Sermons on Try Harder:

Our Gift From The Lord

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 11, 2022

A woman decides to try riding horseback, even though she has had no lessons or prior experience.

• She mounts the horse unassisted and the horse immediately springs into motion. • It gallops along at a steady and rhythmic pace, but the woman begins to slip from the saddle. • In terror, she grabs for the horse's mane, but cannot seem to get a firm grip. • She tries to throw her arms ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-16

Denomination: Baptist

Build-A-Bear Jesus

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 18, 2019

We were created in the image of God. Now many are trying to create God into an image that is comfortable for us.

Build-A-Bear Jesus Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30, Luke 19:10, Genesis 1:26-27, John 2:15, Matthew 23:16-36, Matthew 11:20-24, John 3:16, Matthew 25:41, Romans 5:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Filled Jars Empty People

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Sep 26, 2014

The familiar story of Jesus Turning the Water into Wine. But what was he really trying to teach us today?

“Filled Jars Empty People” “Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.” John 2.1-11 Pastor’s pledge. “This being a familiar text it relies heavily on the works of a host of others. May their ...read more

Scripture: John 2:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Is My Life Such A Mess? Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Oct 31, 2014

I wonder how often we try to hide from the fact that we've made a mess?

“Getting A Clue: Why Is My Life Such a Mess?” Gen. 3:1-24; 2 Cor. 5:11-21 One of our daughters-in-law has an exotic bird named Charley. For fun our son taught Charley to say, “I make a mess.” Charley may not always say it at appropriate times, but at least there are times ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Bother? Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Jan 20, 2015

This is the 5th sermon in the series, "The Cure". There are times that we wonder if trying to be Christlike is worth it.

Series: The Cure [#5] WHY BOTHER? Romans 3:1-20 Introduction: Most of us are at Church each time we have a service. Sometimes we come to Church and we’re sick. Other times we come to Church and we’re tired; and sometimes we come to Church and we really just don’t want to be ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Freaks, Weirdoes And Oddballs

Contributed by Wayne Magruder on Aug 16, 2010

There are lots of people in the world that we normally try to avoid. These were the very people that Jesus sought to reach

Freaks, Weirdoes and Oddballs Matthew 8:1-13 You may find the title of today’s message a bit peculiar but the bottom line is that the people that we choose to avoid can fall into this category. Ironically, these are the very kind of people that Jesus hung out with. These were the people who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Clean, Clear And Capture

Contributed by Bala Samson on Feb 4, 2021

People try to duck problems and struggles in their life; however, trials and tribulations are part and parcel of our life.

Clean, clear and capture! Numbers 33:50”Then the LORD spoke to Moses ….51 "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'When you cross over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 52 then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their figured ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 33:50

Denomination: Pentecostal

Epic Fail Or Godly Success

Contributed by Greg Burcham on Jul 9, 2016

This sermon deals with personal and church wide failure as well as failure when trying to do a work for God.

Epic Fail or Godly Success Some time back it became popular on Facebook and other social media sites to post pictures with the title “epic fail”. There are even some sites dedicated to “epic fail” pictures. I find the church signs especially amusing. The hard truth is that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23

Denomination: Baptist

Antichrists- Part 1

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Aug 3, 2020

The Bible teaches that when the Antichrist comes in the end times, he will try to be the Christ that men are looking for.

First John 2:18-27 contrasts Christians with Antichrists. Verse 18 says, "Ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many Antichrists, by which we know that it is the last time." That verse introduces a term that is very familiar to Christians: Antichrists. This is the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Who Are The People Of God And How To Join Up

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 31, 2023

Here comes this hick-town Galilean carpenter and His gang to try to turn things upside down.

Saturday of the 30th week in course 2023 Our first reading begins with a question about whether, “then,” God has rejected His people, the Jews of St. Paul’s day. But we must, to have any understanding of these words, look back at the previous chapter, which ends, “But of Israel he [God] says, ‘All ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-11, Romans 11:1-2, Romans 11:11-29

Denomination: Catholic

The Family Strife That Stole Christmas

Contributed by Louis Mare on Dec 11, 2023

The devil is after something God created the most and is trying to destroy it while we are looking the other way.

Man, is it not easy to get lost in the world view of Christmas, the presents, traditions, the hustle and bustle. The busy malls, the bony music, and Mariah Carey music fill everywhere. I wonder if you can relate to this video because I believe that sometimes, even for us, we miss what Christmas is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-30, Luke 1:34-35, Luke 1:38, Matthew 1:18-19

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sermon On Reaching Out

Contributed by William Meakin on Jan 10, 2024

Reaching out is defined as to try and communicate with a person or group of people, usually in order to help or involve them.

Vera Nazarian, a Russian-American writer once remarked: “When you reach for the stars, you are reaching for the farthest thing out there. When you reach deep into yourself, it is the same thing, but in the opposite direction. If you reach in both directions, you will have spanned the universe.” ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:2, John 15:12, Hebrews 13:16, Philippians 2:4

Three Kinds Of Jealousies - The Dark Side Of Jealousy, The Desirable Side Of Jealousy The Divine Side Of Jealousy

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on May 13, 2025

When the FBI is trying to find someone there are a number of things they do to find someone that they are looking for, such as:

(1) They may go into a neighborhood asking people do they… • Know this individual? • Know where they can find this individual? (2) They may go to a family member and ask if they • know this individual? • Know where they can find him? (1) They may go to his job site and ask them do ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Mary Remembers

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Dec 25, 2025

We can't imagine what Mary thought or felt. But maybe we should try.

How could anyone believe? How could anyone understand? It was hard enough for us, who were there. Words are so small. How can I explain to anyone that God came to us - to me - in a way that not even Moses knew? Moses had to turn his head aside when God went by, so as not to be blinded. And ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:19, Luke 2:6-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Da Vinci Code: Searching For Holy Grace Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 19, 2006

Instead of going to a museum, we’re going to go to the Master; instead of cracking a code of conspiracy, we’re going to learn about the mode of conversion.

Cracking the DaVinci Code: Searching for Holy Grace John 3:1-18 Rev. Brian Bill 5/21/06 Note: All of our sermons are also available as audio files and downloadable manuscripts at www.pontiacibible.org. Are you drawn to history or mystery, or both? What we’ve established in our series called ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-18

Denomination: Baptist