Sermons on Thrive In The Test:

Trialful Joy

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 8, 2009

Trials and tests are no fun. James doesn’t tell us to consider it fun but to "consider it all joy." Trials and tests are gut wrenching and drawn out at times, but the one thing that we must know is that God is with us through the whole ordeal.

Opening illustration: After William Carey was well established in his pioneer missionary work in India, his supporters in England sent a printer to assist him. Soon the two men were turning out portions of the Bible for distribution. Carey had spent many years learning the language so that he could ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Words Of Spirit & Life Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Aug 25, 2008

During the 1st part of Jesus’ ministry people were attracted by His teaching. Many attached themselves to Him, some of them wholeheartedly, some loosely. Then came a time when their allegiance was tested-as it comes to test every disciple.

JOHN 6: 59-71 WHO CAN ACCEPT WORDS OF SPIRIT AND LIFE? During the first part of Jesus’ ministry people were attracted by His teaching and flocked round Him. Many attached themselves to Him, some of them wholeheartedly, some loosely. Then came a time when ...read more

Scripture: John 6:59-71, John 6:63

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon Title: Dealing With Toxic Relationships By Pastor Joseph Ondu

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Aug 5, 2025

Relationships are God’s idea. He created us to thrive in healthy, loving, and supportive connections. But unfortunately, not all relationships are from God. Some relationships come to drain, distract, derail, and even destroy your God-given purpose.

Sermon Title: Dealing with Toxic Relationships Text: Proverbs 13:20 – “He who walks with the wise becomes wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” Speaker: Pastor Joseph Ondu Introduction Relationships are God’s idea. He created us to thrive in healthy, loving, and supportive ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 13:20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Perseverance Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 26, 2021

“The Christian must expect to be jostled by trials on the Christian way.” All kinds of experiences will come to us. There will be the test of our sorrows and disappointments that threaten to take away our faith. There will be the test of the seductions which seek to lure us from the right way.

Title: Perseverance Text: James:1:3-4 (KJV) 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Introduction F. J. A. Hort, the New Testament scholar, writes: “The Christian must expect to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Ram Caught In A Thicket

Contributed by Samuel M on Mar 16, 2025

Just like Abraham saw the ram, did you see the lamb of God anytime during your testing times? Every time you obey God's command in testing times, Jesus is waiting to reveal or show himself to you.

Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. Genesis 22:13 When we are going through times or testing and still remain obedient to God’s word, chances are that we may find or see the lamb of God. When Stephen was persecuted, he saw the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:13

Facing Your Fear Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Sep 7, 2009

How do we live fearless lives as Christians? God’s heart is that we not just survive, but thrive (adapted from a series taught by Pastor Larry Osborne, North Coast Church).

Introduction Part 2- Fearless (adapted from a series by Pastor Larry Osborne/Chris Brown from North Coast Church). Review Last time-looked at Daniel/his captivity in Babylon- Babylon was a very dark culture Premise of what we discussed- based on this question- How do we survive and even ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Denomination: Charismatic

How Do We Beat Death? Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Sep 13, 2009

How do we live fearless lives as Christians? God’s heart is that we not just survive, but thrive (adapted from a series taught by Pastor Larry Osborne, North Coast Church).

Introduction Part 3- Fearless (adapted from a series by Pastor Larry Osborne/Chris Brown from North Coast Church). Review First week-looked at Daniel/his captivity in Babylon- Premise of what we discussed- based on this question- How do we survive and even thrive in a culture that is accelerating ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Charismatic

Passing The Torch Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Sep 20, 2009

"How do we live fearless lives as Christians? God’s heart is that we not just survive, but thrive (adapted from a series taught by Pastor Larry Osborne, North Coast Church).

Introduction Part 3- Fearless (adapted from a series by Pastor Larry Osborne/Chris Brown from North Coast Church). How do we live the Christian life in the middle of situations that would cause others to buckle. How do we master our fears/respond properly to life? Review 1st week-Daniel living in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Denomination: Charismatic

Failure And Rejection Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Oct 4, 2009

How do we live fearless lives as Christians? God’s heart is that we not just survive, but thrive (adapted from a series taughty by Pastor Larry Osborne, North Coast Church).

Part 5- Fearless (adapted from a series by Pastor Larry Osborne/Chris Brown from North Coast Church). Review How do we master our fears/respond properly to life? I want us as a church to understand … who we are and the high calling on our lives. Jn 15:15-16 Many times we look at the giants in our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Charismatic

How To Worry Well Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Oct 27, 2009

How do we live fearless lives as Christians? God’s heart is that we not just survive, but thrive (adapted from a series taughty by Pastor Larry Osborne, North Coast Church).

Introduction Fearless the series continues- last installment. We will be addressing the topic of worry today. Much to worry about today and even be fearful of. How do we master our fears/concerns as Christians? How do we worry well? Do you know someone who worries? Do you worry? What do you worry ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Charismatic

Love Always Hopes

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jan 19, 2026

In a marriage, if both partners put their hope in the promises of God and have faith that He will be with them in the daily issues of life, the couple can survive and thrive through the ups and downs that come to every person.

Alba 1-18-2026 LOVE ALWAYS HOPES I Corinthians 13:7 In a Peanuts comic strip, it shows Snoopy thinking to himself: “Yesterday I was a dog. Today I’m a dog. Tomorrow I’ll probably still be a dog. Ohh...there’s so little hope for advancement.” He sounds a little hopeless. You don’t have to be a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Iforgive – A Spiritual Need For All Mankind

Contributed by Jonathan Falwell on Oct 22, 2007

Today, I want to build on this theme - If anyone is to thrive spiritually and keep from drying up inside spiritually, they need to first experience God’s forgiveness…then they need to be a forgiving person.

iForgive – A spiritual need for all Mankind Today, I want to build on this theme - If anyone is to thrive spiritually and keep from drying up inside spiritually, they need to first experience God’s forgiveness…then they need to be a forgiving person. But I believe there is a spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

Walk As Jesus Walked Series

Contributed by Mark Nichols on Feb 13, 2011

5th message in the series. John gives 3 tests to ensure our walk will please God.

TEXT: 1st John 2:3-11 TITLE: Walk as Jesus Walked SERIES: Letters from John TOPIC: tests of faithfulness OCCASION: Burnside Christian Church, January 9, 2011 PROP.: John gives three tests to prove if your walk is pleasing to God. INTRODUCTION: Good morning! We are continuing in our ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

This Could Be The Start Of Something Big: Celebration Of Marriage Series

Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Feb 22, 2010

How would you test your love for your spouse? Can an unsaved spouse be brought to salvation?

This Could Be the Start of Something Big: Celebration of Marriage I Peter 3:1-7 1 Peter 3:1-7 1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-7

Denomination: Church Of God

A Woman Of Grace

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Feb 7, 2018

A woman of grace exemplifies a authentic love for Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior and stands the test of faith.

A WOMAN OF GRACE By Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (February 7, 2018) “For by grace are we saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Friends