Sermons on tragedies:

Why? Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Nov 22, 2006

This is a funeral sermon that points to Jesus - He too asked "Why?"

Why? Today we are faced with a tragedy in our lives. We have felt disappointment and discouragement because we have come face to face with death - and we don’t like it. When these things happen we often ask the question, “Why?” Why has something like this happened? The problem is that we want ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

All Things Working Together To Bring Us Salvation

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 2, 2025

God’s promise: that when He himself comes to Zion as Redeemer, God would make a covenant with the peoples and send His spirit into them, His words into their mouths.

Epiphany Homily 2025 The story of God’s people, the Israelites, from Abraham to Jesus was a series of a few triumphs and many tragedies. Look carefully at the histories recorded in Scripture and you’ll see that the tragedies were caused by poor human decisions, while the triumphs were caused, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:2-3, Ephesians 3:5-6, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Facing Terrorism Firsthand

Contributed by Keith Linkous on Sep 13, 2001

In wake of the September 11, 2001 attack in New York and Washington, D. C., this may serve to help convey some shared feelings in the Church and in America.

Psalms 46:1-3 On Tuesday Morning, September 11, 2001, the United States of America, this blessed land, was recipient of the worst terrorist attack in the world’s history, forever altering our way of thinking and our way of life. America will never, and should ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Lesson 6: Where Is God When I Need Him?

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 1, 2014

God will do the supernatural, which only God can do. God expects us to do what is given us to do.

Pastors Bible Class Thomas Road Baptist Church Series: When God Is Silent Lesson 6: Where Is God When I Need Him? A. INTRODUCTION: QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK ABOUT TRAGEDIES 1. Where was God when . . .? 2. Doesn’t God love those victims? 3. Did God know this tragedy would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9

Denomination: Baptist

God On Trial

Contributed by Jason Jones on Apr 24, 2007

Response to the Virginia Tech Massacre dealing with the Christian response to things like this

Text: Romans 9:14-21, Title: God on Trial, Subject: Theodicy, Date/Place: NRBC, 4/22/07, AM A. Opening illustration: “Our God who is omnipotent is also weak in that God has imposed limitations on God’s omnipotence to give us the space to have a real autonomy” – Bishop Tutu, “The only answer ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Directions For Dealing With A Difficult Death

Contributed by Steven Dow on Mar 14, 2006

This message was for the funeral of a 28-year-old woman who died of a drug overdose. I only met the family the night before the funeral. It should be easy to personalize and would work well with any difficult death such as suicide, ect.

DIRECTIONS FOR DEALING WITH A DIFFICULT DEATH Funeral Sermon Proverbs 3:5-6 March 15, 2006 Introduction: When we are faced with tragedy we often don’t know which way to turn. We don’t know what to think. We don’t know what to feel. We don’t know what to say. In short we simply don’t know how ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

The Great Quake And Tsunami - What To Think - What To Do

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Mar 17, 2011

We should think something and do something about the terrible devastation in Japan and for the people.

INTRO. - The whole world shook and not just Japan, this past week, actually on Friday, March 11th, and that certainly wasn’t the end. The end may never come for those who live in Japan and the surrounding areas. I might tell a joke about earthquakes but it wouldn’t be funny. One nationally known ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Life Tumbles In

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 30, 2000

Job wanted to know: What is the benefit in being good? Where is God? What should my response to God be?

The most difficult part of being a pastor is regularly walking into situations which are filled with tragedy and brimming with raw emotion. The added pressure for a pastor is that there is a silent expectation in some people’s minds that you are supposed to have some answers — or at least some ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:6-22

Denomination: Methodist

Finding Comfort In Uncomfortable Times

Contributed by James Bryant on Sep 19, 2001

Where, what or who do you look to when you are faced with trouble? There is one place you can go that you can always find comfort. (Short Sermon)

FINDING COMFORT IN UNCOMFORTABLE TIMES Romans 15:4 (4) For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. All of America is looking for comfort during this time of tragedy. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:4

Denomination: Baptist

Plagues Have Come And Will Come...remembering 9/11 Series

Contributed by Bruce Landry on Sep 7, 2002

We will look at the plagues in Exodus 8 and hopefully glean insight into our own recent plagues such as the terror of September 11, 2002.

Plagues have come and will come…Remembering 9/11/01 2nd Plague Frogs 3rd Plague Lice 4th Plague Flies You know that I can remember clearly the events of my morning last September 11. I awoke to a radio announcement that a jet had crashed into the world trade center at 6:15 in the morning. I knew ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 8:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

Ruth: Refugee With A Human Face

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jun 21, 2021

The Book of Ruth doesn't get much attention, but it can remind us that God sees refugees and can use them in his purposes.

I imagine we probably all have a favorite book of the Bible. The gospels should be high on everyone’s list because they tell us the story of Jesus. And when the church’s heart and mind are fixed on Jesus, everything comes together. When we lose sight of Jesus things go wrong. Luke is my ...read more

The Message Nobody Wants To Hear Part 1 Series

Contributed by Larry Sarver on Apr 16, 2002

Part 1 of a 2 part Expository Sermon on Luke 12:49-13:9 concerning the Judgement of God and repentance. Message #62 from Luke series.

Luke Series # 62 April 14,2002 Introduction: Welcome to New Life in Christ. We are currently going through the Gospel of Luke verse by verse. As I mentioned last week, one advantage of this approach is that we are unable to avoid unpleasant, unpopular or difficult passages and ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Compassion For The People

Contributed by J. Yeargin on Aug 23, 2003

Review of last week 1. The Prophet Elijah is a type of Christ (for the O.T.) 2. The Lord gave to Elijah a great Passion for God 3. The Lord gave to Elijah authority for his calling 4. The Lord gave to Elijah rest by meeting his needs for food and wate

Review of last week 1. The Prophet Elijah is a type of Christ (for the O.T.) 2. The Lord gave to Elijah a great Passion for God 3. The Lord gave to Elijah authority for his calling 4. The Lord gave to Elijah rest by meeting his needs for food and water Text: I Kings 17: 8 through ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35, 1 Kings 17:8-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Parable Of The Tares - 2 Series

Contributed by Gary Regazzoli on Mar 2, 2005

What is the source of Evil in the world? Jesus gives His answer in the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

Living Under Grace – 4 – Parable of the Tares - 2 Recently visiting my mother’s congregation • I was asked this question about the tsunami tragedy by an older member of the congregation • Do you think because of the high number of casualties in Ache that God had singled out the Moslems for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Denomination: Christian Church

Certainty In Uncertain Times

Contributed by Tim Hedberg on Apr 30, 2007

God’s love for us.

Certainty in Uncertain Times John 11:1-45 January 7, 2007 On Wednesday, our family drove home from Deb’s parents house in Canada where we spent 5 days playing in the snow and eating great food. On our way through Spokane, I noticed a sign -"Number of Traffic deaths this year" was the heading. ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational