Sermons on Worthless Effort:

Casey

Contributed by Michael Mays on Aug 27, 2021

While serving at a church in middle Tennessee, I was emailed out of the blue by a young woman names Casey (named change for privacy), who was looking for answers. This sermon is a restructuring of my response to her.

Casey Introduction--Casey’s Story (Saturday, September 28): ?“Hello. My name is Casey. Let me start by letting you know a little about myself as far as religious belief. Growing up I was raised to believe that God and Jesus were our saviors. I went to a Baptist church and was even baptized. As I ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:13-14, John 14:15-17, Ephesians 2:8-10, Isaiah 64:6, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Mark 10:17-22, Matthew 10:34-39, Revelation 3:20, James 4:3-5  (view more)  (view less)

More Christ Less Me

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 4, 2025

Surprised to see an empty seat at the Super Bowl stadium, a diehard fan remarked about it to a woman sitting nearby.

More Christ Less Me “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Return To Civility: 3 Respect God's Name Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jul 14, 2024

In today's world God's name is used as a curse and an exclamation point, this message looks at how we are to use it and not use it.

Recently I was reading an article written by a friend of mine, Mike McNeil. Mike and I are from the same home church, and he taught at Kingswood University for forty years before taking a teaching position with Kings Church in Saint John. Mike writes a column called Soul Apologetics, and this week ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Dangerous Christian Pt 1

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Dec 2, 2024

Surely as Blood washed Spirit filled Fire Baptized Christians we should be considered a threat to hell. When the devil looks at you, he should see a Dangerous Christian. Not just a believer trying to hold out till Jesus comes, but a true warrior, tearing the devils kingdom down.

Mark 16:16-18 KJV... He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. [17] And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; [18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:18-20, Luke 10:19

Denomination: Pentecostal

1. Message In 2 Peter – Number 1 – Learning From False Teachers – Part 1 (2 Peter 2:13) Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 27, 2025

Before Peter passed to be with the Lord, he set out for the scattered Christians, pointers to recognise and refute false teachers who were gaining traction among Christians. He exposed these subversive agents of the devil. I am examining them, then adding cautions so we don’t follow.

1. MESSAGE IN 2 PETER – NUMBER 1 – LEARNING FROM FALSE TEACHERS – PART 1 (2 PETER 2:13) [1]. LEARNING FROM FALSE TEACHERS - INTRODUCTION The parable of the Tares showed that after the good seed was sown by the Lord and His Apostles, very soon, Satan would launch the counter attack in his ...read more

Scripture: John 7:3-5, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Ephesians 6:11, 2 Peter 2:13, 2 Peter 2:14, Galatians 1:8-9, 2 Peter 2:17, Jude 1:12, Ephesians 4:14, 2 Peter 2:19, 2 Peter 2:22, Matthew 7:6, 2 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Peter 2:3, 2 Peter 2:10, Galatians 5:19-21, Galatians 5:22-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Road To Success- James 2:14-26 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 5, 2002

Success in life comes from the following equation: Faith + works = success. The opposite also applies: Faith – Works, or Work – Faith = no success only failure in life.

The Road to Success in Life Thesis: Success in life comes from the following equation: Faith + works = success. The opposite also applies Faith – Works, or Work – Faith = no success only failure in life. Text: James 2:14-26 NIV: 14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26, James 2:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Ten Virgins Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 29, 2011

The parable of the ten virgins is given to accentuate the incalculable importance of being spiritually prepared to meet Christ when He returns to earth, because after He appears, unbelievers who are then alive will have no further chance for salvation.

A fun part of summer are the frequent weddings that occur. So much has changed over the years with weddings. No longer just a formal service in a church with a standard liturgy and vows, now couples often write their own vows, and for the more ambitious couples, it may be an outdoor service at an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Other

The Value Of Worms Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Sep 27, 2012

A study of the book of Isaiah chapter 41

Isaiah 41: 1 – 29 The Value of Worms “Keep silence before Me, O coastlands, and let the people renew their strength! Let them come near, then let them speak; Let us come near together for judgment. 2 “Who raised up one from the east? Who in righteousness called him to His feet? ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:1-29

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Engage (Compassion, From Careless To Caremore) Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Nov 25, 2019

In this message we talk about how if we want to become the church HE intended that we need to ENGAGE our lost and hurting world with acts of compassion.

ENGAGE – Compassion From Careless To Caremore Jesus (your Savior King) spoke the following words in what many refer to as His inaugural address on the mountainside by the Sea of Galilee. Letting people know who they could be and who they really are in Him. 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16, Luke 10:33-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pushing Through Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 4, 2018

In this second message of Getting Better at what Jesus said matters most we will look at our need to push through our insecurity so that we can love ourselves. Understand, it is hard to love our neighbor if we don't feel too good about us.

Pushing Through #GettingBetter (2) Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. 3 Then the devil said to him, “If you are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-13, Matthew 22:36-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Healing Church - Words Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 1, 2023

Words our words carry the power to create a positive environment or a negative environment. Words create worlds – yes- the world’s around us are created by our words. What do your words sound like each day?

Series: “The Healing Church 2023” Sermon #2: Healing Church – Words Thesis: Words our words carry the power to create a positive environment or a negative environment. Words create worlds – yes- the world’s around us are created by our words. What do your words sound like each day? ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12, Philippians 2:1-5, Philippians 2:14-15, Philippians 4:8-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prophecy Of Christ Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Dec 19, 2003

They all pointed to Him. Those prophets of the Old Testament were seeing something they couldn’t figure out, but longed to understand.

When is the last time you saw something about to happen and you knew it would? At that moment, you were looking into the future and seeing the outcome of events that were yet to take place. God has made us spiritual creatures like himself. We make plans, we set goals, we write out our schedules ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-10, Isaiah 53:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Words Of Distinction - "Mind"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Jan 21, 2004

This message examines the use of the word "mind" in the Scriptures. There is a battle going on for your MIND.

WORDS OF DISTINCTION – “Mind” INTRODUCTION: We CONTINUE in our series on “Words of Distinction”. We have looked at the words “daily”, “adoption”, “rather”, “sleep”, and “pleasure”. TODAY, we look at the word “mind”. If you are a Christian, Satan has declared war on YOU. You are his ENEMY. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

He Didn't Throw The Clay Away

Contributed by Jon Earls on Feb 5, 2003

God wants to Redeem the pieces of broken lives. He wants to Repair those broken pieces into something worthwhile. And He wants to Refill the Vessel.

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 18:1-6 He was 21 years old. By all appearances he was living life to the fullest. Parties, drinking, living it up. He was young and full of live. He had a bright future ahead of him. Although this was the appearance to many, inside a war was going on. The ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-6

Denomination: Holiness

Watch What You Hear

Contributed by Rev. K. Michael Bryant on Dec 13, 2002

Living is full of temptations and pitfalls aiming to destroy your journey. Here is one key to assist us in our walk with Christ. We must Watch What We Hear.

To our heavenly father and in the name of Jesus..who loves me...I bring you greetings this evening. How can I say that God loves me? Ephesians 6-14. Well, because I am a child of god; seeded in heavenly places with Christ, anointed by the holy ghost with power; called to preach the gospel to the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:24-25

Denomination: Baptist