Sermons on Try Harder:

Pleasing And Acceptable

Contributed by David Paulson on Jul 20, 2017

I'm trying to answer two questions - What went wrong with Balaam's sacrifice? How can we avoid it?

Numbers 22 to 25 You don’t read the word ‘altar’ or ‘sacrifice’ of the first instances where it’s mentioned. I often wonder why those words were left out, why did God not make a big deal out of ...read more

Look Out For False Teachers Series

Contributed by Jason Grubbs on Jan 11, 2020

The Bible teaches that Satan is a master counterfeiter, trying to pass off on people a version of Christianity that looks good but will not be accepted by God in Heaven.

Introduction: Have you ever had a counterfeit bill? That’s never happened to me. But sometimes, today, people can get scammed into buying a counterfeit ticket to a sporting event or concert or even buying a counterfeit product that was cheaply made to look like the real thing. The Bible ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-3

Mcbuttons And Mczippers

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Mar 3, 2014

Friends have you had your buttons pushed lately? Is there a lesson about patience or disappointment that the Lord is trying to teach you?

McButtons and McZippers James 3 James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. In the title of the sermon you will notice two words that are not found in the bible. I checked 14 different ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Don’t Raise What God Erased!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jul 30, 2013

Don’t try to rebuild what God has brought down! I am speaking to someone out there!

Don’t raise what God erased! 1 King 16:34 “In his days, Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of the life of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke through ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 16:34

Denomination: Pentecostal

Freedom's Children Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 3, 2017

Know your mother and throw out the other. Stop trying to earn your way, and start enjoying your way to heaven.

Mary Hickey talks about the time when she was expecting her first baby. Then, a six-year-old neighbor girl was particularly curious. She wanted to see the baby furniture and hear her list of possible names. When she asked where the baby was, Mary was a walking show-and-tell even at four months. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:21-31

Denomination: Evangelical Free

It Just Isn't Fair

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Mar 24, 2019

We struggle to try and understand that good and bad things occur without regard to persons, be they good and devout or be they back-sliders or heathen.

Weekend Message/Devotion March 24, 2019 Luke 3:1-9 There are many parallels in today’s reading with the message that I shared November 17, 2017, entitled Judgment Day is Coming. If you are inclined, you can research that message at: Sermon Central.com by clicking on the button for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-9, Matthew 25:31-46, Ecclesiastes 9:11, Mark 1:4, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, Matthew 3:11-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Are No Shortcuts Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Oct 16, 2016

When we try to do things our way instead of relying on God's promises, we only make a mess of things.

My dad was the king of shortcuts. While others stuck to the major roads, he took the back streets to avoid busy intersections throughout Tokyo where we lived. My dad had such a knack for finding these shortcuts that even the Japanese members of his congregation started to ask him the quickest way ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran

The Story- Chapter 19. Don't Make What Is Important To God Trivial Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jun 13, 2014

When we make what is important to God trivial, God will try to wake us up to get us back on track!

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • The return home! What an awesome event! Seventy years in captivity and now it is time for the Israelites to go home! • God turns the heart of Cyrus, the Persian king, toward the Jews and Cyrus releases the Jews to return to Jerusalem and build their ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Lockdown Encouragement!

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on May 14, 2021

We in Fiji are heading into another term of lockdown as the nation try and defeat the latest arrival of Covid-19. This is a short message of encouragement.

I want to encourage you at this time of lockdown, with a short message, that you, that we are not alone in this. Next Sunday the 23rd of May is Pentecost Sunday and my thoughts have been with those disciples gathered in one place and the arrival of the Holy Spirit. But earlier in Johns gospel we ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23, Genesis 2:8, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, John 1:18

Denomination: Salvation Army

"breaking Free" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Oct 28, 2020

100 women were asked to name something men try to fix but often just make it worse. These were their top answers.

“Breaking Free” Matthew 5:7 & 9 100 women were asked to name something men try to fix but often just make it worse. These were their top answers. 1. Plumbing 41 2. Car 13 3. TV 9 4. Relationship 6 5. Fight 5 6. Dinner ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7, Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Baptist

If We Ever Needed To See God

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 7, 2021

We face trying times. This is no time to be afraid or be ashamed. But we cannot do this in ourselves. We need to see a vision of God.

When We Really Need to See God Mark 9:2-9 Transfiguration Sunday comes every year just before Ash Wednesday. There are only three Gospel texts which tell about the Transfiguration, so it becomes a challenge to repeat a story we have heard so many times. The accounts are quite similar. Luke adds ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-9, Mark 9:1, Mark 9:10-13, Mark 8:31-38, Mark 8:27-38  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Not You

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 19, 2021

Quit trying to live problem free and on easy street. Our best ministry often comes while we are in a trial or tragedy.

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Ask not why bad things happen to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Walking With God

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Sep 29, 2022

This message is about how we walk with God. Are we allowing Him to lead or are we trying to walk with Him as equal partners?

Walking With God Scripture: Amos 3:3; Hebrews 11:1-6; Genesis 5:21-24 There is a song I love titled “Walk With Me.” The song says, “Walk with me Lord, walk with me. Walk with me Lord, walk with me. While I am on this, tedious journey, I want Jesus, to walk with me.” The song also includes ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3, Hebrews 11:1-6, Genesis 5:21-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Conservation, Cooperation, Regeneration

Contributed by Raymond Williams on Sep 18, 2023

Never before in our history has man looked back and forth trying to find an answer to his many and varied problems.

(Editor’s note: This sermon dates to the late 1950’s early 60’s and references some of the causes of the great depression and dust bowl and the conservation practices that were put into place.) Conservation, Cooperation, Regeneration Matthew 4:4; “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:4

Denomination: Nazarene

Becoming Desensitized To Sin: The Danger Of Creeping Normalcy

Contributed by Don Campbell on May 19, 2023

Satan does not try to ravage us. He seduces us by a process that is sometimes so slow, we do not even notice.

BECOMING DESENSITIZED TO SIN: THE DANGER OF CREEPING NORMALCY INTRODUCTION A. I am 80 years old and have witnessed moral and spiritual changes in American that boggle my mind and alarm my spirit. B. Alarm bells go off in the hearts and minds of sincere believers when the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-3, Isaiah 5:20, Ephesians 4:17-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ