Sermons on Fiery Trials:

Running In The Valley

Contributed by Craig Benner on Nov 7, 2012

Jesus comes off the mountain and finds a heap of problems in the valley. It is like that for us many times as we look at seeming defeat in the face and cannot understand why.

Down from the Mountain and Roaming the Valley Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Jer 42:6 Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

Adios To The Cave

Contributed by Craig Benner on Jul 14, 2012

There are times when life drives us to the cave. It is not a matter of if, but when. More important, is the dilema of you getting out of the cave in proper time.

CAVES Ps. 57:1-3,7 1 ¶ <<To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.>> Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. (KJV) 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 22:1-2, Psalm 57:1-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Rejection

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Jul 20, 2012

We have all experienced ‘rejection’ at one time or another or one form or another.

We have all experienced ‘rejection’ at one time or another or one form or another. It may have been something very minor or it may have been so devastating that it affected your whole life and all of your relationships. Here are some common examples: you were not chosen to play on a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

Redemption Carries On Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Aug 5, 2012

Naomi and Ruth are astounded at the mercy and deliverance of God! At a low point in her life Naomi sees God's hand beginning to deliver her!

TEACHING BRIEF Date Written: July 24, 2012 Date Taught: August 1, 2012 Church: OPBC (Wed Night) FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS Title: A Study in the Book of Ruth Text: Ruth 2:14-23 NLT (read ALL passage here) Introduction: So far in our study we have learned about God’s redemption & last week ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:14-23

Denomination: Baptist

“passing The Test” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on May 18, 2015

James gives us some practical advice about how to pass through times of difficulty and testing.

The book of James was written by the brother of our Lord as a circular letter; a letter of instruction to be copied and passed around among the churches (v. 1). Many believe he was specifically addressing Jewish believers scattered from Jerusalem in the persecution following the stoning of Stephen ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

When Lilfe Sucks Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on May 19, 2015

Let's face it - sometimes life just plain sucks. It is, as little Annie sang, a hard knock life.

“Getting Into Shape: When Life Sucks” Job 1:1-2:10; 38:1-3; 42:1-5 Let’s face it – sometimes life just plain sucks; it draws all the energy and strength out of us as we work hard at just trying to survive. Little Annie was right: “It’s a hard knock life.” ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Giving Thanks In Disappointments

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 3, 2014

Are you facing a situation in which you could be disappointed? Why not set up a celebration to count your blessings no matter what the outcome?

Opening illustration: After receiving his second Academy Award, Denzel Washington said to his family, “I told you, if I lost tonight, I’d come home and we’d celebrate. And if I won tonight, I’d come home and we’d celebrate.” Denzel, a Christian, was trusting God, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Pain And Pleasure Of The Pastor

Contributed by Ken Henson on Nov 12, 2012

A person in ministry experiences both, pain and pleasure. From 2 Timothy 4 we can see that Pastor Paul experienced: Pain from Opposition, Pain from Disappointment, Pain from Abandonment and Pleasure of Partnership, The Pleasure of Restoration and The Plea

We had a recital yesterday from our music school. I was looking around at our community, enjoying Sam’s performance. For those of you who do not know him, Sam is a student of the Bangalore Conservatory. He has autism, somewhat rare condition, in which his brain does not function like everyone ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-18

Denomination: *other

When The Church Prays

Contributed by Craig Benner on Oct 9, 2011

God uses different means to bring us to our knees. When we really fervently pray, mighty things will take place. Let the church rise to her full potential by collectively calling on His name.

WHEN THE CHURCH PRAYS Acts 12:1,5-18 In the last few verses of chapter 11, we see a great revival in Antioch. There the disciples were first called christians. The Spirit had done a great work in their lives, in that they laid aside enough of their carnal self to become identified as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Might Of God In Our Times Of Trouble.

Contributed by Guy Glass on Dec 6, 2011

IT IS EASY TO FOCUS ON OUR PROBLEMS AND STRUGGLES, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE SEEKING TO FOLLOW CHRIST. THE DEVIL HAS A WAY OF BRING THEM UP AT THE MOST INOPPORTUNE TIMES, OR WE GIVE THEM MORE SIGNIFICANCE THAN THEY ARE DUE BY ATTRIBUTING EVERY ISSUE AS A SP

THE MIGHT OF GOD IN OUR TIMES OF TROUBLE. Isaiah 40:27-31 (NIV) 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"? 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:27-31

Denomination: Baptist

How’s Your Faith Now?

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Apr 12, 2012

Satan's goal = to use trials to extinguish our faith God’s goal = To ignite our faith

1 Peter 1:6-9-In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9

Denomination: Baptist

From Bitter And Better Ii Series

Contributed by Jeremy Poling on Apr 21, 2012

Troubles will make you better if you do not allow it to make you bitter.

Exodus 1:14 begins with the phrase, “And they made their lives bitter…” • According to the Strong’s Concordance the root word used for “bitter” can also mean “stronger.” • As a matter of fact, according to the Bible Reader’s ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Kangaroo Court Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Apr 27, 2012

Jesus was tried in a kangaroo court. When you put Jesus on trial in your life, will you try Him in a kangaroo court or will you follow the evidence and let that tell you who He is?

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Over the last few weeks in our REWIND series we have been looking at the events of the final week of Jesus life that ending in His resurrection. Last week Jerry took us to the cross as we examined the crucifixion. • How did we get Jesus to a crucifixion? Today we rewind a ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Grace In The Ups And Downs Of Life Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 26, 2012

Throughout our lives, we encounter both triumphs and tragedies. Victories and struggles. In all of them, God’s grace is constant, as we will see through the child God gives Sarah, the comfort God gives Abraham, the water God gives Hagar, and the Salvatio

Events can change IN A MOMENT. Our emotions can go from the top of the world to the bottom of the barrel in flash of time. The year was 1986. By now, the launch of the Space Shuttle was news but not like it was during the first few launches. This launch was different because for the first time ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ship Wreaked!

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Jun 3, 2012

Sometimes our life can become ship wreaked!

Verse 1-3-And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:1-44

Denomination: Baptist