Sermons on Overwhelming Odds:

Simplicity

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Jan 21, 2005

From all indications Paul was a brilliant scholar and could have overwhelmed his listeners with intellectual arguments, but he shared the simple message of Jesus Christ by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide his words.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: One man who was on the path of true simplicity was, according to the Talmud, a certain Rabbi Zusya. He once said, “In the coming world, they will not ask me: “Why were you not Moses?” They will ask me, “Why were you not Zusya?” (Reader’s Digest, March, 1980). In this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Approaching The Midnight Hour

Contributed by James May on Dec 20, 2005

At the midnight hour, when the darkness seems to overwhelm us, and the light seems so far away, it the time when cry will come from Heaven - and we shall see Lord in all His glory.

APPROACHING THE MIDNIGHT HOUR By Pastor Jim May On a lonely hillside outside of a little town of Judah by the name of Bethlehem there sat some shepherds, huddled around a campfire, burning to drive away the cold and the darkness of the night. That darkness was just a symbol of the true darkness ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Love Costs Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 9, 2007

While traveling to Jerusalem, a Samaritan village refuses to welcome Jesus and his disciples. Instead of judgment, Jesus demonstrates to his followers overwhelming compassion and reminds us of how he moves in our lives.

Luke 9:51-62 “Love Costs” INTRODUCTION The stories that we have of Jesus give us snapshots of Jesus, his life and his ministry. Snapshots are powerful communicators. They can, however, limit the information they convey, or massage it. We only see the story that is contained within the frame ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Lutheran

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

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

Take It Easy Series

Contributed by Rob Yanok on Oct 5, 2013

We live in a very tense, uptight and fast paced world filled with hurry. We are frazzled, overwhelmed, & bewildered. Truth is we are addicted to noise. We need to know what it is like to Take it Easy

Take it Easy Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” We live in a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 11:25-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Attempt To Understand Gods Choices Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Aug 5, 2012

With our finite mind and limited understanding there are some choices God has made that simply overwhelm our senses, but Paul makes an attempt to explain one of the most difficult choices God has made...

Sermon Brief Date Written: August 4, 2012 Date Preached: August 5, 2012 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Series Title: A Journey thru Romans Sermon Title: Gaining Understanding of God’s Choices Sermon Text: Romans 11:11-24 [NLT] Introduction: People make decisions/choices all the time that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

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

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