Sermons on Try Harder:

Dispelling The Darkness

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Apr 23, 2015

What we’re trying to do is push back the darkness.

So, Matthew says that, “when Jesus heard that John [the Baptist] had been arrested, he withdrew….” What does that tell us? It tells us – doesn’t it? – that there is a force of darkness at work in this world. And we know what that means, of course. It means there ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hold On To Jesus Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on May 22, 2015

WE need to hold on to something in life, how about trying Jesus.

INTRODUCTION • LONE SURVIVOR CLIP-Wingclips.com • SLIDE #1 • That was actual clips of Navy Seals in training from the movie Lone Survivor. • Have you ever felt like you were just holding on for dear life with your faith? • SLIDE #2 • You feel like you have been ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:24-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Holy Trinity - Father, Son, And Holy Spirit

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Jun 14, 2019

No matter how hard we try, understanding the concept of the Trinity is uncomprehendible

I speak to you in the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Amen One of the first sermons I delivered here at Saint John’s, without realizing when I agreed to preach, was Trinity Sunday in 2011. I have to tell you, of all the Sundays in the year, this is the one that makes ...read more

Scripture: John 16:12-15, John 4:34

Denomination: Episcopal

Part 3: Before You Throw In The Towel…” Series

Contributed by Bryan Fink on Feb 2, 2009

To tell people that Jesus is ready for them to try being a disciple again.

Title: Good News for People Living in a Bad News World Part 3: Before you throw in the towel…” Theme: New Starts/redemption Task: To tell people that Jesus is ready for them to try being a disciple again. Text: John 21.1-19 [TITLE SLIDE] A reality show debuted in 2006 called The Contender ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Methodist

Growing Warmer Through Fellowship Series

Contributed by David Owens on Feb 2, 2015

What is fellowship all about? I try to answer that question in this sermon.

A. It probably won’t surprise you, if I told you that I have never run a marathon. 1. Not only have I not competed in a marathon, I have never competed in an ironman triathlon (which is a race where on a single day every participant does a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bicycle race, and then caps ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Coverings We Make For Ourselves

Contributed by Dove Inspirations on Feb 22, 2022

The various ways we try unsuccessfully to hide from The MOST HIGH

The inadequate and false coverings we make for ourselves. Adam and Eve never fail to fascinate. They were the very first human beings. They were covered in the light and glory of The MOST HIGH. They never had to worry about HIS presence and absence. They knew that HE would PERSONALLY visit ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:7

My Joy Is Coming Back

Contributed by Bruce Lee on May 28, 2025

We often try to find out joy in the things around us.

My Joy is Coming Back “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and they come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 35:10 Intro: We often try to find out joy in the things around us. The ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are The Father, Son, And Holy Spirit The Same Essence?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on May 25, 2023

In the church, a lot of confusing language is used to try and explain or define things.

Today we will look at the Trinity, often defined as "one in ‘essence,’ three in person." What does that mean exactly? God is three Persons, and the name 'God' implies one ‘essence.’ If God is "three Persons," how can there be "one" ‘essence’? The meaning of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Revelation 19:7, Song of Songs 4:9-10, Acts 1:4-5, Isaiah 28:11-12, 2 Chronicles 2:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Great Shepherd's Claims Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 2, 2024

Jesus still is trying to solidify His claims of who He is.

As we move along in our study of the Gospel of John we will pick up in verse 17. READ 17-18. This is the final proof that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and that is in His sacrificial death and resurrection. A shepherd’s greatest sacrifice was to give his life for his sheep. A shepherd who died for ...read more

Scripture: John 10:17-42

Denomination: Baptist

Me Almighty

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 1, 2004

When you think you could do a better job than God, You need to remember: 1. There is one God, and you are not him. 2. God’s job is harder than you think. 3. Our goal should be to be like God, not to be God.

On our plane trip out to San Diego this summer they showed the film Bruce Almighty with Jim Carey. Besides being hilarious, it had a real message behind it. Carey plays Bruce Nolan, a local Eyewitness News TV reporter in Buffalo, New York. He is discontented with almost everything in his life, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-25

Denomination: Methodist

The Christmas Gift Of Detachment

Contributed by James Kevin Bachmann on Dec 17, 2011

The gift of detachment will benefit us much more than any material gift.

The Christmas Gift of Detachment “What did you get for Christmas?” people often ask after the long-awaited day arrives on Dec. 25. They wait for the coming of Jesus as they do the coming of St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus. I read a story this week about a superior who received gifts from ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Catholic

New Creation Living: Following Jesus Into A Transformed Life Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 30, 2025

What really changes when someone follows Jesus? Is Christianity merely a change of opinion, a moral upgrade, a religious badge? Or does the Gospel promise something far deeper—something radical, something eternal?

New Creation Living: Following Jesus into a Transformed Life” Discipleship (Following Jesus) Series – 2 Corinthians 5:17 Introduction: A Question That Changes Everything Let me begin with a simple but searching question: What really changes when someone follows Jesus? Is Christianity merely a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:15, Colossians 3:1, Ephesians 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Renewed In Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Contributed by David Cramer on Dec 21, 2024

A message of Hope for our future about being renewed in our walk with the Lord.

Renewed in Christ. Stand with me and hold up your Bible and repeat after me. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I can do what it says I can do. I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be. Today I will learn more of the word of God. The indestructible, never ending, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gospel In One Sentence: An Expository Sermon On John 3:16

Contributed by Alex De Guzman on Dec 10, 2025

Today, we will journey through this verse, uncovering the fullness of God’s love and His plan for salvation, allowing the brilliance of John 3:16 to speak afresh to us.

Many verses in Scripture summarize aspects of the Christian message, but none shine with the clarity, beauty, and power of John 3:16. It has been called: “The Gospel in a nutshell.” “The miniature Bible.” “The greatest sentence ever written.” It appears on stadium banners, bumper stickers, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Unforced Rhythms Of Grace PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 27, 2023

This sermon encourages believers to recognize their need for spiritual rest, accept Christ's invitation to rest, and find renewal in His grace amidst life's demands.

Good morning, beloved family in Christ. It is indeed a joy to gather with you today, to share in the fellowship of our Lord, to open the Word of God together, and to find in its pages the nourishment our souls so desperately crave. We live in a world that often leaves us weary and burdened, a world ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Topics: Rest