Sermons on times of testing:

One Step At A Time

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 29, 2002

There are two vital things that Jesus wants to know - are you ready for the test? And are you willing to take just one step to become closer to God?

A fourth-grade teacher was giving her pupils a lesson in logic. "Here is the situation," she said. "A man is standing up in a boat in the middle of a river, fishing. He loses his balance, falls in, and begins splashing and yelling for help. His wife hears the commotion, knows he can’t swim, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-28, Matthew 16:9

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

God's Character Sermon Vii: God Our Righteousness Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 8, 2020

In times of testing, God's people need to remember that the Lord God is our Maker, Father and Redeemer who will in the end make things right! Until then, we go on . . .

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS Have you ever known or do you know someone of whom it could (can) be said, “His (Her) word is his (her) bond” – meaning that whatever that person says he (she) will do, he (she) will do to the best of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3-16

The Great Tribulation And The Time Of Jacob's Trouble

Contributed by Larry Wolfe on Jun 24, 2009

The unfolding of the Jews persecution/testing/trials/purifying and the Day of the Lord

Daniel 12-The Great Vision Continues-The End of the Age Unfolded I. The Last Half of the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 12:1-3) A. The Archangel Michael Stands Still (v.1 a) B. The Unparalleled Great Tribulation (v.1 b) C. The Deliverance of Daniel’s People (Rapture/Resurrection) (v.1c, ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 12:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When Life Doesn't Turn Out SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Oct 26, 2023

In hard times, God is teaching us, but in good times, God is testing us.

Good morning, beloved family in Christ. As we gather here today, we find ourselves standing at the crossroads of life, where the path is often winding and the journey unpredictable. We are here to seek solace, to find answers, and to understand the divine will of our Heavenly Father. Today, we are ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 143:1-12

Topics: Learning God's Will

God's Character Sermon V: Our Faithful Redeemer Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 8, 2020

In times of testing, nothing reassures God's family like knowing that God our Father is God our Redeemer who turned post-crucifixion depression into post-resurrection exhilaration.

GOD OUR FAITHFUL REDEEMER PROVED BY HIS RESURRECTION WHICH WAS PROVED BY HIS APPEARANCES You might have heard it said, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating” - meaning that the true test of whether or not a claim is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

"what Doesn't Kill Us ..." Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 29, 2019

James calls God’s training regimen “various [kinds of] trials” (James 1:2). As he prepares his friends for the inevitable test, he outlines for them ... and for us … the following five strategies to employ when times of testing challenge us.

A very popular show in the sixties and seventies was a little half-hour police drama called … [do the theme music] … “Dragnet.” Remember that show? It starred Jack Webb as “Joe Friday” … a detective with the Los Angels Police Department. Joe Friday was a no-nonsense cop. His famous line was … ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: United Methodist

Use The Best To Stand The Test

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 23, 2019

Every Christian will have his or her deeds tested by fire. If anyone is not ready, there is still time to make corrections. But this life is all we have, so please, live it wisely!

Use the best to stand the test Some time ago, I saw a question which read, “What on earth are you doing for Heaven’s sake?” That question could be taken any number of ways. I definitely wish more preachers had used this text so as to remind us that our deeds are important, and that this life is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Test 6: Pride Test, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jan 5, 2008

The pride test is actually a three part test. We already covered the first part when we talked about selfish pride (Pride Test, Part 1). The second part of the test is about presumptive pride. That’s where our text takes us today.

1. Presumptive pride is futile 2. Presumptive pride is arrogant 3. Presumptive pride is sinful Well, here we are, standing at the edge of a New Year. People use this time of the year for different things, don’t they? Of course, some people just use the New Year as an excuse to party. But most ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Test 9: Affliction Test, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 12, 2008

This sermon looks at the second key to passing the affliction test--the corporate key.

1. Corporate confession 2. Corporate prayer I saw a sports headline a couple of weeks ago that really surprised me. It turns out that one of the freshmen for the University of Tennessee’s football team got into some trouble with the law. That’s not really the surprising part. It seems that ...read more

Scripture: James 5:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

Test 9: Afliction Test, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 12, 2008

This sermon looks at the first key to passing the affliction test--the individual key.

1. When experiencing affliction, your first individual responsibility is to pray (13) 2. When experiencing affliction, your second individual responsibility is to call (14) A few weeks ago, our family went to see a movie called National Treasure. I won’t go into all the details with you, but it ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Test 6: Pride Test, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 30, 2007

James asks his readers where their continual desire to fight amongst themselves comes from. And his answer is surprising. Rather than point his finger at an outward cause of their strife, he tells them it is because of each of their individual selfishne

1. What are the Prevailing Symptoms of selfish pride (4:2-5) 2. What is the Primary Source of selfish pride (4:6) 3. What are some Practical Solutions for selfish pride (4:7-12) JAMES 4:1 Two old friends were sitting on the front porch one Sunday afternoon when one of them began to confess to the ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Test 5: The Wisdom Test, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 9, 2007

What kind of wisdom passes the test of faith? The kind of wisdom that James describes as only coming from above.

1. Roots of test-passing wisdom (17a) 2. Attributes of test-passing wisdom (17b) 3. Fruits of test-passing wisdom (18) JAMES 3:13 Who is a wise man? What is wisdom? It’s interesting that two people who are known for their wisdom asked that very same question. Solomon did. In Ecclesiastes 8:1 ...read more

Scripture: James 3:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Test 6: Pride Test, Part 3 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jan 5, 2008

This is the final part of James’ sixth test of faith—the pride test. This third part of the pride test deals with our pocketbooks--greedy pride.

1. The first example of greedy pride is hoarding treasures 2. The second example of greedy pride is defrauding measures 3. The third example of greedy pride is indulging pleasures A story is told about a rich man who was in the hospital on his deathbed. The doctors had only given him a short time ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Test 5: The Wisdom Test, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 2, 2007

There are two types of wisdom—man’s wisdom and the kind of wisdom that only comes from God. The kind of true wisdom that only comes from God is evidence of real faith.

1. Introduction (13) 2. Roots of test-failing wisdom (14) 3. Attributes of test-failing wisdom (15) 4. Fruits of test-failing wisdom (16) JAMES 3:13 Have you ever flown on one of those little puddle-jumper airplanes? I have and let me tell you, they’re not very much fun. If you’re in one of ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Twentieth Sunday In Ordinary Time- Clever Dogs

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jul 4, 2023

The woman understood the testing or riddle or allegorical challenge of Jesus.

Jesus puts Jews and gentiles under the same roof, and the first to get there is the Canaanite woman from our Gospel today. In fact, you could say that the day the gospel went to the dogs was the day it came to us. In Catholic Christianity, the word dog is used positively in mottos, by saints, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Catholic