Sermons on Tragedy In Africa:

Why?

Contributed by Christopher Arch on Sep 25, 2001

This message was delivered the Sunday following the New York City World Trade Center tragedy.

Title: ?Why?? Scripture: Lk 13: 1-5 Type: Special Occasion ? Sept. 11, 2001 Bombing Where: GNBC 9-16-01 Intro: On Tuesday morning I was reading the Cedar Rapids Gaz., and drinking my coffee when came upon an interesting editorial for the day. Bill Ferguson, columnist for the Warner Robins ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Bad Situation

Contributed by Timothy Brown on Jan 23, 2010

This is a sermon of encouragement in light of the tragedy in Haiti.

Text: Psalm 40:1-3 Title: A Bad Situation Introduction: “On Jan. 12, 2010, a massive earthquake struck Haiti, reducing much of its capital to rubble. (A bad situation) It was the worst earthquake in the region in more than 200 years, with as many as 50,000 feared dead. (A bad situation) ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

"Bad Thinhs Happen"

Contributed by Brad Henry on Aug 31, 2011

We cannot prevent the inevitable. This lesson will show you how to stop the merry go round of worry.

Most of us try to stay out of harms way. A lot of us also try to avoid conflict. We like to take the road of least resistance. Now we do that for a number of reasons. We want our life to be easier than it is now. Why make things worse? So we try to back off from people and things. We try to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-13

Misfortune Is God’s Megaphone

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Mar 3, 2013

Misfortune Amiplifies God's Call to Repent 1) Individually; 2) Immediately

Did you hear the shocking news out of Egypt on Tuesday? 19 tourists died when a hot air balloon exploded and plunged 300 meters to the ground. One moment these people were enjoying something they had dreamed of doing for years - floating above ancient Egyptian ruins in the soft light of an early ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Answering Why

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Jan 27, 2013

In tragic times, we are tempted to ask why. The question itself is not wrong-after all Jesus asked it of his Father while on the cross, but it may not be the most appropriate question or lead to the best end.

Introduction: A. When tragedy strikes, we either grow bitter toward God or draw closer to him. B. Can God prevent tragedy? Yes. Why doesn’t he always? We can’t answer that. C. God is imminent and transcendent, but he’s not always imminent when we want him to be. D. As the writer ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

Naomi's Faith Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jun 6, 2015

Naomi is the theologian of the book of Ruth. Her faith under the greatest trials has an impact on her daughter-in-law, Ruth, so that Ruth is ready to accept Naomi's God as her God.

Open your Bibles to the book of Ruth. Ruth is one of two books in our Bibles that is named after a woman, the other being Esther. Both of these books are in the Old Testament and both involve times of great tragedy and great triumph through God’s grace. Both are also depictions of ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why?

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Mar 21, 2019

We have many questions that begin with the word, "why".

WHY? Luke 13: 1 – 9 Intro: How many questions can you think of that begin with “WHY”? 1) Why is the time of day when traffic moves the slowest called “rush hour”? 2) Why do we park our car in our “driveway”? 3) Why is the sky blue? 4) Why does our hair turn gray when we get older? 5) Why ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Preached To Death

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 11, 2022

In this account, Eutychus attended church in order to worship God, but he wound up dying right there in the preaching service! Do you think that you could trust God, or His Son, Jesus Christ, in a situation like this? Paul did!

At my first pastorate, during the middle of a funeral service, the floor to the sanctuary gave a loud pop like lightning striking, and then it fell about six to eight inches! The floor later had to be completely replaced. At another church where I pastored, the ceiling fell in; and of course, the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Fortress In The Storm

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Nov 8, 2025

Even when the earth shakes and storms bring devastation, God's sovereignty is not found in preventing the tragedy, but in being our unshakeable, present refuge within it.

My friends, we come together today with heavy hearts. Our eyes have seen the images, our ears have heard the reports. We think of our brothers and sisters in the Philippines, in places like Cebu, who in the span of just a few short months have felt the very earth give way beneath them—first with a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Part Of The Christmas Story That Speaks To Sandy Hook Tragedy

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 18, 2012

A look at the slaughter of the innocents story in light of the recent tragedy in Conn.

Prop: put a skull and crossbones “ornament” on the sanctuary Christmas tree. Talk about how it doesn't fit with the image. There's a story in the Bible that's part of the Christmas story that creates a similar disconnect. In fact, the disparity between it and the way we want the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Missions Work In Zambia

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on May 30, 2009

Have you ever cleaned fish? It is a messy smelly job that requires you to get your hands dirty. Missions work can be like that sometimes. Yet what beautiful things can be accomplished when we try.

Missions Work in Zambia There is a man in Zambia named Jimmy Kongwa. He has been a guest at our church. He and his wife Ivy work tirelessly to rescue the children of their country from disease, starvation, forced labor and a life of crime. They do it through an agency we support called Kids ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Admitting Our Blindness In Human Development Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 14, 2009

Jesus can act as Messiah when He is approached by humans who admit their blindness, weakness and sin; so we must admit decades of blindness in our human development policies.

November 16, 2009 Caritas in Veritate “Deeds without knowledge are blind, and knowledge without love is sterile.” As Luke portrays Jesus making his pilgrimage to the Holy City whose inhabitants will murder him, He finally responds to one who is publicly calling him The Messiah–Son of David. But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:45-53

Denomination: Catholic

Created For Community

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Jun 28, 2010

The greatest need for our time is genuine community.

Created for Community Big idea: As bearers of the image of the Triune God, the greatest need of our time is genuine community. I am convinced that the greatest need of our time is genuine community. For instance, I see it ozzing out in the world cup of soccer. I am seeing people spending money ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27

Denomination: Evangelical Free

#my Black Christian History: Roots Of Faith Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Feb 3, 2024

“My Black Christian History: Before the Chains,” let us remember that the Black church’s history didn’t begin during the civil rights movement. Black history’s roots are a rich tapestry woven with threads of faith, resilience, and the pursuit of God.

Sermon Series Title: " My Black Christian History: Before the Chains" “My Black Christian History: Roots of Faith.” ”After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; Your reward [for obedience] shall be very great.” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6

Denomination: United Methodist

Storms In Life

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Sep 26, 2017

As we see the destruction of another hurricane season and other catastrophic events our hearts are sensitized to the great need around the world. Can we find a comparison in the "storms" of our own personal lives?

(This is more of a mini-sermon with "thought" that will need to be fleshed out in your own words. I hope that it is not too muddled for you to follow. May the Lord fill you with grace and peace today! PTL!!) Please open your Bibles to Matthew 8:18-27 which we will read in a few minutes. There ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:18-27, Revelation 6:15-17

Denomination: Nazarene