Sermons on Try Harder:

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

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

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

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

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

Spiritual Tycoons (Ephesians, Chapter 2) Series

Contributed by David Richardson on Nov 10, 2005

In these verses, Paul is trying to explain to the Ephesians, and to us, the riches that we have in Christ Jesus and how it all came about.

Series Title: The Heavenly Reserve Bank of God (Ephesians) Message Title: Spiritual Tycoons (Ephesians, Chapter 2) Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

"Destruction In The Lap Of A Wicked Woman!”

Contributed by Cedrick Jackson on Jul 2, 2005

No matter the call on your life, temptation will still try to show it’s ugly head in our lives; BUT GOD!

“Destruction in the Lap of a Wicked Woman!” Judges 16:18-20 18) And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

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

Can You Hear Me Now. . . Good

Contributed by Scott Cody on Dec 9, 2005

God is relentlessly trying to get our attention. Let’s learn from the life of Jonah to watch for his attempts.

Title: Can You Hear Me Now . . . Good Text : Jonah Author: Scott Cody Herrin church of Christ www.herrincoc.com How did your parents get your attention when you were little? Some snapped their fingers and that sound could be heard across an entire room filled with people. Somehow, we could ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

H.o.m.e.

Contributed by Mickey Bell on Apr 1, 2006

Churches need to start ministering to the home. Satan is trying to destroy it and we are not focusing on how to keep our families together.

H.O.M.E Ephesians 5:21 God plainly ordained everything that He placed in this world from the very beginning. But out of everything that He created in Genesis 1, there was one creation that God said was not good. v. 3 – God created light v.4 – God saw light that it was good v. 6 – God created ...read more

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

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

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

The Paralysis Of Analysis Series

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Nov 25, 2008

Sometimes we try to analyze and figure everything out and allow fear and intimidation keep us from reaching the lost.

The Paralysis of Analysis: How we can overcome the fear that keeps us from reaching the lost. The church became casual in comfort, neglecting its primary task of reaching sinners. Now, will we become paralyzed by fear? Review: Acts 1-9 • Because of Stephen, the Church goes from inward to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:6-14

Denomination: Pentecostal