:24-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Wise & The Foolish

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Aug 8, 2005

The parable of the ten bridesmaids tells us: 1. You must be spiritually prepared. 2. No one can do it for you. 3. There is a day called "Too Late."

In April, 1988 the evening news reported on a photographer who was also a skydiver. He had jumped from a plane along with several other skydivers and filmed the group as they individually dove out of the plane and opened their parachutes. As the video was being shown of each member of the crew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13, Matthew 25:1

Denomination: Methodist