Sermons on Normal Grief:

What’s In A Difficult Week?

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Apr 10, 2017

Have you ever had a difficult week? Have you? I certainly have, Sometimes I’ll get like, “What’s the use!” No one will escape a difficult week in losing a loved one. Grief over-the-top, not seeing your way out. “We’ve all had difficult weeks.” Moreover, m

What’s In A Difficult Week? Luke 22:39-46NKJB Have you ever had a difficult week? Have you? I certainly have, Sometimes I’ll get like, “What’s the use!” No one will escape a difficult week in losing a loved one. Grief over-the-top, not seeing your way out. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:39-46

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Am The Resurrection And The Life Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 31, 2022

If you personally know Jesus Christ, you have eternal life now and bodily resurrection promised in the future.

I Am the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:1-45, esp. 11:25-27) We have all been shocked by the shooting at an elementary school in Texas. We cannot imagine how anyone could be so evil. At the same time, never has the promise of eternal life and resurrection been so dear to those who lost ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45, John 11:25-27, Job 19:25-27, Daniel 12:2-3

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sermon # 16 - The Lord Is Close At Hand Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on May 1, 2023

When our situations are gloomy and dark and there seems no hope, remember the Lord Jesus is close at hand and He specializes in transforming lifeless situations to those brimming with life and fruitfulness.

In Mark 16:1, we read, “And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.”(KJV) The Lord Jesus as He had already predicted to His disciples on several occasions, was crucified on a cross at ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1, Luke 8:1-3, John 20:10-11, John 20:14-15, John 11:3, John 11:6, John 11:32, Numbers 17:5, Numbers 17:8, Luke 2:48-49, Luke 1:32, Colossians 1:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

The Empty Womb Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 24, 2023

Why did Hannah mourn her childlessness and what did God do for her that we can learn from?

I ran across a list of different life experiences that can create stress, and amongst all these life experiences creating stress were these: Death of a spouse; Divorce; Being sentenced to Jail; Personal injury or illness; Being fired at work; Retirement; Pregnancy; and a change in financial ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Norway: Let God Be Your Strength And Refuge

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Jul 25, 2011

God is our strength and refuge in the gloomiest moments of our lives. Let’s run to Him for shelter from the storm, and in the case of tragedy, especially so. Pray for those affected in the Norway shootings, that they may find their refuge in God.

Text: Psalm 46 Open with me to Psalm 46. This week, Norway has been ravaged with the shootings of over 90 children at the hands of a madman. Families are shattered, friendships irrecoverable. Though this seemed to be a politically and racially motivated crime, many sources of media call this ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon # 32 - A Life That God Rejoices Over Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jul 2, 2025

We are made in the image of God and our emotions too are expressions of the way God feels about us. It’s good to examine ourselves to see if God rejoices over us or is He grieved about us. Also the plans we make should always be in alignment with God’s will so He does not have to scorn them.

We read in Zephaniah 3:17, “The LORD your God is mighty in your midst; He will save; He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest in His love; He rejoices over you with singing.” (AFV) We also read in Psalm 2:4, “From his throne in heaven the Lord laughs and mocks their feeble plans.” (GNB) It ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:17, Psalm 2:4, Genesis 6:6, Ephesians 4:29, Ephesians 4:30-31, Luke 15:7, Job 1:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Measure Upon Measure – Sorrow – The Restoration Of God - Part 7 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 4, 2025

This world is overtaken by sorrow in people’s lives. Sorrow came about through the entry of sin in Eden and marks so much of human living. Jesus was the Man of Sorrows and He lived among sorrow and took our sorrows on the cross. His was a sorrowful road as we see what He did for us.

MEASURE UPON MEASURE – SORROW – THE RESTORATION OF GOD - Part 7 CHAPTER 4 - THE FOURTH CONSEQUENCE Are we not continually bombarded through television and magazines with a variety of advertisements showing groups of people smiling and laughing, seemingly with the world at their feet? What the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:16, Isaiah 53:3-4, Matthew 23:37, John 19:15, Matthew 21:9, Matthew 26:37-38  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Desperate Times Make Us Desperate For Him Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 13, 2024

There are only two kinds of people in the world – those who believe in miracles and those who don’t. If you doubt God, then you will doubt the miraculous. But if you believe in God, then you will believe in the miraculous.

As the summer heat finally relents here in North Texas, we are looking at the life of Elisha. Elisha shows us how to remain faithful during challenging times. There is a lot to like about Elisha during the super challenging times he lived. Elisha was a godly man in a time when so many people just ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7, 2 Kings 4:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

Won't You Be My Friend Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 9, 2018

God said it was not good for the man to be alone, and yet too many people are more isolated than ever. Using a clip from the popular TV series "This is Us" we address the question of "How can we witness to others?"

OPEN: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn9aSZ7uPXI – video clip from “This Is Us” of conversation between Katie and a woman she’s helped. See Footnote) APPLY: That clip came from a scene in a popular TV series called “THIS IS US”. Katie (one of the main characters in the show) is helping a girl ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Turning Off The Tap Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 20, 2013

How can avoid being in debt? And is it all up to me, or is God involved in helping me accomplish that? And what is the significance of the debts all being forgiven at the Feast of Tabernacles?

OPEN: Little Tommy told his mother he had decided what he wanted when he grew up. “Well, honey,” she responded “what’s that?” He said, “I’d like to have a million dollars, a big house, and no bathtubs.” “No bathtubs?” asked his mother. “Why not?” “Because,” he said,” when I grow up I want to be ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 15:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Book Of Lamentations – Part 24 – Cry Of Misery And Much Weeping For The Conditions Being Endured. Jeremiah Is The Weeping Prophet - Chapter 3:47- 51 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 9, 2025

Such devastation produced suffering and suffering ended in great misery, so much so that Jeremiah wept constantly for his people of Judah. This is a sad part of the book of Lamentations, but we must not neglect the book because of that. It is God’s inspired word. It teaches us much.

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS – PART 24 – CRY OF MISERY AND MUCH WEEPING FOR THE CONDITIONS BEING ENDURED. JEREMIAH IS THE WEEPING PROPHET - CHAPTER 3:47- 51 The laments from the survivors of the Babylonian genocide continue. These people were in a miserable state and they were starving with skin ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:47, Lamentations 3:48, Isaiah 22:3-5, Jeremiah 4:11, Jeremiah 8:22, Jeremiah 9:1, Lamentations 3:49, Matthew 23:37-38, Revelation 21:4, Psalm 119:136, Psalm 88:8-9, Lamentations 3:50, Isaiah 54:17, Isaiah 60:18-21, Isaiah 61:6-7, Isaiah 65:17-21, Zechariah 14:4, Lamentations 3:51, Revelation 16:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 5, 2018

Acts 10 is a pivotal chapter in Scripture. From this point on the church exploded in growth. In this story there are 3 groups of people who were "surprised" by what they saw. Why were they surprised, and what difference does that mean to us?

(Before reading the Scripture I noted that Acts 10 is a pivotal chapter in Scripture. It was after this event at Cornelius’ house that the Church exploded with growth and numerous churches were set up throughout the known world). (After the Scripture reading and prayer, we showed the following ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Peculiar People Day Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 17, 2016

The KJV uses the word "peculiar" 7 times - but it didn't mean "odd" or "bizarre" - it meant a treasured "possession". But what does that mean to us and how should that effect our daily lives as Christians?

(I opened by reading Titus 2:11-14 from the KJV) OPEN: Last Sunday (January 10th) was “Peculiar People Day”. Nobody knows who came up with the idea of making that a special day (somebody thinks it might have been the greeting card companies) but the whole idea of this Peculiar People ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Am The Resurrection And The Life Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 12, 2020

Why did Jesus say "I am the Resurrection and the Life?" What is there about that simple statement that can give us hope in a dark world?

OPEN: A fellow preacher told me about a funeral that he once conducted. He said that “Doug" was 18-year-old biker who’d rode with a rough crowd. In fact the T-shirt they buried him in said it all: "Ride hard - Die hard". The funeral home was filled with bikers, the speakers boomed ...read more

Scripture: John 11:24-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Can You Justify That? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 10, 2016

Justification sounds like a $20 word that nobody would use outside of Church. But surprisingly the words justify and justification are interwoven into our culture and are used in ways that tell us a lot about what God did when He justified us.

I’m going to show you a list of some common English sayings on the screen. Tell me you recognize them. A thorn in the side Eat, drink, and be merry Handwriting on the wall. The blind leading the blind. Like a lamb to the slaughter Do not throw your pearls before swine Can a leopard ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ