Sermons on Useless Pursuits:

Transformed By Truth: Running From God’s Call Jonah 1:3 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on May 30, 2024

Jonah 1:3 offers a powerful lesson on obedience, fear, and God's relentless pursuit of us even when we try to flee from His calling.

Transformed by Truth: Running from God’s Call Jonah 1:3 Jonah 1:3 (NLT): "But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:3, Proverbs 14:12, Psalm 139:7-10, Romans 12:1, Jeremiah 17:9, Jeremiah 23:24, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Proverbs 28:26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Seeking First The Kingdom Of God

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 9, 2025

Seeking first the kingdom of God is not a suggestion—it is a divine strategy for victorious living. It is God’s way of aligning our priorities so we can walk in supernatural supply, peace, and purpose.

SEEKING FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 6:33 Supporting Texts: Psalm 37:4, Proverbs 3:5-6, Luke 12:31, Colossians 3:1-3, Matthew 13:44-46 INTRODUCTION: In a world filled with anxiety, competition, and the quest for survival, the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Substitutes For Love Series

Contributed by Chris Talton on Dec 3, 2002

In our attempts to serve God, we use words, spirituality, and offerings. But without love as the motivation for all these, they are useless substitutes for what God desires and what the worlds needs.

November 3, 2002 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 ¡§Substitutes for love¡¨ INTRODUCTION This Tuesday is election day. Candidates tell us that we should not be satisfied with the way that things are. There is a better way, and it is their way. - in the world - at the job - in the church - in your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

God's Design For Marriage Series

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Apr 26, 2013

"If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless; if the Lord does not protect the city, it does no good for the sentries to stand guard." (Psalm 127:1-2GNT).

God's design for Marriage The Bible tells us; "If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless; if the Lord does not protect the city, it does no good for the sentries to stand guard." (Psalm 127:1-2GNT). We live in a time of massive marital discord and family ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Wrath On Disobedience Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on May 22, 2013

When we 'say' we are believers but don't live out the life God has called us to live, then we are useless to God and a mockery to the Gospel and a laughingstock to the world!

Hosea 7 [HCSB] May 22, 2013 Oak Park Baptist Church – Wed Bible Study Series Hosea Bible Study A Study of the Minor Prophets Hosea (750-725 BC) HOSEA to Israel (Northern Kingdom) We have moved thru the 1st six chapters of Hosea and we have learned several things: 1st we have learned that ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 7:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Suddenly.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on May 25, 2022

—Charles Spurgeon, “Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without the wind, branches without sap, and like coals without fire, we are useless.”

Suddenly. Acts 2:1-8TPT One man stated, There is no comparison between the power of satan and the power of the Holy Spirit in you. The power of satan is like a little firecracker while the power of the Holy Spirit inside of you is like a nuclear bomb! —Charles Spurgeon, “Without the Spirit of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-8, John 6:63

Denomination: Pentecostal

"What's Wrong With Pleasure?" Ecc. Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 22, 2007

What is wrong with the pursuit of pleasure? Answer: It will become a tyrannical god – an idol that will never satisfy – it will never bring eternal meaning to your life.

“What is wrong with pleasure?” Ecclesiastes Pt. 2 Illustration: My timer is set for 30 minutes again: You may be thinking, “How many people will die in the world in 30 minutes?” The answer is 3,240 people. But here is a major problem - It is estimated that only 7% of the world’s population is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living In Freedom

Contributed by Doug Johnston on Jun 28, 2001

As the founders of America wanted life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, believers can find those spiritual riches and more in Christ.

Living in Freedom Introduction: America’s Churches Help Her People Be Great French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831, said, "I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests--and it ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Place Of Possessions (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Mar 6, 2008

Part 2, mainly discussing how possessions and the pursuit of them can keep a person from finding and following Christ.

The Place of Possessions (Part 2) Matthew 19:16-30 March 2, 2008 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT USED IN MY MESSAGES IS BORROWED FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." We: I think most people grow up with dreams of making a ton of money and being rich. Whether it’s through an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Wesleyan

One Prayer Closer To God

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 30, 2006

Effort to show that pursuit of closeness with God is the sure path to fullness of joy and can be helped by the use of the Psalms as a basis for prayer

1. Title: One Prayer Closer To God 2. Text: Psalm 16 3. Audience: Villa Heights Christian Church, AM crowd, April 3, 2005 -for the people to understand how the Psalms are prayers to be used in our prayers to God, and how this Psalm describes the close relationship we should be seeking with ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sex And The Young Christian

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 14, 2019

Sex is a bridge between husband and wife, and between generations. That means they must not be abused in the pursuit of the secondary meaning of giving pleasure.

Friday of 10th Week in Course Virtue: Chastity There’s an anecdote that is at least a half-century old, because I first heard it in high school (at this point you should state a disclaimer that this homily is not written for pre-teens). An organization announced a lecture by some out-of-town ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:11, Matthew 5:27-28

Denomination: Catholic

Train Yourself To Be Godly Series

Contributed by Ashley Benjamin on Aug 13, 2020

How do we have godliness in a world that is constantly changing? What is the importance of keeping our focus and pursuits right?

Difference between the Worldly and Godly Lifestyle: Proverbs 14:12 (KJV) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. There is this pattern we follow in our everyday life. Life usually revolves around the eating, drinking and being merry (Luke ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Love Of God's Call Part 2 Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 7, 2019

Part 2 this is not about you. This book is about God and His call and pursuit of man. Especially the pouting prophet, Jonah.

Intro: I want to remind you that this whale of a tale called the book of Jonah is not about a great big fish, a great big city or a grumpy old prophet. This book is about a Great big God that is willing to graciously deal with a disobedient, disgruntled, disgusted prophet. In this story of a ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:2-17

Denomination: Baptist

Light And Darkness Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 26, 2022

As we continue our pursuit of spiritual soundness this Lent, we ask for the grace we need from the Holy Spirit

Homily for 4th Sunday in Lent The team’s morale had never been higher. Their speed was peaking; their accuracy was better than ever. They had become a team through good times and bad, encouraging each other constantly. The cheering section on the sideline was packed; the cheerleaders were ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41, John 8:12, Ephesians 5:8-14

Denomination: Catholic

Perfect Peace PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 21, 2023

Explores the pursuit of God's perfect peace, its perseverance, and His promises, emphasizing trust in the Lord as the source of true peace.

Good morning, dear friends! It's a joy to be with you all today, gathered together under the banner of our shared faith, united in our love for the Lord and for each other. Today, we are going to open the pages of the sacred text and allow the Spirit to guide us through the profound wisdom ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:3-4

Topics: Peace