Sermons on Failure:

Knock Down, Not Knocked Out

Contributed by Lynn Sims on Jan 18, 2025

In our spiritual journey, we may face setbacks, failures, and discouragement, but God calls us to rise up and continue fighting the good fight of faith.

Knocked Down, Not Knocked Out Key Scripture: “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” – Proverbs 24:16 “they rise again”. - Though God permit the hand of violence sometimes to spoil his tent, temptations to assail his mind, and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:16, Isaiah 40:31

Denomination: Other

Shining Forth As Gold: A Testimony Of Perseverance (Job 23:10)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Aug 30, 2025

I want to share my story of how the Lord is healing and using me for His purpose even in the midst of dealing with kidney failure and other issues.

“ But He knows the way I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10). It is obvious that in reading through the book of Job, suffering is the central theme. Untold volumes of sermons, studies, and debates have sprung forth over the centuries on why we go through hard ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:10, Psalm 34:18-20, Psalm 54:7, Matthew 11:28-30, Revelation 21:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

"simon Says...." Part One: The Power Of Influence Series

Contributed by Martin Wright on Jun 9, 2025

The journey pf Simon Peter ultimately reveals a powerful truth-- our failures don’t have to define us, defeat us or destroy us!

“SIMON SAYS…” REFLECTING UPON THE JOURNEY OF ONE WHO FOLLOWED JESUS. (Hint: It’s about a lot more than playing games!) Sermon One: The Power to Influence Do you remember playing the game "Simon Says?" (Don’t worry I’m not going to make you stand on one foot, pat your head and rub ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-42, Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 3:3-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Moving Past Our Past Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of God's forgiveness, emphasizing the importance of moving past our past mistakes and failures, and focusing on the future with faith and anticipation for God's plans.

Hello, church! We are so glad you have chosen to be with us for worship today. Last weekend we had the joy of celebrating Easter and the fact that Jesus is alive! We are now continuing our sermon series called Made New. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us today. That ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Topics: Forgiveness Of God, Future Focus, Joyful Obedience

Sermon Series: Made New

The Canaanite Woman PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

This sermon's main point is to highlight the boundless mercy of Jesus, the faith of a Canaanite woman, and God's plan of salvation for all people, regardless of their status, race, or failures.

Good morning, church family. As we gather today, we are going to explore a passage from the Gospel of Matthew. In this passage, we'll see the boundless mercy of Jesus, the unshaken faith of a Canaanite woman, and most importantly, a glimpse into God's plan of salvation for all people, not just the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-28

Topics: Salvation Plan

Biblical Characters Who Failed In Excellence Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Oct 2, 2025

This study examines biblical characters who failed to serve God with excellence, highlighting their mistakes as warnings for believers today.

BIBLICAL CHARACTERS WHO FAILED IN EXCELLENCE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Corinthians 10:6-11 Key Verse: “Now these things happened to them as examples, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11) Supporting Texts: Judges ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:6-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The End Of Saul – A Tragic Lesson In Disobedience Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 4, 2025

The death of Saul is not just a tragic end—it is a divine warning. He began with divine favour, but ended in divine silence. His life teaches us that charisma without character, and position without obedience, lead to ruin. Saul chose to please people over pleasing God.

THE END OF SAUL – A TRAGIC LESSON IN DISOBEDIENCE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Samuel 31 Supporting Texts: 1 Samuel 15:22–23, Proverbs 16:18, Hosea 4:6, Ecclesiastes 12:13–14, Galatians 6:7 INTRODUCTION: The closing chapter of 1 Samuel is both sobering and instructive. Saul, Israel’s ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Choose What Is Best Over Simply What Is Good

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 19, 2001

Guidance in helping us make distinctions between decisions that are good, better or best. Failure to make these distinctions in our decision-making leads to mediocrity, apathy and complacency.

How To Discern Between Decisions that are Good, Better or Best (Acts 11:27-30) Quote: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. (Prov. 3:5,6) Quote: This I pray that you would be filled with the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:27-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Played Out Or Prayed Out Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 27, 2001

We are given to frenetic activity, most of it characterized by wrong priorities, a lack of partnerships, and the failure of power. We get played out unless we are prayed out.

Is there a lawyer in the house? Somebody who can give me a little legal advice? I need to know what the statute of limitations is on destruction of church property. Can somebody tell me, is it possible to prosecute fifteen years after the crime? And especially, is it possible to prosecute a pastor ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

One Man's Influence Series

Contributed by Doug Johnston on Oct 5, 2001

Saul’s failure to address his own heart and it’s lust get to the heart of the matter why God’ prefered David’s heart to his.

And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. 1 Samuel 15:13 Rejection is one of the most common things we face, yet it is perhaps the most difficult obstacle we must regularly overcome. It is also one of the things ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Road To Success- James 2:14-26 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 5, 2002

Success in life comes from the following equation: Faith + works = success. The opposite also applies: Faith – Works, or Work – Faith = no success only failure in life.

The Road to Success in Life Thesis: Success in life comes from the following equation: Faith + works = success. The opposite also applies Faith – Works, or Work – Faith = no success only failure in life. Text: James 2:14-26 NIV: 14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26, James 2:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Heirs Of Heaven Make Good Samaritans

Contributed by Eric Vertein on Jul 20, 2010

Christ gave the story of the Good Samaritan to expose our failure to show mercy to one and all. Christ is the true Good Samaritan, showing mercy to us all.

Yesterday the New York Daily News had an article titled “Little Duckling has Guardian Angel as Good Samaritan Rescues it at New York Botanical Garden.” It’s about a New Yorker, who saw a little duckling and wanted to save it from predators. So she scooped it up, took it home, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Will A Good God Really Send Bad People To Hell? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 26, 2011

One need do nothing in order to go to hell. Failure to receive the grace of God in Christ Jesus the Lord positions the individual against God and against righteousness.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Baptist

How Not To Deal With Temptation Series

Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Mar 23, 2007

David’s failure when temptation came shows us how NOT to deal with this thing called temptation. God has provided a way of escape, not a way of excuse.

How NOT to Deal with Temptation 2 Samuel 11-12 1) ESCAPE, not EXCUSE While God has provided an ESCAPE route, He has not given you an EXCUSE route! 1 Corinthians 10:13 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-27

Denomination: Church Of God

Pride - The Greatest Sin

Contributed by Matthew Oliver on Jun 20, 2002

Many of the failures of todays world to enact the gospel are the result of human pride. Only by God’s grace through self-denial can we hope to overcome

20 June 2002 Evening Prayer St John the Evangelist Cold Lake Psalm 85 1 Samuel 2:27-36 Matthew 18:10-20 An anonymous man of God prophesies to Eli about his fate and the fate of his sons for their failure to follow God – you see Eli’s Sons are taking more than their share of the sacrifice and are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:10-20, 1 Samuel 2:27-36

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican