Sermons on Bad Success:

A Call To Courage

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Oct 11, 2023

If courageous believers are going to be successful in their Christian endeavors, they must be alert to the actions of their enemies, be mindful of their relationship with Christ, be courageous in their attitude and be strong in their fortitude. This mindset is a matter of choice.

Sermon: A Call to Courage Scripture - 1Corinthians 16:13-18 “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. You know that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in Greece, and they are spending their lives in service to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13-18, Ephesians 6:10-11, Matthew 15:14, Ephesians 5:14-18

Denomination: Methodist

Yes - God Is At Work In The World

Contributed by John Huyser on Jun 4, 2024

As people of God’s Word, we may approach the Bible with a bad assumption: We presume somehow God is less active now than he was in the narrative of the Bible.

I. Introduction – Slide 1 In Acts 16 and 17, Paul’s second missionary journey left little question. God was at work in the good and tough times: • In Derbe and Lystra, the churches there are growing. There God brings Timothy into Paul’s life. • In Phillipi, God brings Lydia and her entire ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

The Ephod's Edge: David's Hidden Advantage In A Chaotic World - 1 Samuel 22:23-23:18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 18, 2025

David's success came from embracing the gift from God that Saul forfeited: divine guidance. Learn how you can embrace it too.

1 Samuel 22:23 Stay with me; don't be afraid; the man who is seeking your life is seeking mine also. You will be safe with me." 23:1 When David was told, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors," 2 he inquired of the LORD, saying, ...read more

Real Life Wisdom Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 28, 2016

It is the simple things of the Christian life that determine our spiritual success. It is often the simplest wisdom that also pays the greatest dividends. It’s not rocket science!

Real Life Wisdom (Proverbs 24:27-34) 1. Everyone has to make judgment calls, using what wisdom they have. 2. Take an event that happened this week. It raises the question “Where’s the Beef?” PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- A bull escaped from a Philadelphia slaughterhouse and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:27-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Geckos Go To Church Series

Contributed by Rob Jansons on Apr 10, 2007

Little lizards crawl around church building in Asia and no one seems to mind because everyone knows that they are harmless and they catch bugs that are harmful. Not a bad work ethic.

We are looking at the book of Proverbs. Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own. Remember last week we met two women who live in the pages of the book of Proverbs: Lady Wisdom and Madame Folly. The final question is: who are you going to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 30:24-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Jealousy Of The Leaders Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 14, 2017

But not everyone was happy with the success of the Church. The religious establishment that had opposed the ministry of Jesus, and then crucified Him, took the same hostile approach toward the Apostles.

November 21, 2013 Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles By: Tom Lowe Topic #II: The Church in Jerusalem, Acts 2.1-8.3 Subtopic D: Struggle from Within and Without (Acts 5.1-6.7) Subtopic 2: The Sanhedrin and the Apostles (5:12-42) Lesson II.D.2.b: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-42

Denomination: Baptist

Handling Your Failure

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Jul 21, 2003

One person has said: “Most of us never see God in failure but only in success, a strange attitude for people who have the cross as the center of their faith.”

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: Today, there is an overabundance of resources available to people that want to become a success. From bookstores to emails, we are enticed with success. In fact, I get emails quite frequently that tell me for the right price I can get a college and graduate degrees ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:24-28

The Abishai Anointing: Support The Pastor

Contributed by John Gaston on May 24, 2025

There are not many modern "Davids" because there is another anointing that is missing: the Abishai anointing. Abishai was with David in the bad times, willing to try the impossible, he was teachable & loyal.

THE ABISHAI ANOINTING: SUPPORT THE PASTOR 2 Sam. 23:18-19 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Mary Brumbaugh told about her pilot husband; “My husband, an airline pilot, often has difficulty locating items around our house. One day he asked me where the salt was. Annoyed, I responded, ‘How on earth can you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 26:5-8, 2 Samuel 21:16-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Status Consciousness

Contributed by Dennis Williams on Sep 23, 2002

Jesus was against strife in the church. 1. In any church: strife among members is a bad spirit a. The fight for position b. Power struggles c. Jealousy

Status Consciousness (PRINTED OUT) July 02 Jesus was against the Pecking Order. 1. In any church: strife among members is a bad spirit a. The fight for position b. Power struggles c. Jealousy They are in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ The Bible shows that Jesus arose from the grave as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lord's Ways Are Higher Than Our Ways

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Oct 30, 2009

Pentecost (C) - The Lord’s ways are higher than our ways because man’s ways are always selfish. Only God’s word works success.

THE LORD’S WAYS ARE HIGHER THAN OUR WAYS (Outline) May 31, 2009 -- PENTECOST -- Genesis 11:1-9 INTRO: Today’s verses describe God’s confusion of language at Babel. On this day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit provided a way to clearly understand different languages. What does our Lord ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

God’s Bucket List For You

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Oct 12, 2022

God desires for us to fulfill during our lifetime what is available to us that are identified in scripture. I call them God’s “bucket list” for us.

Your Bucket List Turn with me to First Timothy 6. On Tuesday I will have a birthday. I mention that because the verse we’re going to read hit me in a different way – in a way that it has never hit me before. It reminded me that there are things that I probably need to go back and do a self check ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:7, Matthew 4:4, John 17:21-23, Ephesians 5:1, Philippians 4:6, 1 John 4:4, Romans 8:35-37, 1 John 4:9-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ultimate Breakthrough Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jan 29, 2025

The concept of an "ultimate breakthrough" speaks to moments in our lives when God intervenes powerfully, bringing about significant change and transformation. It is a divine act that transcends our human limitations and expectations.

ULTIMATE BREAKTHROUGH By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Isaiah 43:19 – "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Supporting Texts: Philippians 4:13 2 Corinthians 5:17 Psalm ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:19, Philippians 4:13, Mark 10:27, Hebrews 11:1, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Psalm 126:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Are All Sparrows Equal?

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jun 15, 2014

Bad things do happen to good people. In Matthew 10, Jesus warns the disciples what will happen to them on their mission and then he reminds them that they were, are, and will be precious to God!

It is clearly in our nature to rate and rank others. When Jesus tells us today that we are of more value than sparrows, we’re probably not surprised, but we may wonder about the hierarchy of creation. We’re worth more than sparrows, and sparrows are certainly worth more than ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:29-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Samson-His Wedding Day Blues Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 23, 2023

Samson saw a Philistine maiden and with his parents' help, arranged to marry this girl. When it was all said and done, Samson had a bad case of wedding bell blues!

(Based on a message preached 2-19-23 at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO; not an exact transcription. (Full disclosure: Sermon Central accepted and posted an earlier message of mine on this text called “Trouble in Timnath” but this message is not the same thing, nor a simple ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Samuel's Family Life: Training In The Train Wreck

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Nov 14, 2006

Samuel shows us some important elements of training for success, even if it is in the middle of a train wreck. In God’s grace we can move forward and apply His word.

Samuel’s family life: training in the train wreck For awhile I taught a class of evangelists. These men followed a tendency that many people follow. It is a difficult habit to break. We like to imagine that the people who are spoken of in the Bible are somehow better than we are. We like to think ...read more

Denomination: Mennonite