Sermons on Beyond Circumstances:

Advent Joy - A Visionary View Of Joy Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 10, 2023

On this third Sunday of Advent, we turn our hearts to the theme of joy — a joy that transcends circumstances and finds its roots in the anticipation of the Lord's coming.

A Visionary View of Joy Dear friends, on this third Sunday of Advent, we turn our hearts to the theme of joy — a joy that transcends circumstances and finds its roots in the anticipation of the Lord's coming. Today, our hearts are drawn to the transformative power of joy as we explore ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-5, Philippians 4:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Ruth, The Unlikely One Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Dec 31, 2023

The Lord is using all the circumstances to bring forth his salvation history. Through the hand of God Boaz, a “worthy man” is brought into Ruth’s life.

The Lord uses the unlikely. In Corinth Paul told the believers not many of you were influential or of noble birth when you were called. That was true for Ruth also. She was the furthest thing from nobility, and she had no influence. She was a cursed Moabite woman. Being one of the unlikely ones was ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

"Hope” In Haggai And Zechariah: True, False, Postponed And Perilous Series

Contributed by Wm Darius Myers on Apr 24, 2007

Theme Paper in Haggai-Zechariah, tracing the appropriate applications of hope, despite the difficult realities of our circumstances. An excellent theme for redevelopment pastors to consider.

“Hope” in Haggai and Zechariah: True, False, Postponed and Perilous The Shawshank Redemption: Morgan Freeman tells fellow-inmate Tim Robbins, “Hope is a dangerous thing. Drive a man insane. It’s got no place here.” In a place like Yehud, with the Jews seeking to rebuild the temple amidst ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Happens When You Pray PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 19, 2025

The sermon emphasizes cultivating a life of continual prayer, gratitude, and joy, trusting God’s presence and power in every ordinary moment and circumstance.

Friends, welcome. Some of us walked in with bright hearts, some with tired eyes, and some with questions that kept us awake last night. God sees every sigh, every secret worry, every small smile of hope. He gathers it all, and He meets us here. I once watched my grandmother hum hymns over a sink ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Topics: Prayer, Perseverance

When Should We Be Thankful? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 31, 2025

True gratitude is not dependent on circumstances but is a daily response to God’s faithfulness, shaping our hearts and sustaining us through every season.

Friends, some weeks feel like a kaleidoscope of errands and emotions—school drop-offs and late invoices, texts we forgot to answer, headlines we wish we hadn’t read. Yet right in the middle of muddy shoes by the door, burnt toast on the counter, and the ache we can’t name, there is a whisper from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Topics: Thankfulness, Gratitude

Character

Contributed by Bob Ashcraft on Jun 28, 2001

How a person deals with the circumstances of their life speaks of their character. Character is a true Christian quality but is sadly lacking in the Church today.

Character “A quality of Christianity”  Character is defined - The pattern of behavior or personality found in an individual or group; moral constitution  How a Christian deals with the circumstances of their life speaks of their character.  Crisis doesn’t necessarily make ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-4, Philippians 2:19-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Essential Equipment - Prayer Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 25, 2002

What does prayer change? Most of believe prayer’s most important purpose is to change circumstances... but that may not be true.

OPEN: A young boy was observed by a minister in church praying very fervently; but much to the preacher’s surprise, he was also heard to say from time to time: "Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo." So preacher approached the boy after he had apparently finished his prayer and said, "Son, I was very pleased to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In The Habitation Of Dragons

Contributed by Steven Shubert on Aug 1, 2004

GOD’s Promise of restoration comes to us in the most unlikely of places, in the most unlikely of circumstances...In The Habitation Of Dragons.

Isa. 35 (entire chapter) I. Introduction A. This great promise comes to Israel immediately after the promise of destruction to the rebellious, unrepentant nations that arise against GOD and righteousness. 1. And just like GOD promised Israel that He would deliver new life back to them, He still ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Facing Times Of Turmoil And Transition

Contributed by Dan Morrison on Sep 18, 2002

Samuel was born into a time of turmoil and transition. He did not pick or choose his circumstances. How did he fare?

Facing times of Turmoil and Transition A study in the life of Samuel Samuel was born into a time of turmoil and transition. He did not pick or choose his circumstances. How did he fare? When the dust settled and the epitaph was written we can say Samuel was an over comer. He faced these times ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

Only God Knows How

Contributed by Keith Shuler on Nov 3, 2002

God’s plan include; peace, welfare, a future and the ability to hope again despite how present circumstances may be

Only God Knows How Jeremiah 29:10-14 In our society many people are wondering what’s going to happen next. People are making fortunes attempting to predict the future. They’ve made some of their money off Christians.. Cleo, the Jamaican born Floridian, has made countless millions off people in ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Mountaintop Experience

Contributed by Michael Karpf on Oct 2, 2005

Because nothing will ever separate us from God’s love, life can be a mountaintop experience regardless of circumstances.

I found out last Sunday that for the first time I slept through an earthquake. What I did not sleep through was KC waking me up in the middle of the night to feed her. Many of you know I am taking Japanese lessons. It is coming along slowly and I need lots of practice. So I hope I will be able ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-39

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Facing The Trials Of Life

Contributed by David Seeley on Jan 15, 2005

Learn to understand the meaning of trials and understand that God is at work in spite of your circumstances. He requires simple trust in Him.

The Christian Attitude toward Trials and Temptations Text: James 1:1-16 I. Count it joy when trials come your way. This is not possible until one realizes that God is in control and has a purpose for each circumstance that we face. The sinner has nothing to be joyful about when difficulties come ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-16

Denomination: Holiness

Dealing With Troubles You Don't Deserve Series

Contributed by Glenn Arellano on Sep 11, 2006

When unwanted circumstances comes the to us,we must learn to choose the right attitude rather than be controlled by them.

1 Chronicles 4:9 There was a man named Jabez who was more distinguished than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. 10 He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and extend my lands! Please be with me in all that I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thanksgiving Vs. Thanks-Living

Contributed by William Barnes on Nov 21, 2002

Scripture admonished us to be thankful in all circumstances. This means our thanksgiving is to be continual and not contingent. 3 reasons for "continual thanksgiving"

“Thanksgiving Vs. Thanks-living (part 2)” Intro: The fact that God expects us to thank Him for His blessings in our lives, is evident in the words of Jesus, to the one lone ex-leper who returned to thank Him. Luke 17:15 “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Ephesians 5:19-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Qrc: Disappointments Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Nov 26, 2012

Where do we go when we have been disappointed with life and circumstances. This message deals with dealing with disappointments

QRC Disappointments That time of the year is coming again, you know when we can sit around our television sets and watch people’s hopes, dreams and aspirations crushed and ground into the dust. It was advertising guru Roy Williams who wrote “Every dream of the future is a seed. But ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:12-17

Denomination: Wesleyan