Sermons on Bad Success:

Sermon: Finding Stability In Times Of Confusion

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Aug 26, 2025

Asaph verbalize a question that many righteous people wanted to ask, “Why God allows the rich to flourish while the righteous often suffer?” Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do good things happen to bad people? God is still in control!

Sermon: Finding Stability In Times of Confusion Scripture: Psalms 73:1-28, “Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-28, Psalm 91:8-14, Jeremiah 12:1, Habakkuk 1:13

Denomination: Methodist

We Hope Until The End

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 18, 2018

When a change strikes you as bad, even unbearable, pray for the virtue of hope, and accept it. God will never fail to give you that gift.

Last Sunday After Pentecost 2018 Extraordinary Form Let’s listen to the words of St. Paul again, beginning a couple of verses earlier than you have in your missals: We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 43:5, Psalm 44:7-8, Matthew 24:12-25, Colossians 1:9-14

Denomination: Catholic

The Sin Of Numbering Israel

Contributed by Rusty Tardo on Jan 18, 2009

Here is an Old Testament text with a right now application on the sins of pride and self-sufficiency. How do you measure success?

The Sin of Numbering Israel November 9, 2008 Dr. Russell K. Tardo The text is found in 1 Chronicles, chapter 21, an Old Testament text with a New Testament application. This is the account of King David’s numbering of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 21:1-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

And Then Some!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 2, 2002

James Byrnes, Sec’y of State under FDR, said that the difference between successful people & average people can be summed up in 3 words, "and then some." He said, "Average people do what is expected. Successful people do what is expected, & then some."

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH BROWNSVILLE, TX A. When we read the Bible, one of the things that has to impress us is that God is often calling upon His people to do things they normally couldn’t do by themselves, but that they can do with His help. God is always saying, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus And His Surprising Teachings About Service Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 13, 2014

We all want to feel like we matter in some way, and sometimes that can take the form of “other people do not matter.” Jesus taught that everyone matters. Success in his eyes is very different from the world’s view of success.

Jesus’ Surprising Teachings About Service (Mark 9:33-50) 1. Sometimes it DOES take a Rocket Scientist 
 Scientists at NASA have developed a gun built specifically to launch dead chickens at the windshields of airliners, military jets and the space shuttle, all traveling at maximum ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:33-50

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sermon 8 - Finding An Approach That Fits Series

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 28, 2025

The key for evangelistic success is not only employing the most effective approaches, but employing the ones that best match our own personalities and gifts.

Introduction: A. For every task that we face, there are many approaches or methods that we might employ. 1. Some methods are certainly better than others. B. I like the story of the man who was injured on the job and had to provide further explanation of the cause of his injuries for the insurance ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:5-6, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

All Things Work Together For Good - Short Homily

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jan 28, 2016

Romans 8: 28-30 shares with us at least two truths: Our bad things, which are bad things, work together for good, and Our good things which are transforming cannot be lost. Full Message - "All Things - Work Together For Good / Predestined To Be Transformed " July 2020.

If you are a follower of the Christ, ...... you know.... .....that your life should be filled .... Filled to overflowing ... with joy. You probably also know ...... that you should experience joy ..... in spite of .... The circumstance. The Scriptures clearly teach us.... that the joy of the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:35, Matthew 5:45, John 16:22, John 17:13, Romans 8:28-30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Debunking The Just World Theory

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Mar 24, 2019

Who do bad things happen to good people? There are no easy answers; yet Jesus teaches there is not always a direct link between misfortune and sin. And every calamity is a wake-up all for all of us.

Luke 13:1-9 Debunking the Just World Theory [Please contact me at kerry.n.haynes@gmail.com for sermon outline in Word.] In a “Calvin and Hobbes” comic strip sometime back, Calvin says to his dad, “Why can't I stay up late? You guys can!” Then with a wide-mouthed protest he declares, “IT'S ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9, Job 4:7, John 5:14, Romans 11:22

Denomination: Baptist

The Fruit Of Their Character Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 17, 2025

The phrase "by their fruit you will recognize them" is a profound teaching of Jesus Christ,

The phrase "by their fruit you will recognize them" is a profound teaching of Jesus Christ, recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 7:16-20). This simple yet powerful metaphor offers insight into the nature of true discipleship and the characteristics that distinguish those who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20

Jesus The One And Only - Made Visible In Us Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jan 10, 2007

As representative of Jesus we dress for success: shirt of compassion, slacks of kindness, socks of humility, shoes of gentleness, jacket of patience, tie of love.

Colossians Series # 3 Jesus the One and Only Made Visible in Us Colossians 3:1-17 Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 INTRODUCTION: According to Colossians 3, Heaven is more than a destination for us. Colossians 3:3 says your life is now hidden with Christ in God. It’s a mysterious idea, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Things We Must Know

Contributed by Clyde Grimes on Jan 7, 2003

Deals with four important truths that every Christian must keep in mind in order to understand the world around us and be successful in life.

Things We Must Know (Pauline Epistles) I. Our Plans May Not Always Materialize—Even When We Are Striving to Do God’s Will (Romans 1:13) A. God knows what is best for us B. God wants what is best for us C. God does what is best for us II. Afflictions Are Unavoidable in Christ’s Service (2 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:13, 2 Corinthians 1:8

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Altitude Of Your Attitude Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Aug 31, 2005

When God examines your attitude, is He pleased? Are you sinning against God – not by what you do – but by your bad attitude?

What do… Ricky Davis, Milton Bradley, and Kevin Johnson … have in common? Well, they are all great athletes who have played for Cleveland teams. But the phrase that comes to my mind is “bad attitude.” I, for sure, don’t know the details of the stories with these men and you certainly can’t ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

How To Survive Life's Storms Series

Contributed by Stephen Collins on Jan 6, 2009

Final sermon in the "Being the Church" series, focusing on why bad things happen in our lives and how we can overcome them.

Stephen N. Collins Millville – 9/28/08 Being the Church How to Survive Life’s Storms Scripture: Acts 27 Icebreaker: Good news, bad news for a pastor: Good News: You baptized seven people today in the river. Bad News: You lost two of them in the swift current. Good News: The Women’s Guild voted ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:1-40

Denomination: Church Of God

Seeking A Love Affair With Jesus

Contributed by Ian Johnson on Nov 16, 2005

When people drink wine they become influenced by it in a bad way. We need the wine of God! Which is not wine in the natural but indeed the spirit of God.

Deep Hunger for God is difficult to put into words, Even when we come to a place where we can express our heart before God, the words can take us by surprise. The Psalmist used beautiful words to reflect a heart response to God PSALM 42:1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Meet The First Sister Wives Series

Contributed by Troy Luttrell on Mar 20, 2015

We will learn that despite the decisions (positive and negative) of our family members, it truly is by grace that we can have a successful walk with God.

Introduction: Ill: Deception is prized by our sinful nature. Don Richardson; Papa New Guinea – the people valued Judas I. over Jesus because the best men were the deceivers in their eyes. Jacob will experience this same type of culture. It is bad enough when “deception” is a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:1-30

Denomination: Baptist