Sermons on Failure As Test:

The Consuming Fire

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 29, 2015

FIRE- brings light, warmth, love, gives direction, tests faith, represents wrath, is a holy calling, preparation for holy work, conveys truth and brings pardon.

Jesus declared in Luke 12:49, “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” We think of the meek and mild Bethlehem Babe coming to bring peace on earth, good-will to men. Jesus did indeed bring peace, but hardly the way anyone expected. Sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:15-24

Denomination: Congregational

Where Is Your Treasure? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 6, 2016

Christ the Lord challenges us who follow Him to determine who we serve. He gives us a test to reveal the one we actually serve.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Challenge Sermon Viii: Intimate Communion With Father God Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Dec 12, 2019

In times like these, pungent praying as taught by Jesus empowers Christians to deal with people and circumstances that prey upon emotional insecurities and purposely test spiritual maturity.

CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE SERMON VIII: INTIMATE COMMUNION WITH FATHER GOD As a loving great grandfather of a cute little blond-haired toddler, who has become attached to me in a special sort of way, my encounter with him this past week serves as a timely illustration of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Love And Lust Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

Solomon sought to persuade the beautiful Shulamite girl to yield to lust, but she remains steadfast in her loyalty to love. This is a story of a great temptation, and a powerful testing of love.

A French pilot, by the name of Guillaumet flew over the Andes on a regular basis. One time he disappeared for a week, and hope that he would be found was given up. He was eventually rescued, however, and his first intelligible sentence was, "I swear that I went though what no animal would have ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 1:4

A Matter Of Trust

Contributed by Paul Richard on Jun 8, 2020

iota of trust makes or mars a relationship. The human trust cannot stand a test of time. Let us sign up with God for He is dependable and never fails.

I. Trust is a foundation of a relationship. A relationship could be of husband/wife, parents/children, commander/soldiers, employer/employees, pastor/congregation, politician/electorates or mentor/mentees among others. That pivotal role a foundation plays in a building is the same as trust in a ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:2-5, Judges 7:2-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Good Samaritan Series

Contributed by William Baeta on Aug 3, 2019

“And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25)

This parable is well known and popular among many people even among those with no access to a Bible. The background to this parable was an attempt by the Jewish religious leaders to counter the authority of Christ and assert their own authority. This, however, was impossible as Jesus always ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Lessons From The Temptations Series

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Feb 25, 2023

The first Adam was tested by Satan and was defeated. The New Adam, Jesus, faces three temptations from Satan and is victorious. We can learn what was really behind those temptations to live sanctified lives!

TEMPTATION! WHEN IT COMES TO DEALING WITH OUR HUMAN NATURE AND SIN, WE KNOW THAT “HINDSIGHT IS 20/20!” YES, IT IS EASY TO SEE SIN FOR WHAT IT IS WHEN WE ENCOUNTER AND DEAL WITH ITS EFFECTS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. WHAT IS NOT SO APPARENT IS HOW WE GET TO THIS POINT. WHEN LEFT UNTREATED AND IT ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11, 1 Peter 5:8, Psalm 91:11-12, Deuteronomy 6:16, Deuteronomy 6:13, Romans 6:6, 1 Corinthians 10:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Free Methodist

Identity 1– Created For Relationship Genesis 2 Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Apr 11, 2019

Who we are isn’t defined by our vocation or our successes, fears, or failures – our identity is so much more than these things. As Christ-followers, who we are, is determined by our spiritual birth.

If I were to ask – Who’s Billy Graham? Most would say – BG was a great evangelist. And that’d be correct. But would it answer my question? No. B/c being an evangelist isn’t who BG is – it is what he used to do. If the totality of BG’s identity is found in being an evangelist, then who is he now ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5

Denomination: Baptist

Have I Loved My Neighbor As Myself?

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Aug 6, 2010

Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan exposes how much we have failed to love our neighbors, but Jesus’ didn’t fail. Only his perfect love can cover our failures and save us.

Text: Luke 10:25-37 Theme: Have I Loved My Neighbor As Myself? A. I’m unable to justify myself B. I’ve failed to love my enemy, but Jesus didn’t fail C. I’ve failed in sacrificial love, but Jesus didn’t fail D. I’ve failed in tireless love, but Jesus didn’t fail Season: Pentecost 8c Date: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Character Study Of David Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 22, 2025

David’s life was a mixture of great victories and serious failures, but his devotion to God remained constant. He was not perfect, but he was quick to repent and seek God’s mercy.

CHARACTER STUDY OF DAVID – SECOND KING, MAN AFTER GOD’S HEART By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Samuel 13:14 "But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Contract Or Covenant?"

Contributed by Jerry Depoy on Apr 30, 2004

Most people live in a "Contract World," and not in a "Covenant World." Contracts are written with the idea of failure in mind. That is, "What if things do not work out?" A covenant comes with the word, "Everlasting."

"Contract or Covenant?” Jonathan and David, best friends. Jonathan needed a friend... I have often wondered why Jonathan himself did not take on the giant Goliath? He displayed the right kind of faith and courage needed for the mission in 1 Samuel 14 when he and his armour bearer took on the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

How Do You Recognize Faith?

Contributed by William Mouser on Mar 11, 2005

The "Faith Hall of Fame" shows us how we recognize faith -- not by the success or failure of those who have it, nor by their joy or sadness, but by the way they clothed their faith in works.

18th Sunday in Trinity Hebrews 11:1-39 "How do you recognize faith?" Many years ago, a pornography case came before the United States Supreme Court. Justice Potter Stewart said this: “I shall not today attempt further to define [obscenity]; and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-39

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

What Does The Church Do? Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Oct 21, 2003

The world today sees the church as powerless and irrelevant in our culture and the reason is due in great part because of our failure to live life differently than the world around us.

In the play, My Fair Lady, Eliza is being courted by Freddy, who writes to her daily of his love for her. Eliza’s response to his notes is to cry out in frustration: Words! Words! I’m so sick of words!... Don’t talk of stars Burning above, If you’re in love, Show me! Don’t ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-5, Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Best Player In The Game

Contributed by Jason Winters on Sep 15, 2007

Talk about best atheletes. They fail forward until they succeed. God wants us to go forward through our failures to be all He would have us to be.

The Best Player In The Game being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV) So What does God expect from Me? I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

December: My Month Of Finishing Strong

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Nov 28, 2025

God does not desire that you end the year in failure, dryness, or frustration. His will is that your December becomes the month of divine completion, spiritual strength, recovered opportunities, and overflowing joy.

DECEMBER: MY MONTH OF FINISHING STRONG By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Timothy 4:6-8 Key Verse: “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof…” — Ecclesiastes 7:8 Supporting Texts: Psalm 65:11; Hebrews 12:1-2; Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:37; Isaiah 40:31 INTRODUCTION The end of a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God