Sermons on Past Failures:

Rejecting Reluctance Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Oct 1, 2021

What a great truth that is, but it is countered with another truth: Many people are reluctant to give their life to Christ.  Our text today tells us about the reluctance of Moses - a great leader who had to overcome some struggles to answer the call of God!

REJECTING RELUCTANCE  Exodus 3:1-15; 4:10-17 Introduction This is How We Overcome - stories from the Old Testament that demonstrate how people of faith overcame the barriers in their lives and gained victory through faith! 1 John 5:4 “...For everyone born of God overcomes the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be In The Now

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jan 8, 2018

It's easy to get sidetracked and let your mind wander. We get focused on things from the past or what's in the future. This can be especially true as we head into the new year. If we're not careful we'll risk losing out on making the most of the moment.

BE IN THE NOW INTRODUCTION: Be Here Now is a book published in 1971 by Ram Dass on Hindu spirituality and yoga. I've never read the book and don't subscribe to Hinduism but the principle of the phrase itself is a valid one. Be here now communicates the importance of keeping your focus on what ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-16, 1 Peter 4:1-3, Luke 12:22-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"you Can Forgive The Past"

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jun 25, 2020

Only as we live under the banner of Jesus can racial prejudice disappear. I have copied notes about Rev. Martin Luther King Senior from a sermon by Ray Pritchard. (June 2020) I have included "Steps for Forgiveness" from "Seventy Times Seven" by Robert Hoyer

In Jesus Holy Name June 28, 2020 Text: Colossians 3:12-14 Pentecost IV - Redeemer “You Can Forgive The Past” The Declaration of Independence declares that all men are created equal. It was and remains the American dream. We all know it has been applied inconsistently, but ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14, Ephesians 2:14

Denomination: Lutheran

Sermon On A Bridge Too Far

Contributed by William Meakin on Nov 2, 2025

"A bridge too far" is an idiom for an ambitious plan that is considered too demanding to succeed.

George Herbert, a British poet and orator once remarked: “He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven.” Luke 14:28-30 reminds us: “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 19:2, James 4:13-15, Ecclesiastes 5:2-3, Mark 11:25

What Do I Do With My Past? Series

Contributed by Ed Taylor on Dec 23, 2008

In Christ my sin has been judged – past, present, future!

1. What a RELIEF. We are not condemned IN CHRIST! • That’s a great place to be isn’t it? IN CHRIST! Where… Romans 3:24 – We’ve been justified freely. Romans 6:11 – I am dead to sin! It doesn’t have the same strength or power over my life any more! Romans 6:23 – I have eternal life in Christ, the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Forget To Forget Your Past Series

Contributed by Daniel Sanders on Dec 26, 2004

?u???the past behind and forgetting it is one of the most trying thing for most Christians to do. But Paul encouraged us not just to put our pass life without Christ behind, but also to count it as garbage and above all, as being lost; completely forgo

Watch Night Message 2004 Don’t Forget to Forget You Past Will You Carry Your Old Mess Into the New Year? Or Will There Be A New Beginning? Introduction: Church, are you ready for the New Year? - Are you ready for a fresh new start? - Are you ready to soar with the eagles? - Are you ready for ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Wants To Trade Your Desert For His Oaisis

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Apr 25, 2017

Trade junk for real treasure

God Wants to Trade Your Desert for His Oasis (Isa.41: 8-20) Text-Isa.41: 8 "But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, 9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:8-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Peter Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 7, 2016

Lessons from the life of Peter

Peter Acts 2:1-14a Prior to our Scripture today, the resurrected Jesus told the disciples to wait and pray in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit. So they gathered in The Upper Room, behind locked doors still in fear of their lives and on the 50th day, a sound like a hurricane, a tornado ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

Remaining Confident When We Fail

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Mar 22, 2022

We all fail at times. When that happens, how do we pull ourselves out of the dugout and get our heads back into the game of life?

There was an important business executive who boarded the New Orleans to Washington train. He had a very important business meeting and he needed to be awakened in order to get off the train in Atlanta about five o'clock in the morning. Since he was a heavy sleeper, he found a porter and told ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-5, Genesis 17:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

A Doorway

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Oct 9, 2012

Our past; our present; our future. Our past doesn’t have to count. The only thing that really counts is where we are today, because where we are today determines where we will be tomorrow.

There were two men out in the country hunting one day when all of a sudden they came upon a very large grizzly bear. They could instantly tell that the bear was looking for lunch. And so, they began to run with all their might. While they were running away from the bear, one of them yelled out ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3

Denomination: *other

Pt.7 Peter’s Failure Series

Contributed by Steven Dobyns on Sep 19, 2013

Pt. 7 of 7 on learning to pray. looking at biblical people and how they connected to God through prayer.

Learning to Pray Pt.7 Peter’s Failure Intro: How many of you were the crammers in school? Wait to the last minute to study for a test? You were the one with your notes out furiously trying to cram any and all information into your head, hoping it will stick for the next hour or so while you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-54

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

From Why To What

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Feb 21, 2024

The normal human response, “Why did this happen?” calls God to account. On the other hand, “What do you want me to do?” is an invitation for God to call us to account.

Sixty years ago President John Fitzgerald Kennedy sent a group of military advisors to a little country in the Far East that most Americans had never heard of. Their government was having some trouble with rebels and turned to the U.S. for help. Who else should they turn to? The United States was ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Who Will Lead

Contributed by Travis L. Billings on Jan 9, 2022

Today's failures are multiplied in tomorrow's leaders.

To get an understanding of the book of Judges, it is important to first understand the relationship between Moses and Joshua and how their distinct personalities set the tone for their leadership styles and set the tone for what was to come following their deaths. Moses was passionate and ...read more

Scripture: Judges 1:1, Judges 2:10, Judges 21:25

Denomination: Charismatic

Learning From Peter

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 29, 2011

the failure of Peter at the trial of Jesus was predictable. Let's look at the decisions and non-decisions that brought about this event in his life. We can learn a lot.

Passage: Matthew 26:69-75 Intro: The more time we spend looking at this powerful event, the more contrast we see between spirit and flesh, God’s character and Satan’s. 1. we will look this morning at one of the really sad stories in the Passion week. 2. why is it here? Because it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:69-75

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Experience The Beauty Of Redemption Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jun 23, 2022

The Chief of Sinners asks for the failed missionary to come and see him - both of them redeemed by the love of Jesus.

Life Lessons from the Chief of Sinners The Beauty of Redemption Introduction The Chief of Sinners understands redemption both personally in Christ and in his relationships with other believers. Acts 15:37-40 offers an interesting account of the missionaries Paul and Barnabas planning their next ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:37-40, 2 Timothy 4:11, Acts 28:28-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ