Sermons on Responding To Adversity:

Not What We Expected

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jul 9, 2018

Opposition to the Good News of Jesus Christ is nothing new. The first 12 pastors were instructed how to deal with it. Think long and hard how you respond to the message of the Good News as there are consequences depending on your reaction.

Not What We Expected Mark 6:1-13 Jesus said that; ““A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” “He was amazed at their lack of faith.” Mark 6:4 Sometimes people think they know you. They think they know your family and your family ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-3, James 5:13-16, Mark 6:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Bu God Said, 'no!'

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 23, 2018

Many prayers went up for my wife's healing after the discovery of an aggressive brain tumor. She died in March of 2018. God said NO to her healing in this world. How do we respond when the answer is ,'No'?

1. 2 Corinthians 12.5-10 2. God’s Timing A young man visited the father of his girlfriend to ask the father’s permission to marry his daughter. To his surprise, the father said “No.” The young man thought it was a formality; the father took it much more seriously. The father explained to the young ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:5-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Commotion In Capernaum Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Mar 29, 2017

Jesus returned to Capernaum, creating quite a stir. Word spread that He was in the house and a multitude gathered. We have the opportunity to meet with the Master at any time for any need. As we come by faith, He responds to our need.

Commotion in Capernaum Mark 2: 1-12 Following a season of ministry within the region of Galilee, Jesus has returned to Capernaum. Likely He is in the home of Simon Peter once again and it doesn’t take long for the crowds to begin gathering. The people in Capernaum were astonished at Jesus’ ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

How To Deal With An Impossible Situation Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Feb 15, 2021

Jesus and His disciples faced an absolutely impossible situation--10,000 people to feed in a deserted place, little food and too little money. How should we respond when we face the same kind of situation?

“Life is difficult.” So says the first three words of a best-selling book by Dr. M. Scott Peck, an author and Psychiatrist, who wrote “The Road Less Traveled.” And He goes on to say that the key to dealing with the difficulty of life is just simply realizing and accepting the fact that life is ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-15, Proverbs 17:3, 1 Peter 5:12, Deuteronomy 34:10-12, Deuteronomy 18:15-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Bible Church

The Praise Of The Wise Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 22, 2013

Why would the Wise Men travel so far, at such expense, and over dangerous roads? Jesus wasn't "their" King was He? And what can we learn from how they responded to Jesus wasn't they arrived?

OPEN: When I was a boy, every December we’d sing: We Three Kings Of Orient Are” Stand with me and let’s sing just the first verse together: “We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar. Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. O star ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Spiritual Preparation Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Mar 29, 2022

Ever since Joshua was leading God’s people had responded by faith and now, they must prepare for what God will do next. The river at flood stage is behind them and the fortified city before them. No turning back.

What do you expect to see after a great victory? In winning a war you expect to see a whole nation in jubilant celebration. There will be parades maybe even a ticker-tape parade and much fanfare. When a team wins a championship football game you expect to see the team dump Gatorade on the winning ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

How Should The People Of God Build?

Contributed by Paul Robinson on Jan 7, 2023

There are times in the Christian life when the enemy will assault us. How should we respond? How can we build our lives, our families, when we are under attack? We can learn from Nehemiah.

In Arnold Dallimore’s short biography of Spurgeon, he has one chapter entitled, “Daily Life in the Great Church,” which includes the following: “The Metropolitan Tabernacle was not, as some have assumed, merely a highly populated preaching center. . . Apart from the sick and infirm, there were very ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Job's Worst Day Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jun 6, 2017

Our response to what's going on in our lives, matters. How can we show others Who we serve if our reaction to God is sinful? If we cannot even respond with reverence … how will we live properly?

Job’s Worst Day Job Sermon Series, Part 2 Introduction (Job Slide) - The book of Job is going to be a very challenging study for us - Most people think this is about a man named Job who had a rough life - However, we can easily fail to focus on the main character … God - I believe this book ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lessons From Jeremiah – Part 4 – Remember The Devotion Of Your Youth, But What Is It Now? Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 7, 2024

Jeremiah’s message was not received by the religious, legal or ruling class. Today political, entertainment, religious and academic figures, refuse to listen to the message; but it is often Mr and Mrs Average and Mr and Mrs Not Important, who respond. Israel will be restored.

LESSONS FROM JEREMIAH – PART 4 – REMEMBER THE DEVOTION OF YOUR YOUTH, BUT WHAT IS IT NOW? PART 4 – Jeremiah 2:1-3 CHAPTER 2 {{Jeremiah 2:1-3 Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, “Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, “I REMEMBER CONCERNING YOU THE DEVOTION ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:1-3, Revelation 2:4-5, Luke 14:16-22, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, Zechariah 14:20-21, Ezekiel 16:22, Ezekiel 16:43, Hosea 2:18-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Triumphant Entry - The Easter Story - Days 1-2 Series

Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Apr 1, 2023

Jesus raising Lazarus began the events that led to the crucifixion, so let’s start there. Today in Days 1-2, the Pharisees and chief priests respond to Lazarus being raised, Jesus’ triumphant entry, and prophecies fulfilled.

************ Day One - Response to Lazarus Raised Some of the people who saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead went to the Pharisees and told them about the miracle. The Pharisees and chief priests gathered a council at the palace of the high priest Caiaphus to decide what to do about Jesus. They ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, Romans 5:19, Zechariah 9:9, Isaiah 6:10, Isaiah 53:1, John 11:47-57, John 12:12-50  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do When Your Culture Is Destroying Itself

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2024

Western culture cannot sustain itself if it continues as it has during the past several decades. How shall those who follow Christ respond when the culture in which we live moves inexorably toward self-destruction?

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When Tragedy Strikes

Contributed by Luke Vasicek on Jan 18, 2024

David returns with his 600 men to find the Amalekits have ransacked his town (Zicklag), and carried off his and all his men's families and possessions. What a tragedy! How did David respond?

When Tragedy Strikes 1 Samuel 30 1. The Source of _Tragedy_ (v.1-6a). A. David was repaid for his raiding the Amalekites in chapter 27 by their raiding Ziklag, where he and his men kept their families. B. David would have felt alone. His men were almost to the point of stoning him, and he and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:1-28

Denomination: Bible Church

Receiving The Holy Spirit (The Gentile Pentecost) Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 22, 2024

Repentance brings life to a person, because God has called us to Himself. And once called, we have a choice to make – this is what the people felt. God was calling them, His Spirit was moving them, and they had to respond!

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 16 Receiving the Holy Spirit (The Gentile Pentecost) Acts 10:44 – 11:18 Introduction - Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth” -- In 2023 we unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise) -- And we looked ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:44-48, Acts 11:1-18, Acts 3:19, Romans 2:10-11, Ephesians 2:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Is Jesus To You? Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Feb 24, 2025

We all face judgments from other people. Jesus faced that too. As He began his earthly ministry, Jesus experienced two completely different responses from two different towns. How will you respond?

People make judgments about us all of the time. It’s not so much that they are judgmental, but that they get to meet us or get to know us based on certain associations. I know, by virtue of the fact that I’m a pastor, when I introduce myself to people, they make an immediate judgment. If they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-44

Denomination: Baptist

A Balanced Life

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Feb 27, 2025

This message examines how Satan tempted Jesus and how Jesus used the Word of God to stop him in his tracks. Jesus' temptation is a lesson for how we too should respond when we face temptations.

A Balanced Life Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11; John 9:39; Second Corinthians 4:3-4 Good morning Strangers Rest. The title of my message today is “A Balanced Life.” So far this year I have stood before you and talked about getting our thoughts in line with the Word of God and then acting on those ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11, John 9:39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational