Sermons on Facing Trials:

Sharpening The Tools Series

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Apr 23, 2018

We are God's tools. To make us useful, God sharpens us by way of trials.

Ever try to chop a tree down with a dull axe? Abraham Lincoln was quoted to say: "If I had six hours to cut down a tree, I would spend the first fours sharpening the axe." We have heard that analogy before in terms of how we prepare ourselves for a task to be done. But when we come to Christ in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

Patience And Wisdom

Contributed by Leslie Tarlton on Jan 19, 2014

This is an expositional Series on James

James Chapter 1:1-8 Patience and Wisdom Let's turn to James chapter one. Saul, a quite, shy Israelite was asked to be king of Israel. He reigned over the country a year before his real character showed. The Philistine Army had gathered at the borders of Israel to attacked them. The people of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of Persistence Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 9, 2014

There is a great blessing in store for God’s people who REFUSE to give up. There is great power in persistence.

INTRODUCTION Paul’s first letter to church at Thessalonica was full of encouragement to be ready for the return of Christ. He reassured them that their loved ones who died won’t miss the big event—they’ll actually be the first act! Most scholars think there is less than a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Temptations, Trials & Tests: God Guides Us Through All.

Contributed by Doug Koehler on Feb 27, 2009

We give credit to God for much but, we should never give credit to God for Tempting us. Rather the credit should go to God for helping us through our temptations, tests and trials.

Temptations, Trials and Tests: Text: Genesis 22:1-18 Text: Mark 1:9-15 JOKE: I am going to lay claim to this joke because I have never heard anyone else tell it. So blame me first if you shake your head after hearing it. Here it goes: Did you know that cars existed in the days of Jesus? It is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 22:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

"Never Quit"

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Feb 13, 2013

Five things to do when trials come

“Never Quit” February 17, 2013 1 Samuel 30:1-6 “On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag. The Amalekites had attacked the people of the Negev Desert. They had also attacked Ziklag and burned it. They had captured the women and everyone else who was in Ziklag. They had ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:1-6

Denomination: Holiness

When God Is Silent

Contributed by David Scudder on Mar 15, 2009

Has anyone ever asked you how you were doing and you said, “I’m fine” when you didn’t mean it? I know I have. Today we may say “I’m fine” but honestly that may not be the case. The author of Psalm 130 was willing to admit that things were not fine.

Purpose: To show how God gives peace in a difficult circumstance. Aim: I want the listener to trust God’s love when life is hard. INTRODUCTION: Has anyone ever asked you how you were doing and you said, "I’m fine" when you didn’t mean it? I know I have. A farmer named Joe made that mistake ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 130:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 15, 2011

Habakkuk (along with Job and Gideon) struggled with the question of why God allows His people to suffer. God answered Habakkuk, the subject of this sermon.

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? Chuck Sligh January 17, 2010 TEXT: Turn to Habakkuk 1 (the fifth to the last book in the Old Testament) INTRODUCTION Illus. – There was a couple in the church I pastored in Wiesbaden, Germany. They were faithful to the Lord; faithful to services of the ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Hard Lessons About Hard Times Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 9, 2015

Trials are designed to teach us so that our conduct and character change.

Hard Lessons About Hard Times 1 Peter 4:12-19 Rev. Brian Bill March 7-8, 2015 Several years ago I took one of our daughters to a Demolition Derby. I loved watching the drivers demolish and destroy one another. We saw some great smash-ups and did a lot of laughing. I didn’t know much about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Joy In Jesus Despite Suffering PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 23, 2024

This sermon encourages believers to find joy and strength in God amidst trials, knowing that personal suffering can advance the Gospel and draw us closer to Christ.

Good morning, dear friends. As we gather here today, we find ourselves in a world that often seems to be spinning out of control. We face trials and tribulations, heartaches and hardships, and sometimes, it feels like there’s no end in sight. But, my dear brothers and sisters, I want to remind you ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-18

Topics: Choosing Joy, Living A Life Worthy

Prayer Under Pressure Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on May 11, 2003

3rd in the series "Patterns for Prayer." The way Stephen faced death for his testimony is an inspiration and a pattern for us when we face persecution.

In midwinter of A.D. 320 Emperor Licinius sent out an edict that to show their allegience all soldiers were to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Forty members of the famed Twelfth Legion of Rome’s imperial army serving in Sevaste, in present-day Turkey refused the emporer’s order. Their captain ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:51-60

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Using Appropriate Legal Channels Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Oct 10, 2025

Acts 25:1-12 shows us how God sovereignly protects his servants in the face of hostile opposition, enabling them to proclaim the truth with unwavering conviction.

Introduction In 1999, Sonny Bharadia, a 25-year-old Indian immigrant and recent college graduate working as a convenience store clerk in Savannah, GA, was wrongfully convicted of assaulting and murdering 19-year-old Stephanie Bennett. The crime occurred in a parked car near a local park. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 25:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Blow Out The Candles PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 29, 2023

Trials shape us, and through God's grace, they can be transformed into testimonies of triumph and evidence of God's faithfulness.

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. We gather here today, not as individuals, but as a collective body of believers, united in our love for God and our desire to understand His Word more fully. Our lives are a beautiful tapestry, woven together with threads of faith, hope, and love. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 65:11-13

Topics: Wish Granted

Victorious In A Foreign Land (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 30, 2021

Regardless of who we are, or where we live, we all face seasons of comfort and ease countered by seasons of trials and difficulty. There is one constant in life regardless of the season we must face – the presence and help of the Lord.

Victorious in a Foreign Land (Part 1) Esther 9: 1-19 The emotional roller coaster for Esther, Mordecai, and the Jews within the kingdom of Persian continues. They have experienced a series of highs and lows. It seems as if they really didn’t have time to enjoy a victory before being confronted ...read more

Scripture: Esther 9:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do When Your World Falls Apart

Contributed by Christopher Arch on Oct 31, 2020

This is from a series I preached on the Psalms.

Title: “What to Do When Your World Falls Apart” Script.: Psalm 3 Type: Expository Series Where: GNBC 11-1-20 Intro: As a young man, film director Robert Flaherty spent many months in the far north looking for iron ore and cod. He found neither, but he did shoot 70,000 feet of film in his ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

We May Burn, But We Will Not Bow

Contributed by Jimmy Giffin on Jun 10, 2004

Last wek we were asked Whom have you believed? Your answer to this question will determine how you will face your fiery furnaces.

WE MAY BURN, BUT WE WILL NOT BOW Text: Daniel 3: 16-18 Tell story to this point. I. We May Burn, But We Will Not Bow A. When faced with certain death. 1. Could not be shaken from their faith. 2. They stood strong in the face of death. B. They could have back down. ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:16-18

Denomination: Church Of God