Sermons on Failure As Test:

Discernment In The Days Of Deception – A Spiritual Warning From Matthew 16:1-12 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Jun 21, 2025

JESUS issues a warning, a spiritual alert to HIS disciples and for us today. A wake-up call to stand firm in sound doctrine, to test all things, and to hold fast to the truth of God's Word.

2025.06.22 Sermon Notes. DISCERNMENT in the DAYS of DECEPTION – A SPIRITUAL WARNING PART 1_ Matthew 16:1-12 WILLIAM AKEHURST, HSWC BIG IDEA: JESUS issues a warning, a spiritual alert to HIS disciples and for us today. A wake-up call to stand firm in sound doctrine, to test all things, and to hold ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:1-12, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, 1 Timothy 4:1, Matthew 24:24, 1 John 4:1, 1 John 4:3, Titus 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, Romans 12:2, Romans 10:9, John 14:6, Joshua 1:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Triumphant Faith Series

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Nov 1, 2020

Triumphant faith is the result of going from tested faith – putting faith into action – living by faith – to expressing Joy. Triumphant faith is not instant faith; sometimes it takes a long time, but it always wins in the long run.

Triumphant: - having won a battle or contest; victorious. Feeling or expressing jubilation after having won a victory or mastered a difficulty. Triumphant faith is a actually a transition from faith to joy, from faith to praise. However Triumphant Faith is different - Triumphant faith is the ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-19

Denomination: Apostolic

The Joy Of Giving Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

God puts a really interesting proposition in front of us. He says, “Put me to the test” when it comes to your money. “Try it my way,” God says, “and see if my way works.”

We are doing a yearlong challenge in our church in 2020. We are challenging you to share the story of Christ’s love with friends, co-workers, and family members who don’t know Christ. When you do, we invite you to drop a ping-pong ball into the container, if you will. Our church hopes to see 5,000 ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:7-12, Leviticus 27:30-33, Deuteronomy 14:22-29, Matthew 23:23

Denomination: Baptist

The Burning Bush PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

To explore Moses' encounter with God in the form of a burning bush, and his divine commission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, illustrating the profound truth that God often tests individuals deeply before using them greatly.

Good morning, brothers and sisters. Today, we're going to dive into the heart of Exodus 3, which is a pivotal moment in the Bible and one of the most profound encounters between man and God. It's about the time God called Moses from the midst of a burning bush, a remarkable symbol of His divine ...read more

Topics: Divine Encounter

Prophetic Utterances Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 12, 2021

Christians are listening to prophecies on the Internet and must be taught how to test those messages. This teaching instructs Christians on how to operate in the prophetic and how to evaluate prophetic ministry so that we receive the benefits and avoid the pitfalls associated with it.

Our subject today is prophetic utterances. How do we benefit from prophecies given in the Body of Christ, and how do we avoid the pitfalls that people often fall into in the exercise and application of this gift? The gift of prophecy is a powerful tool in the church today. But powerful tools must ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21, Matthew 24:1-2, 2 Timothy 3:1-7, Ephesians 4:11, 2 Corinthians 11:1-15, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 1 Samuel 1:14, Deuteronomy 18:20, Acts 16:1-10, 2 Peter 1:19, Acts 21:1-14, Matthew 10:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

"who Do You Think You Are?" Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Aug 15, 2021

Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their inability to discern the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3). The signs of our times seem to be indicating an increasing hostility toward Christianity, which has lost its place as the nation’s primary guiding ethic.

You can run but you can’t hide. That’s certainly true today, amen? They not only know where you live and work, but probably know what kind of car you drive, when you take a shower, what’s your favorite flavor of ice cream or your favorite show on TV, what station you listen to in the car. They ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5, 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, 2 Timothy 3:12, 2 Corinthians 12:10

Denomination: United Methodist

What About John?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2019

Our Lord appoints each of His followers to a particular task. Though the task may appear difficult, it is common that we Christians attempt to turn His command by asking what He is doing in the life of another. We need to learn to focus on His work in our own life.

“[Jesus said] ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.’ (This he said to show by what kind of death he was ...read more

Scripture: John 21:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Positive Giving

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 8, 2011

What motivates you to give? The Corinthians had an easy time setting unrealistic giving goals that set them up for failure, but a hard time giving in a way that released the gift to God and brought Him glory. In this chapter Paul gives us some valuable le

Giving is one of those subjects that pastors either ignore or really focus on. For us at Calvary Chapel, we teach through the Scriptures so when a chapter comes along on any particular subject then we teach it. Giving should be a part of every growing Christian’s experience, and I’m not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-24

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

God Has To Bruise You, To Use You

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 17, 2022

Why do Christians suffer? For us to be a tried & tested people; to help us be sympathetic to others; to show the lost how Jesus makes a difference. God lets us suffer, then receive comfort, so that we can give His comfort to others.

GOD HAS TO BRUISE YOU, TO USE YOU 2 Cor. 1:3-7 INTRODUCTION A. WHY HAS THIS HAPPENED TO ME? 1. M. Night Shyamalan's film “Unbreakable” begins with a train wreck. Everyone on board is killed—over a hundred people—except for one. David Dunn not only survives the wreck, he walks away without a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The 3-Fold Anointing Of David: Divine Acceleration Promotion Is On The Way Series

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Sep 5, 2016

We will look at the three anointings of David which outlined how God brings Divine Acceleration / Promotion in the life of a believer. He tests us in a graduation manner - from little to much - until we can reach a place of God's Divine Trust.

SERIES: DAVID - A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART: PART 13: Divine Acceleration / Favor - Your Promotion Is Coming (PT 2) 1. 1 SAM. 16:12 So God sent for David and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 5:3

Denomination: Charismatic

Invisible Gold

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 5, 2008

Don’t give into life’s troubles. You may not see in them the rich potential of a strong faith, but it’s there. To have it developed is much more precious than gold! Faith-Testing Times Can Be Faith-Strengthening Times.

Opening illustration: In the 1980s, Northern Nevada was the site of a gold strike. The discovery would have been beyond the imagination of 19th century prospectors, for the gold in those western hills is virtually invisible. Even after being magnified 1,500 times, most of the particles remain ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Submitting To God In Times Of Famine

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Jul 3, 2020

Abraham experienced a crisis of faith. He hesitated to trust God to continue. Every famine is a test from God. Can we wholeheartedly trust and submit to him? That is always the question. God doesn't leave us even when we leave him.

Submitting to God in times of Famine Do you trust in God when the wells are dry? I begin today with a question. Where do you go when you are in a tight place? Of course, if someone in your house is having a heart attack, you would call the paramedics. If you have a fire, you would call the fire ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:10, Galatians 3:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Evaluate Your Progress

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Feb 15, 2004

Knowing with all certainty that it is from the Lord and not men that you will receive the inheritance which is your real reward. The One whom you are actually serving is the Lord Jesus Christ. Failure to evaluate on a regular basis leads to a lack of cert

Evaluate Your Progress - Col 3:22-24 "Servants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you as pleasers of men, but in simplicity of purpose (with all your heart) because of your reverence for the Lord and as a sincere expression of your devotion to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Facts" About Finances

Contributed by Joel Santos on Sep 27, 2004

Three phases portray the financial condition of a family: Big bills, Big accounts and Big mistakes. About nine out of every ten people with an income are financial failures. Meaning, most people fail to manage money wisely.

Introduction Three phases portray the financial condition of a family: Big bills, Big accounts and Big mistakes. About nine out of every ten people with an income are financial failures (George Bowman. How to Succeed in Money). He means that they fail to manage money wisely. There is a way to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-26, Luke 19:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Word To The Husbands

Contributed by Bruce Ferris on Aug 19, 2005

One of the biggest tragedies in the Christian home today is when the husband fails to demonstrate selfless love toward his wife. The failure often stems from a basic lack of trust, fear or ignorance to exercise faith in the Word of God.

A Word To The Husbands A story is told of a tyrannical husband who demanded that his wife conform to rigid standards of his choosing. She was to do certain things for him as a wife, mother, and homemaker. In time, she came to hate her husband as much as she hated his list of rules and regulations. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-33

Denomination: Baptist