Sermons on Worthless Pursuits:

Diligence Matters Series

Contributed by Robert Odle on May 13, 2003

The pursuit of godly character requires two things: (1) put God first, and (2) remove forces that erode God’s influence

Character Counts! Diligence Matters (Proverbs 4:20-27) Theme: Character development is not an important part of life?it IS life! Purpose: What do I want to happen in the hearer when I preach this sermon? A. Increased knowledge. After I preach this sermon, the hearer should be able to state ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:20-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Forgiveness Matters Series

Contributed by Robert Odle on May 13, 2003

In our pursuit of godly character we must learn to forgive. We must also learn the biblical difference between frogiveness and reconciliation.

Character Counts! Forgiveness Matters (1 John 3:16-18) Theme: God?s character requires Him to forgive. Those seeking godly character must learn to forgive. Purpose: What do I want to happen in the hearer when I preach this sermon? A. Increased insight. After I preach this sermon, the hearer ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

‘digging Ditches In The Desert'

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Oct 9, 2001

In this story we see a people involved, a problem involved, a prophet involved, a praise involved, a plan involved, a power involved, and a pursuit involved.

‘DIGGING DITCHES IN THE DESERT’ 2 KINGS 3:4-24 Have you ever been involved in digging ditches? It is hard work, thus you usually have been many bosses. This is a strange story but it is a story that has some truths and principles in it that is good for us to look at. I-NOTICE THE PEOPLE ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 3:4-24

Denomination: Baptist

"What's Wrong With Pleasure?" Ecc. Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 22, 2007

What is wrong with the pursuit of pleasure? Answer: It will become a tyrannical god – an idol that will never satisfy – it will never bring eternal meaning to your life.

“What is wrong with pleasure?” Ecclesiastes Pt. 2 Illustration: My timer is set for 30 minutes again: You may be thinking, “How many people will die in the world in 30 minutes?” The answer is 3,240 people. But here is a major problem - It is estimated that only 7% of the world’s population is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Promoting The Purposes Of God Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Dec 10, 2009

As individual believers who belong to God’s family, we must make God’s will the most important pursuit of our lives.

Promoting the Purposes of God Text: Acts 18:12-21 Intro: We believe God has called our church to fulfill 5 main purposes: Sharing the good news through evangelism, Building people’s faith through discipleship, helping people connect with God through worship, helping people connect with other ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:12-21

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Go! And Pursue What Matters! Proverbs 21:21 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 6, 2025

This sermon challenges us to shift our pursuits from temporary desires to eternal treasures. Will you go and pursue what truly matters?

Go! And Pursue What Matters! Proverbs 21:21 Introduction: The Pursuit of What Truly Matters Life is filled with pursuits. People chase after wealth, success, recognition, and comfort. But in the grand scheme of eternity, what truly matters? Proverbs 21:21 gives us divine wisdom about the right ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:21, Genesis 15:6, Psalm 119:9-11, Matthew 6:33, Luke 10:33-34, John 13:34-35, Ephesians 4:32, Philippians 3:13-14, Colossians 3:1-2, Galatians 1:10, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Our Search For Values PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Explore the perfection of God's law, our pursuit of moral values, and the importance of submitting to God's moral absolutes as a guide in our chaotic world.

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive deep into a topic that needs our utmost attention. We're going to talk about the perfection of God's law, our search for moral values, and how we need to submit ourselves to God's moral absolites. As we navigate this world, it's easy to lose ...read more

Topics: God's Law

Job's Death Wish PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 31, 2023

This sermon explores Job's response to suffering, examining his painful predicaments, his perplexing questions, and his pursuit of purpose amidst pain.

Good morning, dear family in Christ. I am so grateful to stand before you today, to share in the warmth of our fellowship, and to delve into the profound depths of God's Word together. Today, we are going to be examining a portion of Scripture from the book of Job, a book that speaks to the human ...read more

Scripture: Job 3:11-13

Topics: Painful Life, Want To Die

Father And Teacher PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 22, 2024

This sermon explores Paul's role as a spiritual father, his teaching methods, and his pursuit of Christlikeness in 1 Corinthians 4:13-21.

Good morning, beloved family. It's always a privilege to gather together in the presence of our Lord. We're here to share in the Word of God, to be nourished by its truth, to be challenged by its wisdom, and to be comforted by its promises. As we turn to the pages of Scripture today, we find ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:13-21

Topics: Paul, Spiritual Father

Provoked To Pursue The Promise PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 15, 2024

This sermon encourages embracing God's promises through passionate pursuit and perseverance, finding strength in His unchanging love despite human failings.

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. What a joy it is to gather together in the loving embrace of our Lord, united in our shared hunger for His divine wisdom. As we stand on the precipice of a new day, let us remember that each sunrise is a testament to God's unwavering promise of renewal ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23

Topics: Relentless, Quest, Make It

The Stubborn Evangelist Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

This short story is one where Jonah is in flight; it’s also one where God is in pursuit. Jonah’s life is really one of a boomerang for he ends up in the place that ran from in the beginning. For four chapters we’ll witness Jonah’s futile flight as well as God’s persistent pursuit.

Note: The entire book of Jonah is read before I preach. Today we launch a new four part series entitled Jonah: The Stubborn Evangelist. And it is coming at just the right time for our church (more on the timing in just a moment). Most only know it as an amusing story about a prophet and a “whale.” ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Satisfaction Guaranteed

Contributed by Derrick Strickland on Mar 2, 2002

Since creation mankind has always been in pursuit of happiness, contentment, fulfillment. Anything that will bring to their lives the smallest measure of satisfaction. But the woman at the well discovered what everyone was looking for.

Satisfaction Guaranteed John 4: 3-15 INTRO: 1. Since creation mankind has always been in pursuit of happiness, contentment, fulfillment. Anything that will bring to their lives the smallest measure of satisfaction. a. In vain, some pursue riches, while the rich pursues more. b. Some pursue ...read more

Scripture: John 4:3-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

True Conversion Demonstrated Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Aug 24, 2020

This message is an exposition of Philippians 3:7-11. Here Paul offers himself as an example of the changes that occur when a person is truly born again: (1) A Change in Values (2) A Change in Righteousness (3) A Change in Life Goals.

We are in a study of Philippians. Our text today is found in Philippians 3:7-11. We will begin by reading that from the New International Version. “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 ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-11, John 7:22-23, Matthew 13:44, Matthew 16:24-26, Romans 8:28-29, Isaiah 64:6, Matthew 4:18-22, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 2:19-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Of Florida Swamps And Brooklyn Bridges

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 23, 2003

As Jeremiah risked everything to buy some apparently worthless real estate in order to give a sign that the Lord would triumph, so I also asked our church to adopt a new but venturesome vision for its life.

Could I offer you a real estate deal this morning? Oh, it will be the deal of a lifetime! You can’t pass this up! Can I get you to buy a piece of land, sight unseen, in a sort-of shaky area? True, it might be taken over by the military, but, hey, who’s worried about that? Come on and buy! ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:1-41

Denomination: Baptist

The True Elastic Thinker

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 30, 2018

Our Lord spent His life teaching us to abandon our scripted behavior, our pursuit of pleasure for its own sake, our yearning for honor from others, for control over others.

Good Friday 2018 Scripted or Elastic When returning home yesterday from our Holy Thursday Liturgy, the first act in this awesome drama of the Triduum, I heard a discussion with an author about the need to develop our innate ability to do “elastic thinking.” The idea is that the world is changing ...read more

Scripture: John 19:25-30

Denomination: Catholic