Sermons on Responding To Adversity:

Changing The Narrative

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 15, 2019

The paralyzed man at the Bethesda pool needed a change, and Jesus could heal him! Jesus can change our lives, but we have to respond to him in faith.

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE—John 5:1-18 Read John 5:1-3. For many years, skeptics said there was no pool called Bethesda by the Sheep Gate of Jerusalem. However, excavations in the 1800’s found 2 pools, with a 5th portico between, as John said. Evidence of the pool being called Bethesda finally emerged ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Story Of Perplexing Generosity

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Sep 20, 2023

How do we respond to God's generosity? How do we live in comparison with others? What does Grace have to do with it?

9.24.23 Matthew 20:1–16 (EHV) 1 “Indeed the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing to pay the workers a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 He also went out about the third hour and saw ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus Called Them PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 24, 2023

Encourage us to respond to Jesus' call in our lives, becoming workers in His harvest field, spreading the good news and showing His love to a world in need.

Good morning, church family! Today, we gather to explore a passage from the Gospel of Matthew, which centers on Jesus' call to the apostles, their response, and the challenge for us to respond to Jesus' call in our lives today. In the words of C.S. Lewis, "The great thing to remember is that, ...read more

Topics: Jesus Calling, Apostles

How Long, O Lord? How Long? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 27, 2024

Though the Lord shall judge the nation that practice wickedness, how shall we who follow Christ respond to the evil embraced and promoted within our culture?

When the child of God sins, that child knows that God does not ignore that sin. Because He loves us, the LORD disciplines His people, and His discipline will not be pleasant. God’s discipline was never intended to be pleasant. Divine discipline is intended to impose … well, discipline! Indeed, ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 5:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Practical Aspects Of Our Mission PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 3, 2024

This sermon explores our divine duty to respond to God's call, live out His directives, and demonstrate His deeds, as exemplified in Mark 6:1-13.

Good morning, beloved friends. Isn't it a joy to gather together, united in faith and love, to delve into the richness of God's Word? We are here today, not by accident, but by divine appointment. God has something to say to us, something that will touch our hearts, transform our minds, and shape ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-13

Topics: Mission, Jesus

The Good Shepherd PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 9, 2025

Persistent prayer matters because God hears, cares, and responds in His perfect timing, inviting us to trust Him even when answers seem delayed.

Some prayers are born in bright rooms with balloons and birthday cake. Others are born at 2:13 a.m., when the house is quiet, the questions are loud, and the pillow is wet. Some prayers feel like sprinting—fast, full of faith. Others feel like limping—slow, sore, and short on strength. If you’ve ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Topics: Shepherd, Guidance

The Quiet Counter-Attack

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jan 20, 2026

In a world that loves to go on the attack, how does Jesus respond when John is attacked? He fights back in a different way. A quiet but strong way, of repentance.

1.25.26 Matthew 4:12–23 (EHV) 12 When Jesus heard that John was put in prison, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 He did this to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 15 Land ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

Denomination: Lutheran

My Family Is A Hot Mess Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

This sermon will explore biblical teachings on family, addressing the chaos and imperfections that often exist within familial relationships, and offering guidance on how to respond with love, trust, and forgiveness.

Good morning church! I am excited to be with you today, as we begin a brand-new series. If this is your very first time here, you picked a great week to check us out. We are starting a series called, “Hot Mess.” Now, I don’t know about you, but I certainly can relate with this phrase. If you’re ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:4, Genesis 18:9-12

Topics: Family Chaos, Biblical Forgiveness, Imperfect Love

Sermon Series: Hot Mess

Life At The Back Of The Cave

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 15, 2019

How shall we respond when despondent or depressed? God may allow trials in order to drive us to Him. This study of Elijah's downfall seeks to encourage those who are depressed.

“[Elijah] came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He said, ‘I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Crowd Rejoices. Jesus Weeps. Palm Sunday-God's Tlc

Contributed by Ken Henson on Apr 12, 2014

How do we respond to God’s Timing, when it does not match our own? How do we respond to God’s Love, both the Love He gives us, and the Love he desires to show through us to others? How do we obey God’s Command, even when it means our own suffering?

What are the strongest days of the week? An Episcopal priest was preaching in an unfamiliar church one Sunday morning. As he stood in the pulpit to begin the service, he tapped the microphone to make sure that it was on. He heard nothing even though it was working fine. He wanted to give the ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-50

Denomination: *other

On The Run And Searching For Water

Contributed by James May on Feb 26, 2012

Like the deer pants after water, the people of God are often hounded by adversity and the enemy of our souls. Often we find ourselves running the wrong way, becoming thirsty and dry spiritually. It's time we started running to Jesus, our only true sourc

On the Run and Searching for Water By Rev. James May I know that I’ve told this before, but I want to begin this message again by bringing to your mind the story of the lion and the gazelle that dwell on the Serengeti plains of northern Africa. Every morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Encouragement For The Present Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 28, 2010

These people were only a few years out of the despair that failure brings but they were repentant & becoming obedient. So God gives them the assurance that He has responded to their repentance & obedience & has purposed a time of blessing.

ZECHARIAH 8: 9-17 ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE PRESENT Although the previous prophecies in Zechariah 8:1-8 will only find their fulfillment in the establishment of Christ’s kingdom on earth the prophet does have an accompanying word of encouragement for the people of his generation. And from these ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 8:9-17

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiveness In Marriage

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Dec 29, 2000

For any marriage to succeed, partners must respond with forgiveness from the very heart of Jesus. Whether it is marital unfaithfulness, mistreatment, or any other reason, forgiveness must reign.

Second only to our relationship with God, marriage is the single most important relationship that we will ever have. People enter into a marriage with great joy and wonderful expectations of spending the rest of their days with the love of their life. Vows are exchanged, commitments are made, and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33, Matthew 5:31-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sigueme

Contributed by Amat Fernandez on Nov 30, 2003

Lo que mueve a una iglesia son los discipulos. Este mensaje esta diseñado para motivar a la congregacion a responder al llamado de discipulo.

Sigueme Pastor Amat Fernandez Mateo 4:16-20 16 El pueblo asentado en tinieblas, Vió gran luz; Y á los sentados en región y sombra de muerte, Luz les esclareció. 17 Desde entonces comenzó Jesús á predicar, y á decir: Arrepentíos, que el reino de los cielos se ha acercado. 18 Y andando Jesús ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:16-20, Matthew 4:16-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

To Honor The King

Contributed by Doane Brubaker on Mar 28, 2007

A Palm Sunday sermon exploring why Jesus wept at His triumpal entry into Jerusalem and how we can respond to Him in ways that Honor our true King.

“To Honor A King” Luke 19:41-44 Do you love a parade? Billy Graham wrote in "The Key To Personal Peace" “One of the powerful, enduring images that my wife, Ruth, and I have of our early years together is of the ticker-tape parades in New York City celebrating the end of WWII. The war was finally ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:41-44

Denomination: Mennonite