Sermons on Responding To Adversity:

What Do These Stones Mean?

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 24, 2008

When God took the children of Israel across the river Jordan he called them to set up memorial stones. The stones caution us to remember, they challenge us to recount, and they call us to respond.

Intro: There was a rumor circulating in Washington some time ago that Osama Bin Laden had died and gone to Heaven. As the story goes, when he arrived in Paradise, Osama was greeted by George Washington who slapped him across the face and yelled, "How dare you attack the nation I helped conceive!" ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 4:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Praise Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Apr 7, 2006

In this message we notice Daniel’s second response to a crisis. (His first response was in Daniel 2:1-18.) Daniel responded to the crisis in a way that sets him apart as a man worthy of imitation.

Scripture If you live a typical life span, you will spend about twenty years of it asleep. And during those twenty years, it is estimated that you will have about 300,000 dreams. As you know, we don’t remember most of our 300,000 dreams. Only if you wake up in the middle of your dream are you ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:19-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Great Invitation Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 13, 2006

Jesus said that though many won’t respond, we still need to extend His Great Invitation--Decision leads to Development and Discovery. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

A Great Invitation Matthew 11:16-30 Children love to play games. And in vv. 16-17 the Lord gives an illustration of children playing games. v. 16-17 “This generation” is the people of the Lord’s day who rejected Him…but it also speaks of humanity in general, inc. our generation. What games did ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

Why The Holy Spirit Does Not Give Into Our Whims, But Helps To Bring Out Go

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 17, 2006

The Holy Spirit listens to our cries, but selectively responds to the prayers that are in conformity with the will of God for our lives. The Spirit acts as our advocate to the Father, but acts only according to the will of God. The Spirit has a way of fi

Why The Holy Spirit Does Not Give Into Our Whims, but Helps to Bring Out God’s Best in Us and Teaches Us to Love What is Difficult by Paul Fritz Romans 8:26-8:28 Why The Holy Spirit Does Not Give Into Our Whims, but Helps to Bring Out God’s Best in Us and Teaches Us to Love What is Difficult - ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Having And Giving Authority

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 18, 2009

How do we decide whom to help and how, of all the needs presented? Jesus responded to the needs that presented themselves, He discerns what the real problems are, and He trusted others with authority.

The problem is never whether somebody needs help. The problem is always which somebody we can help. The issue is never whether there are any needs. There are always needs. In any given moment there are more needs than anyone person can possibly address. The issue is how to make the choice. Who ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Every Time The Church Doors Open

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 11, 2010

Preached 1985. What merits our coming to church frequently? We need to come with the expectation that God will meet us in the presence of His people. And then we will respond with prayer for the church, not mere criticism or complaint.

They tell the story about the fellow who on one Sunday morning woke up, struggled out of bed, shuffled downstairs for his breakfast, and then announced to his mother, "Mother, I’m not going. I’m just not going to church today. I don’t feel like it, they don’t care for me down there, I don’t need ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 122:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Our Duty To Forgive Our Enemies

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 12, 2009

To the rabbi who wrote "The Virtue of Hate," we must respond that the real Enemy is not Osama bin Laden, and the real Victor is Christ, who bade us to forgive and pray for our human enemies.

November 15, 2009 33rd Sunday in Course The great division. The end. The separation of sheep from goats, of good from evil, of winners from losers. That is the day we anticipate, not just on the 33rd Sunday in Course, but every Sunday, and indeed every day of our lives. If we don’t arise each ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:11-18

Denomination: Catholic

A Blue Christmas Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 13, 2009

What happens when Christmas doesn’t go according to plan? How do we handle it when circumstances rob us of the joy of the season? How do we respond to a "blue Christmas?"

OPEN: John Simmons tells about a grade school class that was putting on a Christmas play which included the story of Mary and Joseph coming to the inn. In that class was one little boy who wanted so very much to be Joseph. But when the parts were handed out, his biggest rival was given that part, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The God Who Cares

Contributed by Victor Ramlall on Jan 8, 2012

God knows where you are, He knows who you are and He knows what your need is and He is able to supply that need if you will respond to Him when He comes calling.

God cares enough about you to go off the beaten path in order to meet you and set up a meeting with you. cf the Samaritan Woman ...and He must needs go through Samaria. Luke 19:2-9, "And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Guidance: Finding Your Way In Uncertain Times

Contributed by Mark Sanders on Aug 3, 2015

We all face trials and tests in our Christian lives, but it is not the trials and tests that are significant, but how we respond to them. This sermon is an example of how I learned to rely on God more in uncertain times.

SLIDE # 1 GOD’S GUIDANCE: FINDING YOUR WAY IN UNCERTAIN TMES PROVERBS 3: 5-6 When I left here last week, I was suppose to be finished with one week-long intensive course, home for the weekend, and heading to another week-long intensive course at IWU for next week. But, due to some ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Right Way To Fast For God

Contributed by Craig Condon on Jun 9, 2015

When we respond faithfully to those people God puts before us, we will also fulfill part of God's purpose for our lives---and we will be worshiping God in a faith-filled manner.

We all know the story of the three wise men who came to see the baby Jesus after he was born, but did you know that there is a story about a fourth wise man? The story says that he left with the other three to follow the start in search of the baby Jesus. Along the way he was constantly distracted ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

Calling Series

Contributed by Josh Foster on Feb 18, 2014

1) 'calling' is an invitation to follow; 2) calling is the adventure as following unfolds; 3) to respond to the calling in faith will involve some “leaving”; and 4) calling always originates with and centers upon Jesus.

Just Words: Calling Scripture Text: John 1.43-50 INTRODUCTION Mindin’ his own business! He was minding his own business, …sitting under the shade tree, …doin’ his devotions. That’s-what Nathanael was doing just-before his friend, Philip, came and turned-his-world ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-50

Denomination: Nazarene

Bridling The Tongue

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 31, 2013

The same tongue which responds to God’s manifest glories by blessing His holy name also denigrates the poor - the widow, the orphan, and the resident alien - who, like us, are made in His image.

BRIDLING THE TONGUE. James 3:1-12. “If anyone thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26). James 3:1. James begins his elucidation of this text with a warning against seeking pre-eminence amongst the brethren. This ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Can I Survive When I Am So Lonely

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 26, 2010

When our feelings tell us we are alone, how shall the Christian respond. Reviewing David’s life when he was fleeing from Saul provides insight into a godly response to loneliness.

“With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. “When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right and see: there ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 142:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Calling Of God In Our Lives!

Contributed by Tony Abram on Sep 7, 2007

CALLING OF GOD IN OUR LIVES! This outline deals with the calling that all believers have upon their lives if they will listen to the voice of God in their hearts. There are three types of Christians who respond to the call of service: 1. Rowboa

CALLING OF GOD IN OUR LIVES! (Exo 4:2 KJV) And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. (Exo 4:17 KJV) And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs. Exo 14:16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:2-16