Sermons on Sad Stories:

Advent: A Picture Of Joy (With Communion) Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 10, 2024

The story of Christmas is a story of joy. Not fleeting happiness tied to presents or celebrations, but a joy rooted in the faithfulness and presence of God.

Advent: A Picture of Joy (with Communion) As we continue our journey through Advent, let me start with a question: What is your favourite joyful Christmas tradition or memory? Perhaps it’s decorating the tree, singing carols, or watching the excitement on a child’s face as they open a gift. These ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10, Luke 1:39-47, Psalm 30:5, Psalm 126:3, Philippians 4:4, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Psalm 16:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Go! And Know The Beginning And The Word Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 17, 2025

Every story has a beginning. But unlike our stories, the story of God—the story of the Gospel—does not begin with uncertainty or guesswork. It begins with the certainty of God's eternal presence and power.

Go! And Know the Beginning and the Word Genesis 1:1 (NLT): “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” John 1:1 (NLT): “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Introduction: A Question of Beginnings Every journey starts somewhere. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, John 1:1, John 1:14, Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Mark 1:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Graduation 2000: Regrets And Decisions

Contributed by Dean Morgan on Sep 8, 2004

John Greenleaf whittler, one of our most astute poets, wrote: “For of all the sad words of tongue or pen, / The saddest are these: ‘It might have been.’”

TEXT: Malachi 2:13 TITLE: REGRETS & DECISIONS (Graduation 2000) Barry Levinson, a famous Hollywood director, took a chance many of his colleagues passed up. They thought the script about an autistic middle-aged man and his younger brother was too much of a drag for sophisticated American ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christ's Desire

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Apr 18, 2011

How sad that many of us miss the joy and blessing that can be ours by knowing and doing what Christ desires. What is Christ’s desire for you and me?

Christ’s Desire Luke 13:31-34; 19:41-42 Christ’s desire for Israel was that they might have known Him in an intimate relationship as their Messiah. Several days before His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, He expressed that desire when He said after being confronted by some Pharisees, O ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-34

Denomination: Baptist

Seeds Of Discord

Contributed by Pastor Norman Bailey, Overseer on Aug 19, 2018

It is a sad thought to know that that there is a lot of gossip going on in the church that causes or creates a lot of tension. We must be watch out for them that will try to cause the unity and the harmony to be disrupted.

Romans 16:17 We are living in times when the enemy is viciously attacking the Church. It doesn't matter what devices he may use he will do what it takes. He comes not but to kill, steal, and to destroy. He is seeking your demise and wishes bad for you. One of the weapons in his arsenal is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:16-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus Accused Of Blasphemy Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 2, 2017

Jesus cast a demon out of a man who was both blind and deaf; what a sad condition. Those that witnessed this were full of admiration, and they exclaimed, “Is not this the son of David?”

Harmony of the Gospels -AD 28- -Capernaum- Title: Jesus Accused of Blasphemy Matthew 12:22-37, Mark 3:20-30, Luke 11:14-23 -Matthew- 22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23 And all ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-37, Mark 3:20-30, Luke 11:14-23

Denomination: Baptist

Disappointed But Not Discouraged

Contributed by J Bernard Taylor on Dec 15, 2019

Disappointment refers to sadness or displeasure from failure to fulfill ones hopes or expectations. Discouragement means loss of hope or enthusiasm as a result. It is possible to be disappointed without being discouraged.

DISAPPOINTED BUT NOT DISCOURAGED Introduction Frequently, employers will ask prospective employees what their biggest disappointment in life has been. The question probably gives employers a hint about how these prospective employees handle times of stress and hardships in life. We ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Pilate's Wife

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Apr 2, 2022

It is surprising, and sad, that the only testimony (in effect) on Jesus’ behalf during the trial was made, not by any of Jesus’ disciples, nor apostles, nor followers, but by Pilate’s wife.

Pilate's Wife Matt. 27:11-26 The chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole council of the Sanhedrin had decided to put Jesus to death. They had Jesus brought before Pilate the governor to pronounce the death sentence. (Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66; 23:1) Pontius Pilate was the fifth ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:11-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God's Object Lesson

Contributed by Mitchell Leonard on Jan 15, 2022

The somewhat odd story of Jeremiah and the Girdle.

Jeremiah 13:1-11 January 16, 2022 A.M. You folks out there who have had the opportunity to teach children KNOW that one of the best ways to really get something into their heads is to use OBJECT LESSONS. I’m 55 and I can still remember things that were taught to me as a child when an OBJECT ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 13:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

You Haven't Repented Until You Change

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Dec 10, 2003

story of Nehemiah linked to repentance

August 4 Nehemiah - You Can Change The glory of the gospel is not that it grants forgivness to those who repent, but that it offers repentance for those who sin. You haven’t repented until you change Neh. 1:1-2:9 people who stray from God have hope and can return. Repentance. Neh. 1:4 when he ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unconditional Love

Contributed by Dean Rhine on May 13, 2008

Seeing love in the story of Ruth

One of the things we realize is that often we don’t love like we should. We’re not good lovers! Now, you might think you’re a pretty good lover -- at least your spouse thinks so. You show affection well. You give nice gifts to family members. You provide well for your family. You have ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Outcast Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 26, 2022

Hagar tells her story

They call me “the old woman” now, behind my back. To my face it’s still a respectful “grandmother.” And the little ones still come to hear the stories of the old days, the days of struggle and doubt. But there’s no one left who’s ever been to Egypt, or lived in a town. Sometimes even I forget that ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Is So Special About Christmas (?)

Contributed by James Wallace on Dec 20, 2013

Message on Christmas story of the birth of Jesus

What Is So Special About Christmas (?) Luke 2:1-20 I’ve entitled this morning’s message “What is So Special about Christmas” with a tentative question mark. That’s because the sentence is intended as both a question and a statement. First, as a question, to make us ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Bible Church

God's Greatest Gift

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Nov 11, 2002

Understanding the John 3:16 story

What’s the best gift you’ve ever given someone? Hear about God’s greatest gift. Boy chasing skunk on the Grand Canyon Good news so incredible that we can’t believe it - eternal life so beyond us that we are like that boy. Nicodemus was at the top of the pyramid of the Israelite society. He had ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ruth's Redeemer

Contributed by John Hamby on Jun 28, 2018

The story of Ruth and Boaz is a love story but beyond the scenes is the real love story of how God loves us and provides for our redemption.

“Ruth’s Redeemer” Ruth 3:1-18 As residents of the state of Arkansas we are perhaps more aware than many American’s of the residents of Dogpatch. Dogpatch was a theme park ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-18

Denomination: Baptist