Sermons on Try Harder:

Back To Life, Back To Reality Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 26, 2009

In the aftermath of defeating Goliath, David experienced a number of significant relationships. I this lesson we try to apply a number of things that David learned from these relationships.

Introduction: A. The story is told of three men who began talking one day about their wives. 1. The first man said, “When we got married, I told my wife in no uncertain terms that from now on she would have to do all the cooking. Well, the first day after I told her, I saw nothing. The second day ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unstrained Mercy Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 27, 2006

Unstrained mercy needs to be constrained by the same constraints that God himself recognizes: by wisdom, by justice, by the long-term, eternal good of the person you are trying to help.

Every week it seems like there’s another new disaster. Wasn’t Hurricane Katrina enough, without adding Hurricane Rita to it? We were all so overwhelmed by the magnitude of those twin crises that many of us probably didn’t even pay much attention to the fires in California. After all, they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Trick Questions - Probing Answers Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 26, 2006

Jesus’ opponents try to trip him up, but his answers back reveal much about the human character and how many of us "play" church.

In a way this chapter is a direct attack against Jesus’ authority as the King and Messiah He has just claimed to be. They were not engaging in a verbal dialogue to discern the truth, they were engaged in verbal warfare in a public relations game to discredit Jesus and eventually kill him. Verses ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:1-47

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Irreversible Decisions Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 12, 2010

Many decisions are truly crossroads: you cannot reverse them or their consequences, try as you might. Therefore, we need to take decision making seriously.

Irreversible Decisions (Numbers 14:26-45) 1. The most important thing about you is your God and your relationship to him. This is more important than: education, health, vocation, family, intelligence, talent, riches… 2. Near the top of the list, perhaps second, is who you are. The sum ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:26-45

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Auto Correcting God

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Apr 21, 2013

This message focuses on the auto-correct functions of smart phone and how we are sometimes like the smart phones in how we try to auto correct God.

Auto-Correcting God Scripture: Genesis 3:1-6; Genesis 5:1-3; Proverbs 14:12 Introduction: Although it was “my” goal to continue with my present series “Be Encouraged” I felt led to hold it until I return in a few weeks. This morning I want to share a brief warning with ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Closed Doors And Open Hearts Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 13, 2016

This sermon is a brief survey of Paul's Second Missionary Journey. I try to draw lessons from Paul's experiences that can apply to our journey with God.

Introduction: A. Many years ago, a certain mountain man, by the name of Shorthorn Bill, had become a noted guide in the Montana Territories, but he decided to move to Colorado. 1. Having settled outside Denver, he again began working his trade as a trail guide, principally with wealthy easterners ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prayer Changes Things

Contributed by Jeremias Fababier on Oct 24, 2016

Many time we try to change things our own way but actually God gave us a tool to do this - PRAYER! Prayer Changes Things.

TOPIC: PRAYER CHANGES THINGS Text: Jeremiah 33:3 “3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Introduction: (ILL. Canvass bought in a garage sale with quotation in it, “Prayer Changes Things.” It was place in the dining ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Get Even

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Aug 10, 2014

To show that if we have prayed for something, then move on by trying not to get even, and trust the LORD expectantly that He will do what He has promised to do.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you trust the LORD enough to help you? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that if we have prayed for something, then move on by trying not to get even, and trust the LORD expectantly that He will do what He has promised to do. IV. TEXT: Proverbs 20:22 ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Unstrained Mercy

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 9, 2011

Unstrained mercy needs to be constrained by the same constraints that God himself recognizes: by wisdom, by justice, by the long-term, eternal good of the person you are trying to help.

We’ve seen a lot about pardons in the news lately, haven’t we. Why did former President Clinton pardon Marc Rich? The “fugitive financier” is the nicely alliterative phrase that all the commentators use - I bet the journalist who coined the phrase is wishing he - or she - ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Question Of Love And Devotion Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jun 28, 2012

If you’re trying to DO ministry without the love of Christ in your heart, you’re wasting everyone’s time.

If you’re trying to DO ministry without the love of Christ in your heart, you’re wasting everyone’s time. Tonight’s passage is one that is specifically for the church and its ministers. It has one great lesson: love is the one basic essential for ministry. Without love, ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

Wait On The Lord - Isaiah 40:27-31

Contributed by Gary Snider on Oct 26, 2010

Everyday we lift prayers unto the Lord. We get impatient many times and try to make things happen on our own schedule and terms.

1 - PRAY STEADILY - "fainteth not....neither is weary..." - Daily 2 - PRAY SELFLESSLY 3 - PRAY FOR SOUNDNESS - Wisdom "....there is no searching of his understanding..." REALIZE THAT... 1 - GOD IS SOVEREIGN - "...the everlasting...the Creator..." 2 - GOD DEMANDS SUBMISSION - "...wait upon the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:27-31

Denomination: Baptist

What Are Storms? Evaluate Our Attitudes?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jun 30, 2021

Ever try to define spiritual storms and why we go through storms? Storms have a purpose. God uses storms to correct his people.

WHAT ARE STORMS? EVALUATE ATTITUDES TOWARD STORMS? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (2 part) SEVERAL YEARS AGO RED BOOK DID A QUESTIONNAIRE OF INCOMING SEMINARY STUDENTS THAT IS ALARMING. 56% of new students do not believe in the VIRGIN BIRTH. 74% say there is no literal ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:27, Jonah 1:4, Mark 4:35-40

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Facing A Pandemic New Year Is Not A Problem

Contributed by Cesar Datuin on Jan 7, 2021

How can we start a New Year in the midst of a pandemic? This sermon will try to exhort us on how to face the New Year with global pandemic and crisis.

Intro: Christmas is over and we are welcoming the New Year 2021 with questions in mind, with hesitations whether we will make it this whole year or not in terms of our economy, political situations, calamities or even what we are still experiencing – pandemic. We knew how to celebrate Christmas ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17, Matthew 2:13-15, Matthew 2:19-21, Luke 2:25-49, Joshua 3:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Last Creation Story--Also The Greatest Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 6, 2021

Watch for signs that our friends and relatives are bored or in crisis or somehow dissatisfied with trying the world’s failed ways to joy through pleasure and honor and vanity.

Monday of the 5th Week in Course 2021 There are several creation stories in the collection of sacred books we call the Bible. Today we heard the first from Genesis. But shortly after this story, the moral depravity of the culture got so bad that God decided to start over with Noah and his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:53-56, Genesis 1:1-19

Denomination: Catholic

Jude 1 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 29, 2023

We need to contend for the faith because false teachers and non-Christians will try to wear us down so that we give up the faith fight!

Video Transition: A Million Little Choices Sermon: Jude The following from https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Jude.html • Timeline: The Book of Jude was written somewhere between A.D. 60 and 80. The Book of Jude is closely related to the book of 2 Peter. The date of authorship for Jude depends ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:3-4, Jude 1:20-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational