Sermons on Try Harder:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Surrender Series

Contributed by Betty Johnson on Jan 12, 2011

This is the second in the holiness series of messages speaking of the importance of surrender in the life of the believer, as opposed to trying to be holy in our own efforts.

Holiness Unto the Lord Surrender Scripture: 1 Thess. 4:1-8 Text: 1 Thess. 4:3 Last week I introduced a series called, “Holiness unto the Lord” and I suggested to you that most denominations have a doctrine of holiness. And we were reminded last week that God calls us - God’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Denomination: Wesleyan

Something Is Wrong! Series

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Feb 11, 2011

The culture uses logic to disprove God. Christians try to defend God using a worldly vision and experience and lose the discussion.

Something is wrong! 1 Peter 1:3-12 A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that we were going to take a look at a few of the basic troubles with Christianity. We talked about how the culture believes that Christianity and religion in general are exclusive. The religion is the reason for a lack of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-10

Denomination: Congregational

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

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

Fireproof Your Future - Preparing For Times Of Uncertainty Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Oct 27, 2008

What to expect in times of societal change as a person trying to live a godly life and how to prepare yourselves for those times

Fireproof your Future - Preparing for times of uncertainty A godly life brings opposition A godly life brings hard choices A godly Life requires that we know Who we believe in A godly life brings blessing and peace Slide Intro We are living in very uncertain times. Finances We have a financial ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Asks The Questions

Contributed by Tony Skaff on Jul 17, 2006

We ask many questions when we should try to answer God’s own for our own benefit.

1stBBC When God asks the questions Job 31:14 What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? We ask many questions when we should try to answer God’s own for our own benefit. 1. What is your life? Jam 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the ...read more

Scripture: Job 31:14

Denomination: Baptist