Sermons on Times Of Testing:

Focused Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 20, 2015

Following his baptism Jesus is led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit and is tempted by Satan. His temptation helps him to focus on who he is and what he has been called to do.

Matthew 4:1-17 “Focused” INTRODUCTION It is interesting to see how Hollywood has interpreted the temptation of Jesus. The truth is that we don’t know exactly what happened. No one was present with Jesus, in the wilderness, to record what actually took place. There were no ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

The Devil Is In The Details

Contributed by Spencer Miller on May 6, 2013

God is all powerful. Yet He allows Satan to carry out his deceitful and destructive activities—within certain limits—for a purpose.

We live in a world full of trouble and problems; there are problems after problems. Pollution, natural resources running out, population growth outstripping resources worldwide, etcetera. And then there are individual problems to contend with such as pain, suffering, and death, just to name a few. ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

If It Ain't One Thing It's Another!

Contributed by Spencer Miller on Mar 9, 2003

The testing of our faith.

We live in a world full of trouble and problems, there are problems after problems. Not many of us can truly say "I don’t have any problems" Job even said it himself, "Man born of a woman but for a few days and full of trouble. But Job goes on to reason that since his days on earth are already ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

If It's Not Broke, Break It!

Contributed by Kraig Pullam on Feb 17, 2014

The tru test of worship is a willingness to give God our very best.

Verses 1 and 2 constructs a tapestry of sorts to draw the reader into the events that were taking place in the backdrop of setting of the little house in Bethany. For if ancient Jews had hanging in their kitchens calendars, then highlighted in red would be the day of Passover. Passover to the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-9

Denomination: Baptist

Wilderness Season Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. John Varughese on May 10, 2025

Psalms 13:1-2 " How long, O Lord, will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

Psalm 13 captures David’s deep despondency and his struggle with God’s silence during a challenging period in the wilderness. This heartfelt lament reflects a profound sense of abandonment and a desperate plea for God’s intervention. David openly questions how long God will hide His face and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-2, Job 23:8-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God’s Refining Fire

Contributed by Doug Gorman on Apr 11, 2016

Refining Fire...

Christians are told to love and forgive one another, not try to tear each other down. Those are devices of Satan and church we cannot let him get a foothold in here. I am going to quote Chuck Colson who once told his congregation (and this should hold true for any pastor), “I’m not ...read more

Scripture: Job 38:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Living In Great Expectation Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Apr 12, 2013

We can live in great expectation because our expectation is centered in Jesus, who never disappoints!

Living In Great Expectation Text: 1 Peter 1:3-12 Introduction 1. Illustration: As a Cleveland sports fan I know all about expectations. All of my life I have expected the Browns to win a Super Bowl, and I got Red Right 88, The Drive, and the Fumble. All my life I have expected the Indians to win ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12

Denomination: Methodist

Learning To Trust God!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 1, 2018

The story of Gideon is a great example of just an ordinary man who learned to trust God & became a man of impressive courage.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: Judges 6:1-40 (NLT); Judges 7:1-25 (NLT); Matthew 6:31 (NLT); ILL. Chuck Swindoll, in his book, "Living Above the Level of Mediocrity," tells about a church in the Soviet ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-40, Judges 7:1-25, Matthew 6:31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pain, Perseverance, And Pure Joy - James 1:2-4 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 13, 2020

When James commands us to consider it pure joy when we suffer, does that mean we are to pretend we are happy when we aren’t?

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Introduction: Perseverance Years ago ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Worship The Lamb

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 26, 2025

A study of Abraham as he worshipped the Lord God in the Land of Moriah. What we learn of worship as we consider Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac.

“After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’ So Abraham rose ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

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

Exodus 16 - I Don’t Recall Grumbling Being A Fruit Of The Holy Spirit! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 27, 2009

I like Moses response to people who grumble. "Your grumblings are not against us but against the Lord." That’s calling it like it is! Grumble for be grateful but grumbling is not one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit!

Exodus 16 - New and Fresh Every Morning! I don’t think I have ever been tested in my trust concerning food. I have always had enough. I have never been without. Julie was away recently in Sydney for a brief time and the food ran out, but all I had to do was to go to the shop and buy some more. I ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:1-36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

# 25 ~ Thirty ~ Forty-B Series

Contributed by William D. Brown on Apr 21, 2012

THIRTY is the number for THE BLOOD OF CHRIST & DEDICATION: Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for THIRTY pieces of silver. FORTY YEARS OF PROBATION BY TRIAL as Israel wondered in the Wilderness for FORTY years.

# 25 ~ "THIRTY ~ FORTY" ~ BIBLE NUMBER MEANINGS 4-21-12 THIRTY is the number for THE BLOOD OF CHRIST & DEDICATION: The number thirty is found in our KJ Bible 198 times. Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for THIRTY pieces of silver. Matthew 26:14-16 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

"The Exam"

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Jul 18, 2013

Testing our spirituality

“The Exam” July 21, 2013 2 Corinthians 13:5 ”Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” 1 John 4:1 “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5

Denomination: Holiness

How To Get Help In Times Of Trouble

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Everyone's life is filled with troubles, either from within or from without.

Everyone's life is filled with troubles, either from within or from without. One man became so troubled that he decided to end his life. Just as he was about to throw himself over a cliff he heard a man call out to him, "Please Sir. Before you throw yourself off that cliff can I please have your ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:39-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational