Sermons on Worthless Effort:

Draw Near To God: Three Obstacles To Overcome

Contributed by Barnabas Park on Jan 6, 2019

In our efforts to draw near to God, we have three things to overcome: myself with sinful nature; the world; the devil

“Draw Near to God” (James 4:1-10) 1/6/2019 1. What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10, Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Get Tired Of Doing Good PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 3, 2023

Explores the importance of doing good for the right reasons, persevering in our efforts, and the impact of unwearied goodness on our lives and community.

Good morning, everyone. It's such a joy to see you all here today, ready to delve into God's word together. We're going to be focusing on a passage from Galatians today, specifically Galatians 6:9-10. But before we get to that, I want to share a quote with you. It's from A.W. Tozer, a man who had a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9-10

Topics: Not Getting Tired, Doing Good

Same Old Same Old--Vs Change

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 17, 2022

We are commanded to grow in grace. Real growth demands effort and a good plan. Will we stay the same and refuse to change?

THE SAME OLD SAME OLD VS. CHANGE By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com WHAT IF A CATERPILLAR DESIRED TO STAY A CATERPILLAR? CHANGE: Let us look at complete metamorphosis. There are four stages of growth. EGG, LARVA (CATERPILLAR), PUPA (COCOON), ADULT (BUTTERFLY.) Maybe use the frog: ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 13:23, 2 Peter 3:18, Job 14:13-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

There Are Two Sides To Every Story PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 16, 2023

Explores the transformative power of a relationship with Christ, emphasizing that true change comes not from self-effort, but from looking to Jesus.

Good morning, beloved family of Christ. It's a joy to see each and every one of your smiling faces here today, ready to share in the Word of God. Before we get started, let's just take a moment to read the Scripture we're going to be talking about today. It's from 2 Corinthians 5:17, and it says, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Topics: New Story

Did Jesus Really Die And Rise Again?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Apr 9, 2004

The empty cross and risen Lord is the paramount doctrine upon which the believer rests his or her eternal destiny. I Corinthians 15:14 states that if Christ did not die and rise, then our preaching and faith is completely worthless.

DID JESUS REALLY DIE AND RISE AGAIN? I CORINTHIANS 15:1-9 Key Verses: 3-4 “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Spots And Stripes Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 20, 2021

If you want true success in life, don’t depend on your shrewd deals or your spent schemes. Instead, depend on the Lord.

Ted Engstrom and Edward Dayton, in a Christian Leadership Letter some time ago, talked about a young man who was appointed president of a bank. Intimidated by his new responsibilities, he nervously sought the advice of his gray-haired predecessor: “Sir, what has been the secret of your success?” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 30:25-43, Proverbs 3:5-6, James 1:17, Galatians 3:3, 1 Peter 3:1-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 15:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

By His Stripes-12

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Nov 5, 2020

12 of 13. 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-XII—Isaiah 53:10-11(52:13—53:12) OR: God’s Remedy For Sin Attention: Read Isaiah 53:4-12 God has provided the only foolproof REMEDY for sin...Jesus, His only-begotten Son, His Servant! Background: ~650 years prior to the Cross of Christ Jesus, Isaiah prophesied of the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

How To Overcome Depression Or Discouragement

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. Depression (Feelings of dejection, sadness, apathy, inertia, difficulty in gaining energy or excitement, fatigue, pessimism, hopelessness, fear, attitudes of worthlessness, hopelessness, loss of interest, inability to experience pleasure, a loss of self-esteem or potential) is experienced by eve

1. Depression (Feelings of dejection, sadness, apathy, inertia, difficulty in gaining energy or excitement, fatigue, pessimism, hopelessness, fear, attitudes of worthlessness, hopelessness, loss of interest, inability to experience pleasure, a loss of self-esteem or potential) is experienced by ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Three Great Words From God

Contributed by Carl Allen on Dec 27, 2007

Often we hear people speak disparagingly of making New Year’s resolutions. They think these promises are worthless. This cynicism could indicate that they have no hope for the coming year being better than the last. It is certainly easy to give way to

Three Great Words from God for the Coming Year Romans 15:7-13 Intro Often we hear people speak disparagingly of making New Year’s resolutions. They think these promises are worthless. This cynicism could indicate that they have no hope for the coming year being better than the last. It is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

Sandpaper Christians

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 22, 2025

In Mal. 3:17 God calls us His jewels. All gemstones began as lumps of carbon & were worthless, but under great pressure and heat, they became extremely valuable. We must be cut, sanded, grinded, and tumbled.

SANDPAPER CHRISTIANS INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. When President Cleveland's second child was born, the doctor asked Cleveland for a scale to determine the baby’s weight. Cleveland searched through the house without success. 2. Finally, he remembered that he had an old scale in the basement ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:11, Malachi 3:2-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Praying For The Spirit To Come Series

Contributed by Adam Cruse on Jul 18, 2001

What should our attitude and praying be like since we have been enlisted in the war-time effort of spreading the gospel?

As your turning to Acts 4:23-31, I want to read what John Piper wrote concerning prayer. Listen to the imagery that he uses as he describes the true purpose of prayer. “Life is war. That’s not all it is. But it is always that. Our weakness in prayer is owing largely to our neglect of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Baptist

A Place To Belong Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Kellum on Feb 25, 2004

The level of commitment you see in new members depends on how much time, prayer and intentional effort you put into their growth.

INTRODUCTION: NEED: To Develop a plan to turn attenders into members (for a similar perspective see Warren, Purpose Driven Church, Chapter 17) If our goal is to get people to come down that isle and tell us they will join this church, our plan can be rather simple. 1. Make them comfortable when ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

Carefully Taught

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Nov 11, 2001

The Lord went to a lot of effort to write us a love letter. We call it the Bible. We would be amiss not to read it.

Letters are interesting and amazing things. They have been the main form of communication between two people or groups of people who are some distance apart, longer than any other form of communication. With the invention of the telephone, there was some threat that written correspondence may ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:14-17

Denomination: Methodist

Getting Ready For The Harvest

Contributed by Lynn Floyd on Aug 9, 2002

I talk about the reality of a great harvest of lost people coming to Christ--but it will take some effort on our part.

Getting Ready for the Harvest August 10, 2002 As we approach our two-year anniversary I couldn’t help but praise God for what he has been doing here at NCC. I looked back through our records and was reminded about how lives have been touched here. Did you know since September 2000 to now we have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

Denomination: Baptist

Daybreak Vs. Nightfall

Contributed by Zera Young on Nov 17, 2006

This is a message for all who may sugarcoat God’s word and compromise God’s Holy word in an effort to reach this generation.

This message is for all who may like to sugarcoat God’s word, and compromise God’s Holy word just to get and keep a congregation. This is a brief sermon that needs no introduction. There are no gray areas. So, it’s all black and white. Being a minister/pastor, I get a lot of info. On how other ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:11-15