Sermons on Personal Tragedy:

When Theology Gets Personal Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

For Hosea, theology wasn’t merely theoretical, it was life-changing. So should it be for you and me.

When John Claypool was pastor of Crescent Heights Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, he underwent significant personal tragedy—including having a beloved daughter diagnosed with leukemia. Throughout the turmoil and torture of losing his, as I recall, 10-year-old daughter, Claypool kept his ...read more

Denomination: *other

A Person, Not An Algorithm

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 21, 2025

True meaning is not something we calculate or construct but Someone we receive—our identity, purpose, and hope found only in Christ.

When the Soul Feels Automated We live in a world where almost everything is mediated through algorithms. They tell us what to watch, what to like, what to buy, and even what to feel. They shape our news, our habits, and our reactions without us ever stopping to ask whether the suggestions they ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10, Genesis 1:27, Matthew 11:28, John 15:4, Romans 8:38  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Walking Dead, Eutychus Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Nov 3, 2013

This message looks at how we deal with tragedies in our lives.

Eutychus It was a tragedy, and worse than that it was a tragedy that could have been prevented. But really isn’t that the way of most tragedies? So here we are, week four of our Walking Dead series, so far we have looked at 10 lepers who were healed and given their lives back. In many ways ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:7-12

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Person Of Interest

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 8, 2022

As a supposed victim of a judicial murder, Jesus becomes a Person of Interest. The message is a study of His sacrifice and what that sacrifice means for us.

“From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, ‘This man is calling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Baptist

Job 1

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Aug 29, 2019

Job 1: Job's first test. Do we devote ourselves to God because He gives us blessings, or does He give us blessings because we devote ourselves to Him?

How do you react to devastation in your life? I think that, with most people, the worse our tragedies are, the worse our reactions will be. And while that is a human instinct, is it a Godly instinct? Let’s take a look at the book of JOB today and see if there is anything we might be able to ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22, 1 Peter 5:8, Philippians 4:7

Denomination: *other

Beauty From Ashes PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Encourage faith and trust in God's goodness and control, even in the midst of tragedy, with the assurance that He can bring good out of our most painful circumstances.

Good morning, family. Today, we gather here not just as a congregation, but as a community, seeking comfort, hope, and joy in the midst of life's storms. It's in such moments we need a word of assurance, a whisper of hope, something to hold onto. When it feels like the world is falling apart around ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:3

Topics: Beauty, Tragedy

Peace Like A River

Contributed by Joe Bedy on Jan 5, 2020

Horatio Spafford lost 2 sons to pneumonia and 4 daughters in a ship wreck even so he and his wife Anna had peace. Readers keep in mind this sermon was written for a nursing home with a memory care unit.

Market Street ( A memory Care Facility)Sermon on Peace 1/5/2020 By joe bedy In our last services we have been talking about the fruit of the Spirit form Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such ...read more

Scripture: John 16:31-33, Galatians 5:22-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Spirit Filled Person Is A Thankful Person

Contributed by W. Alderman on Nov 19, 2007

A study on what it means to be filled with the Spirit

“THE SPIRIT FILLED PERSON IS A THANKFUL PERSON” TEXT: Ephesians 5:18-21 W. Max Alderman INTRODUCTION: There is much confusion regarding what it means to be Spirit filled. Even leaders of great denominations struggle with what it really means to be ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-21

Denomination: Baptist

(Section 2) Personality Of The Third Person Series

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Jul 9, 2018

It or Him? Points that Prove He is another Person, The Comforter

II. THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY GHOST A. “It” or “Him”? 1. “Yet to some the Spirit is still “it” rather than “He.” (pg 11) The Holy Spirit and His Gifts J. Oswald Sanders 2. “It is of great importance that we believe in the divinity of the Holy Spirit and also His ...read more

Scripture: John 14:16-17, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

What God Has Given Us In Order For Us To Endure Tragedy And Trials.

Contributed by Patrick O'loughlin on Aug 7, 2017

This sermon was given in response to the sudden death of a 13 month child in our church family

Title: What God has given us in order for us to endure tragedy and trials! Text: 1 Peter 1:3-9 Introduction As many of you know our church family experienced a great tragedy this week. I know we have many questions about why their son was taken from them. Questions like; “Why did God allow this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Personal Holiness

Contributed by Alan Tison on Dec 16, 2003

Daniel’s early life reminds us that holiness is not reserved for super saints but ordinary people making extraordinary choices

Sermon Series: Sermon Title: Personal Holiness Text: Daniel 1:1-21 Page in Pew Bible: Introduction: As a child I used to sing the following song in Jr. Church… O BE CAREFUL LITTLE EYES WHAT YOU SEE O be careful little eyes what you see For the Father up above is looking down in Love O be ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:2-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Personal Vision

Contributed by Robert Castile on Jan 15, 2004

Creating a personal vision for yourself.

Personal Vision Big Idea: In 2004 I want to be who God wants me to be. January 11, 2004 Great Bend, Kansas Introduction: My Father’s famous quote, which he used often around our house, I think, is very useful at the beginning of a New Year. He would say, matter-of- factly, and poignantly as ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5

Denomination: Holiness

The Personalities In The Parade

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Oct 13, 2002

There are three distinct personalities that particpated in the Parade to Calvary on the triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This message examines the importance of obedience, even in what appears to be an insignifcant detail.

“The Personalities of the Parade” Mark 11:1-10 • Larry L. Thompson (2002) “. . . Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” “As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, [2] saying to them, "Go to the village ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Missing Persons Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 30, 2005

Paul was sorely missed when he departed from Ephesus--because of his MANNER of life, his MESSAGE, and his MOTTO. Link included for formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

Missing Persons Acts 20:36-38 Will you be missed when you are gone? We were glad you missed us this past weekend. It makes us feel needed to know it makes a difference when we are absent. The Apostle Paul spent 3 years w/ these believers in Ephesus, and it was very sad for them to see him go. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:36-38

Denomination: Baptist

The Personal Passover

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Dec 25, 2005

There is no power that can contest with the power of prayer.

Exo. 12:21-31 “Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:21-31

Denomination: Pentecostal