Sermons on Failure:

When You Don't Feel Worthy

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 3, 2025

God calls us by name, not by our failures. When our confidence ends, His grace begins, restoring identity, worth, and hope.

There are some sermons that come out of study, and some that come out of history, and some that come out of doctrine… But every once in a while, a sermon comes out of the quiet places inside the soul. The places where you don’t speak out loud. The places you don’t even write down. The places where ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-4, Psalm 103:10-13, Mark 1:40-45, Romans 5:6-8, Jeremiah 31:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Part 14: Anorexia, Cutting, Self-Harm, And Suicide Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 24, 2026

Discover how biblical stewardship, servanthood, and a God-centered view of failure can transform self-loathing into humble, joyful trust in Christ.

For free audio or video download of this message, visit https://www.treasuringgod.com/sermons-by-scripture or my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson. When is it Wrong to Harm Your Body? The most common argument for why a Christian should not engage in unhealthy behavior is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19

The Gist PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 26, 2023

Encourages perseverance in faith and spiritual growth, despite failures or disappointments, drawing inspiration from the dedication and determination in Luke 2:22-40.

Good morning, church. It's a joy to stand before you today, as we gather in this place of worship, united in our love for the Lord and our desire to draw nearer to Him. As we gather today, we find ourselves in the early days of a new year. A time of hope and expectation, a time when many of us are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

Topics: New Year's Eve, Reflections, Resolutions

Looking Forward To A Greater Level PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 6, 2023

This sermon encourages embracing God's grace to let go of past mistakes and failures, and move forward towards a brighter, faith-filled future.

Welcome, friends, to this gathering of hearts and minds, united in our shared faith and the hope that springs eternal from it. We are here today, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the unfolding story of God's redemptive love. We are here to be nurtured by the Word, to be ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13

Topics: Forget The Past, Look Forward

Fate, Failure And Fig Trees (And Why Bad Things Happen To Good People)

Contributed by David Smith on Oct 17, 2007

It’s the age-old theological question - why do bad things happen to good people? Jesus, as ever, doesn’t give us the response we expect.

They say that philosophy deals with two sorts of questions: * Questions to which everybody knows the answer (eg. Do I really exist?). * Questions to which nobody knows the answer (eg. Why do I exist?). Religious teachers tend to deal the same sorts of questions, perhaps particularly questions ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

How Do I Discern The Will Of God: A Few Lessons From My Own Failures

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 26, 2021

I recall many times biking and running, when the whole body felt on fire. It was burning. And it wasn't fun at all. But what does any gym enthusiast know? No pain no gain. The incredible discomfort of the workout is leading to a stronger future.

I recall many times biking and running, when the whole body felt on fire. It was burning. And it wasn't fun at all. But what does any gym enthusiast know? No pain no gain. The incredible discomfort of the workout is leading to a stronger future. Much is the same with mental fitness. When ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:23

Denomination: Salvation Army

God's Words To His Church

Contributed by James May on Aug 8, 2001

Sometimes after a correction for our failures, God just wants to wrap His arms around His children and show them His love.

Disclaimer: Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and illustrations are often gleaned from many ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:17-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How The Catholic Church Crisis Impacts You & Me

Contributed by Alan Scott on Jun 27, 2002

The moral failure of the priesthood within the Catholic Church points us to look at the priesthood of all believers and how we can avoid the same pitfalls.

“How The Catholic Church Crisis Impacts You & Me” 6/23/02 ACC Alan Scott C.T. – The moral failure of the priesthood within the Catholic Church points us to look at the priesthood of all believers and how we can avoid the same pitfalls. Text – I Samuel 1, 2, & 3; I Peter 5:9 INTRO: There is an ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Bully On The Block Series

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jun 14, 2005

Failure to understand these elementary insights about a REAL DEVIL will leave gaping holes in your defenses, thus allowing Satan, to advance against you.

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.Matthew 26:14-16 (NIV) That is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Finding God's Way In Life's Wilderness

Contributed by Richard Burkey on Jun 23, 2005

David discovers that even amidst life’s pressure, confusion, failure and daily living, God provides a way through life’s wilderness.

Finding God’s Way in Life’s Wilderness Psalm 25:1-9 (New International Version) 1To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; 2in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Don't Let The Past Determine Your Future

Contributed by Izak Shipman on Oct 5, 2002

A sermon about the mess of failure, or a life and how God can create something out of nothing. For people who want to start over again.

Gen 1:26-28. Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27. So God created man in His own ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sin Can't Bring Us Down But Denial Can Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jan 28, 2009

SO often we blame sin for our failure and downfall when it is not sin... sin is but a symptom of a deeper problem... our denial of Christ for self!

Sermon Brief Date Written: January 28, 2009 Date Preached: January 28, 2009 Where Preached: Oak Park (Wed Evening) Sermon Details: Sermon Series: A Series from 1 John Sermon Title: Sin Cannot Take Us Down, but denial can! Sermon Text: 1 John 1:10 – 1 John 2:2 10 If we say that we ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Genesis 9 – Part 4 – Am I Supposed To Respect My Old Man If He’s An Idiot? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 26, 2010

Wine is mentioned for the first time in the Bible, and it is connected with drunken behaviour. But it is Ham’s disrespect, not Noah’s failures that feature in this story.

Genesis 9 – Part 4 – AM I SUPPOSED TO RESPECT MY OLD MAN IF HE’S AN IDIOT? By now you remember the story – Noah gets drunk and gets naked in his tent. He behaves badly. He fails in terms of his witness to his family. He fails God in that he’s way out of control. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:22-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is Our Ambition?

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Apr 25, 2005

No one wants to fail. But if our ambition to succeed becomes motivated by the fear of failure, ambition can become an idol in our lives and in our church.

IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT NOBODY WANTS TO DELIBERATELY FAIL AT ANYTHING. THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT "FAILING" IS THE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE BASICS OF FAILURE ITSELF. THE GREATEST NEWS ABOUT FAILURE IS THAT FAILURE IN AND OF ITSELF IS NEVER FINAL. YOU CAN LEARN GREAT LESSONS FROM FAILURE IF YOU ARE ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 14:1-6

Denomination: Free Methodist

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