Sermons on Try Harder:

"the Heart Of God"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Feb 21, 2020

Be who God created you to be.

“The Heart of God” Matthew 5:38-48 This morning’s Gospel Lesson is right-smack in the middle of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. It is Jesus’ first big sermon, and it is aimed—primarily—at Jesus’ disciples, a group of folks who have only recently started following Him. They are this motley crew of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: United Methodist

A Wake-Up Call

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Nov 27, 2016

(Appropriate for Watchnight or New Year's Eve service as well.) As Christians we live in the certainty that Jesus is coming again. It could be today, tomorrow, or any moment. We need to wake up, clean up, and grow up.

Romans 13:11-14 A Wake-up Call A priest and pastor were standing by the side of the road holding up a sign that read, "The End is near! Turn around before it's too late!" One speeding motorist yelled out his window, “Leave us alone, you religious nuts!” as he flew by. From around the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 25:1-13, Romans 7:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Ten Commandments: Honor God's Name Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Jan 8, 2019

Don't dishonor the name of God by word or deed. We need God's help: the Holy Spirit, confession and cleansing, filling our minds with good things.

HONOR GOD’S NAME—Exodus 20:7, Ezekiel 36:16-28 (optional children’s sermon: Use a Coke can. The Coca Cola name is so valuable, that if anyone uses the name without permission, they can be sued. God’s name is more valuable!) (Project on the screen: What is the most valuable brand name in world? ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:7, Ezekiel 36:16-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"longing For Transformation"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 13, 2020

The only way to live well during this time of COVID-19 and the rest.

“Longing for Transformation” Psalm 86:11-17 Our Psalm for this morning is a “Psalm of Lament.” Now, what do I mean by that? To lament is to express deep sorrow, grief or regret. And lament is a major theme in the Bible. The Psalms of Lament are beautiful poems or hymns expressing human ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:11-17

Denomination: United Methodist

All Things New PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 1, 2023

Explores the promise of new beginnings in Christ, emphasizing God's ability to renew our hearts, minds, and spirits regardless of our past.

Hey everyone, I'm so thrilled to have you all here today. We're about to get into something really exciting. I've got a feeling that today's sermon is going to touch your hearts and minds in a special way. We're going to be talking about new beginnings, fresh starts, and the incredible promise that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:5

Topics: Fresh Starts

Made New PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 2, 2024

To explore the profound truth of spiritual rebirth and adoption into God's family through faith in Jesus Christ. Key

Welcome, welcome, dear friends and fellow travelers on this life's road. I am filled with joy, as always, to stand before you, not as one who has all the answers, but as one who, like you, is seeking to understand the profound mysteries and the deep, abiding truths of our faith. As we gather ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Topics: Salvation

Thrive In Your Thought Life Series

Contributed by Kory Ferree on Aug 29, 2017

You were made for more than to barely get by or merely survive. You were made to come alive in Christ, strive toward Him, and thrive in your life.

You were made for more than to just barely get by or merely survive… you were made to come alive in Christ, to strive toward Him and thrive in your life. We are called as Christians to be more than conquerors through Christ, Who loves us and lives through us. The best kept secret in the body of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Defeat Sin Now! Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Sep 29, 2008

Have a sin you cannot overcome? Stop trying to defeat sin. The root cause of our sin is our heart. Deal with the heart, deal with the sin.

Try as she will, Karen could not overcome a certain sin. She knew it was wrong, she knew it hurt others, she knew it hurt her reputation, but it was as if she turned around, and there is was that sin again. Now, there were times that she would go for days, even weeks, where she would not even be ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Destructive Critics

Contributed by Ervin Kimrey on Jan 18, 2010

Recognize that when you step out on faith, follow God, and try to make a difference, you will be criticized. Expect it and deal with it through prayer, keeping the proper perspective, and being persistent.

DISTRUCTIVE CRITICS Nehemiah 4:1-23 Introduction: In a Charlie Brown comic, Linus is seated with a troubled look on his face, his security blanket over his shoulder, his thumb in his mouth. Turning to Lucy, he asks, “Why are you always so anxious to criticize me?” Her response: “I just think I ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Plastic Jesus

Contributed by Chip Blackshear on Jun 2, 2012

Too often we try to make Jesus fit our own desires. Instead of the real Jesus we want one that fits into our life neatly. That's a plastic Jesus.

“PLASTIC JESUS” Genesis 22:1-14 • Luke 14:25-33 First Presbyterian Church, Corpus Christi, TX Rev. Charles S. Blackshear • April 22, 2012 Several years ago in Kentucky a man walked into a Dairy Queen, placed his order and then paid for it with a $200 bill. The cashier ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Soups, Sheets, And Socks

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 17, 2009

In support of a drive to collect items for a missions organization: genuine spiritual feeling comes when we deal with the real world and provide food, shelter, and clothing to the needy.

Let’s suppose that this is God’s issue of Time magazine. Someone has sent God a lifetime subscription to Time magazine; I guess you would have to say an eternity-time subscription. And when God’s Time magazine arrives ... by the way, do you know God’s zip code? You don’t think God has a zip code? ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Killer Hostility Or Hostility Killer

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Jul 15, 2009

When we have hostility we need to remember that we all hang on to the same cross for our salvation. Nothing else is more important than that.

Sermon 071909 Ephesians 2:11-22 Anne and I love where we live. We live in an area of town called Clintonville with lots of old homes and families and stuff like that. The thing is, we live just south of a major dividing line in the community. That dividing line in North Broadway, and the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Lutheran

How Big Is Your God? Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 11, 2008

We must not only worship the right God, but we must worship Him in the right way. Accept no substitutes. Don’t try to reduce God to a material object. Don’t try to localize the One Who is infinite! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

How Big is Your God? Exodus 20:4-6 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HowBigYourGod.html One day a little girl was drawing a picture, and even skipped recess because she was so focused upon it. Her teacher asked what she was doing and she said she was drawing a picture of God. “Oh honey, you can’t ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:4-6

Denomination: Baptist

Give Me Patience ... Now! Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Mar 31, 2019

It is always a bad idea to try to accomplish God’s plan in your own way and by your own timing. God’s plans come complete with His methods and His timing, and when we get impatient and try to tinker with that … well, everything gets all messed up.

“Don’t pray for patience.” Who hasn’t heard that before, amen? It’s almost become an axiom when it comes to prayer, hasn’t it? Some of you, I suspect, believe it and have even advised someone in your family or one of your friends not to pray for patience. I disagree. I pray for patience all ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-8, James 5:1-6

Denomination: United Methodist

Don't Just Do Something, Stand There

Contributed by Rick Labate on Feb 19, 2003

It is very easy for us to get in our own way when it comes to salvation. We must trust God completely to save us.

“Don’t Just Do Something…Stand There!” by Rick Labate Let’s play “What Am I?” · I am mentioned no less than 11 other times in the Bible. · I am an event so important that 5 other Biblical writers refer to me. · I happened when Moses raised his staff and stretched out his hands over the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:1-30

Denomination: Adventist