Sermons on Preparing For Trials:

What Are You Going To Do When The Lights Go Out?

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Nov 23, 2020

The purpose for this message is to bring to your consideration the question, “What are you going to do when the lights go out?” In other words, are you ready for death when it comes? Are you ready to die? Are you prepared to meet your Maker?

(1 Cor 15:13 NIV) If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. (1 Cor 15:14 NIV) And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. (1 Cor 15:15 NIV) More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:13-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

We Must Obey Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 23, 2023

The world is setting itself against the ways of God and persecution is headed our way. How do we prepare ourselves so we can stand firm in our faith. Check out these thoughts from our Family Minister Scott Jewell.

Read text. Pray. Francis Chan has long been a favorite preacher/author of mine. Over the years he has shared many ideas that are very similar to those of our brotherhood. For instance, there’s a meme where he says, “If the Bible and I don’t agree, I must be wrong.” He has spoken of being ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

8 Warnings Signs Along The Highway Of Life

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Oct 21, 2017

God has warnings signs along the highway of our lives. They were installed along the way to prepare us to an imminent hazard or peril. You can either pay attention or disregards them at your own risk. There are eight warnings written at Romans 12.

8 WARNINGS SIGNS ALONG THE HIGHWAY OF LIFE ROMANS 12:1-21 God has warnings signs along the highway of our lives. They were installed along the way to prepare us to an imminent hazard or peril. You can either pay attention or disregards them at your own risk. There are eight warnings written at ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seek & Find: Seeking The Kinsman-Redeemer Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 19, 2009

In seeking our Kinsman-redeemer we must look for: 1) The Right Purpose, we must go to 2) The Right Person 3) We Must Make the Right Preparations and finally 4) We Must be at the Right Place

A curious phenomena occurring more and more these days is the ever increasing relationships between two people of differing age brackets. For some noteworthy examples, it can be decades apart. A French court is currently examining whether the elderly heiress to the L’Oreal fortune, Europe’s richest ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-5

Denomination: Other

It Is Well

Contributed by Larry Grant on Jan 28, 2023

"It is well", must have been the theme phrase of this Shunamite woman's life. She knew that there are things in life that we cannot control and yet she demonstrated her faith in God by keeping the standard in the face of extreme trials, knowing that He was in complete control.

2 Kings 4:14-26 (NKJV) “It is Well” January 27, 2023 The United Kingdom (Saul, David, Solomon) has divided (931 BC). Our text takes place around 850 BC - Elisha was God’s prophet to the Northern kingdom. He was the son of a farmer, Shaphat, and also understudy of Elijah. At Elijah’s ascension ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:14-26

Denomination: Baptist

What Is In Your Hand? (Part 6) Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 12, 2015

If the opportunity is the result of another’s disobedience, allow your obedience to take you to another level in Him! Remember that your obedience is connected to so many other people’s destinies! Prepare yourself to come into The King’s presence.

Opening illustration: [YOUTUBE Video of Golda Meir – 4th Prime Minister of Israel] Introduction: This was the day that Esther would either end up a hero or end up dead. Yeah. I’m pretty sure I would have been tempted to crawl back into bed, pull the covers over my head, and desperately ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Is The Power In Abiding In The Vine?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Feb 4, 2014

When God stops you from doing something that you think is achieving, he is only to prepare you for something bigger, so take heart: it is not about you, it is about God, and what he wants; and fortunately he aligns our desires with his.

Word Count: 1876, Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 22:24-30 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8 Summary: When God stops you from doing something that you think is achieving, he is only to prepare you for something bigger, so take heart: it is not about you, it is about God, and what he wants; and fortunately he aligns ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Episcopal

A Little Man With A Big Message Series

Contributed by James May on Aug 22, 2007

Message #1 in the Book of James series dealing with what is known of James’ background and the opening salutation of his epistle.

A Study of the Book of James #1 - A Little Man With a Big Message By Pastor Jim May This epistle is called "general", because not written to any particular person, as the epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon are; nor to any particular churches, as the epistles to the Romans, Corinthians, &c. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Remembers The Covenant

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jul 26, 2015

To show that GOD remembers the covenant He made with us and GOD delivered us from this world. John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress a

I. EXORDIUM: Does GOD remember our covenant? Yes. Leviticus 26:45 II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that GOD remembers the covenant He made with us and GOD delivered us from this world. John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 26:45

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Certainty Of Faith

Contributed by Bruce Ferris on Sep 16, 2002

Romans 8:28 runs a close second to John 3:16 as one of the best know and loved verses in the Bible. It comes to the heart of every Christian when facing a time of crisis, difficulty or trial. It comes to the mind of the Christian when circumstances are

The Certainty of Faith Romans 8:28 runs a close second to John 3:16 as one of the best know and loved verses in the Bible. It comes to the heart of every Christian when facing a time of crisis, difficulty or trial. It comes to the mind of the Christian when circumstances are too difficult to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Baptist

When Problems Look Big And God Looks Small Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Mar 12, 2003

Some people handle these problems really well. They have a sense of joy and confidence no matter what the trial might be. And other people live in a constant state of stress and anxiety. What’s the difference? Well, for some people, their problems loo

The war on terrorism. The impending attack on Iraq. An economy that can’t quite seem to get back on track. How are you handling the uncertainty of all that? Add this to the typical stresses in life. Problems with relationships at home, work, or school. A fear of not getting the job done ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:4-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Heartbreak Of Frustration Series

Contributed by Stephen Colaw on Nov 29, 2005

Part 3 of 3. God will never waste a hurt. When we are frustrated by life we can be encouraged in the knowledge that God will develop our character through our trials and use them so that we may minister in our world

The Heartbreak of Frustration Scripture: I Corinthians 6:19 Theme: When our hearts are broken by frustration, God will use that pain to teach us faithfulness, brokenness and perseverance, shaping us into what he wants us to be so that he can use us for His glory. Seed: Devotional by Oswald ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

Hope In The Hard Times Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 7, 2007

Do you go through difficult trials that don’t seem to have any way out? So did Naomi, but God showed his love and an alternative she hadn’t thought of, like he does with us.

Ruth was written in perhaps the 2nd half of the 12th century, making it contemporary with Jephthah and Samson of Judges 11 and following. This is important because if you didn’t know that you’d think there’s no way the events could take place concurrently with Judges. Judges is filled with ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Staying The Course

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Feb 3, 2009

Paul gives a revealing picture of the hardships of his ministry. Nine trials are listed here, and most can be found in the book of Acts. What stands out to me is how Paul writes with knowledge of how some perceive him because of the trails

Staying the Course II Corinthians 6:3-10 NKJ 3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Brightness In Darkness

Contributed by Sam Evangelista on Jun 29, 2007

Born-again believersof Jesus Christ have all the reasons to rejoice even in the midst of hardship and trials of their lives as they continue to love and serve Him because they are assured of the Lord’s unfailing promise: "And surely I am with you always,

God can bring brightness in the darkest moment of our lives when... 1. Our adversities are God’s opportunities...(vs.12,13) a. For our salvation b. For spiritual maturity c. For mission and evangelism 2. Our situation becomes others’ motivation. (vs.14-18) Paul’s zeal in the ministry ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-26

Denomination: Baptist