Sermons on Useless Pursuits:

What Is In A Name?

Contributed by David Dewitt on Apr 25, 2014

This message was given in preparation of our church pursuit of a name change

What is in a Name? July 28, 2013 Morning Message Reasoning for the name change TAP Training * Advanced training on church health * Consultation with Gary MacIntosh and Gordon Penfold Issues with the name * Door hangers – people visited the wrong church * Door to door invites – nearly ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:28

Denomination: Church Of God

A Root Of All Kinds Of Evil Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 10, 2014

A stern warning against the pursuit of money from the pend of the Apostle.

1 TIMOTHY 6:10 A ROOT OF ALL KINDS OF EVIL “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” [1] We’ve all heard the saying, “Money is the root of all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:10

Denomination: Baptist

Be One! Be Different!

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

No one is useless in the church. The Holy Spirit gives everyone some gifting that they can contribute. The church needs you.

This is a bit embarrassing to say, but I have this thing about doing the Tribune’s crossword puzzle each day, and I couldn’t finish Saturday’s and it’s bugging me. Maybe you can help me out. Then I can focus on our sermon text. Can you help me for a minute? I got most of it already. This should ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7, Ephesians 4:11-16

Why We Are Not Winning The World

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jun 9, 2024

If the Church does not merge in truth and fight the devil then it shall die in division or at best be weak and useless to Heaven and earth.

Mark 3:24  And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  25  And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.  Speaking of satan, but it applies to the house of God as well. "Division is devastating to effectiveness." Tim ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 133:1, Ephesians 4:3, Ephesians 4:13

Denomination: Baptist

Life Choices

Contributed by Robert Tatum on Sep 5, 2002

God wants us to have a life that is useful and not useless, this sermon moves the listeners toward a life of usefulness to God.

Life Choices (Revelation 3:14-22) Robert Frost, one of America’s favorite poets, wrote a poem that I like very much. Listen to the words of Robert Frost as he penned in the poem, “ The Road Not Taken”: Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5, Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Restoration Of Peter Series

Contributed by Jerry Love on May 2, 2017

Peter feels like a useless failure but Jesus restores him not only to his good graces, but to useful service.

The Restoration of Peter Luke 22:31 31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-34, John 21:1-14

Denomination: *other

Training Kingdom Kids

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Aug 20, 2003

The directive to the citizen of the kingdom of God is "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." The pursuit of the kingdom should be the organizing principle of every follower of Christ. Christian parents are called to embrace this pursuit a

TRAINING KINGDOM KIDS PROVERBS 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." INTRODUCTION: Jesus taught the importance of children. He said that the children who came to Him were pictures of those who are citizens of His kingdom. In Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Denomination: Baptist

Four Paths To Happiness--Two Are Dead-Ends

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 9, 2014

Of the four roads supposed to lead to happiness, two are dead-ends--the pursuit of pleasure and the pursuit of honor and power--but the paths of service and union with God actually get us there.

Seventh Sunday in Course 2014 Our family has for several years tried each February 2, or thereabouts, to watch the Bill Murray film, “Groundhog Day.” For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, the movie follows Bill Murray as Phil Connors, a weather forecaster for a 2nd rank TV ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Catholic

The Lost Sheep: God's Pursuit Of The Wanderer Matthew 18:12-14 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 15, 2024

Matthew 18:12-14, unveils God's heart for the lost and His relentless pursuit of those who stray from His flock. Let us delve deep into this scripture and uncover its profound implications.

The Lost Sheep: God's Pursuit of the Wanderer Matthew 18:12-14 Introduction: Today, we embark on a journey through the transformative truths revealed in Matthew 18:12-14. This passage unveils God's heart for the lost and His relentless pursuit of those who stray from His flock. Let us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:12-14, Luke 19:10, Ezekiel 34:11-16, 2 Peter 3:9, Luke 15:7, John 3:16, Romans 5:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

My Role In My Spiritual Growth Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Aug 8, 2007

This is the first in a series of sermons based on "The Pursuit Of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges.

My Role In My Spiritual Growth – Cleaning Up A farmer goes out and plows his field. He sows the seed. He cultivates the plants and fertilizes them. All the while he knows that the plants grow because of forces outside of himself. The farmer is utterly dependent on forces he can not control. He can ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Memorial Day: The Search For Peace Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 25, 2013

Peace is more than the mere absence of war; it involves the pursuit of love

Memorial Day 2013 Monday of 8th Week in Course Gaudium et Spes The rich young man, we read here, responded to the challenge of Jesus by walking away. It says his “face fell.” That doesn’t capture the full emotional meaning of the Greek text. It uses the word stygnasas. The ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-27

Denomination: Catholic

Rally Sunday

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Sep 15, 2011

I dream of us recapturing that deep desire to worship and the pursuit of excellence.

Rally Sunday Sept 11, 2011 Intro: What’s your dream? Do you have one?? I don’t mean the Oh, I’d love to visit Australia kind of dream. Nor the I wish I were beautiful and popular and skinny like celebrity so-and-so kind of dream. Those are either not really that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:10

Denomination: Baptist

Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 20, 2014

An examination of the deceitfulness of wealth. Paul warns against succumbing to the pursuit of money.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

Divine Intimacy Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Mar 3, 2017

RECOGNIZING JESUS DESIRE, THE PURSUIT OF DIVINE INTIMACY SHOULD DEFINE US.

Divine Intimacy 1/15/17 John 17:1-3 INTRODUCTION What's on your wish list? Buzzfeed regularly makes some suggestions for items to add to your wish list on Amazon. Here is some of their recent top suggestions. Rainbow projector A Peanut butter cake mix for your dog's next birthday A gift basket ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-3

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

There Is One Spirit Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on May 9, 2025

“Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless.”— Charles Spurgeon

There Is One Spirit Ephesians 4:4 Introduction “Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless.”— Charles Spurgeon The Holy Spirit is present in the first chapter of the Bible and plays a major role in all of the story of the Bible - and your life. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ