Sermons on Thrive During Test:

God Is Looking For Heroes! Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Jan 25, 2009

We are tested by God so that we will mature in God, be complete, and not lack anything, so that we can be heroes!

God is looking for heroes! The world is looking for heroes! A few years ago, there was a story of a church in one of the communist countries. That church, secretly hiding from their atheist government, was one day visited by soldiers armed with machine guns. The soldiers asked everyone who will ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Passing With Flying Colors Series

Contributed by David Owens on Aug 16, 2010

In this sermon, we see that not only Joseph, but his brothers, pass the tests with flying colors. The thing that made the biggest difference in Joseph's life was his attitude.

Introduction: A. How many of you liked taking tests in school? Not many of us, I’m sure! B. The story is told of a football coach who walked into the locker room before a game, looked over to his star player and said, “I'm not supposed to let you play since you failed math, but we ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Stronger" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Jul 30, 2013

This message looks at God's toolbox to find the tools that God uses to craft us into a more mature believer.

The Road to Spiritual Maturity “What Doesn’t kill us makes us Stronger” James 1:1-12 Let’s begin this morning with a few brief facts we need to know about the book of James. 1. It was written sometime prior to AD 62. 2. It was written by James, the brother of Jesus. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Prioritizing The Eternal: Letting Go To Receive More

Contributed by Justin Dietel on Jul 12, 2024

I want to start today with a story that might sound familiar to many of you. Picture this: I’m at home, trying to get my kids’ attention. They’re completely absorbed in their tablets, watching videos or playing games. I call out, “Jack, Jack, Jacqueline!” And… nothing. Not even a glance

Good morning, everyone. I want to start today with a story that might sound familiar to many of you. Picture this: I’m at home, trying to get my kids’ attention. They’re completely absorbed in their tablets, watching videos or playing games. I call out, “Jack, Jack, Jacqueline!” And… nothing. Not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34

Robbing God

Contributed by Davon Huss on Apr 4, 2022

On Malachi 3:10 Tithing, Temple, and Testing

HoHum: “I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony; I’d like to buy the world a Coke and keep it company; It’s the real thing- Here is Malachi we see a courtroom scene where God is showing the people how to have the real thing, real faith WBTU: Malachi ministered not long after the ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:10, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Malachi 3:7-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Hurting Person's Guide To Recovery: Test All Spirits!

Contributed by Doug Koehler on May 8, 2009

This is a story about an individuals great trials and what God says to her, to us, to restore us and give us hope.

1 John 4: 1-11 (12-21) Remember: Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. One day Sara Jones woke up and felt completely lost. For weeks she was heading down a path full of sorrow, loneliness and ultimate insecurity but, up until this day she was able to hold onto some sort of ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Obedient Disobedience

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 7, 2014

Since childhood we know Daniel's story only from his perspective ... God shut the mouths of the lions. Let's reconsider the story from the lions perspective. How frustrating to see a large meal and be unable to eat it. If they don't get Daniel out of ...

Opening illustration: In 1988, Wally Magdangal was pastoring an underground church in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was a Filipino lay pastor of Christian foreign workers wishing to gather for worship. In 1992, soon after the conclusion of the Gulf War, the house church had grown to over three hundred ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:10-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Growing Up Is Hard To Do Series

Contributed by Rodney Coe on Feb 13, 2015

An introduction to James that challenges us to grow up in our walk of faith.

Growing Up is Hard to Do James 1:1 The history books paint Hernando Cortez as a ruthless explorer. He conquered the Aztecs, Mexico and Cuba. On February 10, 1519 he said this; “We are on a crusade. We are marching as Christians into a land of infidels.” We start today a sermon ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Ever Increasing Fruit Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Jan 30, 2022

Here, Jesus answers some important questions: “What is true Christianity?” “What are the marks of a true disciple?” “How are we to understand and explain our actual relationship to God through Jesus Christ?” These are foundational questions and fundamental questions for our life as true believers.

Life on the Vine: Increasing Fruitfulness January 30, 2022 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship John 15:1-11 Introduction Over the last several years, I’ve been amazed at how our world has changed. Christianity is under assault and that is true, even in our home of America. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-11, Luke 14:26, 1 John 4:13-16, Colossians 3:16, Luke 11:1-4, 1 Corinthians 2:16, 1 John 3:22, 2 Peter 1:5-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

The Gift Of Persecution Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

Persecution is the flip side of peace-making. If we live out the first 7 beatitudes, this one, the 8th, follows on their heels as surely as water flows downhill.

About 35 years ago, a Romanian pastor came to visit the church I belonged to, a nice white church in a rich western suburb of Minneapolis. He had gotten to know my pastor, who had been involved in a Bible-smuggling ministry when the Iron Curtain was still up. Pasor John asked him what he thought ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

24. David Spares Saul's Life (Again) Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Sep 10, 2025

Some tests in life keep coming back. You thought you had passed them, moved on, and maybe even grown stronger from them, only to wake up and find yourself right back in the same battle.True maturity is not only seen in what we can do, but in what we choose not to do, out of reverence for God.

David Spares Saul’s Life - Again September 10, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 1 Samuel 26 Some tests in life keep coming back. You thought you had passed them, moved on, and maybe even grown stronger from them—only to wake up and find yourself right back in the same ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

She Is Mom

Contributed by Steve Malone on May 5, 2021

In this MSG we will unpack several strategies to will enable moms not only to survive but to thrive.

She Is… Mom, NOW - we’ve come together this morning for 2 primary reasons. ONE - is to honor our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ with our worship (and HE so deserves or praise and worship)... AND THE OTHER - is to honor our mothers. YOU KNOW – moms are amazing… I MEAN – when you really think ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fully Realized Forgiveness...the Test Of Love-2 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 14, 2015

2 of 5. Jesus called Simon the Pharisee to task regarding two demonstrations of love. Fully Realized is reflected in a reciprocal/proportional appreciation. But Where/How is it tested? Realized Forgiveness is tested in the crucible of...

FULLY REALIZED FORGIVENESS...The TEST of LOVE/Trust-II—Luke 7:36-50 Attention: HITLER’s REALIZATION? The following is presented as true yet many doubt its truth. On September 28, 1918, during WW-I a Private Henry Tandey, a British soldier serving near the French village of Marcoing, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Heartache!

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Dec 21, 2018

What to do when we are experiencing heartache at Christmas!

Heartache at Christmas Luke 2:21-35 December 16, 2018 During this Christmas season, we’re talking about “Christmas Expectations.” We tend to enter the season with high and lofty expectations. We want magical, sugar plum visions of a Norman Rockwell Christmas. A Christmas where everything is just ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

Joy In Times Of Trial - James 1:2-4 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jul 14, 2015

Count it pure joy in times of trial, testing and temptation??? That's CRAZY, right? No so fast, partner! This whole plan of salvation us upside down to this world; God dying for our sins? Why not joy in times of trouble! God is for us and with us! PTL!!

As we take a look at our newest memory Scripture let’s look at the preceding verse James 1:1 “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.” Who is this James? There were two of the twelve named James Matthew ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Nazarene