Sermons on Thrive During Test:

Quarreled & Tested: For The Long Haul

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Sep 30, 2023

Exodus 17:1-7 is a story of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, which mirrors our struggles and tests. This passage reveals how the Israelites quarreled with God and faced a profound test of faith, a test that we, too, may encounter on our spiritual journey

1 October 2023 EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR A Quarreled & Tested: For the Long Haul The Message 17 1-2 Directed by God, the whole company of Israel moved on by stages from the Wilderness of Sin. They set camp at Rephidim. And there wasn’t a drop of water for the people to drink. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7

Denomination: United Methodist

How To Test The Reality Of Your Religion Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 31, 2021

A Christianity that is not practical is not a real Christianity. If it does not control your conduct, and change your character, and make you more sensitive to the will of God and the world's need, then you better stop and ask some questions about the reality of your religion.

An anthropologist once visited a Bantu village in South Africa to study the customs of the very primitive people who lived there. When he returned to the U.S. he sent back a sun dial to those people to express his thanks for their cooperation. The natives were delighted with their gift, and they ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Tested By Broken Relationship Lesson 4 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 21, 2017

Escape from spiritual failure

A. ESCAPE FROM SPIRITUAL FAILURE 1. You have to leave your place of trouble. “Abram went up from Egypt” (Gen. 13:1). 2. Remove your loved ones from trouble. “His wife . . . and Lot with him” (13:1). 3. Get by yourself. “Into” the Negev (desert) (13:1, NLT). God usually puts people into a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Tested Concerning Fruit Lesson 6 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 21, 2017

There is always another test.

A. THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER TEST: GEN. 15:1-22 1. Scared. Abram had just defeated an army of four kingdoms. He might be afraid of a counterattack. “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great” (Gen. 15:1, NLT). 2. The Monday syndrome. We are vulnerable ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Tested With Provision Of Money Lesson 7 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 21, 2017

Tempted by Satan to failure.

A. THE INEVITABILITY OF TESTS 1. We are tempted by satan to failure. 2. We are tested by God to demonstrate strength. Abraham tested by God: 11:26-12:3 – tested by obedience to God’s call 12:4-9 – tested by provision of God in the land 12:1-18 – tested by broken relationship (with ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 14:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Tested By The Fruit Of The Flesh Lesson 9 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 22, 2017

What is the fruit of the flesh?

A. WHAT IS THE FRUIT OF THE FLESH? 1. Avoid the lust of the flesh. “Love not the world . . . for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life” (1 John 2:15-16). 2. Flesh can mean the requirements of air, food, water, exercise, etc. 3. Flesh here ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Tested By Old Habits Lesson 12 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 22, 2017

Breaking old habits

A. INTRODUCTION: BREAKING OLD HABITS 1. Why is it hard to teach old dogs new tricks? Because old dogs go back to old habits. “As a pig returns to it squalor” (2 Peter 2:22, ELT). Why Old Habits? • Recessive memory • Reinforces our values and attitudes • The old way worked • We don’t want to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 20:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Tested By Family Squabbles Lesson 13 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 22, 2017

What to do when you fuss

A. INTRODUCTION: THE PROBLEM – GENESIS 21:1-21 1. Sarah was protective of “my son” (v. 10) Isaac. 2. Abraham struck up for the son causing the problem calling him “his son” (v. 11). 3. The older brother Ishmael (age 17) was “scoffing” (v. 9, NKJV). The word means taunting which carries ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Tested Over Possessions Lesson 14 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 22, 2017

When our possessions control us

A. INTRODUCTION: POSSESSING OUR POSSESSIONS – GENESIS 21:22-34 1. Why does God give us possessions? a. To serve Him. b. To care for our needs. c. To worship or please the Father. d. For our enjoyment. e. To make life easier. 2. When our possessions control us. a. Pride. b. We get our identity ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:22-34

Denomination: Baptist

Tested With His Priority Lesson 15 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 22, 2017

What is your most precious thing in life?

A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 22:1-19 1. What is your most precious thing in life? a. A person. b. A talent. c. A thing. d. An action. 2. God wants us to yield everything to Him. “Give yourself to God; let your body be a living and holy sacrifice to God” (Rom. 12:1, ELT). “Give yourselves ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Tested By Plans For The Future Lesson 17 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 24, 2017

How God works in small details

A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 24:1-67 1. Why is this story included in scriptures? Abraham sends his servant back to his family in Mesopotamia to find a bride for his son Isaac. The story includes incidents how God worked in small details for the servant to find Rebekah and return her to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:1-67

Denomination: Baptist

Tested Again – The Power Of Consistent Character Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 4, 2025

True character is not revealed in a single moment—it is proven over time.

TESTED AGAIN – THE POWER OF CONSISTENT CHARACTER By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Samuel 26 Supporting Texts: Proverbs 11:3, Psalm 26:1–2, Galatians 6:9, James 1:12, Hebrews 13:18 INTRODUCTION: True character is not revealed in a single moment—it is proven over time. In 1 Samuel 26, David ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Temptation Vs. Testing And Trials - What's The Difference? Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Aug 5, 2015

Earlier in the first chapter of James much has been said about testing and trials but now James turns his attention to temptation. How are they alike and how are they different, especially since the Greek word is the same for both? Let's take a look!

James 1:1-15 “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-15

Denomination: Nazarene

Will You Take God Up On His Test? (Exodus 15:22-27) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 21, 2022

If you're actually/fully obeying God, will He heal you?

I apparently needed a break from Exodus, which I didn't expect (did Psalm 9-12). But I'm learning to not fight it, and just go with it. [And I'm hoping this is the Spirit leading me, somehow]. This week, I felt like I was maybe ready to try Exodus again. Let's start by ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:22-27, James 5:14-16, John 9:30-33

Islam/Christ: Understanding Our Faith During Conflict With Iraq

Contributed by Robert Parker on Oct 8, 2001

In these turbulant times with IRAQ and other nations, it is important for Christians to understand ISLAM, its history and the Muslim faith. This sermon addresses the differences between Islam’s Muhammad and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Minister the

I would like for you to follow me into the Book of Luke Chapter 9 verses 18 - 23. "Jesus said that if any Man will come after me, let him deny himself. And take up the cross daily" So here we are with Jesus teaching for the disciples of his day and the disciples of this day. And Jesus is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-23, Luke 9:28-35

Denomination: Christian Church