Sermons on Try Harder:

God As Creator/Owner Series

Contributed by Will Norman on Jul 3, 2006

Most people accept God as Creator without much hesitation, but we find it harder to accept Him as the Owner of our lives. Why? This sermon explores God’s relationship with us as a Creator and how that affects His ownership and it’s role in our lives.

I. Intro Series: A. Welcome B. Title/Subtitle of Series Explanation i. If you grew up in church ... (There are certain things …) ii. If not you’ve probably heard or read … 4 sp. Laws (campus mins) iii. These often become catch phrases … said but not understood. C. I don’t ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Who Done It? - Sermon On Philippians 2:12-13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 1, 2023

God works inside us to cause us to desire and decide good things and to do good things. When he does so, it really is our willing and doing, even though it was caused by God.

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13

The Great Exchange: Living The Crucified Life

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Sep 2, 2025

In this sermon we uncover the revolutionary secret to the Christian life: it is not a matter of our improvement for God, but our replacement by Him.

Introduction: The Heart of the Matter My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, I greet you this morning in the matchless name of Jesus Christ. If you were to take a single pen and a single piece of paper, and you were asked to summarize the entire Christian experience in one sentence, you would be ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Baptist

Overcoming Perfectionism

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 10, 2006

As the saying goes, perfectionists take great pains, and they give them to others.

Overcoming Perfectionism (Heb 12:2) "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith." (Heb 12:2) "My grace is sufficient for you for my power is my made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor 12:9,10) "Every good and perfect gift is from above." (James 1:17) "He who began a good ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Do We Purify Ourselves? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 9, 2019

Some practical help on moving from just wanting to be forgiven of our sins to wanting to be freed from our sins.

WHY WOULD I WANT TO BE PURIFIED? Do I want to be forgiven of sin or freed from sin? - 2 Corinthians 7:1. - Many Christians are content to merely be forgiven of their sins. Indeed, many presume that’s all there is to salvation. - There’s meant to be much more than that, though. Jesus didn’t ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1

Denomination: Baptist

Take The Checkered Flag Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Jan 6, 2005

The final sermon in this NASCAR series that uses Parable leading to Textual Exposition to call people to generous living.

Bible Text: 1 Timothy 6:3-19 Series: NASCAR Comes To Church Title: Take the Checkered Flag Topic: Christian Living / Stewardship Theme: Purposeful Growth in Christian Living / Stewardship of What We Have Purpose: to be the Holy Spirit’s second witness calling God’s people in my care to commit ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:3-19

Denomination: Wesleyan

Jesus Is The Total Package

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Aug 14, 2007

In Jesus we have everything we need for salvation and for life in this world.

Last week the Minnesota Timberwolves traded the superstar Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics in exchange for seven players. What does it feel like to know that you are worth seven men? Obviously KG, as he’s known among NBA fans, must be pretty good. He is. He’s the total package. This 6’11’’ ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-15

Denomination: Lutheran

What Could I Possibly Give To God?

Contributed by Lynn Floyd on Jun 4, 2001

We are indeed the sheep of his pasture. We are living on his earth and breathing his air. But, there are some things we can give God that might not be his yet. Here are five of those things you could give God today.

What Could I Possibly Give God? 6-02-01 Do you know anyone that is hard to buy a gift for? (Use a personal example of someone close to you who is hard to buy a gift for). When it comes to this persons birthday or Christmas it is hard to buy for them because they have everything. Have you ever ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Baptist

Live A Purposeful Life

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jan 8, 2004

Learn from Jesus, who live His life with a clear purpose, with the right priorities and with a godly passion.

We long to live a purposeful life. One Christian author Rick Warren wrote a book, "The Purpose Driven Life", with a subtitle, "What on earth am I here for?" It turned out to be a bestseller, because that’s the cry of the human heart. We want to live life with meaning and purpose. I want to make ...read more

Scripture: John 4:27-42

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Cinch

Contributed by Marcellus De Oliveira on Sep 27, 2012

We always can trust in God no matter what happens in our lives. He is our Deliverer and Redeemer.

Power and control are traces desired by man since the beginning of human history. Humans have always strived for power and how to control it. Actually the reason of all wars in human history, as bottom line, has been about power. During the time of Jesus first advent, the expectations of the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:10

Denomination: Adventist

The Great Exchange: Trading Worry For Worship

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Sep 11, 2025

Exploring Jesus' timeless cure for anxiety, this sermon calls listeners to make the great exchange—trading the illogical, faithless burden of worry for a life of worship that seeks first the Kingdom of a Father who knows and provides for their every need.

Introduction: The Tyranny of "What If?" Good morning, beloved. There is a quiet tyranny that seeks to rule our hearts. It is not an invading army or a foreign power. It is a voice in our own minds, and its weapon is two simple words: "What if?" It is the tyrant that wakes you at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Baptist

God's Favor

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 19, 2025

We are not saved by rule-keeping or self-rescue but by God’s grace—grace received by faith—which alone can break sin’s dominion and lead us home.

Introduction Some of us feel far from God. Far from the person we wanted to be. Far from family. Far from our own true selves. And though we long to come home, we know that we cannot pave that road with our own effort. The Bible has a single word for the road back. That word is grace. Victor ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:14, Luke 15:11-24, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Chronicles 33:12-13

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Go! And Walk To Please God – Psalm 147:11 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 31, 2025

A Call to Live a Life that Brings Joy to Our Heavenly Father - Is God pleased with your walk? Not your Sunday best, not your public worship, but your walk—your daily life, your private moments, your thoughts and intentions?

Go! And Walk to Please God A Call to Live a Life that Brings Joy to Our Heavenly Father Introduction: "The Lord is pleased with those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love." – Psalm 147:11 (NLT) Church, let me ask you something personal and powerful: Is God pleased with ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:16-19, Hebrews 11:5-6, Genesis 5:24, Jude 1:14-15, Romans 8:6-8, Romans 6:9, Acts 2:38, Romans 7:25, Romans 8:16-17, Luke 15:7, Psalm 147:11, Matthew 17:5, John 8:29, Hebrews 13:21, Matthew 5:48, Luke 22:42, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, 1 John 3:1, Psalm 145:2-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Go! And… Live In The Power Of "It Is Finished!” - John 19:30 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 29, 2025

It is finished! - the royal declaration of the King of kings, proclaiming that the mission was complete, the debt paid, the way made open for sinners to be reconciled to God.

Go! And… Live in the Power of “It Is Finished!” - John 19:30 John 19:30 – New Living Translation Introduction: The Cry That Changed Everything John 19:30 (NLT): “When Jesus had tasted it, he said, ‘It is finished!’ Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.” Church, imagine for a moment ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30, Luke 24:44-47, Colossians 2:13-14, John 3:16-17, Romans 10:9, Hebrews 12:1-2, Isaiah 53:5, Psalm 22:1-18, Genesis 3:15, Romans 6:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Fruitful PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Good morning, Church Family! Today, we're diving into a nugget of truth from the Gospel of John. It's a passage that speaks about our relationship with Christ, and it's one that calls for our attention and meditation. John 15:5 says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5

Topics: Fruitful, Christ