Sermons on Preparing For Trials:

Unexpected Advice

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Jun 2, 2025

A Pharisee offers sound advice to the council

Unexpected Advice Acts 5:29-42 Does the LORD ever use non-believers or pagan people to speak truth or accomplish His will? In the Old Testament prophecy of Habakkuk, the LORD said He would use Babylon, which was a “ruthless” and “dreaded” nation, to achieve His purposes and correct Israel. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:29-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don’t Waste Your Valley

Contributed by John Gaston on Jul 2, 2025

We’re looking at spiritual valleys, why we have to go through them, how they can be beneficial to us, and how to NOT waste your valley.

DON’T WASTE YOUR VALLEY 1 Kgs. 20:28; Deut. 8:7 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: “Having Trouble with your Wife” 1. A father came home from work just before supper and was met by his five year old daughter on the sidewalk outside his house. The little girl was not smiling. 2. “Is something wrong, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 20:28, Deuteronomy 8:7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Mountaineer's Psalm

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 5, 2025

Where do we look for solace in times of grief or hardship. And with whom do we share our joy when God blesses us.

Introduction Thank you for inviting me to take your festival service today (in Skillington - the church where Revd Charles Hudson was vicar from 1859 to 1865) My interest comes from a former vicar here - Revd Charles Hudson (4th October 1828-14 July 1865). Charles was born in Park Street in ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

If Not For Peninnah

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 21, 2024

Sometimes what looks bad is actually working for our good. Would Hannah have ever prayed thru to receive Samuel if there had not been a Peninnah provoking her?

IF NOT FOR PENINNAH 1 Sam. 1:1-28 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: CREATION DIALOG 1. During the Creation, God visited with one of his angels. He said, “Do you know what I’ve just done? I’ve just created 24 hours of alternating light and darkness on Earth. Isn’t that good?” 2. The angel said, “Yes, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When The Way Is Long And Hard

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Aug 10, 2020

Our lives can feel like those of the disciples in the boat, battling headwinds where we barely make any headway. But Jesus will come to us across impossible circumstances. His presence strengthens our hearts.

August 9, 2020 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Matthew 14:22-33 When the Way Is Long and Hard Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. There is a lot of fatigue and exhaustion going on in today’s gospel story. To begin with, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Lutheran

Sustaining Grace Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Apr 28, 2020

How does the grace of God help us when we are weak?

SUSTAINING GRACE Several years ago engineers were building a new bridge over the East River in New York. They discovered that the wrecked hull of a sunken metal ship lay right where the center bridge supports were supposed to be built. Powerful cranes was brought in to try and pull the ship up ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10-11

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Faith For The Tough Times

Contributed by John Dobbs on Sep 25, 2020

We have been living through some tough times this year. We don’t always feel tough enough to endure through them. In the second half of Genesis there is a sweeping story of an amazing man who had faith no matter what came his way.

FAITH FOR THE TOUGH TIMES Gen. 37,50 Introduction Robert Schuller was famous for his saying (and book) “Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do.” We have been living through some tough times this year. We don’t always feel tough enough to endure through them. In the second half of Genesis ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Understanding The Story

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Oct 13, 2020

2020 has been a year of an unusual number of hurricanes, many have hit the USA. When a storm hits, lives are changed. We like to believe we will 'get over it' or 'get on with it', but storms have an impact, whether it is a weather type of storm OR a personal storm.

Candidly, every time there is an event like this, many want to characterize it in unbiblical ways. After Katrina, I recall the extreme views made public. On the one hand, some were getting on TV speaking of how God could have nothing to do with events like this, at the same time, others came ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

20th Sunday After Pentecost

Contributed by Michael Tkachuk on Oct 20, 2020

God works in mysterious ways to bring something good out of the worst of what happens to us.

A Spanish Catholic priest, the venerable Saint John of the Cross, wrote, "Live in faith and hope, though it be in darkness, for in this darkness God protects the soul. Cast your care upon God, for you are His, and He will not forget you. Do not think that He is leaving you alone, for that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-16, Galatians 1:11-19

Denomination: Catholic

"why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?"

Contributed by David Henderson on Nov 4, 2020

The question we are tackling this morning is asked perhaps more than any other question about God. A question people around the world are asking right at this moment.

“Why do bad things happen to Good People?” James 1:1-12 The question we are tackling this morning is asked perhaps more than any other question about God. A question people around the world are asking right at this moment. It has been referred to as The Achilles Heel of Christianity – the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Purpose Of The Daily Grind Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Nov 12, 2020

Sometimes life doesn't make sense but God has a reason and purpose for everything.

The purpose of the daily grind Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Ask For Wisdom Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 26, 2021

James is not the James who was one of the 12 apostles and killed by Herod Agrippa I in the YEAR AD 44. Instead, James was the half-brother of Jesus (Matt. 13:55),

I. There are certain realities of life common to all believers – 1:2-1:18. A. Trials and testing will come and can be overcome -- 1:2-8. 3. Ask for wisdom -- 1:5. Text – James 1:5 (KJV) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5

Denomination: Baptist

Even Though Moments That Result In Triumph Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Oct 19, 2021

The truth is life is short, and we fall into way too many potholes along the way. Live life for any length of time and you realize how true that statement is: “life is full of trouble.”

Introduction HOW DO I STRUGGLE WITH THIS? In Job 14:1 I am told “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.” Oh, how I wished that this Scripture could have said: “Man who is born of woman Is of many days and full of triumphs.” But if it did, it would not be reality. The truth is ...read more

Scripture: Job 13:15

Denomination: Baptist

Unconditional Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Nov 17, 2021

Thanksgiving Holiday: Habakkuk saw a nation headed for destruction. He saw the economy about to collapse. But when he looked up by faith, he saw God, and all his fears vanished. No matter what, he was thankful.

In the spring of 1621, after having landed at Plymouth and survived the first hard winter, the Pilgrims weren’t doing very well. Many people died during the winter. Two Native Americans named Squanto and Samorset, helped the Pilgrims learn how to survive in the new land by showing them farming ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Three Anchors To Grasp In The Storms Of Life!

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 16, 2021

The difficulties of life are often referred to as the storms of life. This is appropriate because both storms and the difficulties of life CAN BE DEVASTATING!

• Some of the difficulties (storms) we face can be a result of our own doing • Some of the difficulties (storms) we face can be a result of the actions of others For example, there are some who feel that they have the right to drink and drive. Since they feel they have this right, they drive down ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:9-29

Denomination: Baptist