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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Examination Time

Contributed by Jeff Fradenburgh on Nov 14, 2001

It’s time to take a test to see if you’re putting in to practice and progressing in your faith

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT) 5Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you, it means you have failed the test. The reason Paul calls on them to examine themselves was, Paul was concerned that many of them had been ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5

Denomination: Holiness

Abraham - The Hero Of Faith Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 2, 2006

Why did God find it necessary to test Abraham’s faith? What purpose did it serve?

OPEN: Three military recruiters were on hand to address a gathering of high school seniors. The recruiters represented different branches of the military: Army, Navy, and Marines and each of was given fifteen minutes to speak. The Army and Navy recruiters got a little carried away with their ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

2013 - Stay The Course

Contributed by Jimmy Dillon on May 17, 2013

2013 will bring many challenges to believers faith and they must realize the testing of that faith is what will strengthen them.

2013: Stay the Course Luke 4:1-12 As I have prayed and thought about the New Year of 2013, I feel in my heart that the Lord is saying this will be a year of testing A testing of our faith in God; our relationship with God; our dependence upon God; our understanding of God We will be tested in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

From Fear To Faith

Contributed by Rj Davis on May 9, 2012

Habakkuk's faith in God is put to the test as he tries to uncover exactly what God is up to.

If you have ever been on a rollercoaster then you’ve experienced the excitement, the thrill, the exhilaration of the ride. Or maybe for some of you, you’ve had that nauseating, upsetting feeling. On a rollercoaster there are ups and downs, twist and turns, loops and fast speeds. But for ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational