Sermons on Useless Pursuits:

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

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

"Screen Door On A Submarine"

Contributed by David Washburn on Jan 13, 2002

"Faith without works is like a song you can’t sing, it’s about as useless as a screen door on a submarine."

You may have heard our music group sing the song, “Screen Door on a Submarine.” Part of it goes like this: Faith without works is like a song you can’t sing, it’s about as useless as a screen door on a submarine. Rich Mullins wrote that song with this morning’s scripture in mind, because James ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Baptist

Finances: Building A Stable Future (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Marcus Naugler on Nov 23, 2001

Building a foundation by monetary means is useless and futile without Godly wisdom. Honoring the Lord with our finances is the key to a stable future.

Finances: Building a Stable Future (Part 2, Building a Stronger Family) Text: Proverbs 3:7-18 (page 450 in pew Bible) TOP 10 SIGNS YOU ARE BROKE 10. American Express calls and says: "Leave home without it!" 9. You’re formulating a plan to rob the food bank. 8. Long distance companies don’t ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:7-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Folly Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on May 21, 2006

Folly is useless thinking and action and comes from rejecting God’s wisdom. Solomon describes folly through a series of proverbs.

Overcoming Futility—a sermon series on Ecclesiastes “Folly” &Ecclesiastes 10 -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Jesus makes a strong statement in His Sermon on the Mount; He warns, “Anyone who calls someone a fool is in danger of the fire of hell” ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:1-20

Denomination: Congregational

Sign 1 - Turning The Water To Wine Series

Contributed by Mark Holdcroft on Jun 1, 2003

A look at the first sign in the book of john and how Jesus can take useless rituals and replace them with His sacrifice and Spirit.

Water into Wine In the Gospel of John, he makes no secret of why he write his account of Jesus’ life. John 20:31 ... that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John wrote the Gospel so that people may know who Jesus is, ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

If There Is No Resurrection

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Mar 22, 2008

If there is no resurrection from the dead then what? 1- Then preaching is useless 2- Then faith is futile 3- Then sin controls 4- Then Christ is dead

INTRO.- No gas means no driving or less driving. "The average national price of a gallon of gas hit an all-time record high of $3.28 this week. Meaning that wherever you’re going this summer, it might be cheaper to mail your car." Letterman said, "Gas prices, aren’t they crazy? It’s so ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Prisoner Of The Lord

Contributed by Victor Ramlall on Dec 31, 2012

In lockup we may become useless to society, ineffective and unable to make a contribution but God is remolding and refashioning us into something different.

Have you ever prayed "Lord make me more like Jesus?" Have you ever thought of the significance and ramification of such a prayer? Are you ready to take the journey that the answer to such a prayer will take you on? THE PRISONER OF THE LORD: PAUL Paul wrote the letters to the Colossians, Philemon, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Perfection Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 22, 2011

1- Don’t think you are there 2- Forget the past 3- Press on toward the goal

INTRO.- ILL.- PERFECTIONISM and bowling? Odds against rolling a perfect 300 in the game are about 225,000 to one. And one bowler appropriately collapsed when he qualified to join that brotherhood of 300. Another bowler just couldn’t bring himself to play the final ball of an otherwise perfect ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16, Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Warmer Love

Contributed by John Mccormack on Mar 20, 2014

A BELIEVER'S LOVE FOR CHRIST

A WARMER LOVE OBSERVATION: JEWISH COURTSHIP AND WEDDINGS IN THIS CULTURE WAS EXTENSIVE, ELABORATE AND MEANINGFUL. THIS STUDY ADDRESSES THE LOVE A BELIEVER MUST HAVE FOR CHRIST. INTERPRETATION: SONG OF SONGS 5:10 (NKJV) THE SHULAMITE WOMAN: MY BELOVED IS WHITE AND RUDDY, CHIEF AMONG TEN ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 5:10

Denomination: Baptist

Be A Person Of Purpose!

Contributed by Tony Abram on Jan 28, 2016

That perfect purpose is the Will of God. In this outline we point out the purpose of our Christian walk and live.

BE A PERSON OF PURPOSE! 1 Peter 4:1-4:7 We are a people of purpose. That perfect purpose is the Will of God. In this outline we point out the purpose of our Christian walk and live. I. A people of Prayer. - 1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:4-7

David, The Protector

Contributed by Dove Inspirations on Nov 8, 2021

King David protected and went after what was under his care when he was a shepherd. A character trait to be emulated.

DAVID, the protector of what was entrusted to him At an earlier time in his life, before the fame and glory hit, David tended his father’s sheep. Now, David was not his father’s favorite son, infect, the leaving out of David in the line up of Jesse’s sons makes one cringe. It would almost appear ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:34

Dream. Dare. Do Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 21, 2025

Every great achievement in life begins with a dream. God plants ideas, visions, and aspirations in the hearts of men to lead them into their divine purpose.

DREAM. DARE. DO By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 37:5-11 Supporting Texts: Joel 2:28, Proverbs 16:3, Philippians 4:13, Joshua 1:9, Ecclesiastes 11:4-6 INTRODUCTION: Every great achievement in life begins with a dream. God plants ideas, visions, and aspirations in the hearts of men to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:5-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Seeking God’s Presence Above Position Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 2, 2025

Many people today chase after positions, power, and visibility, forgetting the most important priority—God's presence.

SEEKING GOD’S PRESENCE ABOVE POSITION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Chronicles 13:1-5 Supporting Texts: Psalm 27:4; Exodus 33:14-15; Matthew 6:33; 2 Samuel 6:1-12; Hebrews 10:19-22 INTRODUCTION: Many people today chase after positions, power, and visibility, forgetting the most important ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 13:1-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God