Sermons on Try Harder:

Blueprint For Life Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 10, 2010

We can build a life that can withstand storms by building upon: 1) A Wise Foundation (Matthew 7:24) which is also 2) A Withstanding Foundation (Matthew 7:25) instead of just a 3) A Wishful Foundation (Matthew 7:26-27).

Matthew 7:24-27. 24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27

Denomination: Other

The Lost Oil - Refilling What's Been Depleted Series

Contributed by Barry Tallis on May 3, 2025

This sermon addresses spiritual depletion and teaches believers how to be refilled with the Holy Spirit through surrender rather than striving, emphasizing the power that comes when divine presence is prioritized over performance.

INTRODUCTION Church! Last week we talked about the broken altar - that place of worship and surrender that many of us have neglected. Today, we're diving into something equally critical - THE LOST OIL! In Scripture, oil represents the Holy Spirit, the anointing, the presence of God. And let ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:6, Psalm 46:10

Sin And Worship

Contributed by Jay Bunting on Mar 30, 2011

This sermon is a study of our worship of God

3rd Sunday of Lent 11 Sin and worship Charles Swindoll, in his book Growing Deep in the Christian Life, tells the true story of a man who bought fried chicken dinners for himself and his girlfriend to enjoy on a picnic one afternoon. He was in for a surprise because the person behind the counter ...read more

Scripture: John 4:5-42

Denomination: Anglican

Emerging Or Returning Church?

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 19, 2009

Isn’t Christ’s church good enough? Do we need to dress him up to get people through the door? Perhaps we should get back to what the church should be rather than trying to figure out new ways to make it work.

Emerging or Returning Church? Ascension Sunday Revelation 1:12 – 3:22 May 24, 2009 We talk a lot about Jesus birth, his death, his resurrection, but we tend to pay little attention to his ascension to the throne in heaven. So I began to wonder, what if Jesus had just been resurrected and not ...read more

Giving - With What Kind Of Givers Is God Pleased? Series

Contributed by David Owens on Feb 25, 2008

In this last lesson from the series we look at some princples of giving found in Paul’s correspondence with the Corinthian church, and I try to inspire us with the joy of giving.

Introduction: A. One Sunday a preacher told his congregation that the church needed some extra money and asked the people to prayerfully consider giving a little extra in the offering plate that morning. 1. He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out three hymns. 2. After the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Standing Fast

Contributed by Bob Ashcraft on Apr 22, 2002

God has given us the ability to be steadfast, even in the most trying adversities. This message explores four aspects of "standing fast."

11/01/1998, 04/22/2001 Standing Fast "Four Aspects of Standing Fast" 1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. · God has given us the ability to be steadfast. · It is one of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58, Romans 14:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Out With The Old

Contributed by Carl Willis on Dec 31, 2001

Have you ever made a new year’s resolution? Maybe it’s time you try lasting change.

Have you ever made a new year’s resolution? Of course you have. We’ve all made them. This year I’m going to: Lose weight Drink less Smoke less Cuss less Spend more time with family We’ve all tried to make changes and most certainly we’ve all blown it!!! In fact many of us have made the same ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Recharging Your Spiritual Battery

Contributed by William Young on Aug 26, 2001

In these most trying times, we need to know we can "recharge" our spiritual life with God’s saving power!

RECHARGING YOUR SPIRITUAL BATTERY Eph 3:14-21 Introduction: 1. Do you ever feel spiritually drained? 2. Have you ever feel that the “spirit” has just been exhausted in your life? 3. We all feel this way from time to time; but an energetic Christian knows the cure! a. We have to RECHARGE our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21, 1 Peter 1:13-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mistakes Re-Made Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 20, 2005

Abraham gets reprimanded by a Cannanite king - what happens when we don’t learn the lessons God is trying to teach?

There are times to stay and face situations and times to leave. Hagar gets to leave (after the first time when God told her to go back), and Abraham must face his mistakes (after getting to leave without rebuke the first time). We all like to think that we learn from our mistakes. Truth is it ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

"Sick And Tired Of People Pleasing!"

Contributed by Kevin Smith on Oct 27, 2005

we spend far too much time trying to please everybody else, that we lose ourselves and our identities with God.

Luke 7:11-23 You may be seated in the presence of the Lord. Verse 14 says, "Then Jesus went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still." I want to take a strange twist on this text and for a little bit of time talk from the subject as the Holy Spirit shall lead and guide of, "I’m ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

God Can Change You

Contributed by Alvaro Dominguez on May 15, 2004

Sometimes we try hard to change, but that’s God’s duty not ours. We only surrender to his power.

God Can Change You Sunday, May 16, 2004 Ezk. 36:24-31 INTRO. What can you do when there is no desire for change? What can be done to put that desire in you and how can that change come about? The answer is: “Surrender”. Be convinced in your mind what God can do for you. You are not responsible for ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Heavenly Mindedness

Contributed by Eddie Robinson on Jan 2, 2001

You soul has already been saved, try to keep your mind focused on a heavenly mentality, and it is easier to handle life.

Colossians Chapter 3:1-4 1 If ye then be risen in Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Religion With A Kick!

Contributed by Johnny Carver on Jun 2, 2001

This is a message that deals with the lifeless attitude that keeps trying to creep into the churches across this nation and the change that God want to make in those churches.

Scripture: Matthew 9:17 Title: “Religion With A Kick!” Introduction: Jesus came into this world to institute CHANGES! The forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist, and Jesus Himself began their preaching ministries with the message of “REPENTANCE.” Evidently the Scribes and Pharisees were critical ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Blessing Of Trouble

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 14, 2005

We try to avoid the very things God wants to use to mould us into the glorious creatures He intends us to be.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” It is noteworthy that the man who, by the time of this writing ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Orthodox

It's Just You And Me, Tonto (And Frankly I'm Not Too Sure About You)

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 28, 2002

Leaders are generally pretty lonely people. How do you get past the "Lone Ranger" syndrome of trying to do it all?

October 20, 2002 In the movie Awakenings Robert DeNiro is a 50 year-old post-encephalytic vegetable. Encephalitis caused Parkinson-like loss of motor control (tics). These tics accelerate until they freeze a person catatonically, within himself. Robin Williams plays Dr. Sayer, who ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 18:24-26

Denomination: United Methodist