Sermons on Failure:

Bringing A Penknife To A Sword Fight Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 22, 2013

There are folks who try to bring a "penknife" to a Sword fight they want to have with the Bible. Why would they even try? And why are such folks doomed to failure?

OPEN: Back in the Old Testament, in the book of Jeremiah, we read an intriguing story of a Jewish King who didn’t like something God had to say. The King’s name was Jehoiakim and God had had Jeremiah write down a prophecy condemned the King and his kingdom because of the evil that King ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Jeremiah 36:9-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Signs, Signs Always Looking For A Sign Series

Contributed by Donald Rapp on Oct 12, 2010

People respond in different ways to God's revelation. Failure to believe God’s word and to take it seriously results in a deep spiritual blindness.

Signs, Signs Always looking for a Sign The Book of Mark Mark 8:11-21 I. Introduction: A. Besides being the name of one of the books of the bible revelation is how God makes Himself known to us. 1. Revelation means the disclosure of something unknown or hidden. 2. The Holman Illustrated Bible ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:11-21

Denomination: Baptist

An Old Commandment That Is Now New

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 27, 2014

We may either love one another or hate one another; there is no halfway in this situation. God calls us to love. Failure to love is hatred.

“Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

Yield To Jesus Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Jan 26, 2015

When a person depends on God’s power, good things will happen; but when a person depends on their own wisdom and strength, failure will follow.

Please open your Bibles to 1 Samuel Chapter 13….. Samuel was called to be a spokesperson for God, a prophet. Do you know why God called Samuel? God called a spokesperson because God’s people Israel kept forgetting about God. Take a quick look back to 1 Samuel 12:12……. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:1-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fatigued? Due Season? Predicament?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 5, 2017

Life is not always measured by failures and successes? Often we measure life by how many times we try? Get up and try again.

FATIGUED---DUE SEASON: PREDICAMENT... DILEMMA... PERSISTENT Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I HAVE A METAL COAT HANGER. I keep bending and bending it. It will break after many times. Robert Wise tells on an experience that he had. Seems a friend called him every Monday ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-10, Acts 13:22, Proverbs 14:4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Samson Prays Series

Contributed by Ricky Tuttle Thd on Sep 30, 2023

Samson is one of the last Judges that God used, yet he was not always walking the right path. He is not remembered for his victories, but for his failures.

“Samson Prays” Judges 16:28 Hard lessons to learn when we disobey the Lord. Samson is one of the last Judges that God used, yet he was not always walking the right path. At his death Samson had judged Israel for 20 years. I was told while in the Navy that you can have 1000 at-a-boys yet if ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:28

Denomination: Baptist

Divorce And Remarriage

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

The issue is not whether divorce is good or bad, for everyone agrees it is a bad thing to happen. It is never the best, and it always indicates failure on the part of two people.

Divorce, like death, is an unpleasant reality that we have to deal with because it won't ignore us. In one way or another it forces its way into our lives. If we are fortunate enough to have no friends, neighbors, or loved ones caught in its grasp, we must still face the issue because it is a ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 24:1-4

Let Hope Arise (Easter)

Contributed by Steve Malone on Mar 30, 2021

As we look at several of the encounters that the Risen Lord had with various people, we see hope rising in places of - grief, fear, doubt and failure.

Let HOPE Rise! Easter 2020 I want to start off today with some powerful words that Paul put to paper 2000 years ago, NOT ONLY for a bunch of believers who were living in the city of Corinth… BUT ALSO - for (you and I) today, at this very moment on April 12, 2020. Now, brothers, I want to remind ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, John 20:10-16, John 20:25, Mark 16:7-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Winning The Battle Against Family Curses

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Mar 6, 2018

Why is it that sin problems and failures often run in families for generations? Is it some kind of curse? Is it that demons are inherited? It is from a curse, but it is the curse of sin and iniquity.

WINNING THE BATTLE AGAINST FAMILY CURSES Num 14:18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.’ Iniquity- ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

David's Child Dies Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Aug 28, 2020

Second Samuel 12:15-31 shows us how to rebound after personal moral failure (that is, sin) in our lives.

Scripture Pastor James Emery White tells about a book he once read called The Book of Failures. It was filled with all kinds of failures that people have made. For instance, the book introduces Arthur Pedrick, who patented 162 inventions, but not one of them was ever taken up commercially. These ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:15-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Grace For The Guilty Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 13, 2025

God’s grace reaches into human failure, transforming guilt and scandal into redemption; His mercy writes straight through the crooked lines of sin.

(Tamar of Genesis 38) Introduction – Two Women, One Story of Grace There are two women in Scripture who share the same name — Tamar. Both are Jewish. Both are royalty. Both are caught in situations that would make most people turn away in discomfort. And yet, both are part of God’s redemptive ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 38:1, 2 Samuel 13:1-22, Matthew 1:3, John 8:1-11

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Way Of Escape

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 5, 2025

Temptation confronts every believer, but God’s faithfulness always provides an exit—grace stronger than sin, hope greater than failure.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” --- The Common Struggle Every believer knows what it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 1:12, Romans 5:20, Hebrews 4:15, Micah 7:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The God Of Mercy In The Days Of The Judges Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 28, 2025

The Book of Judges reveals the cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, showing God’s enduring mercy despite Israel’s repeated failures.

THE GOD OF MERCY IN THE DAYS OF THE JUDGES By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Judges 2:16-19 Key Verse: “Nevertheless the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.” – Judges 2:16 Supporting Texts: Judges 21:25; Psalm 106:43-45; Hebrews ...read more

Scripture: Judges 2:16-19

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Journey Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Walking with Jesus can lead to amazing transformation in our lives, helping us overcome failures and grow into the people God intends us to be.

Today, we're going to talk about our journey with Jesus and how it can change our lives. To help us understand this better, I've got a cool object lesson for us. Check out this paper clip. It's just a simple, everyday object, right? But when we stretch it, it can change its shape and size. Just ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-6, 1 Timothy 1:13-14

Topics: Spiritual Transformation, Journey With Jesus, Faith Journey, Divine Guidance