Sermons on Worthless Effort:

Jotham’s Fable Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 26, 2019

Jotham was not condemning the monarchy itself, but was to a certain extent pointing out that Abimelech was a worthless person."

Chapter 38 Jotham’s Fable [Judges 9.7-9.15] Scripture 7 And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. 8 The trees went forth on a ...read more

Scripture: Judges 9:7-15

Denomination: Baptist

Sovereignty And Sweat: How God Blesses Our Faithful Labor - 1 Samuel 10-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 7, 2025

Success is supplied by God, not our effort, but it comes only through our effort. The right understanding of sovereignty and free will will increase effort and decrease worry and pride.

1 Samuel 10:1-8 Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him, saying, "Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance? 2 When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel's tomb, at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to ...read more

The Power Of Persistent Prayer SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

Many believe prayer is a futile effort, but without the ministry of prayer, our efforts are in vain.

Many people believe that prayer is a waste of time, but in reality, without the ministry of prayer, our work becomes futile. The early church understood the significance of prayer and relied on it to accomplish great things. Prayer is not just a religious duty; it is a powerful tool that connects ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:14

Topics: Prayer, Persistence

The Spirit Of The Disciplines Ii

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jan 27, 2007

We are to "make every effort" to grow to be like Christ. Growth comes through conscious efforts.

2 Peter 1:5-8 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Greatest Search And Rescue Mission Ever

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jan 6, 2001

Are you utterly lost? Worthless? Useless? Boy, oh boy...do YOU have help on the way!

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” A husband and wife are on a long trip in their car. For a long while there is silence, as she dozes in and out and he watches the road. Finally, it occurs to her that he seems to be watching the road signs more intently, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:10

Denomination: Orthodox

Let Go And Let God

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

The middle verse of Jonah says "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs".

Introductory Considerations 1. One of best known stories in Bible is the story of Jonah - often seen as a children’s story and heard many children’s songs about it. 2. But the story of Jonah is a story that has an important message to each of us - as a church and as individuals. Not just about a ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Investing In Treasures Or Trinkets?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 30, 2002

We need to invest time and effort in other people.

2 Peter 1 :7 And to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. I am pondering and my mind ponders the goodness of God. Today, I took two older ladies for a ride, just to get them out of the house for a few hours. We were so far in the country, there was no bridge to cross the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:7, Jude 1:22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Lies Beneath

Contributed by Ed Doss on Oct 24, 2000

Satan's efforts to steal faith

What Lies Beneath Ed Doss Sunday July 23, 2000 Rev. 12:7 The Bible says that there was a great war in Heaven. ~ Satan and his Demons fought against God and his Angels ~ But he was not strong enough and the Bible says that he was hurled down to Earth and there was rejoicing in Heaven ~ But woe ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Shining Lights Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Apr 25, 2006

Giving your Best Effort

Proclaiming His Majesty Series 2006 Shining Lights Matthew 5:14-16 (Only a small portion of this story is true, I’ll leave it to you to figure out which part. The meaning however is everlasting.) Last week Sheryl and I were spending a quiet evening at home, the children were all in bed and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It Takes Gumption To Harvest A Crop

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Jan 30, 2019

It takes effort to have a harvest

It Takes Gumption To Harvest a Crop, No effort to grow Weeds (Gal 6:7-10) ( A Hard working farmer Toils to prepare his fields and sows GOOD SEED, He then reaps a great Harvest--- A lazy Bum don’t prepare and lets weed seeds take over, He also reaps a harvest—WEEDS OR GOOD CROPS – YOUR ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Disposable People?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 18, 2008

THE CHURCH MUST NEVER SEE INDIVIDUALS AS DISPOSABLE! We must give every effort to try and try again to reach those that are not in the ark of safety. Comfortable with the 99? One?

THERE IS A TERRIBLE DANGER OF SEEING PEOPLE AS DISPOSABLE. By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I. THERE IS A CRY IN THE CHURCH WORLD TO USE PEOPLE TO BUILD THE CHURCH. THAT IS NOT GOD’S PLAN --- GOD’S PLAN IS CLEAR --- USE THE CHURCH TO BUILD BETTER PEOPLE. A. Life can become so ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:39-44

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Instant Christian

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jul 10, 2011

We have adapted the Christian life to the culture. We want it hot, easy, quick and effortless.

The American people expect everything fast, easy and cheap. And we often treat the Christian life like that. We want it to be like a McDonald’s drive through — drive up to the window, get what you want and drive off. Have you noticed all the ads that tell us about the products ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-24

Denomination: Methodist

Use Those Skills! Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Sep 14, 2013

We all have skills that can be used to build the kingdom of God, here on Earth, in peoples lives, for eternity.

We all have skills! I’m particularly impressed by skilled musicians and people who extremely good capacity for retaining information. I guess that that is because these are not skills or abilities that I have naturally. However I understand that there are some people who can’t wire a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 28:20-21

Denomination: Salvation Army

It’s The Times In Between

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Apr 25, 2021

Take note here as how we read the entrance to self effort! This is when David is only relying on David! How many can relate to the words David is using to describe the condition of his life?

It’s the Times In Between... 1 Samuel 21:10-15 NKJ 10 Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3, Psalm 56:1-13, 1 Samuel 21:10-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

And One To Grow On Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 30, 2015

The key to spiritual maturity is knowing and walking with Jesus.

1. Darwin Awards There is a book of the Darwin Awards. These are awards that are issued every year to the people who do the "stupidest stuff" which results in their own death. In the chapter called, "Macho Men" are three examples: * There was the story about Larry and his friend Joseph who just ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ