Sermons on Dire Circumstances:

Vegi-Tale

Contributed by Bradley Boydston on Jul 26, 2002

In spite of dark circumstances God gives his people what they need to thrive through it all. Therefore we should eat our veggies.

- - - - - - - - - All scripture is from the New Living Translation (NLT). - - - - - - - - - A few weeks ago the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the phrase “One nation under God” in the pledge of allegiance is unconstitutional – actually more specifically using such a pledge in a ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: *other

When God's Goodness Is Eclipsed

Contributed by Jason Patrick on Jan 12, 2002

One struggle of the Christian life is to maintain hope in the goodness of God. Christmas promises us that God is good even in the midst of the most adverse circumstances.

When God’s Goodness is Eclipsed / Matthew 2:13-23 Christmastide, Year A; Downsville Baptist Church; 30 December 2001 Phyllis was a 25 year old mother of a 6 month old little baby boy named, Jeremy. Phyllis and her husband, Oliver, a animal skin tanner in Bethlehem were happy parents. Phyllis ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Virtue Of Joy (3 Of 10) Series

Contributed by Jeff Armbrester on Feb 11, 2003

Joy and happiness seem to be the same thing. But there is a profound difference. Joy is a virtue because it comes from within and is not contingent upon the circumstances around us.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court for 30 years. His mind, wit and work earned him the unofficial title of "the greatest justice since John Marshall." At one point in his life, Justice Holmes explained his choice of a career by saying: "I might have entered the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 5:3-10

Denomination: Methodist

Real Victory

Contributed by Louis Bartet on Aug 9, 2004

Deals with the difference between what’s happening to me and what’s happening in me, and victory over circumstances as compared to victory over self.

SERMON TITLE: Real Victory SERMON TEXT: Philippians 4:11-13 -------- -------- Date: August 8, 2004 Written By: Louis Bartet Email: lou2247@bayou.com -------- -------- 11 I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Prayer Is For Weak People Series

Contributed by Dan Jackson on Jul 3, 2006

Life’s difficulties are often the Father’s appointed paths to spiritual maturity. The positive way forward in difficult and painful circumstances is the way of prayer.

An airliner was bound for New York City. The flight was routine until the pilot began the descent. Then he realizes that the landing gear would not engage. Working the controls back and forth, he tried again and again to lock the gear into place. No success. He circled the landing field, getting ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-20

Transforming Power Of Jesus Series

Contributed by John Raulerson on Sep 29, 2006

No matter what your circumstances, Jesus cares about you and has the power to transform your life in an abundant fashion if you will allow Him

Series: It Took a Miracle Transforming Power of Jesus 7/6/97a BBC John 2:1-11 Our Lord Jesus was a master teacher. His teaching methods focused around parables or stories about very common things in order to teach profound truths. How many lives have been touched by his parable of the ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cheer Up, Christian!

Contributed by Daniel Habben on May 7, 2006

Because we are God’s children and because our cross will soon turn into a crown we will be cheerful no matter what our circumstances in life.

One day the reformer Martin Luther was feeling rather down. The Pope was after him. His colleagues were bickering among themselves. He felt the heavy pressure that came with being a professor, pastor, and father. And he was in excruciating pain from kidney stones. As he moped around the house ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran

Mary Mother Of Jesus: Good Times And Noodle Salad Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 27, 2006

By all outward appearances Mary looks cursed rather than blessed by God. Our outward circumstances do not necessarily mean God is not with us.

Why Does God Do This To Me? Have you ever felt this? I’m not sure there is anyone who hasn’t felt this way. Life is going just fine. Good friends. Stable Finishing Grad School, The Future is Bright. Whatever will happen next – it will be great. Look what happened to Katie and I…. Out of grad ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The God Who Encourages Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 14, 2009

God encourages Paul when he was discouraged. Ministry is hard work, but God is in it with you. Your circumstances do not determine how you fare.

THE TOOL CALLED ‘DISCOURAGEMENT’ Once upon a time, the Devil decided to have a garage sale and sell all the tools of his trade. There were envy, jealousy, hatred, deceit, pride, idolatry and many others. Each of the tools was marked with its own price tag. On the day of the big sale, all were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Unexpected Cross

Contributed by Ken Crow on Oct 2, 2010

Life circumstances may be so that not only do we not ask for a cross but also we may not have a choice in whether we bear it or not.

The Unexpected Cross Pastor Ken Crow Matthew 27:32 (King James Version) 32And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. In our Christian life there are many crosses. There is our cross that Jesus says we must bear if we are to be his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:32

Denomination: Church Of God

God's Answers To Our Questions Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 9, 2008

We can’t change our circumstances but we can change how we respond to them by looking at the God of Nature and the Nature of God.

God’s Answers to Our Questions Job 38-42 Rev. Brian Bill 3/9/08 I don’t travel much but I did have the opportunity this week to fly to Tulsa to be with my friend Ray Pritchard while he spoke at a pastor’s conference. Flying is not my favorite mode of transportation but I didn’t have much choice. ...read more

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

Dealing With The Mess Of Stress - Part 4

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Oct 29, 2020

We’ve been learning that the key to dealing with stress is securing the mind against wrong thinking and wrong feelings about circumstances, people and things...

We’ve been learning that the key to dealing with stress is securing the mind against wrong thinking and wrong feelings about circumstances, people and things. Wrong thinking and wrong feelings, which lead to stress, come from three sources, the world, self and the devil. And just as there are ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Divorce And Remarriage

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Aug 10, 2018

A divorce is a legal matter. God is against it, but in some grave circumstances, it may be necessary. A Church annulment is saying that the marriage consent was substantially defective.

27B Jesus is comparing and contrasting divorce and remarriage from what Moses allowed to his teaching. The same can be done today. e.g. We are aware of King Henry VIII of England who could not divorce Catherine of Aragon, with whom he had been unable to conceive a son, and since he could not ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:2-12

Denomination: Catholic

Green With Envy, Ripe For Trouble Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on May 31, 2018

The causes of envy: circumstances, insecurity, spiritual vacuum. Solutions to envy: Take responsibility, find security in Christ, embrace our purpose in God's plan.

GREEN WITH ENVY, RIPE FOR TROUBLE—Genesis 37 A few years ago, a shampoo commercial on TV featured a beautiful woman, with long flowing hair, saying, “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful.” Why would anyone hate a person who is beautiful, or charming, or successful, or popular, or rich, or smart, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-36

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed