Sermons on Personal Tragedy:

The Construction Of A King's Character (1 Samuel 16:14-23)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 7, 2024

God used solitude, secrecy, sameness, and struggle to shape the character and faith of David for his future role as king of Israel. God can use tools like these to shape anyone who surrenders their life to Him.

David had just been anointed as the next king of Israel by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 16:1-13), much to the amazement of his father and brothers. He had been in the fields of Judea tending the family flocks, seemingly consigned like the majority of the populace to live a life of productive ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:14-23, Mark 1:35, Matthew 25:21, Romans 8:28-29, Proverbs 15:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Operation Activate Appetite - 1 Peter 1:23-2:3 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 9, 2024

The way to increase your appetite for the milk is to abandon appetite-suppressing sins and taste of the goodness of the milk.

1 Peter 1:22 Having purified your souls by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another continually, from a pure heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, "All ...read more

Unhindered Forgiveness Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Through Jesus' sacrifice, forgiveness is available to all who confess and believe, and we are called to extend forgiveness to others as we have been forgiven.

Today, we're gonna talk about forgiveness. Forgiveness is something we all need but sometimes struggle to give or receive. So, let's dive in and see what God has to say about it. Object Lesson: Grab a backpack and fill it with heavy objects like rocks or books. As you talk about forgiveness, put ...read more

Topics: Emotional Healing, Reconciliation, Personal Growth, Compassion

Do Not Conform Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

As Christians, we are called not to conform to the world's patterns but to be transformed by renewing our minds. This transformation requires intentional daily living.

Let's kick things off with a little experiment. I've got a video of a chameleon here. What's the first thing you notice about it? Right, it changes colors to blend in with its surroundings. It's a survival tactic. But here's the thing, we're not chameleons. We're not meant to blend in, but to stand ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Topics: Conformity, Transformation, Social Influence, Personal Growth

Hope For The Broken Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

When our sin is exposed, we can feel broken and ashamed. But Jesus offers forgiveness and a fresh start. We can find hope in Him.

We've all messed up, right? We've all made choices that led to some kind of brokenness. Maybe it's a friendship that's gone sour, or you've messed up at school, or you're having a tough time at home. These moments can make us feel like we're in pieces, trying to put ourselves back together. There's ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Topics: Healing, Resilience, Personal Growth, Emotional Strength

Revival: Stronger Than Ever - Increasing God’s Power In Your Life Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores how the book of Chronicles, specifically chapters 14-16, provides encouragement and guidance for overcoming personal and national crises by increasing God's power in one's life.

What kind of encouragement does a nation need when it emerges from a national crisis? That’s the question Ezra is answering for us in the book of Chronicles. And what kind of encouragement do you need when you’re facing a personal crisis? That’s the question Ezra is answering for us in the section ...read more

Topics: National Crisis, Personal Crisis, Kingdom Period

Sermon Series: Revival: Stronger Than Ever

Revival: Stronger Than Ever - Where To Turn In Your Darkest Moment Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores where to turn during our darkest moments, using a personal anecdote from the pastor's childhood as a metaphor for finding oneself in unexpected and challenging situations.

One of my most vivid childhood memories is of an afternoon in sixth grade, when a friend and I decided to swing on a newly-installed bar hanging over the walkway on our way out of school. The bar was about 8 feet off the ground, just low enough for the two of us to reach if we jumped. So on the ...read more

Topics: Overcoming Challenges, Faith In Crisis, Personal Growth

Sermon Series: Revival: Stronger Than Ever

The Journey Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 10, 2023

This sermon introduction explores the concept of personal change, questioning whether individuals are capable of significant transformation, and providing examples of famous individuals who have undergone notable changes in their lives.

Can people really change? Are we “hardwired” by our genetics to act or think a certain way? Can we overcome the lack of lessons we learned in our early childhood? Those are some big questions, but I have a few examples that suggest that people really can change. For example, did you know that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-6, 1 Timothy 1:13-14

Topics: Personal Change, Overcoming Challenges, Life Transformation

Sermon Series: The Easter Challenge

The Truth, The Whole Truth, Nothing But The Truth

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Sep 21, 2007

The tragedy of the church today is that we have only proclaimed a partial message. The proclamation of salvation without repentance is a tragedy because it is a mockery to the cross. But the proclamation of salvation without the Holy Spirit is the greates

King David was one of the most perplexing paradoxes of biblical history. • He has been called the highest star in the Old Testament. • He has provided our most beautiful scriptures in the Psalms. • He was the greatest King of Israel. • His life was such a paragon of all the virtues of leadership ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:28-33

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph Speaks

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 20, 2008

This is a first person rendition of how Joseph (the step-father of our Lord) may have viewed the events of Christ’s birth and life.

(This sermon is done first person. I’m including my actions in the hopes this will help anyone wanting to duplicate some or all of this sermon. The presentation begins with me at the back of the auditorium holding an old looking carpenter’s tool. I gradually make my way to the front of the pews ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are They Attacking Again? Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Nov 4, 2003

When tragedy strikes, we can trust God. [terrorism & war]

STANDING TALL: ARE THEY ATTACKING AGAIN? Psalm 27:1-14 S: Courage Th: Standing Tall Pr: WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES, WE CAN TRUST GOD. ?: How? How do we do that? KW: Applications TS: We will find in our study of Psalm 27 five applications that will instruct us on how to trust God when tragedy ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Andrew - Always On The Lookout Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Dec 14, 2005

When it comes to being disciples we can fall into the trap of thinking that we have to be an upfront person otherwise we cannot be effective witnesses. The example of Andrew demonstrates that such is not the case.

Message John 1:35-42 Andrew - Always on the Lookout Message Have you noticed that there are many “lists” available for living successfully in this world? • Here are the 12 steps for those who are struggling with debt. • Recently I was emailed a list of “36 habits to reduce stress”. • Then there ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-42

Denomination: Baptist

Procrastination And The Gospel Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Oct 3, 2025

Acts 24:1-27 shows us the tragedy of a missed opportunity.

Introduction John Antioco was the CEO of Blockbuster, whose ubiquitous stores were then a fixture of American life, renting videos and DVDs to millions of customers. In 2000, Antioco received two young men, Marc Randolph and Reed Hastings, into his office. The two men started a business three ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:1-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Reacting To Trouble

Contributed by Raymond Perkins on Sep 19, 2001

A sermon based on Psalm 27 in light of the tragedy of September 11, 2001

REACTING TO TROUBLE Psalm 27 INTRODUCTION: Our world changed Tuesday morning, and in many ways it will never be the same. The tragedy that has inflicted upon our nation is something that many people believed could never happen here. And yet it did. This week Americans learned that we are as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Turn Turn Turn

Contributed by L. Durham on Sep 29, 2001

Keeping our trust in God despite the tragedy in New York City.

TURN, TURN, TURN Biblical Text: 1 Kings 18: 24 and 37 “And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, ‘It is well spoken.’” “Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:24-37