Sermons on Handling Failure:

God Succeeds When Our Plan Fails

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jun 7, 2007

Stranded on a foreign beach, dripping wet and freezing cold, Paul’s plan was definitely on hold. But watch how this man of God continues to be effectively used in the middle of failure.

Passage: Acts 28:1-16 Intro: Standing on the beach of an unknown island, freezing cold with both seawater and rainwater dripping off his nose, I wonder if Paul was a little puzzled. 1. his plan had been to go to Rome and have an audience with the highest powers of his world. 2. and instead he ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

One Simple Rule For Protecting Your Family Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 19, 2005

Solomon robbed his son of his inheritance... but in this sad story of Solomon’s failure is a lesson in hope for how we can protect our children as long as they live.

OPEN: Before he died, comedian John Ritter starred in a fairly successful TV sitcom. Does anybody remember the name of that show? (8 Simple Rules For Dating My Daughter). Now, I never watched that show, so I don’t know if they ever shared what those “8 simple rules” actually were. However, years ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 11:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Listening God Series

Contributed by Rule Digal on May 25, 2006

The reason why we missed many growth opportunities to kingdom greatness is our failure to listen and obey God. James told us to be doers of God’s Word.

Theme: Listening God Text: Jas.1: 22-25 Introduction: A. Last Sunday we learned that humility is one of the key principles to kingdom greatness. Humility has to do with knowing and doing God’s will. It is responding God’s call, obeying God’s Word, and giving attention to God’s promptings. So in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Are You In A Storm"

Contributed by Brad Henry on Sep 14, 2011

This sermon teaches how we can have joy in a storm and not fret. How we can not let our past failures in a storm dictate our future responses.

I love to watch a storm coming. I do not know if it was from all my days flying or the weather courses I took but a storm is impressive. Storms in our lives can arrive much the same way as storms clouds that bring rain and thunder. Matthew 8:23-27 “Then he got into the boat and his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27

God's Never-Ending Love Series

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Aug 3, 2012

Despite our failure and compromise, God loves us and has done everything possible for us to be in his presence. But we must respond and receive that never-ending love.

They were good times! Israel had just rebuilt their temple from scratch after it had lay in ruins for 70 years. Their country had been over-run by the Babylonians who destroyed their cities and took most of the population captive in Babylon. But finally a new empire arose, the Persians, who freed ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran

Getting Past The Past! (Hix)

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Oct 12, 2014

our accomplishments, our failures, our hopes, our dreams, etc. We need to see again where we came from and how we got to this place.

Philippians 3:12-14-Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

It Is Time To Move On Series

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on Jun 1, 2014

Many people are stuck up with their failures and mistakes they made in the past. They cannot move on with their lives. If you are one of them, maybe it is time to do something about it and move on.

IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON Genesis 30:25-26 (NIV) "25 After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way so I can go back to my own homeland. 26 Give me my wives and children, for whom I have served you, and I will be on my way. You know how much work I’ve done for ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 30:25-26

Denomination: Nazarene

Abraham: When Faith Gives Way To Fear Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Apr 17, 2018

The life of Abraham and how his faith gave way to fear, but God does not give up on him. Our failure doesn't mean that God is finished with us.

Fail Forward?Abraham: When faith gives way to fear? Genesis 12:10-13:4 God’s call to Abraham. Genesis 12:1?God’s promises to Abraham. Genesis 12:2-3 Abraham’s faith resulted in obedience. Genesis 12:4 ?Abraham’s faith resulted in worship. Genesis 12:7-8??Abraham’s faith gave way to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Rudderless On The Atlantic Theatre

Contributed by Oladayo Oladosu on Feb 3, 2020

Government has a way to either positively or negatively influence their nation. However, there is no comfort is born without hidden effort, there are no shortcuts to these systemic leadership failures except to turn to God.

Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. 1 Timothy 2:1 History has revealed that, there are different types of government. Examples include: revolutionary, monarchical, republican, aristocratic, autocratic, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Each Doing Their Part

Contributed by Jeferson Tavares on Nov 8, 2020

Perhaps one of the great defects we have today is to blame others for failures in our personal lives, in our family, in our work environment or in our ecclesiastical community.

Each Doing Their Part Texts: I Chronicles 13: 1-14; Numbers 4: 15; 7: 9 Introduction: Perhaps one of the great defects we have today is to blame others for failures in our personal lives, in our family, in our work environment or in our ecclesiastical community. We hold the government responsible ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 13:1-14, Numbers 4:15

When Dagon Fell

Contributed by Wilson Oshorakpor on Sep 27, 2021

Sin on the part of believers give opportunities for man - made gods to challenge the authority of believers. However, any attempt of demonic powers to challenge God will always end in failure.

TEXT: " 1 Samuel 5:1-4 [1] "After the Philistines captured the Ark of God, they took it from the battleground at Ebenezer to the town of Ashdod. [2]They carried the Ark of God into the temple of Dagon and placed it beside an idol of Dagon. [3]But when the citizens of Ashdod went to see it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 5:1-4, 1 Corinthians 16:19

Denomination: Pentecostal

Stay At Lo Debar, Invited To The King's Table

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 7, 2023

LO DEBAR was a ghetto of Israel. It was a place that failures and outcast lived. Mephibosheth was crippled and doomed until the KING INVITED HIM TO HIS TABLE. LO DEBAR IS A TYPE of RESTORATION.

LO DEBAR: INVITATION TO THE KING’S TABLE. By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) DEBAR: to stop, to hinder MEPHIBOSHETH: from the mouth of shame, THERE IS A DARK DAY FOR ISRAEL… THE REBELLIOUS, STUBBORN DISOBEDIENT KING IS REMOVED FROM THE THRONE… SAUL AND HIS ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 31:1-4, 2 Samuel 9:7-8, Jeremiah 30:17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

No More Story But Result

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Nov 3, 2025

When divine instruction meets human obedience, long-standing struggles turn into undeniable results. God is not glorified in endless stories of failure but in visible testimonies of His power.

NO MORE STORY BUT RESULT By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Luke 5:1-7 Key Verse: “And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.” (Luke 5:6) Supporting Texts: John 2:1-11; 1 Samuel 2:3; Isaiah 60:22; Habakkuk 2:3; Psalm 126:1-3 INTRODUCTION: Many ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Broken Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Jesus takes our brokenness and makes us whole. He uses our failures and the brokenness of the world to restore and repair us, making us more beautiful and valuable.

Hey guys, ever had a favorite toy or gadget that broke? You know, like when your phone screen cracks or your favorite game console stops working. It's a bummer, right? You might even feel like it's useless now. But what if I told you that broken things can become even more valuable? Today, we're ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:19, Hebrews 9:13-14

Topics: Self-Acceptance, Emotional Healing, Personal Growth, Resilience

Do You Love Me? Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

The sermon explores how, despite our failures and disappointments, the resurrection of Jesus offers a chance for redemption and restoration, symbolized by Jesus' question to Peter, "Do you love me?"

We can only imagine how Peter must have felt as the final days of Jesus’ life unfolded: devastated that his friend had been killed on a cross, disappointed that Judas had turned his back, heartbroken that Rome had seemingly won. But perhaps Peter was most saddened that he had denied Jesus three ...read more

Scripture: John 18:15-17, John 18:25-27, John 21:1-9, John 21:15-19

Topics: Resurrection, Restoration, Discouragement

Sermon Series: Resurrecting Hope