Sermons on Try Harder:

Clever Sharing Of The Good News

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 5, 2024

Looking at the story of the wasteful servant without trying to be too specific can be helpful to us today.

Friday of the 31st Week in Course 2024 Parables from Jesus struck the listeners as stories that might help them understand God’s kingdom. Often the real challenge is to look at the story as a whole, and ask what general lesson Jesus is trying to help us learn. The parable we just heard is one of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 122:1-5, Luke 16:1-8, Philippians 3:17-21

Denomination: Catholic

What Might Have Been?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 15, 2005

Little effort, little satisfication? there are no sadder words of pen or tongue, than the words, what might have been.

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN, IF I TRIED A LITTLE HARDER? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com INTRODUCTION: Have we really been trying? Oct. 1978: Mrs. Fannie Turner of Little Rock, Arkansas passed her written drivers test on the 104th attempt, and thus made the Guinness Book of World Records. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:6-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Offensive Grace

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 16, 2024

View this parable of Jesus from 3 difference perspectives, 3 different points of view (Preached this first in 1995; not original with me but trying to track it down would be difficult)

HoHum: Veteran’s Day is tomorrow- The fighting in WW1 stopped at 11 am on November 11, 1918, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Originally called Armistice Day it was changed to Veteran’s Day to honor all of those who have served in our armed forces. We honor and appreciate all of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16, Ephesians 5:16, Matthew 19:27-30, Matthew 9:37-38, Psalm 126:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Put God In A Square Box Series

Contributed by Rob Short on Mar 18, 2001

The second in the series. About limiting God and how our view of God effects our life. Our attempts to try and manipulate God.

The Seven Habits of Highly Ineffective Christians (2) Put God in a Square Box Cardiff Heights 9 January 2000 Tonight we come to the second in our series on the seven habits of highly ineffective Christians. Some of you are perhaps concerned by the topics we are looking at since your desire is for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Christ The Living Waters

Contributed by Lynwood Morriss on Jul 19, 2003

When the most broken places of our hearts are exposed, Christ invites us to let him in.

Introduction I’d like to introduce you to a woman, who is a lot like us. All of us before we come face to face with our Creator is like this woman. In listening to her story, we discover our own story. As we see her receive something from God. we ourselves learn to receive from God. I want to ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-26

Denomination: Pentecostal

Self Control

Contributed by Gary Washburn on Apr 11, 2002

Without this virtue of self control you will self destruct!

Self Control 2 Peter 1:5-8 amplified Faith is to a Christian what gasoline is to a car. Gasoline is necessary to run engine. That’s not all you need; air supply, vacuum hoses draw air, oil, or won’t go very far. The Christian faith too must have some other additives or you won’t make much ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

Wisdom

Contributed by Chris Beam on Apr 26, 2015

It’s not an accident that this book has been classified as "Wisdom Literature." In my opinion, it’s probably the most philosophical books of the entire Bible. But, it also contains more than just philosophical debate. It contains some very practical and down-to-earth wisdom.

Series: Vanity Topic: Wisdom Text: Ecclesiastes 7:15-29 Last week, I began my sermon talking about wisdom. This week I want to expand on that thought as we come to the seventh chapter of Ecclesiastes. It’s not an accident that this book has been classified as "Wisdom Literature." In my ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:15-29

Denomination: Baptist

Growing In Grace

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on Jun 29, 2024

There are so many ways that we can try to strengthen ourselves. The writer of Hebrews charges us to allow our hearts to be strengthened by grace. Growing in grace is learning to turn to the Lord in trying times over any other external source of strength.

Growing in Grace Hebrews 13:9 says, “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.” (NKJV) Growing in grace is about allowing our hearts to be ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:9, Ephesians 2:9, Hebrews 10:22, Hebrews 4:16, 1 Peter 5:10, John 16:33, Isaiah 36:6  (view more)  (view less)

"I Hope He Didn't Mean It"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Feb 16, 2017

A sermon about being Jesus' radical church.

“I Was Hoping Jesus Didn’t Mean It” Matthew 5:38-48 A pastor tells the story of stumbling into his kitchen after a long day of work. He put down his groceries and pressed the voice-mail button. It was one of his church members: “Pastor, I’m doing the Scripture ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: United Methodist

"Present And Involved - A Real Father" Series

Contributed by Elvis Burrows on Jun 13, 2013

Sermon highlights the importance of fathers being present, involved and speaking positively into the life of their children. Preached on Father's day to challenge fathers to get involved in the life of their children.

“When Dad Speaks” Central Zion Baptist Church Fathers Day - June, 2012. Mark 1:11-12; Matt. 3:16-17; Luke 3:21-22 Salutation – Salute the fathers… commend them for the work they do. General comments….. Speak about the positive aspects of fatherhood. Say: one of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Reaching Out To Sinners

Contributed by Don Parmely on May 6, 2009

Stop putting so much effort in trying to win back former church attenders and go after the people no other churches want.

I. Introduction A. This evening I want us to think outside the box: 1. That is, outside of the box that is the 4 walls of this church. 2. Perhaps even outside the box of our preconceived notions of what evangelism is all about. B. I want to start with asking Sister Van Brocklyn to come and share ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Grace Is Always Amazing Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Oct 26, 2008

God has always had a believing minority and a blinded majority -- we don’t see all that He is doing, grace is a gift not a reward adn there are consequences to rejecting Christ.

Grace is Always Amazing Romans 11:1-10 Rev. Brian Bill 10/26/08 In commenting on how well our Missions Festival went, Robin Wahls, our missionary to Ghana, told us that the challenge now is for PBC to sustain a passion for what our Global God is doing and how we can join Him. In an effort to keep ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Grace Test Series

Contributed by Dan Morrison on Aug 8, 2002

How do you operate as a Christian, law filled or grace filled? Take the test!

The grace test message for May 6 2001 THE GRACE TEST All of us as believers operate in one or two ways when we encounter the circumstances of life. We will either respond from a grace filled heart or a law filled heart. In short you and I are either a grace filled or law filled Christian. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:6

Denomination: Baptist

Called As A Failure

Contributed by Eric Sellgren on Feb 27, 2002

"A personal story for Good Friday" - part 2 of a presentation for Good Friday

I`d like to share some personal discoveries. I hope they`ll help you too. It`s my Good Friday gift to you. Here goes: At the age of 8 I was at the bottom of my Class at School. I`d been at the bottom or very near to it for the whole of my School life. But something happened to change that. It was ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Love Is The Answer

Contributed by Davon Huss on Feb 5, 2008

A sermon on love from 1 Corinthians 13. Many ideas taken from Max Lucado.

Sermon for 2/3/2008 Love is the Answer Introduction: Blessid Union of Souls- Violence is spread worldwide and there are families on the street And we sell drugs to children now oh why can’t we just see That all we do is eliminate our future with the things we do today Money is our incentive now so ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ