Sermons on Try Harder:

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

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

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

The Big Bounce - Pt. 2 - Bump Basics! Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Feb 16, 2012

We prefer the easy road. We try to avoid any obstacles. We must learn to handle “The Big Bounce!”

“The Big Bounce” Pt. 2 - Bump Basics Text: 1 Chronicles 13:1-14 David consulted with all of his leaders, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds. Then David addressed the entire assembly of Israel, "If it seems right to you, and it is God's will, let's invite all our relatives ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 13:1-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Coping With Failure

Contributed by Gordon Moyes on Nov 27, 2000

How does the Christian respond when we fail? By faith!

The word that rhymes best with "Australia" is "failure"! During the Olympics, our success in the pool, on the courts, on the track and other fields of competition, saw us in an unusual situation: we were victorious! The flag flying at the top brought cheers. The national anthem brought tears to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:54-62

Denomination: Methodist

Koinonia Of Worship Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 14, 2017

This message is a call to pursue God's presence during a worship service. New Testament Christianity calls for our participation. We must be careful our "worship" service doesn't become a performance with an audience. We want everyone engaging in worship.

2/26/17 In the introduction to his first epistle, the Apostle John talks about his revelation of Jesus and then gives this reason for writing this letter, 1 John 1:3. “that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you [here is his purpose- that you] also may have fellowship with us; ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, Ephesians 5:17-19, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Exodus 33:14-18

Denomination: Charismatic

Being Properly Dressed PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2025

Relying on God’s strength and prayer, not our own efforts, equips us to stand firm and face life’s battles with confidence and peace.

Friends, you made it here today—some with a spring in your step, some with a sigh in your chest, and some just barely holding it together. That’s okay. God loves honest hearts. Maybe you’ve been standing in a storm: the phone call you didn’t expect, the bill you can’t pay, the diagnosis you don’t ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Topics: Armor, God

Fresh S.t.a.r.t.

Contributed by Shawn Kelly on Oct 19, 2008

God gives us the start we need to begin a new life, every day.

FRESH START Colossians 3:12 - 17 12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Diet For Eternity Series

Contributed by Robert Higgins on May 1, 2008

Now some of you are involved in the “First Place” diet. You are trying to lose weight. I have a new diet to tell you about too. It’s called the “Bread of Life” diet. I hope that by the end of the day, you will try it!

Exodus Part 16: A Diet for Eternity Prayer Joke? Review/Intro: We are on our journey through the wilderness along with 1.5 million or more Jews fleeing Egypt. They are entering the land of Midian, a vast desert where water and food are in short supply. It was a major challenge to feed 125 of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

His Faith, Not Mine Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 17, 2025

Salvation rests on the faithfulness of Jesus—His perfect trust, obedience, and victory—not on the strength of our belief.

(The Faith That Saves and Lives Through Us) Theme Verse: > “Not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faithfulness of the Son of God.” — Galatians 2:20 --- Introduction — The Problem of Trying to Believe Harder There are moments in life when your faith ...read more

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

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Prophets In Our Lives

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 2, 2024

A true friend might try to tell me the truth, but I reject his words or her suggestions. Our friend is acting prophetically toward us. That is an act of love, real love.

Fourteenth Sunday in Course 2024 “Heed or resist, you rebels, you will know a prophet has been among you!” Today’s words from Ezekiel were not just for the Jewish leaders who had abandoned true worship of the One God, the Lord, for the obscene worship ceremonies centered around Baal and Astarte. ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 2:2-5, Psalm 123:1-4, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Mark 6:1-6

Denomination: Catholic

Knowing Christ: Part 1 Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Dec 9, 2009

First of two sermons on knowing Christ personally and intimately (as lamb, Lord, and Life)

Knowing Christ Ephesians 1:17 CHCC: November 22, 2009 INTRODUCTION: Today I have the opportunity to preach anything I want. So I decided … why waste that opportunity --- If I can talk about whatever I want, I’ll talk about the most important thing in the universe – knowing Christ. There is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:17, Ephesians 1:15-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Be Good And Mad

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

Christians often try to avoid or deny anger because unrighteous anger can be so destructive. But there is a time and place and way to be angry in a constructive way.

This morning I want to talk about finding freedom from anger, or to be precise, from destructive anger, not all anger. And our sermon text for this morning lays out a very simple outline of some really important guidance for us about anger. It is Ephesians 4:25-27. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-27

"End Of The Road" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 5, 2002

Praise & worship empowers our earthly pilgrimage; last message in sermon series on the Psalms of Ascent.

“End of the Journey”, Psalm 134 -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts We’ve been traveling to Jerusalem for the past few months, and now we’ve arrived! The pilgrim songs known as the Psalms of Ascent conclude in the Temple, with a joyful song of praise and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 134:1-3

Denomination: Congregational