Sermons on Try Harder:

When The Spirit Of The Lord Comes Upon You PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 19, 2024

This sermon emphasizes living a Spirit-filled life, following Jesus' example of service, love, and sacrifice, and being agents of His justice and joy in the world.

Good morning, beloved family of God! It's such a joy to be gathered together in the house of the Lord, united by His grace, and bound by His love. You know, life can sometimes feel like a puzzle, with pieces scattered in every direction. But isn't it wonderful to know that we have a God who not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:18-19

Topics: Jesus, Example

Robed In Righteousness PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 2, 2024

This sermon explores the transformative power of encountering God, as seen in Moses' radiance and Jesus' transfiguration, and its relevance to our Lenten journey.

Good morning, beloved family of God. We are gathered here today, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in this grand narrative of faith. We are here, not as casual observers, but as eager seekers, ready to encounter the divine in a fresh and profound way. We are about to embark on a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 34:29-35, Mark 9:2-9

Topics: Transfiguration, God's Radiance, Christ

No Failure

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 18, 2008

In our text, it appears that Paul was a failure but only in the eyes of the world, not in the eyes of the Lord. 1- He was insulted but daring 2- He was accused but pure 3- He was displeasing but pleasing

INTRO.- ILL.- Pete walked up to his teacher’s desk, holding a report card with a big red F. "If I were you," said Pete, "I would change this while you still can." "Why is that?" asked the teacher. "Because my daddy told me that if I brought home one more failing report card, someone was going to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Attending Your Own Funeral, Part One Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 1, 2004

Christians should not take sin lightly, but need to focus on developing their relationship to God instead. Paul offers several arguments to convince us of this. There are other motivations besides merit and fear (Law); Grace motivates us out of love, app

Attending Your Own Funeral, Part One Note: When I preached this sermon, I found out I really had two sermons (time wise); so I preached part two (labelled, "Attending Your Own Funeral Conclusion" in which I summarize my first point and then half of the second point (which is far as I got), and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Cleanliness Laws Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Aug 30, 2010

The Third sermon in the Leviticus series deals with cleanliness laws from chapters 11-15 and compares the temporary cleanness of the law system to the permanent cleanness we enjoy because of Christ.

Leviticus Series #3 Cleanliness Laws Leviticus 11-15 CHCC: June 27, 2010 Visual aids: Magnifying Mirror, Hand Sanitizer, and Matryoshkas (nesting doll from Russia) INTRODUCTION: Put hand sanitizer on hands and wash them, then pat face, then look in mirror (small side). Make a comment about ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Despicable Me - Part 1 - Repentance Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Mar 12, 2010

What if we aren’t what we seem? What if we try to be perfect and can’t pull it off? What is God’s prescription to deal with “Despicable Me”?

“Despicable Me” Pt. 1 – Repentance Text: Romans 7:15-20 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:15-20, Romans 7:15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Running On Empty Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Dec 5, 2011

#5 in series. This is about doing God's work in our own strength, or in His.

Colossians 1:24-2:5 – Running on Empty I have preached through Colossians before. The first time was in my first church, in northern Maine, and it was the first time I preached through a book verse by verse. It changed my preaching style forever, so I remember it fondly. The next time was in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Legalistic God Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on May 7, 2017

Too often we think God has too many rules and laws and we do not embrace God because of the rules/legalism

Believing and Not Believing The God of Rules May 7, 2017 I believe there are lots of people who would love to be followers of Jesus, people who want to believe, however, something holds them back. While these people are rejecting God, I believe they are doing this because they have a distorted, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Godwinks

Contributed by Mason Davis on Jul 19, 2025

How God works in our lives giving us His many blessings.

GODWINKS By: C. Mason Davis A senior citizen drove his brand-new Corvette convertible out of the dealership. Taking off down the road, he floored it to 80 mph, enjoying the wind blowing through what little gray hair he had left. Amazing, he thought as he flew down I-94, pushing the pedal even more. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17

A Blueprint For Living

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 27, 2025

The Bible is God’s living blueprint that shapes our beliefs, strengthens our character, and equips us to live like Jesus every single day.

INTRODUCTION — TRYING TO NAVIGATE A WORLD WITH NO MAP We live in a world that can run you ragged before breakfast. There are so many decisions to make, so much pressure, so many competing voices yelling their version of “truth” into our ears every day. It is incredibly easy to feel like we are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:13-17, Matthew 7:24, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:105

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

"Where Is Jesus In The Storm?" Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Jan 30, 2007

#19 in series. Dealing with doubt in the uncertainly of the storms of life.

A Study of the Book of John “That You May Believe” Sermon # 19 “Where Is Jesus In the Storm?” John 6:15-21 Recently Paul Bradshaw interviewed Rick Warren (CNN Interview – April, 2005), author of the “The Purpose Driven Life” book ...read more

Scripture: John 6:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Easter Message Is Of Utmost Importance

Contributed by Christopher Raiford on Sep 2, 2004

Easter Sermon

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Self Help Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Jun 16, 2013

The journey of faith is a call to change your habits to those of God.The reality is that people need help in living a healthy and Godly manner. One answer has been the self help books which can be found in their own section at any bookstor

Self Help Ephesians 4:22-24 Have you ever had difficulty trying to change a habit? Human beings are creatures of habit. The 19th century psychologist William James observed, "All our life ... is but a mass of habits." We develop habits and tend to continue acting as we have acted in the past. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:22-24

Denomination: Methodist

Conformity To The Cross Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

The Corinthians Christians had become arrogant, crowing like a rooster. To use a Texas idiom, they had become “all hat and no cattle.” In the words of Glenn Campbell, “A Rhinestone Cowboy.”

It’s a message from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians and it represents a journey of sorts. A journey to an another land – and older land – where the goals of Christianity were not set by marketers in order to make it more palatable. Instead, the agenda was set by prophets who sought holy, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Rescue From Condemnation: An Exposition Of Romans 8:1-11

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jul 4, 2020

We live in perpetual fear of condemnation. what is the cure?

Rescue from Condemnation: An Exposition of Romans 8:1-11 Everyone fears condemnation, and the world is filled with both condemners and the condemned. The word itself is a combination of “con” which means “with” and “damnation” which is such an ugly word that it is condemned in polite speech. Why ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible