Sermons on Failure As Test:

Making A New Man Out Of Jacob Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Nov 25, 2012

Jacob's trials in Haran teach us the Lord sends trials into our lives to test our commitment and to refine us to me more like Jesus.

I have had the privilege to disciple many new believers. I’ve seen and heard many testimonies of new believers, some were private and some were public at times such as baptisms and public testimony. The ones that concern me the most, the ones that I fear will not make it in their walk with ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:15-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jacob: A Captive On The Run

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 24, 2024

We have become captives to situations and occurrences in our lives. Because of the failure of others and yourself in life, anxieties are skyrocketing, and you become a stronger captive to these situations.

Opening illustration: Illustration of Sadhu Sundar Singh and how he was a captive till he came to Jesus dramatically. His life did a complete 180. Illustration of Saul who was a persecutor of Christians and a captive to the system and world changes. Introduction: In Genesis 32 we see Jacob as a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:24-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Oh, To Love

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 25, 2025

Jesus restores us after our failures, renewing our love and purpose, and calls us to love others the same way He loves us.

Picture a quiet moment you wish you could erase from your history. A word you regret. A choice you can’t take back. A time when you told Jesus with your voice, “I love You”… but told Him with your actions, “Not right now.” Every one of us has a chapter like that. Some of us have a whole ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-27, John 21:15-19, Luke 22:31-34, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

march On!

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Feb 23, 2019

No time to fall out or mark time.

Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14, Isaiah 25:6, Zephaniah 1:12, 1 John 1:9, Proverbs 29:18, Psalm 72:2-3, Daniel 8:26, 1 Kings 13:14-18, Jeremiah 23:25-27, Jeremiah 14:15, Jeremiah 27:15, Hebrews 12:4, Jeremiah 48:11-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

What To Remember And What To Forget

Contributed by William Tan Yh on Aug 19, 2021

Life is a journey that each of us must take, and we can only pass through this way once. Let’s learn what are the things we need to remember and the things we need to forget. In this way, we can travel more efficiently.

TITLE: WHAT TO REMEMBER AND WHAT TO FORGET Introduction: Imagine that you are going on a business cum leisure trip. During the preparation, you may have a hundred things on your mind. Now you need to prioritize what to bring and what not to bring. For example, you must remember to bring your ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:4-5, Luke 15:13-16, Genesis 19:1-25, Luke 17:32-33, Philippians 3:18-21, Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 43:18, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Philippians 3:13-14, Isaiah 40:31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Why Bother With Church? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

The church is more important that you think.

The Barna Group reports that about 10 million self-proclaimed born-again Christians have not been in church the last six months. Nearly all of these 10 million people say their faith is important to them, but their spiritual life has nothing to do with church. Bono, lead singer for the rock group ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Forgetting And Focusing Series

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Oct 8, 2017

Release your past to Christ, both successes and failures. Reach toward your glorious future, living with one foot in eternity as you remember where you’re heading. And daily seek to grow closer to Christ. Make it your daily ambition to know Christ better.

Philippians 3:10-14 Forgetting and Focusing I noticed an odd phenomenon in the military. When people were drawing close to retirement or their discharge date, their whole demeanor changed. They started dragging to formation. Their PT efforts became weakened. Their work grew subpar, or average at ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

"If I Had It To Do Over Again,..."

Contributed by Paul Norwood on Mar 16, 2015

Sermon could be used leading up to Easter concerning individuals who made poor decisions leading to the arrest and then the trials of Jesus. Their sins are probably similar to those we have committed. Would they (we) do the same thing over again?

“If I Had It To Do Over Again, …” Text: Luke 22:1-6 I. Welcome II. Introduction Have you ever regretted a decision you made? Guys, has your wife ever asked you: “If you had it to do over again, would you still marry me?” And, I hope you had sense enough to know how to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Shake Off The Dust Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 25, 2018

Too many people are slaves to their past mistakes.

INTRODUCTION In my opinion, one of the greatest televisions shows ever produced was the Andy Griffith show. I’m talking about the old black-and-white episodes when Ron Howard played a young Opie. One of my favorite episodes was “The Sermon for Today.” Here’s a question for you TV trivia buffs. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Road To Recovery Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 28, 2018

If you want to recover from failure, then start your road to recovery when you cry before the Lord. But don’t just cry, consecrate yourself to the Lord. Then continue your journey when you confess your own sin. But don’t just confess it, clean the sin out!

The Book of Heroic Failures contains a story about the 1978 strike of British firefighters, when the army filled the gap for the missing firemen. One afternoon the replacement firefighters got a call to rescue a cat caught high in a tree. The soldiers rushed to the scene, put up a ladder, brought ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-26

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Fable Of Ambition Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Aug 30, 2010

Gideon's failure appears to be ambition sneaking in after he made the right original decision that poisoned Abimelech's character. Jotham's fable is a cautionary tale.

I know you’ve all heard me quote the brilliant Jewish novelist, Elie Wiesel, on many occasions. The famed author of Night and Jewish philanthropist once said, “Some stories are true that never happened.” He didn’t mean, of course, that we should chuck our healthy skepticism ...read more

Denomination: *other

How To Be Blessed By God

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Jun 30, 2004

Testing God by obedient living allows us to find God’s blessings no matter our life’s situations

What is the difference between those like Billy Graham, Mother Theresa, Robert Schuler, Dietrich Bonhoffer, C.S. Lewis & most of those who tell pollsters that they’re Christians? Let me suggest that one key difference is in how they have believed what God has promised them in verses like those here ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Remember" An Easter Sermon

Contributed by Robert Brent on Jul 28, 2004

Oh how quickly we forget. Even as beleievers we can quickly forget the promises of God in the midst of testing.

“Remember” [Luke 24:6] “He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee...” (Luke 24:6) The old adage states, “Oh how quickly we forget.” I was relieved to find out that I’m not the only one who forgets things. Everyone does at one time or another, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Trial Of Your Faith Series

Contributed by Lindsey Mann on Jul 23, 2002

The differences between trials, temptations and tests are important so that we can respond properly when faced with problems and difficulties.

1:1a James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, There is a version of this verse which says: James, a servant of Jesus Christ, who is God and Lord. James was the half brother of Jesus. When Jesus was ministering at Nazareth some did not want to hear Him because they were ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

How Can I Be Spirit-Filled If I've Never Spoken In Tongues? Series

Contributed by Doug Johnston on Jun 14, 2001

Instead of the demonstration of a miraculous special gift, Paul indicates our Spirit-filling can be tested by much simpler means.

1 Corinthians 12:29-30 Q: Does every believer have the role or gifts going with an apostle? Prophet? Teacher? Miracle worker? Heal? Tongues? Interpret tongue-speaking language? A: The answer to all those questions is: “...no…” (Greek term for question with an assumed answer of "no" is used ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-21, 1 Corinthians 12:29-30

Denomination: Baptist