Sermons on Failure As Test:

Solomon: The Successful Failure Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Aug 30, 2022

Solomon was a great success and yet an utter failure. Where did Solomon go wrong? Here we glimpse at the start of his failure.

Solomon: The Successful Failure 1 Kings 11:1-13 What might have been? It is a case of would’ve, could’ve, should’ve. Like a sports team that had everything going for them. They make a recruiting violation, and they are not eligible for the tournament. They are the best, but they never realized ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 11:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest Benefit Of Failure Series

Contributed by Archie Norman on Feb 27, 2015

benefits of failure

The Greatest Benefit of Failure Romans 8:23 1. The guarantee - the first fruits of the Spirit A. The pledge for the rest B. The proof of life 2. The groaning - we groan within ourselves A. Personal and inward anguish caused by physical, emotional, or spiritual pain B. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:23

Denomination: Baptist

Failure To Understand The Light

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 14, 2023

So, with all these claims that Jesus has made, we find that people of every generation blurt out the same question, “Who are you?” Well, Jesus answers that question.

Tonight, we continue with Jesus’ discussion with the Pharisees. READ v. 25. Man asks a very basic question. Now Jesus had just made a phenomenal claim that He was the Light of the world. Of course, His claim shocked the Pharisees as well as others. And when you recap what Jesus had told these ...read more

Scripture: John 8:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

Plot Twist : Failure Series

Contributed by Louis Mare on Oct 5, 2023

I remember at the beginning of the year feeling that, feeling that so intently. I want to show you what I shared at the beginning of this year, and then maybe you will see the topic in our series I am going to talk about today:

Let us be honest: this year was also a challenging year for some if not all of us. We lost loved ones, and businesses changed. Loadshedding and the ripple effect it has. Fires destroying homes and family members not speaking to each other. Job losses, to mention a few. I remember at the beginning ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 9:6-7, Ezra 9:14-15, Hosea 1:2, Hosea 3:1, Hosea 3:2-3, Romans 12:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Outcast, The Doubter, And The Failure Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Apr 15, 2025

The resurrection is not a reminder of our failure; it’s a reminder of his victory!

The Outcast, the Doubter, and the Failure Easter 2025 Mary the Outcast John 20:10-16, 18 NIV “Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11 but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had ...read more

Scripture: John 20:10-16, John 20:18, John 20:24-28, John 21:4-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Failure To Forgiveness

Contributed by Terry Hovey on May 9, 2025

David made a seemingly insignificant decision that was really a critical error, and it impacted the whole nation of Israel.

From Failure to Forgiveness 1Chr 21 There are certain decisions that we make in life that become hinge points on which the rest of our lives turn. Key decisions we’ve made that not only change the course of our lives but may also have great effect on the lives of others as well. And this is what ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Hope In The Midst Of Failure Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on May 19, 2025

This is the 5th Sermon in the Series, "In The Beginning".

Series: In The Beginning… [#5] HOPE IN THE MIDST OF FAILURE Genesis 3:1-24 Introduction: Tonight, we are going to talk about an important topic that many of us know well- “Hope In The Midst Of Failure.” In our passage, we see a crucial moment in history- The 1st failure of humanity in the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Overcoming The Giant Of Failure Series

Contributed by Terry Cavanaugh on Jul 12, 2025

Today, we delve into a powerful narrative from the life of Moses, an extraordinary leader who teaches us about the art of failing forward. Despite his flaws and failures, Moses’ life serves to teach us many valuable lessons. One of them is how to handle failure.

Exodus 2:11–12 “Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:11-12, Romans 8:28, James 2:17

Denomination: United Methodist

Test 5: The Wisdom Test, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 2, 2007

There are two types of wisdom—man’s wisdom and the kind of wisdom that only comes from God. The kind of true wisdom that only comes from God is evidence of real faith.

1. Introduction (13) 2. Roots of test-failing wisdom (14) 3. Attributes of test-failing wisdom (15) 4. Fruits of test-failing wisdom (16) JAMES 3:13 Have you ever flown on one of those little puddle-jumper airplanes? I have and let me tell you, they’re not very much fun. If you’re in one of ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Test 5: The Wisdom Test, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 9, 2007

What kind of wisdom passes the test of faith? The kind of wisdom that James describes as only coming from above.

1. Roots of test-passing wisdom (17a) 2. Attributes of test-passing wisdom (17b) 3. Fruits of test-passing wisdom (18) JAMES 3:13 Who is a wise man? What is wisdom? It’s interesting that two people who are known for their wisdom asked that very same question. Solomon did. In Ecclesiastes 8:1 ...read more

Scripture: James 3:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Test 6: Pride Test, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 30, 2007

James asks his readers where their continual desire to fight amongst themselves comes from. And his answer is surprising. Rather than point his finger at an outward cause of their strife, he tells them it is because of each of their individual selfishne

1. What are the Prevailing Symptoms of selfish pride (4:2-5) 2. What is the Primary Source of selfish pride (4:6) 3. What are some Practical Solutions for selfish pride (4:7-12) JAMES 4:1 Two old friends were sitting on the front porch one Sunday afternoon when one of them began to confess to the ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Test 6: Pride Test, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jan 5, 2008

The pride test is actually a three part test. We already covered the first part when we talked about selfish pride (Pride Test, Part 1). The second part of the test is about presumptive pride. That’s where our text takes us today.

1. Presumptive pride is futile 2. Presumptive pride is arrogant 3. Presumptive pride is sinful Well, here we are, standing at the edge of a New Year. People use this time of the year for different things, don’t they? Of course, some people just use the New Year as an excuse to party. But most ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Test 6: Pride Test, Part 3 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jan 5, 2008

This is the final part of James’ sixth test of faith—the pride test. This third part of the pride test deals with our pocketbooks--greedy pride.

1. The first example of greedy pride is hoarding treasures 2. The second example of greedy pride is defrauding measures 3. The third example of greedy pride is indulging pleasures A story is told about a rich man who was in the hospital on his deathbed. The doctors had only given him a short time ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Test 9: Afliction Test, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 12, 2008

This sermon looks at the first key to passing the affliction test--the individual key.

1. When experiencing affliction, your first individual responsibility is to pray (13) 2. When experiencing affliction, your second individual responsibility is to call (14) A few weeks ago, our family went to see a movie called National Treasure. I won’t go into all the details with you, but it ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Test 9: Affliction Test, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 12, 2008

This sermon looks at the second key to passing the affliction test--the corporate key.

1. Corporate confession 2. Corporate prayer I saw a sports headline a couple of weeks ago that really surprised me. It turns out that one of the freshmen for the University of Tennessee’s football team got into some trouble with the law. That’s not really the surprising part. It seems that ...read more

Scripture: James 5:15-18

Denomination: Baptist