Sermons on Enduring Temptation:

Castaway Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jul 8, 2018

The castaway theme, from Robinson Crusoe up to Tom Hanks in Cast Away, is an of enduring theme in our culture. Acts 28:1-10 is a real-life castaway story, except instead of pirates and treasure maps, it involves superstitious natives and venomous snakes.

Castaway Acts Series Chuck Sligh July 8, 2018 NOTE: A PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Acts 28. INTRODUCTION Illus. – Stories of island castaways are a recurring theme for novels and movies. The idea ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

When You’re On Your Last Nerve

Contributed by John Gaston on Sep 26, 2018

Have you ever had a moment when – maybe it was a screaming child, or a rude bullying driver cutting in on you, or a whole succession of unfortunate events happening – but whatever it was, it drove you to the brink of your endurance? That's when you need self-control!

WHEN YOU’RE ON YOUR LAST NERVE Gal. 5:22 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. All of us can probably think of some time in our life where we went too far. 2. An elderly lady, driving a big, new, expensive car, was preparing to back into a parallel parking space when suddenly a young man in a small sports ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Race Set Before Us

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Jun 16, 2021

The fact that we are alive testifies that we have a race to run, and that it requires endurance. Such races often stem from extreme misfortune. Some suffer from health conditions, or conditions of their own making. In any case, everyone has a race set before them.

Note: I developed a simple set of homemade PowerPoint slides that I used in presenting this sermon. They're not fancy or professional quality, but if you're interested in having the PowerPoint file I will send it by Email. Just send an Email message to me at sam@srmccormick.net with the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2, Hebrews 11:35-40, Acts 9:15-16, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Romans 7:7-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Providing Comfort During Trials

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on May 13, 2021

How do we respond to those who are enduring hardships? Do we dish out criticism and judgment, or do we show genuine compassion? The experience from our own trials can help us better minister to those in trouble and anguish.

Samuel Chadwick said, “Compassion costs. It is easy enough to argue, criticize and condemn; but redemption is costly, and comfort draws from the deep. Brains can argue, but it takes heart to comfort.”(1) How do we respond to those who are enduring hardship? Do we dish out criticism and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Your Calling? (Part 9) Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 10, 2016

Are we at that place where we know our calling explicitly? Have we positioned ourselves for God’s plan to play out? God’s favor will bring upon you trials and test your faith and endurance. Are you ready?

Opening Illustration: Sundar’s call resembles that of Paul who had God’s favor. He was raised in the Sikh religion in India. All Sikhs have the same last name, "Singh", which means "lion." When Sundar received Christ at age 16, his Father poisoned him, but Sundar didn't die. After ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Book Of Lamentations – Part 22 – No Complaint Against God But Self Examination Necessary; Repentance And Confession - Chapter 3:39-43 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 8, 2025

The survivors of the Babylonian destruction take stock and see that their sins brought the Babylonian tragedy on them. They endured punishment, but they turn to confession. We look at man’s justice against God’s justice. Actions have consequences. God’s anger pursued them.

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS – PART 22 – NO COMPLAINT AGAINST GOD BUT SELF EXAMINATION NECESSARY; REPENTANCE AND CONFESSION - CHAPTER 3:39-43 Last time we finished with the way God dispenses good and ill (or good and evil) according to His sovereignty and the next verse, 39, follows on from that and ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:39, Romans 1:20-21, Lamentations 3:40, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Lamentations 3:41, Lamentations 3:42, Jeremiah 32:37-42, Lamentations 3:43, Jeremiah 18:7-11, Hebrews 9:27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Refining And Purification

Contributed by Ron Auch Jr on Oct 27, 2024

I have for you toady a story that illustrates the message of 1 Peter 1:6-7, which speaks of how trials refine and strengthen our faith, much like gold is refined in fire. This story highlights the theme of enduring hardship for a greater purpose.

Refining and Purification ((((SLIDE)))) Todays message comes from 1 Peter 1:6-7: In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, ((((SLIDE)))) 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Invitation Of Pleasure Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Feb 2, 2012

Wisdom's great rival, worldly lust, is no less earnest to destroy that wisdom is to save. Each invites to partake of her feast. Every man moves between these rival invitations in every step of life, The text presents three aspects of temptation's allurem

PROVERBS 9:13-18 THE INVITATION OF PLEASURE [2 Samuel 11:1-15] Wisdom's free and gracious invitation already has been set before us. Her invitation invites to goodness, holiness and peace. We might ask who in his or her right mind could resist? Now we have the allurement from the opposite ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 9:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Stop Believing Series

Contributed by Scott Ridout on Sep 9, 2009

Is your marriage all that you hoped it would be? Everyone wants their marriage to withstand the challenges of life, the flames of fear, lack of intimacy, debt, and temptation. Join us for our next series as we learn to maneuver through the fiery challeng

Don’t Stop Believing Colossians 3:12-14 Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom. Song of Solomon 2:15 The road to intimacy always passes through conflict. 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

3 Keys To Surviving Tough Times Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Mar 5, 2013

There are no shortcuts in living a committed Christian life. God doesn't offer shortcuts in growing your character. Trials, tests, and temptations will shape who you are and how you behave. It’s what’s on the inside that counts.

James: A Faith that Works James 1:19-21 3 Keys to Surviving Tough Times Introduction – Sailors Perished Due to Faulty Rescue Equipment In August 2000, 118 Russian sailors perished when the Kursk nuclear submarine suffered an underwater explosion and became disabled in the depths of the icy ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

Keeping On Keeping On

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 3, 2009

For the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor: in times of turmoil, God is still present, using war to wake up His people. Our temptation is to turn to idolatrous weapons, but He is giving us a chance to use compassion to win hearts and minds.

You will need some background and interpretation in order for you to appreciate the Scripture I’m working from today. Let me first set the stage of history, and then, as we read through, I’ll try to show you the shape of what is being said. The time in which this reading from the 41st chapter of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Sunny Side Sermon Vii: Bible Personalities Who Kept On The Sunny Side Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 1, 2020

In our fallen world, temptation abounds in every arena of life, as if life's a game of chance without scruples for avoiding self-destruction. Christians, therefore, need to be like Caleb whose different Spirit kept him from falling.

BIBLE PERSONALITIES WHO KEPT ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF LIFE: CALEB If you were a bit puzzled at the assertion made in our last study about the wilderness experience of Jesus, to wit, that: Jesus needed no plan for dealing with Satan’s three attempts to get Him to ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:26-30, Numbers 14:6-10, Numbers 14:21-24

Three Reasons To Celebrate Christmas

Contributed by Scott Maze on Dec 14, 2021

Your father and mother may have abandoned you, your spouse may have deserted you, but your God will never desert you. Your future is secure in Christ no matter what hurt, pain, or temptation comes your way.

It’s Christmas Eve, and we are grateful you are with us tonight to celebrate. I am grateful for our string quartet leading us tonight. Where would we be without the music of Christmas? Christmas is the biggest holiday in American culture. The average American is expected to spend more than $1,000 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Sleep With The Devil

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jul 23, 2022

This message is so needful today warning us of the dangers and temptations lurking around every corner to rob and entice us to sin, offering us the best of both worlds, opening a door for the enemy to rob us of the blessings God intends for us.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Numbers 22:16-18) (16) "And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:" (17) "For I will promote thee ...read more

Scripture: John 10:28-29, Numbers 21:22, Numbers 22:7, Revelation 2:14, Ephesians 4:25-30, Numbers 22:16-18, Numbers 19:16-20, Numbers 31:16, Numbers 31:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Peculiar People

Contributed by Mike Bryant on Jun 8, 2021

Israel's desire for a king is used to illustrate the temptation we face to be more like the rest of the world. But even though the world's view of us often chafes, it is God's plan that we be conspicuously different.

I) After Moses brought the nation of Israel out of Egypt, they did not have a king for many years. A) Unlike the nations around them, they were led by men and women, judges, who were direct intermediaries between God and man. B) Early on, the people tried to make one of those judges, Gideon, into ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:5-8, 1 Samuel 8:5, 1 John 2:15-17, John 15:19, 1 Peter 2:9-12, Romans 6:16-22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ