Sermons on Worthless Effort:

Rise To Action PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 5, 2024

This sermon explores aligning our hearts with God's will, overcoming obstacles through faith, and fostering collective effort for transformation, inspired by Nehemiah's story.

Good morning, beloved! It is indeed a joy and a privilege to stand before you today, to share and to learn from the Word of God. Our hearts are united in this sacred space, bound by our shared love for the Lord and our desire to draw closer to Him. As we prepare to unpack the profound wisdom found ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-10

Topics: Courage, Go

Being Properly Dressed PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2025

Relying on God’s strength and prayer, not our own efforts, equips us to stand firm and face life’s battles with confidence and peace.

Friends, you made it here today—some with a spring in your step, some with a sigh in your chest, and some just barely holding it together. That’s okay. God loves honest hearts. Maybe you’ve been standing in a storm: the phone call you didn’t expect, the bill you can’t pay, the diagnosis you don’t ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Topics: Armor, God

Grace Alone 102925 PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 16, 2025

God’s grace meets us in our sin and need, offering true freedom and acceptance through faith in Jesus, not our own efforts.

Some of us arrived today feeling like life has been a long hallway of closed doors. You knocked on the door of good intentions and it stayed shut. You jiggled the handle of self-improvement and it wouldn’t budge. You leaned your ear to the keyhole of religious busyness and heard only your own ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36

Topics: Grace, Justification

Weariness PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 28, 2025

Faithful, unseen acts of kindness matter deeply to God; persist in doing good, trusting that your efforts will bear fruit in His perfect timing.

Some days feel like a long string of unnoticed kindness. A parent packing lunches after a long shift. A nurse offering a smile under a mask. A teacher giving one more call to a student who’s fallen behind. A caregiver who holds a trembling hand at midnight. Seeds of goodness go into the soil, and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9-10

Topics: Perseverance

Salvation PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 4, 2025

God’s grace meets us in our brokenness, offering forgiveness and new life through Jesus, not by our efforts but by His love and sacrifice.

Friends, welcome. If you walked in today with a weary heart, a worried mind, or a wound that won’t seem to heal, you’re in good company. We bring our whole selves to God—our victories and our valleys, our bright smiles and our buried secrets. Deep down, we sense something is wrong, and we long for ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Topics: Salvation, Romans Road

The Bewitching Hour PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 5, 2025

Relying on the Holy Spirit’s power, not our own efforts, keeps our focus on Christ and sustains us daily by God’s grace.

If you’ve ever started your morning with grand intentions and then tripped over your own shoelaces by lunch, you’re in good company. We set the coffee, open the calendar, whisper a prayer, and head out the door with a heart set on Jesus. Then the rush hits. Emails multiply. Expectations pile high. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-3

Topics: Bewitching Hour, Spiritual Influence

The Sanctification Process

Contributed by Richard Tow on Oct 19, 2018

This message examines God's side and the believer's side of the sanctification process using Phil. 2:12-13. Without the grace of God operating in our hearts, all our efforts. . . .

10.14.18 TEXT: Philippians 2:12-13, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”1 I. IN THOSE ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 1 Peter 1:15-16, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Romans 8:22-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Jehovah-Tsidkenu - The Lord Our Righteousness PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Our righteousness comes not from our own efforts, but from the Lord Himself, and we should look forward to His promise of safety, security, and a day when all will be made right with hope and joy.

Good morning, family. Today, we're diving into a powerful, hope-filled promise from the book of Jeremiah, a promise of safety, security, and a day when all will be made right. We'll be focusing on Jeremiah 23:5-6, where it says, "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up for ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:5-6

Topics: Names Of God

Autumn Trees Without Fruit – Doubly Dead And Uprooted Jude 1:12 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 16, 2022

Autumn fruits that are withered from worthless trees. - this is the next description Jude gives of these wicked false teachers who savage the truth of the gospel. These men cause havoc but they are described as "doubly dead and uprooted". God hates His truth being destroyed.

AUTUMN TREES WITHOUT FRUIT – DOUBLY DEAD AND UPROOTED Jude 1:12 What was the title of the last message? And how did Jude describe the false teachers in the one before that? Remember, what the false teachers represent, but then the Christians must be the opposite. (This is part of ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:12, 1 Kings 13:1-5, Mark 11:20, Hosea 9:16, Deuteronomy 29:28, 2 Chronicles 7:17-22, Psalm 1:3, Romans 8:10-11, John 10:27-28, Romans 16:25, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Colossians 2:7, Job 19:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Understanding Who You Are Part #1 Your Identity In God

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jul 11, 2025

For far too long we have as black people (a term that by the end of this lesson I may not use, and you may choose not to use anymore) have been lied to, left out, belittled, tricked, bamboozled, made to feel insignificant, worthless, useless, and cursed by God with blackness.

Opening: - For far too long we have as black people (a term that by the end of this lesson I may not use, and you may choose not to use anymore) have been lied to, left out, belittled, tricked, bamboozled, made to feel insignificant, worthless, useless, and cursed by God with blackness. That’s not ...read more

Denomination: Apostolic

You Are Somebody Special To God Series

Contributed by Troy Campbell on Nov 8, 2011

Have you ever felt like a failure in life? Have you ever experienced insecurity? Some are insecure about your appearance, your abilities, your personality, your life? Have you ever felt unloved and worthless? Have you ever said the following words: “I

Title: Who Am I – 6 “You Are Somebody Special to God – 2” Text: I Peter 2:9-10 Last week I started preaching on the subject that “You Are Somebody Special to God.” It was a very encouraging message to everyone that hears it. We all need to know from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10, Daniel 1:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Opposition To Godly Things

Contributed by Scott Hippler on Aug 8, 2001

Acts 4:1-4 What opposition have you encountered in your walk with with God? What was your response? God will bless your efforts!!!!

Satan’s #1 tool to oppose us and to defeat us is the various forms of opposition that come at us in everyday life and especially when we are attempting something great for God. In those times of ministry, outreach and evangelism - Satan will pull out all of the stops to knock us off course, to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

"Wait On Me!" (God)

Contributed by Doug Warren on Apr 16, 2002

WE HAVE BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF HOW TO WAIT ON GOD, IT REQUIRES ENERGY AND EFFORT TO DO SO, BUT THERE ARE ENCOURAGING RESULTS WHEN WE WAIT UPON HIM.

Intro: One of the things I am NOT GOOD AT is waiting. I am the person who paces the floor waiting for the microwave popcorn which only takes three and one-half minutes! (Do I need therapy? Most likely!!:) We live in an "instant society" of fast food, instant information on demand, pay-at-the-pump ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31

Denomination: Baptist

Be Intentional #1 - Living By Decision Instead Of Default Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 27, 2003

First in a series on living a life characterized by intentionality. This message dealso with being a person who makes determined effort to strengthen his or her relationship with God.

Be Intentional #1 – Living By Decision Instead of Default Various Scriptures December 29, 2002 Introduction Today we begin a series that will take us well into the New Year, as we look at becoming people of purpose, people of intentionality. I’ve mentioned before that this is probably the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-16, Isaiah 29:16

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Folly Of Man

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Aug 2, 2003

As farcical as was the building of the tower of Babel, it is not one wit more so than for any man to attempt to gain heaven by his own efforts or good works.

“THE FOLLY OF MAN” "Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. "Then they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They had brick ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9

Denomination: Baptist