Sermons on Thrive In The Test:

State Of Affairs

Contributed by Jason Jones on Feb 19, 2019

in the test we will see four truths about carrying a rebuilder's burden

A. Opening illustration: Rebuilding PCB B. Background to passage: Recount briefly the historical setting of the captivity, and the returns of Ezra and Nehemiah under the reign of the Medo-Persian King Artaxerxes I. The year is 445 BC, the 20th year of his reign. Politically they were looking for ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Thanksgiving 2010

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 10, 2025

"Gratitude is the least remembered of all virtues, and is the acid test of character” (Elmer Towns).

A. INTRODUCTION: LUKE 17:11-19 1. “Gratitude is the least remembered of all virtues, and is the acid test of character.” 2. A grateful heart of thanksgiving opens many different doors. a. Service, Dr. Clate Risley. b. Friendship. c. Promotion. 3. Thanksgiving is a relative response. Some are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From The Wilderness Seasons Of Life Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 4, 2025

The wilderness is not merely a geographical location; it is a spiritual season. It is a time of isolation, transition, testing, and preparation.

LESSONS FROM THE WILDERNESS SEASONS OF LIFE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Samuel 23:14-29 Supporting Texts: Exodus 13:17-18, Deuteronomy 8:2-3, Hosea 2:14-15, Psalm 63:1, Luke 4:1-14 INTRODUCTION: The wilderness is not merely a geographical location; it is a spiritual season. It is a time ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 23:14-29

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Why Do You Ask? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 29, 2003

Neither conservatives nor liberals are really interested in learning; all want their opinions confirmed. Jesus teaches us how to deal with both by asking questions to test the argumentative spirit, to test honesty, and to get people to listen to their ow

Some folks want their religion to confirm everything they’ve already committed to, but other folks want, or say they want, a religion that will challenge to change. And there isn’t much common ground between these two types. Or is there? Some folks want their religion to confirm everything ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Sure Foundation (1994)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Oct 24, 2022

Matthew 7:24-29 is a Biblical parable that points to the necessity for obedience. In that parable, Jesus illustrates His point through three things in that passage of scripture which are the construction site, the storm's test and the results of the test.

THE SURE FOUNDATION Text: Matthew 7:24-29 "It is told that [Horatio] Nelson [1758-1805] was famous for his courtesy to defeated enemies. [He was one of England's most famous Naval heroes.] On one occasion a defeated captain came on to Nelson's quarter-deck as a prisoner. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29

Denomination: United Methodist

Beyond A Reasonable Doubt

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 19, 2023

At first the disciples doubted. But when faced with the evidence, they weighed it, tested it, and then acted upon it. Their verdict has stood the test of time. And the grounds on which they stood are the same grounds upon which we can stand.

Why do you suppose is it that, faced with the same data, some people interpret it one way and some people interpret it another? You have only to look at the George Floyd riots – and the other ones later that year - to know that. Not even exhaustive investigations convince people whose minds are ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Some Aspects Of The Church From Its Beginning – The Church’s Home And What Lies Ahead - Part 8 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 17, 2023

Our entire life as a Christian will be exposed in the judgement and all those years of being a Christian will be subjected to the test of fire. There you stand and the fire tests your works. What will the fire leave behind? Will it be precious or will it be ashes? Building on the foundation.

SOME ASPECTS OF THE CHURCH FROM ITS BEGINNING – THE CHURCH’S HOME AND WHAT LIES AHEAD - PART 8 [1]. THE CHURCH’S HOME - INTRODUCTION Maybe in this next posting in the series I might say some things that are new to you, but just follow along and search out these scriptures. Very little these ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:8-10, Psalm 16:10, John 3:13, Romans 14:10, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, Matthew 25:34-40, Matthew 10:42, Revelation 19:11, Revelation 20:6-7, Revelation 21:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Riding Out The Storms Of Life

Contributed by Nick S Panico on May 20, 2016

In all our lives we must face storms. Sudden and unexpected winds of adversity which blow in and blow up. How do we not just survive the storm but thrive in it and through it.

“Riding Out the Storms of Life” (Mat 14:22-33 NIV) Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. {23} After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Part 3: Silence As Spiritual Refinement Series

Contributed by Rev Emmanuel O. Adejugbe on Jan 21, 2026

Job sits in ashes demanding answers from God. But instead of anger, he declares: "When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold." This sermon unpacks what that means. God isn't punishing you in the silence. God is refining you.

The Shift from Lament to Hope Something shifts in Job 23:10. After pages and pages of complaint, after rounds of friends insisting, he must have sinned, after crying out into a silent heaven, Job suddenly changes direction. Picture him there. Sitting in ashes. Scraping his skin with a broken piece ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:10, Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 5:3-4, Hebrews 5:8, Isaiah 53:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Marry, Marry, Quite Contrary

Contributed by Jim Luthy on May 17, 2001

The secret to making marriages thrive is to dance with the spiritual reality that you are no longer two lives trying to get along, but two former lives now becoming one new life by the loving hand of God.

In the 1970’s, a wave of no-fault divorce legislation swept across the nation. As states passed no-fault divorce laws, a culture of divorce developed. The divorce culture was perpetuated by the rise in pre-nuptial agreements. Now, many states are realizing the socio-economic effects of divorce. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:3-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My King, My Daddy

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Dec 6, 2006

Key Point: The God of the universe is at once both a “Shock and Awe” God, and “Up Close and Personal.” Only God makes it possible for us to thrive under both sides of Him.

My King, My Daddy Two very different aspects of God we need to come to grips with Introduction: Shock and Awe bombing, quickened pulse, lump in my throat, sweaty palms, (also what is behind the scenes, kids crying) witnessing the power of something Jessica Lynch—teacher wanna be, POW, daring ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Selfless Living Series

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Jul 25, 2011

Godly living; Godly praying; Godly giving. We benefit from others who did not live for themselves, but thrived for God. Now it’s our turn at bat.

Selfless Living Acts 3 & 4 (Second in the series, What’s Next? The Adventures of Growing in Christ) Illustration: “I’m the greatest batter in the world!” Such was the cry of a self-confident little boy swinging his bat in the back yard. Once, twice, and three times he could not connect with the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Churchill Or Church, Ill?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 29, 2009

As Winston Churchill rallied the British people, so Paul rallies Christians by urging us to review our motivations and to present something solid and not merely entertaining. Such a church will prevail and thrive.

On the fifth of June, 1940, not even a month after he became prime minister, Winston Churchill spoke to the British people to encourage them of their desperate situation. Bear in mind that in September of the previous year the Nazis had invaded Poland, with no effective resistance. Thereafter, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

How Are You Doing? How Are You Really Doing? Understanding?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 11, 2017

We are spiritually desperate for THE DIVINE GIFT of UNDERSTANDING to thrive in the family and church. We study 5 characters that grew in the process of understanding. Hurt people hurt people, let's travel the high road and understand.

HOW ARE YOU DOING? HOW ARE YOU REALLY DOING? GOD GIVE US THE GIFT OF AN UNDERSTANDING HEART. By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com DO WE UNDERSTAND WHAT PLEASES GOD? I AM BUT A CHILD IN MY THINKING! GOD I NEED UNDERSTANDING! GOD GIVING ME AN UNDERSTANDING HEART... THAT I MAY ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:3-11, 1 Kings 1:5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Shaking, Sifting, And Breaking

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Sep 3, 2005

WILL WE SEE IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM THE BATTLE THAT NOW RAGES? We must prepare our hearts to expect the seasons of shaking, sifting and breaking. We must guard our hearts to thrive in these seasons. There is a major shifting and sifting of the church and t

SHAKING, SIFTING AND BREAKING? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I take a sifter, some sand and some rocks. In front of the church, I sift the sand, and we talk about the role of sifting. There comes a sifting of the nations. There comes a sifting of the church. OUR ENEMY DESIRES TO ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25-28

Denomination: Assembly Of God