Sermons on Crushing Experiences:

Sermon On The Pothole Experience

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 28, 2025

The metaphorical "pothole experience” is considered as the unforeseen obstacles, setbacks, and difficult challenges that may jolt or derail a person's journey in life, similar to how actual potholes disrupt a smooth road.

Drew Barrymore, an American actress once remarked: “Oh, I would love to be a motivational speaker. I have pulled myself out of a million potholes, and I can see the potholes ahead of me. That doesn't mean that I could always do that so perfectly for my own life. I totally fall in potholes.” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:6, 1 Peter 4:12-13, James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:1-2

Life Changing Experience

Contributed by Kyle Blanton on Oct 2, 2001

This sermon lays out the steps Paul used and we too can use to share our testimony.

A Life Changing Experience Acts 26:1-23 4-2-00 a.m. In 1980 when we move to Arkansas I was only 8 years old. But for 8 years I had grown up Dekalb IL. Yes your pastor was born a Yankee. However, since I have lived in Arkansas and Texas for the last 20 years I like to consider myself a Reformed ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Learning From Experience Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 18, 2000

God is a sovereign God whose plans are trustworthy

This sermon is by David Bassett rather than Chris Appleby Today we begin a new series of sermons looking at the book of Zechariah. My aim today is to give an overview of the setting of the book and some of the major themes. Then to look at the introduction in chapter 1. To start, we need a ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 1:1-6

Denomination: Anglican

The Mountain Top Experiences

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Feb 21, 2023

We will huff and puff going up a hill, but joy happens when reach the top!

The “mountaintop experience,” Matthew 17:1-9 1. The Disciples Follow Jesus up to the mountain • If you ever climbed a mountain it’s not easy huffing and puffing all the way. Small short hills cause me to huff and puff • Following Jesus is not easy one might say there’s a lot of huffing and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Methodist

A Mountain-Top Experience

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Mar 30, 2023

Whatever comes, the offering up of ourselves to God results in receiving more than ourselves, better than our selves, back again. God has provided the lamb.

It took a long time for Sarah to forgive Abraham. She knew something was wrong the minute Abraham and Isaac came back from their trip. Sarah hadn’t suspected anything before then; Isaac was almost 13 and spent most of his time with his father and the other men anyway. Every Hebrew mother learned to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Experience An Easter Earthquake!

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Apr 19, 2023

I am asking God the Holy Spirit to get our attention this morning and to shake our lives with an Easter earthquake so that we leave this worship service changed forever. May the Holy Spirit enable each of us to hear the earth-shattering news and to leave here with a life-changing faith!

It happened on an Easter Sunday. The date was April 4, 2010. The time was 3:40 p.m. Pacific Time. It turned out to be the biggest earthquake to hit Southern California in nearly 20 years. The magnitude—7.2 earthquake struck near the border with Mexico in Baja California. The earth shook for 45 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

A Bethel And Peniel Experience

Contributed by Derrick White Sr on Apr 9, 2025

In the texts that is before us We have 2 spiritual encounters of Jacob's life. The 1st encounter was at a place called Bethel. In Genesis chapter 28, Jacob met God at Bethel. It was At Bethel, Jacob saw a ladder. But at Peniel he saw the Lord.

Genesis 28: 11 -19 Genesis 32: 24 -30 28:11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:11-19, Genesis 32:24-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Virtue Of The Valley Experience

Contributed by Robert Cobb on Nov 25, 2000

A topical outline on the value that God places on the "valley' experiences of the Christian life.

http://www.lampandlight.org I. There is a Lesson in the Valley (Rom. 8:28, Ps. 84:11 Ps. 119:71) 1. Faith is the Activator of the Christian Life 2. Futility is the Achievement of Human Effort 3. Forward is the Advancement of God's People II. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 20:28

Denomination: Baptist

How To Experience Pentecost

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

What the events of Pentecost meant and mean to us today.

1. Personal illustration of time when I experienced power of Holy Spirit to enable me in my ministry. 2. This experience helps me get some idea of what happened that powerful and wonderful day in Jerusalem nearly 2,000 years ago when the Holy Spirit came down - day of Pentecost 3. Not comparing ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"The Pit Experiences"

Contributed by Roy Wade, Sr. on Aug 10, 2003

This text gives us (7) reasons why God permit us to have "Pit Experiences!"

INTRODUCTION OF THE TEXT: Why does God permit us to have “pit experiences?” Contrary to what some preachers or pastors say; the child of God does have “pit experiences.” God does not shelter us to the degree that he does not permit us to go through some experiences! Listen, if you don’t ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:18-27, Genesis 37:23-28

Denomination: Baptist

Mountain Top Experience

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 15, 2007

We sometimes have spiritual highs and we’d like to maintain them but we have to stay grounded in reality and do the work of Jesus - communicate the Gospel to a lost and dying world.

Mountain Top Experience – Promise Keepers – Share your story with a neigbhor How did you respond after this experience? I wanted to stay. Can’t stay though. Problem with staying on the mountain top - No blasted good to anyone else 1. We are up so high that can’t connect with anyone else – we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

"The Lazarus Experience"

Contributed by Phil Anderson on May 31, 2004

Taking a challenge from the raising of Lazarus to obey the Lord and to do all He calls us to do in order for us to "come forth" spiritually.

“The Lazarus Experience” John 11:38-45 JN 11:38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there ...read more

Scripture: John 11:38-45

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Experience, Obedience, Fulfillment Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 6, 2004

As the conclusion of a series on the "Experiencing God" discipleship course, and for Christ the King Sunday and a stewardship emphasis. The only way one can experience God is to obey Him and wait for the grace of fulfillment.

The time comes when it is no longer good enough to know about something; you want to experience it directly. The moment comes when it just does not satisfy to have only an arm’s length relationship to something. The only thing that will satisfy is a first-hand, up close and personal, immediate ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:11-29

Denomination: Baptist

A Mind Blowing Experience!

Contributed by Cathy Mangum on Mar 19, 2004

This sermon deals with the results of our faith and trust in God.

A MIND BLOWING EXPERIENCE! Acts 12:5-11 Acts 12 5So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7Suddenly ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:5-11

Denomination: Church Of God

Experience Complete Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Mar 23, 2004

The serious nature of sin is the reason why Jesus died. It’s deadly consequences he’s taken on himself

POOF! I’ve just made you the presiding judge of the universe. That’s the good news. Now you have to decide if you will grant this person forgiveness. All they ask is for mercy and the chance for a new beginning with the help of Jesus? (Show series of slides of recent people in the news). If ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:5, Acts 8:26-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed