Sermons on Bad Success:

Mrs. Zebedee

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on May 10, 2020

“Mrs. Zebedee,” the mother of James and John, gets a bad rap for her request to Jesus for places in the kingdom on the right and left hand of Jesus. Actually, there are some good qualities for mothers on Mother’s Day to emulate.

Mrs. Zebedee A Mother’s day sermon Charles Sligh May 10, 2020 NOTE: PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. Please mention the title of the sermon and the Bible text to help me find the sermon in my archives NOTE: Adapted from a sermon by Melvin ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Who Do You Listen To? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 17, 2019

Over the years I've learned that I've got to be careful who I trust and listen to. I've found that the experts can even be wrong? So if I can't even be sure of the experts... who can I listen to that I can always trust?

OPEN: (I put a copy of the covers of the “National Enquirer” and the “Globe” on screen side by side) How many of you ever seen these magazines at the supermarket? These are what are known as “tabloid magazines.” As you can tell from the headlines, these are not reliable news sources. In fact, they ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Joseph: Tempted By Potiphar’s Wife Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jun 10, 2022

With the blows that Joseph received you would think he was down for the count. No matter wherever Joseph found himself he would make the best of a bad situation. Joseph would always prove faithful with the little and prove trustworthy to be faithful with much.

When we think of people who made it to the top we might forget their failures. Abraham Lincoln, who is considered by many as the greatest and most loved president failed his way forward. Twice he failed at business. He had seven major defeats in politics. Abraham Lincoln was defeated for ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Difference

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Feb 22, 2005

Peter and Judas are very much alike! Both are apostles. Both rise up the ladder of success -- Peter the spokesman of apostles and Judas the treasurer. And both deny and betray Christ. The difference is -- to whom to they turn in their darkest moments?

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is full of meaning. It is a spiritual food that nourishes our souls. It is a part of worship Christ commands of us. It is an experiencing of the presence of Christ in a real and tangible way. It is something we do as a community – we never ...read more

Scripture: John 6:51-71

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Persistence In Praise Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 18, 2021

In the literature of success the theme you will confront most often is the theme of persistence. The athlete who didn't have a chance, but who by perseverance and persistence became the best. The Bible is loaded with this theme as well.

Captain Eddy Richenbacker was in an airplane crash in Atlanta and was rushed to the hospital. He was going in and out of consciousness. It was thought that he would not survive. The most famous radio commentator in the U.S. then was the late Walter Winchell. He said in his broadcast, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:15-21

Watering The Seed With The Tithe

Contributed by Troy Voyles on Feb 17, 2007

In this sermon I went deep into Malachi 3 to explain all aspects of the tithe. The good (what we all like to preach about) and the bad. This isn’t about guilt, but it;s to point out the whole truth.

Watering The Seed With The Tithe Malachi 3:10 Every seed we plant needs water to grow, if there is no water, the plant, the flower, whatever it is that you plant will not survive. You have to plant, than you have to water, and water, so you will get results. Well with the kingdom of God it’s ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Trusting God’s Promises - Psalm 63:7 Pt.13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 13, 2025

The joy of praise comes from hope in God’s promises. God made His promises the central core of living the Christian life so He would get all the glory from our success.

Review If you want to love God more, begin with resolve – resolve to prefer Him above everything else. Then work on your appetite – convert all the thirst of your soul to thirst for God. Then do all you can to satisfy those desires. Seek God. Follow hard after Him so you can feast upon Him. And ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:7

Kingdom Greatness - Matthew 5:19 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 2, 2024

People who seek glory and honor in this world are called megalomaniacs. If that’s such a bad thing in this world, why does Jesus want us to seek greatness in the kingdom? Is greatness in the kingdom ever a motivating factor for things you do?

Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:19

Starting Out: Overcoming Your Past Series

Contributed by Robert Massey on Jul 15, 2002

Your past, no manner how bad, doesn’t have to stop you from being in the plan of God. You can, with God’s grace and forgiveness, overcome your past.

I heard the story recently of two friends who were talking to each other. One remarked to his friend and said, “Man, you look so depressed. Whatever could you be thinking about to depress you so?” His friend quickly replied, “My future”. “Your future?” his friend said. “Whatever in the world ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-14

Denomination: Church Of God

Hezekiahs Example

Contributed by Ronald Hughes on Oct 1, 2005

You don’t have to follow your families example if it is bad. No need of I am because my dad or mom were. Watch Hezekiahs actions and learn! No more excuses.

Hezekiah’s Example 2Kings 18:1-8 Rev. R. B. Hughes 2Kings 18:3,7a, 8 He did what was right in the sight of the LORD … The LORD was with him; he prospered wherever he went ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 18:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Overcoming Evil With Good

Contributed by Bradford Robinson on Oct 28, 2005

Loving our enemy is not easy, but living out the Christian life isn’t either! This message looks at how we are to respond to evil people who do bad things to us.

It may have been King David’s lowest moment. His son Absalom was leading a revolution against him. Absalom was a charmer and had convinced many that David was too old and ineffective to lead. When Absalom stormed the city with his troops, David and his army left Jerusalem and left the palace ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14-21

Denomination: Methodist

"The Bigger The Ego, The Harder The Fall"

Contributed by Ken Harris on Feb 15, 2009

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to affirm to others that miraculous things occur in the lives of believers when they humble themselves, but pride (and a bad attitude) will cause them to spiritually crash and burn.

2 Kings 5:9-14 (ESV) Proverb 16:18 (MSG) 15 February 2009 U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Fortress Chapel F.O.B. Sykes Tall-afar, Iraq BIG IDEA: Humility will cause miraculous things to occur in the lives of believers, but pride will cause them to spiritually crash and burn. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:9-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Fall Series

Contributed by Tim Hbc on Oct 7, 2008

So often we ask the question WHY? Why is the world the way it is. Why does bad stuff happen, and happen to me? Genesis 3 is God’s answer to that question.

Introduction There are many questions we could ask. Such as... When you go to a cinema to watch a film, which arm rest is yours? And why do the ‘Alphabet Song’ and ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ have the same tune?’ And why is it that if you blow on a dog’s face he goes crazy, but if you take him ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

The 3-Only To Miracles" Series

Contributed by Bubot Parago on Oct 31, 2008

In our past-paced world, a miracle is on its way despite frustrations,hopelessness, bad reports,economic plunge,financial difficulty... Jesus addressed the crisis by His 3-Only to Miracles.

Jairus is one of the highest ranking religious leader in Capernaum. If there is anyone who needs to be the first in everything? It was he. He has influence. But is that what matters most in this life? This story will answer what is the most important in every person’s life. Not money. Not ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Pentecostal

Quit Dabbling In Sin!

Contributed by Robbie Parsons on Aug 17, 2008

Just as God demanded the Israelites to cast off the jewelry that they brought with them from Egypt, He commands us today to get rid of the former bad habits and sins in our life.

GET RID OF THE BAD HABITS (SIN) God brought His people to the border of the land of blessing in verse one. In verse two, God promises to fulfill his promise, but without the exceptional delight of His presence, rather sending them in with an angel. In verse three, God proclaims their sin ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:1-6

Denomination: United Methodist