Sermons on Refining:

When God Messes With You Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on May 31, 2018

Does God mess with us, to help us grow? Joseph did not immediately reveal his identity to his brothers, and they grew through their struggles. Sometimes God refines his people through trials and hard choices.

WHEN GOD MESSES WITH YOU: Genesis 42-44 I never served in the military, so I never experienced boot camp. From what I hear, boot camp is stressful, by design. The physical and mental demands on new recruits are intended to force them to confront their weaknesses, build their character, and learn ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When The Battle Is Over; Was It Worth It. Why Is It So Difficult For Us.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Nov 25, 2016

Good things happens to bad people, and the Gospel tells us that, but it is not fair, but what we don’t see, is God changing us for the better, refining us to do his will. It is all there in the bible.

This sermon was delivered to St Oswald’s in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 30th October 2016; This is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. The readings for today are: Acts 5:27-32 Psalm 118:14-29 Revelation 1:4-8 John 20:19-31 Acts 5:27-32 When the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Episcopal

The Resurrection Power: Celebrating Easter Sunday By Pastor Joseph Ondu

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Mar 27, 2024

As we fellowship with Christ in His sufferings, we also share in the power of His resurrection. It is through the crucible of trials and tribulations that our faith is refined and strengthened, leading to a greater revelation of Christ's resurrection power in our lives.

Introduction: Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we gather in joyful celebration to commemorate the most significant event in Christian history – the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday is not merely a time for bunnies and chocolate eggs, but a time to reflect ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-7, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, Philippians 3:10-11, Romans 6:4

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Necessary Process Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Oct 17, 2022

The process for Israel's salvation is explained in Zechariah 13:7-9. The substitutionary death the Good Shepherd is essential for our salvation as well. This is a powerful text for preaching Christ!

Intro In our previous studies we have seen the glorious victory God gives Israel at the Battle of Armageddon. We have seen the national conversion that occurs at the end of the Tribulation period. Wonderful things will happen “on that day.”i But there was a price to pay for that to happen. What we ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 13:1-9, Hebrews 13:20, John 10:1-30, Isaiah 53:1-10, Revelation 13:8, Matthew 26:31, Isaiah 1:25, 1 John 2:2, Romans 5:10-19, 1 John 1:7-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Go! And Let God Search Your Heart - Psalm 139:23–24 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 11, 2025

When was the last time you truly asked God to search your heart? We live in a world that prizes self-examination, self-help, and self-awareness — but the Bible calls us to something higher and holier: God-examination.

Go! And Let God Search Your Heart - Psalm 139:23–24 Church, let’s begin this morning with a question that pierces deeper than any sermon outline or theological argument: When was the last time you truly asked God to search your heart? We live in a world that prizes self-examination, self-help, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-4, Psalm 139:23-24, Jeremiah 17:9-10, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 5:8, John 14:6, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Go! And Walk Through The Waters With Confidence - Isaiah 43:2 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 21, 2025

Some Scriptures whisper comfort. Some speak softly of God’s love. But then there are verses like Isaiah 43:2 that thunder hope into the soul like a divine rescue flare fired across the night sky.

Go! And Walk Through the Waters With Confidence - Isaiah 43:2 INTRODUCTION — A PROMISE FOR THE FIRES AND FLOODS OF LIFE Some Scriptures whisper comfort. Some speak softly of God’s love. But then there are verses like Isaiah 43:2 that thunder hope into the soul like a divine rescue flare fired ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:2, Psalm 23:4, Exodus 14:21-22, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Daniel 3:24-25, Matthew 11:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Embrace God Intimately Series

Contributed by John Harvey on Sep 22, 2005

In the acronym of GRACE the "E" stands for Embrace God Intimately. Trials will come in each life and it can be considered a time of refining. We must choose the steps to righteous living; repentance, studying scripture and prayer to help us when trial do

THE LIFE OF G.R.A.C.E. “Embrace God Intimately” September 25, 2005 Intro: We have been looking at the Shepherd’s Covenant over the last few weeks and the different aspects that it entails in helping us to live a life of grace. The Shepherd’s Covenant was developed by Focus on the Family to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-18

Denomination: Baptist

Have A Slice Of Humble Pie Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 9, 2003

God doesn’t cause trouble and adversity, but He uses trouble to refine some humility in us. While trouble causes some people to raise their faces to heaven and become bitter, others bow their knees before God and become better.

Have a Slice of Humble Pie Luke 14:1-11 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Maybe you’ve seen Jeff Foxworthy’s “Redneck” list. He says, “You know you’re a Redneck if…”: 1. Directions to your house include, “Turn off the paved road.” 2. You take your fishing pole to Sea World. 3. You have flowers ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

God Approved Sufferings

Contributed by Jedidiah Jedidiah on Aug 19, 2025

The Bible frequently presents suffering not as a sign of God's rejection, but as a tool He uses for spiritual growth and refinement. The common reaction of men is to reject suffering as a natural human tendency. The Bible acknowledges this, but also provides a different perspective.

God Approved Sufferings The Bible frequently presents suffering not as a sign of God's rejection, but as a tool He uses for spiritual growth and refinement. The common reaction of men is to reject suffering. This part of the statement reflects a natural human tendency. We instinctively avoid ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:11

The Purpose Of Ministry

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jun 3, 2004

A Wednesday Evening Outline, looking at Why we serve ..... "Often we forget the why of ministry. We work on refining the “hows” of ministry, yet neglect and sometimes forget why we are doing ministry. Paul, in his closing remarks wants to remind us of

THE PURPOSE OF MINISTRY Romans 15:14-22 INTRODUCTION: In these few verses, as Paul is in the midst of the farewell portion of his letter, he takes time to lay out the function of ministry. Often we forget the why of ministry. We work on refining the “hows” of ministry, yet neglect and sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:14-22

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Fire, Light And Power!

Contributed by Tony Abram on Aug 7, 2022

In this outline sermon we point out 3 ways the Holy Spirit wants to reveal Himself through His children to the world. Fire, Light and Power attract.s Fire illuminates, warms, refines, purifies and can change material from one form to another. Think what God's fire can do.

GOD’S FIRE, LIGHT AND POWER! In this outline sermon we point out 3 ways the Holy Spirit wants to reveal Himself through the Church and each one of His children to the world. Fire, Light and Power does attract. Fire illuminates, warms, refines, purifies and can change material ...read more

Scripture: John 5:35, Acts 2:38, Matthew 3:11

The Poverty Mindset

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Apr 13, 2013

One false concept is that poverty has some mysterious refining qualities. Some believe that it is spiritual to be poor. That is not the way God lives and neither does He want us to live that way. Just look how He blessed Abraham. The Bible teaches us that

THE POVERTY MIND-SET Simply put, being poor is not having enough food, clothing, and shelter for your family. It is an urgent unmet need for more money and material possessions. Being poor can also be described as being without a dream that will take you out of poverty. One false concept is that ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:11

Denomination: Charismatic

Character-Shaping Wisdom

Contributed by Louis J Locke on Oct 8, 2024

God is very involved in the lives of His people, developing and refining Christ-like character in each of us. The Book of James has much character-shaping wisdom for us to receive and apply to our lives, as does the book of Proverbs. Let's take a look.

God is very involved in the lives of His people, developing and refining Christ-like character in each of us. The Book of James has much character-shaping wisdom for us to receive and apply to our lives, including: Be doers of the word, and not hearers only / Don’t just listen to God’s word. You ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20, Proverbs 13:3, Proverbs 16:32

Denomination: Foursquare

God's Rescue Of Righteous Jabez

Contributed by Chuck Brocka on Oct 18, 2000

From Ruinous Restraint to a Radiant Recovery (I Chronicles 4:9-10) Now the reputation of Jabez rose above the respect of his refined relatives: however his mother had little regard as she rather underrated him, relegating him to the rank of wretchedness by referring to him as a remorseful Jab

From Ruinous Restraint to a Radiant Recovery (I Chronicles 4:9-10) Now the reputation of Jabez rose above the respect of his refined relatives: however his mother had little regard as she rather underrated him, relegating him to the rank of wretchedness by referring to him as a remorseful Jabez, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

The "Day Of The Lord” Study In The Scriptures – Additional References Part 7 - Isaiah Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 26, 2022

References to "The Day of the LORD" continue as we look into the Old Testament prophets (Isaiah here). We will see great fear, judgment, scorched men, Israel saved - a remnant, and God's compassion on Israel. God will refine His people. God is compassion.

THE “DAY OF THE LORD” STUDY IN THE SCRIPTURES – ADDITIONAL REFERENCES PART 7 - ISAIAH The DAY OF THE LORD is “The Day of Jehovah” and its usage is always associated with something dire, with judgement, and with events outside the implementation of man. In other words, it is the intervention of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 2:17-21, Isaiah 14:1-4, Isaiah 14:7, Isaiah 24:1-6, Isaiah 13:12, Revelation 16:9-11, Revelation 6:12-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational