Sermons on Despite Circumstances:

Hagar’s Dilemma

Contributed by Henry Lee Clay on Jul 9, 2006

Most of us have experienced some type of dilemma and we’ve all dealt with dilemmas or circumstance or our own making. But the God of Glory is more than able to hear, help and to bring us out.

Gen. 21:1-3, 8-10,14-20 Hagar’s Dilemma H Lee Clay The word “dilemma” is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as meaning, “A situation that requires a choice between options that are or seem equally unfavorable;and a problem that seems to defy a satisfactory solution” All of us at some ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Having An Upward Outlook When You're Down Under

Contributed by Keith Linkous on Sep 19, 2001

All of us go through adversities, failures, and dilemmas. But we cannot allow our circumstances to dictate to us what we see. We must let our up-look develop our outlook.

When he was 7 years old his family was forced out of their home, and he had to go to work to support them. At the age of 9 his mother died. At the age of 22, he lost his job as a store clerk. He wanted to go to law school, but his education was not good enough. At the age of 23, he went into debt ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 3:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

"The Way To Purity” Series

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Feb 5, 2002

To see God is not necessarily seeing God in heaven, but it’s seeing God here and now. The pure in heart will see God in everything. Not just in nature, but also in their circumstances, good and bad, in their family, church, school

Intro: “Earth is crammed with heaven, and every bush aflame with God, but only those who see take off their shoes.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning How can anyone look at our world and believe this all happened by chance? With just a glance at the animal kingdom and I see overwhelming evidence of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Peace: A Fruit Of The Spirit Series

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Jul 9, 2010

Loosed from worries and fears, at rest in troubled times, calm in the worst of circumstances, cleared from all condemnation… Tragically, this doesn’t sound like what I call normal – what about you?

In the last 5,500 years our world has only seen 292 years of peace. Over 14,000 wars have caused nearly 4 billion deaths. According to recent reports, stress-related claims rose 700% since the 80′s; in fact, 3 out of 5 doctor visits are stress-related. All kinds of factors today contribute ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

Wait For It ... And, Go!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 16, 2010

Nehemiah not only knew how to watch and pray and weep and pray...but also how to WAIT and pray. How to have success in impossible circumstances. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Wait for it ... and Go! Nehemiah 2:1-6 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WaitForIt.html Nehemiah is the cupbearer for King Artaxerxes, the most powerful man on earth at that time. He and his people the Jews are in captivity in Babylon, and their home town of Jerusalem is burned and destroyed, and ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Mighty Warriors In The Making

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jul 19, 2010

God helps us see beyond ourselves, beyond our circumstances, and learn to trust Him for who He is! He assures us that we are not alone and is very gracious to confirm His word to us!

Mighty Warriors in the Making Judges 6:11-17 11 The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12 When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Enjoying The Fruit Of His Labor Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 20, 2010

Joseph waiting a long time for God to change his circumstances, but the wait was worth it. In this lesson we explore the question of how Joseph kept the time of abundance from destroying him and his relationship with God.

Introduction: A. The story is told of a newspaper reporter who was interviewing an old rancher and asked him this question: “To what do you attribute your success as a rancher?” 1. With a twinkle in his eye, the old rancher replied, “It’s been about 50 percent weather, 50 ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:41-52

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Expect Peace Series

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Feb 27, 2010

Those who believe can expect peace. Expect peace because of what Jesus has provided. Expect peace in spite of circumstances. Expect His peace instead of the false, tenuous version offered by the world.

Expect Peace Faith Expectations Part 3 05/11/08 PM Reading/Text: John 14:22-27 [This lesson and this series are drawn from the writings of Tom Allen in his book “What to expect now that you believe.”] Faith Expectations This lesson is another in the series titled Faith Expectations. I know it is ...read more

Scripture: John 14:22-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Joy Of The Spirit Is The Measure Of Its Power Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 2, 2008

The problem is that we’ve confused joy with happiness. Happiness is dependent on happenings. Circumstances in your life dictate whether or not you are happy. Joy, on the other hand, is a gift from God - a fruit of the Spirit that transcends whatever is

Opening illustration: During an earthquake some years ago, the inhabitants of a small village were generally very much alarmed, but they were at the same time surprised at the calmness and apparent joy of an old woman whom they all knew. At length one of them, addressing the old woman, said, ...read more

Scripture: John 16:16-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Framing Your Life (Thanksgiving)

Contributed by Chris Surber on Nov 16, 2007

Your life is not the product of random forces acting upon random events to create random circumstances. Your life is the result of a very intentional God who is working out a divine plan in and through your life.

Framing Your Life, Romans 8:28-31 Introduction A few years ago I purchased an old house in Tarpon Springs, Florida. It was a real “fixer-upper.” It was built in the early 1920’s just a few blocks from the Anclote River which spills into the Gulf of Mexico less than a mile from there. As a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-31

Denomination: Christian Church

New Beginnings Series

Contributed by Tim Zoltowski on Jan 2, 2016

We are often disappointed with new beginnings, especially with our resolutions to change in the coming year. The reason might be that we are looking to change the wrong things. We look at circumstances instead of looking at who we are within.

Happy New Year! Some have heard me say before that this is my favorite time of year. It is … it feels sorta like we can start over … doesn’t it? In some ways we feel like we are starting fresh and because of this everything is possible. We haven’t done anything or failed ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Denomination: Bible Church

The Lord Who Heals You

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 23, 2014

The plagues of Egypt are still falling today on the disobedient. Only the Tree (Cross of Jesus) thrown in the waters of life can change your bitter circumstances into sweet ones. Let the Lord your Healer do that!

THE LORD WHO HEALS YOU Ex. 15:22-26 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE REAL CHARACTER 1. It’s wild to see the real nature come out. 2. 2 ladies went out to a restaurant to eat lunch They know how big the portions are so they order only one dish of ‘fried fish pieces’ which they intend ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:22-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Persistent Prayer

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Nov 4, 2014

Prayer can change circumstances and prayer can change us. The Lord has told us to pray and never give up, both of these things are very hard when you are going through a hard time.

Persistent Prayer Luke 18:1-18:6 Introduction- We will continue to look at Jesus parables and how we can apply his teachings to our life. Last week we looked at honoring God with our lives and make sure that God gets the glory. This week we look at prayer-persistent prayer of the widow. Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Nazarene

Amazing Grace

Contributed by Mike Hullah on Mar 20, 2018

The Book of Ruth is the eight Book in the Bible. In biblical numerology eight is the number for NEW BEGINNINGS. As we look at Ruth we see in her life the amazing grace of God that transforms her being and her circumstances.

AMAZING GRACE Ruth Chapter 2:1-13 The Book of Ruth is the eight Book in the Bible. In biblical numerology eight is the number for NEW BEGINNINGS. As we look at Ruth we see in her life the amazing grace of God that transforms not only her being but her circumstances. That's what God's grace does, ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Experience God's Protection Series

Contributed by James Wallace on May 17, 2018

The Blessed Assurance that no evil shall befall us regardless of the circumstances should cause us to rest contentedly in the fact the Most High, Almighty Jesus, will protect us and deliver us from any and every threat.

Connecting with God How to Experience God's Protection Psalm 91 As I studied Psalm 91 this week, I was reminded of my experiences with 2 different young men whom I met when I worked in Yellowstone National Park back in the summer of 1971. Two young men whom I never saw again, but strangely whose ...read more

Denomination: Bible Church