Sermons on Personal Tragedy:

Why?

Contributed by Christopher Arch on Sep 25, 2001

This message was delivered the Sunday following the New York City World Trade Center tragedy.

Title: ?Why?? Scripture: Lk 13: 1-5 Type: Special Occasion ? Sept. 11, 2001 Bombing Where: GNBC 9-16-01 Intro: On Tuesday morning I was reading the Cedar Rapids Gaz., and drinking my coffee when came upon an interesting editorial for the day. Bill Ferguson, columnist for the Warner Robins ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Path Toward Personal Peace

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 4, 2005

Resting in the arms of Jesus and being held securely by his love gives Christians the ability to live with contentment and peace

John 20:24-29 “The Path Toward Personal Peace” INTRODUCTION It was 1981, and the recently retired couple was concerned about the growing threat of nuclear war. Since they could do nothing to prevent a war, they decided that they would look for the safest place on earth, which would enable ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-29

Denomination: Lutheran

Great Sermon, Pastor!

Contributed by Jason Zahn on Sep 5, 2001

God describes the two key elements that comprise a great sermon in His eyes

If you received yesterday’s State newspaper than you saw the striking headline, “Lou: Locker room or boardroom, Holtz can fire ‘em up.” I suppose that headline is no surprise considering that we live in the hometown of the University of South Carolina and yesterday was the dawn of the 2001 ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:23-29, 2 Timothy 4:2-5

Denomination: Lutheran

Preached To Death

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 11, 2022

In this account, Eutychus attended church in order to worship God, but he wound up dying right there in the preaching service! Do you think that you could trust God, or His Son, Jesus Christ, in a situation like this? Paul did!

At my first pastorate, during the middle of a funeral service, the floor to the sanctuary gave a loud pop like lightning striking, and then it fell about six to eight inches! The floor later had to be completely replaced. At another church where I pastored, the ceiling fell in; and of course, the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

Misfortune Is God’s Megaphone

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Mar 3, 2013

Misfortune Amiplifies God's Call to Repent 1) Individually; 2) Immediately

Did you hear the shocking news out of Egypt on Tuesday? 19 tourists died when a hot air balloon exploded and plunged 300 meters to the ground. One moment these people were enjoying something they had dreamed of doing for years - floating above ancient Egyptian ruins in the soft light of an early ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

A Personal Encounter Sparks Servanthood

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Oct 8, 2023

I share my story about a time I faced pancreatic issues, marital struggles, and contemplating suicide. As with the Psalmist, I cried out to God and he heard and that began a lifetime of service.

Early august, 2022, I had the privilege of doing a presentation in Denver at the Rocky Mountain Symposium on Addictive Disorders, the Integration of Spirituality and Psychotherapy. The dialogue it stimulated was exciting, especially with the wide range of professionals attending. One counselor ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Does God Allow Tragedy And Suffering?

Contributed by Lee Strobel on Jul 23, 2012

Lee Strobel presents a message to a Colorado church shortly after the movie theater massacre in Aurora, Colorado.

It was the worst mass shooting in American history – 70 people shot by a gunman, 12 of them killed, while they were watching the midnight showing of a new movie just 21 miles from where we’re sitting. There are no words to describe the anguish being felt by those who are suffering today; our heart ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Denomination: *other

A Bad Situation

Contributed by Timothy Brown on Jan 23, 2010

This is a sermon of encouragement in light of the tragedy in Haiti.

Text: Psalm 40:1-3 Title: A Bad Situation Introduction: “On Jan. 12, 2010, a massive earthquake struck Haiti, reducing much of its capital to rubble. (A bad situation) It was the worst earthquake in the region in more than 200 years, with as many as 50,000 feared dead. (A bad situation) ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Naomi's Faith Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jun 6, 2015

Naomi is the theologian of the book of Ruth. Her faith under the greatest trials has an impact on her daughter-in-law, Ruth, so that Ruth is ready to accept Naomi's God as her God.

Open your Bibles to the book of Ruth. Ruth is one of two books in our Bibles that is named after a woman, the other being Esther. Both of these books are in the Old Testament and both involve times of great tragedy and great triumph through God’s grace. Both are also depictions of ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Answering Why

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Jan 27, 2013

In tragic times, we are tempted to ask why. The question itself is not wrong-after all Jesus asked it of his Father while on the cross, but it may not be the most appropriate question or lead to the best end.

Introduction: A. When tragedy strikes, we either grow bitter toward God or draw closer to him. B. Can God prevent tragedy? Yes. Why doesn’t he always? We can’t answer that. C. God is imminent and transcendent, but he’s not always imminent when we want him to be. D. As the writer ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

"Bad Thinhs Happen"

Contributed by Brad Henry on Aug 31, 2011

We cannot prevent the inevitable. This lesson will show you how to stop the merry go round of worry.

Most of us try to stay out of harms way. A lot of us also try to avoid conflict. We like to take the road of least resistance. Now we do that for a number of reasons. We want our life to be easier than it is now. Why make things worse? So we try to back off from people and things. We try to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-13

Why?

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Mar 21, 2019

We have many questions that begin with the word, "why".

WHY? Luke 13: 1 – 9 Intro: How many questions can you think of that begin with “WHY”? 1) Why is the time of day when traffic moves the slowest called “rush hour”? 2) Why do we park our car in our “driveway”? 3) Why is the sky blue? 4) Why does our hair turn gray when we get older? 5) Why ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Travelling From Tragedy Through Trust To Triumph

Contributed by Steve Salmon on Jun 19, 2002

Ruth and Naomi teach us how to handle adversity through our trust in God’s ultimate plan for our life.

Ruth: Traveling from Tragedy through Trust to Triumph Ruth 1:16-18 SICC April 14th (Morning) Sometimes tragedy kind of sneaks up on you. It comes at you like termites at an old wood-frame house. It eats away for years, then one day the rafters of the house give way before you ever realized ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Person Of Victory (5 Of 9) Series

Contributed by James O. Davis on Nov 8, 2011

If we are to live victoriously, a time and place will come when we will meet the man with the sword in His hand and we will learn to know Him in a personal way.

Join us at the Synergize 3! Pastors Conference on January 17–19, 2012 in Orlando, Florida, to network with key Christian leaders from every world region. Learn more at www.synergize.tv. ________________ INTRODUCTION As a minister waited in an airport to board his flight, he watched a soldier in ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:10-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Remanant! A Call To Christians Amidst The Tragedy Of Columbine.

Contributed by Michael Dephillips on Feb 6, 2003

A call for God’s people to serve Him through the constraint of the Holy Spirit instead of at their convenience.

" The Remnant " Matthew 5:11-16 (Prayer) Blessed are you when men shall hate you and shall speak evil things about you for my name’s sake. Blessed are you in God’s eyes and on heaven’s golden shores when you are despised and rejected by the world and by men for the name of Jesus. Rejoice! ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:11-16

Denomination: Baptist