Sermons on Dire Circumstances:

Transformed Into The Image Of Christ Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Jan 27, 2009

This sermon looks at three catalysts that God uses to transform us. I. God Uses PEOPLE To Transform Us. II. God Uses CIRCUMSTANCES To Transform Us. III. God Uses SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES To Transform Us. (Sermon 2 in this series)

Transformed Into The Image Of Christ Let me tell you right up front - the title of this sermon may be misleading to many of you. When I use the word “Transformed” – many of you think that being tranformed into the image of Christ is something that happens to you without any effort or input on ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Man Vs Wild

Contributed by John Perry on Jan 12, 2011

The wilderness really reveals what we are. We see two different groups of people in our text facing the same conditions, environment & circumstances. One group of people is dying while the other group is thriving. What makes the difference?

Bunbury Wed pm 12/01/11 “Man Vs Wild” Intro: *** The survival expert & ex British SAS soldier Bear Grylls has b/co famous for his series of reality survival documentaries where he is dropped from the air into remote locations of hostile territory w/ the mission of surviving & finding ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 21:1-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

Lost Hope

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Mar 17, 2011

A word for those who have "lost hope" at some point and believe theirs to be a circumstance which no one else has ever been through. May this help you. This posting is a short Wed evening devotion which needs to be further developed

LOST HOPE Luke 8:40-56 * Back in 1996, the church where I was pastoring received & responded to a company to lease pre-made television commercials which would be ‘stamped’ with our name. * While we had many choices about which ads we would buy, we clearly understand that to enter the public arena ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:40-56

Denomination: Baptist

The Journey Back Home Series

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on May 9, 2011

Naomi heard how the Lord had visited His people in giving them bread. That good news combined with very difficult circumstances propelled her back to the promised land. That one two punch is what God often does to backsliders

Ruth Part Two, The Journey Back Home PPT1 We are studying the book of Ruth and I have entitled this series, "My Redeemer Lives" A redeemer is one who restores the honor worth and dignity of a thing. It is one who frees from the consequences of sin. It is one who goes after something they consider ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Failure Not Final Sermon Iv: God Never Fails To Answer A Mother's Prayer Or Ours Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Mar 11, 2020

When taking our failures to the Lord in prayer, we need to understand that God's delays in answering our prayers are not denials. God is greater than our circumstances and always answers according to what's best for us.

GOD NEVER FAILS TO ANSWER A MOTHER’S PRAYERS – NO DOUBT ABOUT IT Jeanne Olsen, a mother of five, took her nine-year-old daughter Kirsten out for a mother-daughter breakfast. While they were eating, the mom took a chance by asking her daughter, “How do you think ...read more

Bloom Where You’re Planted

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Feb 17, 2022

Life circumstances may not be ideal where we are. We may be struggling. Perhaps we feel that we could serve the Lord more effectively in a better situation or different location. But God wants us to bloom where we are planted!

James Oppenheim said, “The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet,”(1) and this is what the Lord wants every believer to understand. We’re supposed to find fulfillment and contentment right where God’s placed us, and to bloom where we’re planted. An ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Joy Part 1 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Feb 20, 2021

This short series discusses the power of Joy - God's joy. There is a unique difference between joy and happiness. Joy can sustain us and dwell within us despite all circumstances we face while happiness cannot not.

The Power of Joy Part 1 Scripture: Proverbs 13:22; 15:13; 17:22; First Thessalonians 1:6 The title of my message this morning is “The Power of Joy.” It was my desire to cover the topic in one message but there is too much information for me to cover in just one message so we will see how it ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 13:22, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, Proverbs 15:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Following Jesus: Following Joy Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Aug 19, 2020

No matter what we are enduring at the moment, Jesus can bring a certain joy to our lives that circumstances cannot steal from us. Joy that comes from following Jesus is our constant companion, it is a gift from Him to our hearts.

Following Jesus: Following Joy John 15:9-14 Introduction Some people believe that Joy is in short supply in our world. That’s not hard to believe, given the events of the past few months and the pandemic we are enduring day by day. The anger and unrest that rumbles beneath the surface, and ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Committed To Finishing Well

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Dec 30, 2018

Paul found himself within a Roman prison, but he refused to be defeated. Although confined and isolated, he desired to continue for the Lord. As long as he lived, he wanted to be useful for the Lord. He refused to allow circumstances to dictate his life.

Committed to Finishing Well Philippians 3: 13-14 Most will agree that living the Christian life can be difficult, especially in today’s environment and rapidly changing culture. While believers once enjoyed a majority, we now find ourselves in an increasing minority. We are continually challenged ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

It's Time To Get Up Part 2--Joseph Got Up

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jul 10, 2020

This is part 2 in the series looking at Joseph's life. Joseph did not excuse himself because of the circumstances he found himself in. His hard work caused him to rise to the top because the favor of God was on his life.

It’s Time To Get Up—Joseph Got Up Part 2 7/28/2020 Genesis 39:1-10 Colossians 3:1-14 Last week, we looked at how Joseph’s family was really messed up. It was a home being torn apart by favoritism, privilege, anger, resentment and jealousy. Joseph had 11 other brothers. Joseph was his ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-10, Colossians 3:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Merry Heart Does Good Like A Medicine

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 7, 2020

Depression, anxiety, and fear are 3X what they were. God has a remedy -- a Merry Heart! We must reject negative thinking and focus on God and His promises. The key is a heart-connection to Jesus Christ; this us from outward circumstances.

A MERRY HEART DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE Prov. 17:22 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: 1. A young man went to the drug store to buy three boxes of chocolates. The pharmacist said, “What size do you want? Small, medium, or large?” The young man said, “I want to buy one of each.” “Why?” 2. Young man said, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Suffering Savior Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Nov 28, 2022

Why would God choose to send such a perfect gift in such a dull package? In a world impressed with pedigree, popularity and pomp and circumstance, Jesus was born in a stable with a manger for his bed. Yet, the angel sang the message we were all needing to hear

Sermon: The Suffering Savior Scripture Isaiah 53:1-12 “Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? 2 My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 Peter 2:21-24, Romans 8:28-32

Denomination: Methodist

Dream Come True

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 19, 2023

We dream small, but God dreams big. Mary’s dream was a small one, limited by her time and place and circumstances. Yet when God called her, she became a part of the greatest event the world has ever known.

What do you think of when you hear the phrase “American Dream”? All of us here are immigrants, one way or another.... Some have been here for two or three hundred years - or more! I think some of mine came in the 17th century. What did your ancestors come here for? Was it for religious freedom, or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Going Where The Action Is--Perspectives On The Jabez Territory Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Mar 16, 2002

When Jabez cried out to God “enlarge my territory” he was looking at his present circumstance and concluding, “Surely I was born for more than this"--this message will help us to see where to go where the action is in the Jabez territory.

Today is part 4 of 6 of the challenges of the prayer of Jabez. Going where the action is and some perspectives on the Jabez territory. We are examining the prayer of Jabez. Some of you may have it memorized by now: “Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name ...read more

Scripture: John 4:35, 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Methodist

Focusing On Opportunities Instead Of Circumstantial Problems

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Why do so many people end up focusing more on their problems than the opportunities created by their circumstances? Perhaps, it has to do with the fact that our human nature tends to have a morbid sense of interest in tragedies. Even though the apostles c

1. Why do so many people end up focusing more on their problems than the opportunities created by their circumstances? Perhaps, it has to do with the fact that our human nature tends to have a morbid sense of interest in tragedies. Even though the apostles could have become discouraged by their ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:21-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational