Sermons on Overwhelming Odds:

Jonah: A Vine, A Worm, And A Scorching East Wind

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Oct 10, 2015

This is an exposition on the fourth chapter of Jonah, which teaches us patience, grace, and the value of not getting too angry with the small things in life or we may be overwhelmed when big trials come our way

Jonah and A Vine, a Worm, and a Scorching East Wind Introduction: Let me begin by telling you a story about a little girl that pretty well sums what I’m talking about here. A little girl was reading on an airplane when the man beside her noticed her storybook, entitled, "Jonah and the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Abide With Me O Lord

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Jan 18, 2021

In life we all go through troubled times some of which can easily overwhelm us but we are reassured that we are never alone a promise encapsulated in the hymn, 'Abide with me.'

Abide with Me Hymns play a very important part in our worship, by singing we in a sense give ourselves in praise and adoration to Almighty God. For this to work there are a number of essential components, ingredients: • The words, ideally based on Scripture and full of meaning • The music which ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-9, Hebrews 11:1, Matthew 28:18-20, Isaiah 40:25-31

When The Load Becomes Heavy Series

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on May 24, 2015

We have the tendency to be overwhelmed by too much responsibilities in the ministry. We end up exhausted and burnout. In this message, we will learn how to train leaders and delegate responsibilities accordingly so that the load will be lighter.

EXODUS 18 Scripture Text: Exodus 18:17-23 (NIV) "17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 18:17-23

Denomination: Nazarene

Prison Break

Contributed by Sean Dees on May 2, 2021

What we need to do when life gets overwhelming, when it comes in like a flood; is RAISE OUR PRAISE! Understand me when I tell you that Praise is permeated with Productive Power.

I. Nobody wants to go to prison willingly. Prison does not have the appeal of a Hilton, beach, or exotic location. I know by the reports that we hear of our prison systems running over that it must be the number one vacation destination in the world. It is evident that we are living in difficult ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:19-26

Genesis 8: God Remembers And Restores - By Pastor Joseph Ondu Series

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Nov 19, 2025

Even when the storms of life seem long and overwhelming, God is working behind the scenes to bring the waters down. Your ark will rest again, and what drowned your past will not drown your future.

Genesis 8: God Remembers and Restores Summary Genesis chapter 8 records the turning point of the flood narrative. After months of judgment and global destruction, the chapter opens with a profound statement: God remembered Noah. This does not mean God had forgotten him, but that God chose to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 8:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

God Will Redeem Your Broken Situation

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Oct 10, 2024

When we fail in our eyes, in the eyes of others even, God doesn’t see failure. He sees redemption.

I spent the last week at camp with my wife. We were tasked to serve as cabin counselors during the week, Monday through Friday. Let’s just say we had a very interesting week. The experience was so brutal and difficult that we both left feeling defeated and upset. Chelsey and I aren’t parents, we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22

Denomination: Salvation Army

Where Is Your Center?

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Oct 18, 2000

When I told friends and acquaintances in Minnesota that I was moving to New Jersey, one of the commonest responses was, "How close will you be to Atlantic City?" This seemed to me to be an odd reaction, it certainly isn't something I'm particularly attuned to.

When I told friends and acquaintances in Minnesota that I was moving to New Jersey, one of the commonest responses was, "How close will you be to Atlantic City?" This seemed to me to be an odd reaction, it certainly isn't something I'm particularly attuned to. But now every time I turn the corner ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Four Of A Kind Beats A Full House

Contributed by John Gaston on Jul 1, 2014

In poker, the odds determine the winning hand. This same scenario played out in Christ's life: four of a kind beat the challenge of a full house. Four friends were able, against all obstacles and hindrances, to get their friend to Jesus. May we love thus!

FOUR OF A KIND BEATS A FULL HOUSE Mark 2:1-2:12 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Speeding Stories 1. a. Kimberly Owen’s husband was driving home from work when he was pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt. Two days later, he received the same ticket from the same cop. b. The officer said, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God's Healing For My Life

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Aug 29, 2001

Healing is to be sought within the God given resource of the local church, but will we have the faith to use it.

God’s Healing for my life by Andrew Chan, Senior Pastor, PBC, Vancouver, BC A man was driving along a rural road one day when he saw a three-legged chicken. He was amused enough to drive along side it for a while, and as he was driving, he noticed the chicken was running at 30 mph. "Pretty fast ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Passionate Commitment Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Apr 25, 2021

A Disciple is passionately committed to Jesus Christ.

Discipleship Matters: Passionately Committed to Jesus Luke 14:25-35 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 04-25-2021 Fan vs Fanilow I’ve been asked if my love for Barry Manilow is real or a joke. I can assure you it is real. When I took piano lessons as a kid, one of the first ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Baptist

Has He Risen?

Contributed by Eric Darr on Nov 11, 2004

This title may strike you in an odd way..... Has He Risen? While we are so accustomed to hearing He Has Risen. The reason I bring this title with a question mark vs. an accustomed exclamation point is because some of us in the church do not show a

Has He Risen? While driving to church on Easter Sunday two years ago, I told my children the Easter story. "This is the day we celebrate Jesus coming back to life," I explained. Right away, my 3-year-old son, Kevin, piped up from the back seat, "Will He be in church ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Prisoner Of The Winds?

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 14, 2017

Jephthah had a truly tragic beginning to his life. Hated, despised, driven out. Despite all odds he kept his walk with God, trained for future victory, and was raised by God to be Judge over all Israel. We aren't at the mercy of circumstances!

PRISONER OF THE WINDS? Judges 11:1-33; 12:7 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. David, Henry and Alan, 3 little boys, were visiting their grandparents. David went over to his grandfather and asked, "Can you make a sound like a frog? 2. His grandfather, being in a kind of ill mood replies, "No David, I ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

#60 Don’t Quit! Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Feb 6, 2022

During the betrayal and arrest of Jesus is the odd story of a man who was in a linen cloth whose garment was torn from him and he ran into the night naked. What’s THAT all about? This sermon tells us the story of a failure turned success named John Mark.

#60 Don’t Quit! Series: Mark Chuck Sligh February 6, 2022 NOTE: A PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. Please mention the title of the sermon and the Bible text to help me find the sermon in my archives. This sermon is adapted from a sermon by ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:50-52

Denomination: Baptist

Living A Questionable Life - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Dillinger on Jan 22, 2024

When people look at me, do they see what they expect, or someone that is "odd?" When I am so close to Jesus that my life reflects his actions and attitudes it causes people to ask, "Why are you like this?"

Living Questionable Lives – Pt 1 (Acts 16:29-34) Intro: A. I grew up with some great tools like the Jule Miller filmstrips, Open Bible Study, and teachings about Friendship Evangelism. All them had a great place in the ministry of reconciliation, but they didn’t all work for me. Maybe it was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Have, They Need: Formula For Life Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 28, 2002

First of a series based on the Johannine letters: our response to overwhelming need is first of all a discovery of who we are; then a commitment to maximum effort; and finally a discovery of where our passion lies. This will energize us.

I invite you today on an imaginary trip. Let’s walk through just one day in a needy world. Just imagine a few hours in a world that asks us for more than we can possibly give: You are awakened early by the phone’s insistent ringing; you hear the voice of a member of your family. He ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18, 1 John 3:18-24

Denomination: Baptist