Sermons on Worthless Effort:

Abimelech Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Nov 2, 2023

After the death of Gideon, Abimelech craved to inherit his father's position of authority over Israel. But as the son of a concubine, he does not enjoy the privilege to succeed. So, Abimelech used money to hire rough, immoral men as paid goons to help him slaughter his brothers.

Text: Judges 9 Theme: Abimelech Introduction: After the death of Gideon, Abimelech craved to inherit his father's position of authority over Israel. But as the son of a concubine, he does not enjoy the privilege to succeed. So, Abimelech used money to hire rough, immoral men as paid goons to ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

First Judge Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Aug 16, 2022

Othniel delivered God’s people through battle and there was peace for God’s people for forty years. Don’t get in the trap that repeats itself twelve times through the book of Judges with sin, punishment, repentance and deliverance. Don’t forget all the good things the Lord has done for you.

The title First Judge is taken from the movie First Knight. The First Knight story of Camelot. Lancelot is the courageous sword fighter. He runs the gauntlet and wins a kiss from Guinevere, the bride to be of King Arthur. Then Lancelot after another daring deed saves the life of Guinevere and lands ...read more

Scripture: Judges 3:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

No Other Gods (Deuteronomy 13)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 31, 2024

Do miracles mean a man is a true prophet? Let's look at Deuteronomy 13.

How serious was God about Israel having no other gods? Could they be deceived by miracles, a friend, or a popular trend from a nearby city? Let’s review Deuteronomy 13. Can false prophets perform miracles? What determines whether they are true or false prophets? Now if a prophet or a dream ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

From Preachin' To Meddlin' Series

Contributed by Donald Mcculley on Jun 10, 2019

We’ve all heard those words (title) haven’t we? Paul discusses some practical applications of Christian living. He talks about holy living.

From Preachin’ to Meddlin’ Ephesians 4:25-5:2 Introduction: We’ve all heard those words (title) haven’t we? Paul discusses some practical applications of Christian living. He talks about holy living. Speaking of holy living let me say two things. 1. It Is Impossible Without Transformation: ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Repent At Christmas

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 7, 2021

Does the Christian meaning of Christmas get lost? Purpose: What can we do to make it more meaningful? Plan: Let’s see what profound changes John expected with preparation for Christ’s coming in Luke 3:7-18.

Prelude Does the Christian meaning of Christmas get lost? Purpose: What can we do to make it more meaningful? Plan: Let’s see what profound changes John expected with preparation for Christ’s coming in Luke 3:7-18. Vipers Luke 3:7 “So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

By His Stripes-6

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jun 4, 2019

6 of ? The prophet Isaiah declared a future time when God’s Servant would provide the remedy for sin. Jesus is God’s remedy for sin. By His stripes I receive the Servant's...

BY HIS STRIPES-VI—Isaiah 52:13—53:1-12 OR: God’s Remedy For Sin Attention: Spider webs: Spider webs have been studied by scientists for years. “A single spider can produce up to seven different types of silk for different uses.”—‘Spider Silk’ @ en.wikipedia.org “Spider silk stands out for its ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Christ And Who Are You?

Contributed by Tommy Ellis on May 10, 2002

Sermon emphasizes that the claims of Jesus are clear, but people feign ignorance because they want to be ignorant. Having identified Jesus as the Christ--Savior--the question of who we are is explored. Who are we without Christ? Who are we with Christ?

WHO IS CHRIST AND WHO ARE YOU? Scripture Reading: John 10:22-30 Jesus is the Christ--the Savior of our souls. We are the saved ones--safe only with God. Several questions arise from this assertion. Why do people not accept Jesus for who he is? Who are we apart from God? Who are we with God? ...read more

Scripture: John 10:22-30

Denomination: Pentecostal

Contrasting Healthy And Unhealthy Ways Of Viewing Spiritual Gifts

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Take an evaluative look at the ways spiritual gifts are being used in your life and in your fellowship.

Unhealthy Views of Spiritual Gifts * Useful for gaining popularity, status and power * Useful for helping one stand out from the crowd * Useful for self-aggrandizement (Increasing one’s power, rank or wealth) * Useful for protecting oneself from other’s accusations about worthlessness * Useful for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Know If Something Is Really Worth Doing

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Criteria for wise decision-making

We all have to make many decisions every day. The most difficult decisions fall in basically three categories: is it a good decision; is there a better way of doing something; is it the best decision that I can make right now. It is amazing how many people choose good things that actually become ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Me?! A Wise Person? You've Got To Be Kidding!

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 15, 2001

An exploration of the availability of wisdom to all who seek it.

Introduction: It’s a shame that so many people immediately tune out when you start talking about wisdom. To them, wisdom is theoretical, academic book knowledge that has nothing to do with the real world. Yet that is not at all what wisdom is about. Wisdom is not abstract knowledge; ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Discipleship: Brokenness Series

Contributed by Kemuel Travis on Mar 6, 2007

To show that we must be broken before the Lord in order to draw close to Him

INTRODUCTION -Today we are going to be partaking of the Lord’s Supper -Holy Communion -This was a special meal that Christ ate with his closest disciples on the night he was betrayed -The eve of His crucifixion -We do this quite often, but let us learn a valuable discipleship lesson today as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:26-75

Denomination: Wesleyan

What's So Amazing About Grace?

Contributed by Craig West on Feb 12, 2007

This is a sermon that shows 3 benefits of God’s grace.

“What’s So Amazing About Grace?” 2 Samuel 9 READ 2 Samuel 9:1—13 GRACE WILL SEEK YOU OUT - David was on the throne of Israel when he asked about Saul’s descendants…Grace begins in the throne room - Like Mephibosheth, before we were aware of grace, it was already seeking us out. - Romans 5:6—8: ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Know Your Roots?

Contributed by Stephen Funderburk on Sep 29, 2005

what is your heritage

Intro: the bible is very illustrative in it’s teaching, many great teachings of the bible are pictures from everyday experience. The other day, Lauri was mentioning to me the importance of roots in scripture. That the life of Christ must take root in our spirits for us to be productive. In ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Unsanctified Man

Contributed by James Torrence on Apr 25, 2004

Descriptions of a unsactified person

The Unsanctified Man By: Rev. James Torrence Romans 7: 1-25 TEXT: Verse 24 - Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me? Intro: The 7th chapter of Romans is the battle ground of theologians. Our Calvinistic friends have had trouble here because they do not believe in two works of grace. Our ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:24

Denomination: Methodist

Holy Spirit Guided Evangelism Series

Contributed by Timothy Grayless on Feb 15, 2003

Second sermon in a series on Holy Spirit assisted Evangelism.

Holy Spirit Guided Evangelism Part 2 THE GREAT COMMISSION (Review Part 1) 1. Jesus’ mandate 2. What makes us hate to do it? (EVANGELISM) A. Hard Work B. Laity expects Pastor to do it all: C. Some feel it requires a lot of “Arm Twisting” Trying to evoke emotion is manipulation. You put pressure ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20, Matthew 21:33-34

Denomination: Methodist