Sermons on Fiery Trials:

Operation Yo-Yo.

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 22, 2010

Highs & Lows in Ministry. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

BACKGROUND: • When you read the book of Acts, don’t think villages, but cities. • The church in the Book of Acts was almost entirely urban. Quote Historian Wayne A. Meeks writes that; “Within a decade of the crucifixion of Jesus, the village culture of Palestine had ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-20

Denomination: Brethren

The Testing Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Nov 30, 2010

Jesus was tested like no man has ever been tested. Led by the Spirit into the wilderness, He triumphed over Satan and every temptation thrown His way.

Mark 1:12-13 The Testing of Jesus Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him. Introduction – Ornithology A college student wanted to take an easy class ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For The End Series

Contributed by J.d. Tutell on Dec 1, 2010

In Paul's trip to Jerusalem we see that when God sends you a hardship He also prepares you to go through it.

(The open illustration was taken from Sermon Centrals Illustrations database) Tony Campolo tells about the time he was asked to speak at a Pentecostal college. Before the service, eight men had him kneel so they could place their hands on his head and pray. Tony was glad to have the prayer, but ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:10-25

Denomination: Baptist

"Trusting God In Tragedy"

Contributed by Brad Henry on Sep 28, 2011

No matter what happnes God knows and he loves you. Tragedy doesn't have to be a horrible experience.

Over the years we have had many gut wrenching stores of families killed in an accident only to leave a mother or father behind. To wake up in a hospital bed hurting physically then realize that your entire family is gone would be unfathomable. Now none of us are immune to have this happening to us. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:3-26

How To Handle Tragedy

Contributed by Michael Luke on Oct 2, 2011

Four principles that help us deal with tragedy

“HOW TO HANDLE TRAGEDY” SELECTED PASSAGES OPEN The Poisonwood Bible is a novel written by Barbara Kingsolver. It’s about a family who in 1959 move from the state of Georgia in the USA to a small village in the Belgian Congo to swerve as missionaries. The family is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"In A Good Way Expect The Unexpected"

Contributed by Brad Henry on Oct 7, 2011

This is a story that God is still in the miracle business if we slow down and trust Him.

I want to thank you for all your prayers and support yesterday. Yesterday was one of the toughest and rewarding days of my life. I woke up in the morning to see our bank account in the red with no hope in sight. BUT, I know God. I have set my hope on the One who is faithful and I will not question ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Let Not Your Heart

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Oct 23, 2011

Have you ever had one of those days when everything goes wrong? It doesn’t make any difference how hard you try, it just seems that everything backfires on you? The harder you try, the worse it gets. I’m convinced that all of us have had days like t

So as the 14th chapter of John opens, we see Jesus & His apostles in the upper room where they have eaten the Passover meal together. Jesus knew exactly what the next few hours would bring. He knew that Judas would betray Him. He knew about the illegal trials of the night, & how troubled the ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Katie - "Strong Enough"

Contributed by Brad Henry on Oct 24, 2011

In times of tragedy we think we have to be strong. This is just the opposite of what God desires. This lesson will hopefully you give you a new perspective on the storms of life.

Last Wednesday I received a text from a dear friend of mine in Phoenix. He said that his 15 year old daughter Katie was going in for some tests to determine the reasons for some health issues she was having. I went to bed without knowing the results. I woke up the next morning and I had a text from ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-3

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait Series

Contributed by Harold Laubach Jr on Nov 2, 2011

Sermon on patience as taught by the book of James chapter 5.

If you noticed the title of this week’s sermon, you may have realized you’ve heard that phrase before. Or what about this one, “Patience is a Virtue”? Well it turns out those phrases have some biblical significance. And it also turns out they are usually true. Let’s ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-11

Denomination: Salvation Army

Spiritual Bootcamp

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Nov 8, 2011

Perhaps the greatest lessons I learned about life came during Marine Corps bootcamp, Paris Island, the Summer of 1978. Christians need bootcamp too.

(All my sermons use illustrations found at www.sermoncentral.com and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted.) SPIRITUAL BOOTCAMP When I was young I was a very active kid, I am sure many of you were as well. We may have to strain a little to remember those days, but most all of us could not ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Warrior’s Spirit

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Nov 14, 2011

Notice how David honors God first. Then, there is no need for fearing his enemies.

A Warrior’s Spirit Psalms 27:1-14 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? 2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though a host encamp ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Paul And His Final Days

Contributed by Chuck Booher on May 2, 2013

We need to be people who endure hard times by reading God’s Word, sharing Christ and being faithful to the end.

Come to Paul: one of the most amazing men who ever lived! • I want you to know who Paul is and then you will understand him and what he is telling you. • He wrote 13 Books of the New Testament so you need to get where he is coming from. • At the end of his life he passionately ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Devil Is In The Details

Contributed by Spencer Miller on May 6, 2013

God is all powerful. Yet He allows Satan to carry out his deceitful and destructive activities—within certain limits—for a purpose.

We live in a world full of trouble and problems; there are problems after problems. Pollution, natural resources running out, population growth outstripping resources worldwide, etcetera. And then there are individual problems to contend with such as pain, suffering, and death, just to name a few. ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Battle Of Heart And Mind Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 12, 2013

In this sermon series, we’re going to be talking about the unseen enemy and the dangers of living for Jesus. We’re caught up in the spiritual battle between good and evil, and so it’s important to take proactive measures in regard to the unseen opposition

The Battle of Heart and Mind Ephesians 6:10-13 Read Romans 7:14-25 at the beginning of service A number of years ago, I was invited to preach a revival in Zwolle, LA. Anybody know where that is? It’s right by Many, LA. Hope that clarifies it for you. I had to leave right after church to make ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-13

Denomination: Methodist

Sleep On Peter, It’s Too Late To Pray!

Contributed by John Gaston on May 14, 2013

If we don't pray, trials may come that will overwhelm our faith. 3 times the Lord warned Peter to pray; 3 times Peter denied the Lord.There comes a time when it's too late to pray. We must get motivated to pray more in order to withstand the troublesome t

“SLEEP ON PETER, IT’S TOO LATE TO PRAY!” Mark 14:34-42 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A man, making a long driving trip, drove all night. By morning he was very tired; so he decided to stop at the next city, park somewhere, and catch an hour or two of sleep. 2. Unfortunately, the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:34-42

Denomination: Assembly Of God