Sermons on Try Harder:

Now That We Are Revived PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 29, 2024

This sermon explores how to cultivate unwavering faith, stand firm amidst life's storms, and maintain spiritual momentum through reliance on the Holy Spirit.

Good morning, dear family of God. It's such a joy to see all of you gathered here today, united in faith and love, eager to receive the word of God. We are all here because we believe in the power of the Gospel, the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, and the redemptive love of our Savior, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 143:10

Topics: Spirit, Lead, Firm Footing

Knowing Christ: Part 2 (Focus) Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Dec 9, 2009

This is the second sermon in a two part series on Knowing Christ personally and intimately. This message deals with focusing on Christ in us, Us in Christ (seated with him in the heavenlies), and Watch what Jesus does.

Knowing Christ #2 (Focus) Romans 8:6 CHCC: December 6, 2009 INTRODUCTION: Sometimes I think back to church camp and the kids who went forward every year to rededicate over and over again. If we were to graph our spiritual journey, it would probably look something like a roller coaster. We ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unchecked Decay Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on May 26, 2025

This is the 20th Sermon in the Series from the Book of Judges, "Spiritual Decay".

Series: Spiritual Decay [#20] UNCHECKED DECAY Judges 21:1-25 Introduction: This last chapter of Judges is a really sad and troubling story. It shows what happens when people forget God and do whatever they want. Their community starts to fall apart. We see a whole Tribe, Benjamin, almost wiped ...read more

Scripture: Judges 21:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Ultimate Christian Attainment: Union With God Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 19, 2024

We do not easily submit to all this burning up of dross within us. We do not want to be buried with Christ in his cross and alive with Christ in His resurrection. We naturally resist the death of self. Yet God helps us submit to the refiner's fire.

Many great saints I’ve known, even in the Salvation army, many are retiring now, and they say that when they retire, they are grateful that God did not show them the entire path all the ups and downs because they would not have been able to handle the thought of it. But step by step, along the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:7, John 6:63, 1 Peter 1:7

Denomination: Salvation Army

Are You Wearing Your Best Clothes? Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Apr 27, 2001

This sermon explains why trying to live the Christian life is impossible for us--becasue only CHRIST can live it!

Personal Questions… Are You Wearing Your Best Clothes? Isaiah 64:6 March 25, 2001 Intro: A. [Clothes Make a Church] A Methodist church tried to get a man to attend, but he never did. "Why don’t you come?" the minister asked, and the man finally admitted it was because he didn’t have proper ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Do You Define 'healthy'? Series

Contributed by Chris Talton on Dec 2, 2002

This sermon introduces a study of 1 Cor. 12-14 in which we are trying to determine the signs and characteristics of a healthy church.

October 6, 2002 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 ¡§How do you define ¡¥healthy¡¦?¡¨ INTRODUCTION How do you define ¡§healthy¡¨? Usually when I want to define something, I go to Webster¡¦s dictionary. I consider Webster to be the expert. Webster defines ¡§healthy¡¨ as ¡§having good health¡¨. That ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Liberty Found In Christ

Contributed by Ely Lambert on Aug 19, 2002

This sermon addresses a common issue of legalism, trying to give those struggling with legalism a better understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Introduction: I. The Common Conversion story A. Rarerly, do we as a church here of an amazing conversion story, but those particular stories seem to overshadow most of our personal stories. 1. We have heard of people addicted to drugs and alcohol being converted by the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:17-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be All That God Has Made You To Be

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Feb 24, 2005

In this sermon I try to follow the flow of comfort and directives as Paul uses it in his directives to the Ephesians to live as children of Light.

February 27, 2005 Ephesians 5:8-14 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-14

Denomination: Lutheran

But I Gave It My Best Effort Series

Contributed by Dan Borchert on Sep 23, 2004

I tried I really did, isnt trying enough for salvation? Isnt do our best what counts?

Galatians 3:1-14 But I gave it My Best Effort! Introduction A. As many of you know I play Racquetball with Jon usually on Tuesdays and Thursday morning. B. I have a goal. My goal is quite simple. My Goal is to beet Jon C. I do not accomplish my Goal often. In fact if I win one out of four ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-14

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Pay The Toll In Order To Reach The Goal

Contributed by Keith Shuler on Nov 3, 2002

What if Jesus had quit? What if Jesus had given in to the pressures of trying to please man instead of pleasing God.

Pay The Toll To Reach The Goal Matthew 26:36-46 My wife and I took a journey up north a few weeks ago, because we had decided to visit New York. As soon as we entered Richmond, we had to pay a toll fare. As soon as we reached D.C we had to pay a toll. From Maryland to New York we had to pay a toll ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Pita Bread, Fish, And Boat Potatoes Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 26, 2002

The miracles of multiplying the loaves and walking on water are connected in Mark 6:52; what was Jesus trying to prove to His disciples?

Pita Bread, Fish, and Boat Potatoes (Matt. 14:13-33, Mark 6:31-52, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-21) Intro 1. It is hard to define a miracle. 2. In one sense, miracles are happening all around us…(read excerpt for Swenson’ Book, "More than meets the eye" or other creationist materials explaining the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-33, Mark 6:31-52

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Placebo Faith

Contributed by David Hodgin on Jun 9, 2009

People are impressionable and the world takes advantage of that, trying to mold our minds and conform our thoughts to align with theirs.

A young teacher with obvious liberal tendencies explains to her class of small children that she is an atheist. She asks her class if they are atheists too. Not really knowing what atheism is but wanting to be like their teacher, their hands explode into the air like fleshy fireworks. There is, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Our Father Which Art In Heaven

Contributed by David Quackenbush on Jun 16, 2008

A Father’s Day sermon looking at some of the characteristics of the Heavenly Father that we should try and emulate as earthly Fathers.

Our Father Which Art In Heaven (adapted from Zondervan 2008 Pastors Annual Outline) Introduce Father’s Day Play Youtube Video Clip : Cat’s in the Craddle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJueyvhFrSA "Comment on the role of Father’s in the lives of thier children and what is really ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

An Open Door

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Nov 22, 2009

A Call to follow God through the doors HE opens and not try to walk through doors which others may open.

An Open Door 1 Corinthians 16:5-9 * When one door closes, another opens, but we often look so long and regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us. -- Alexander Graham Bell * What comes to your mind when hear the term open door? A door is a movable barrier ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:5-9

Denomination: Baptist

When It Doesn't Make Sense, Does That Make It Senseless

Contributed by Joe Robbins on Mar 7, 2009

Why do we try to figure out how God works?, instead of just trusting He know best.

"When It Doesn’t Make Sense, Does That Make It Senseless?" 2 Corinthians 4:8,9 How do we as Christians in this world make any sense out of what makes no sense? How do we cope with things in our lives that just don’t make sense? There are 4 steps that we must take in this situation. 1. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Denomination: Church Of God