Sermons on Tragic Loss:

Living According To God’s Purposes

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Aug 28, 2017

This sermon is part of our "Living as a Christian" series as it looks at living life on purpose for God.It deals with how we are to live our lives according to God's purposes, and the tragic consequences when we don't. (This sermon has recently been updated)

Living Purposely (Turn to Ecclesiastes 1:2-15) Last week in our “Living as a Christian” series, we looked at “Living Opportunistically” as we seize the opportunities God places in our lives. To follow up on that teaching, today I’d like to look at “Living Purposely,” or better yet, living our ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2-15, Acts 13:36

Denomination: Foursquare

In A Better Place

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 26, 2003

For Remembrance Sunday, when we honor the memories of those who have died in the previous year: Those who suffer loss go to a better place emotionally when they cast off unproductive patterns and allow themselves time to receive unconditional love. They

There is something we say to console ourselves when someone dies. It is a phrase I have heard over and over. We say,“I know she is in a better place.” My friend, my parent, my spouse has passed away, but it feels good to think of one truth: “He is in a better place.” By that, of course, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Ministry - Investing In Others

Contributed by Carl Allen on Dec 6, 2007

What is a good investment today? Several strong companies that enjoyed a superior reputation a year ago are now struggling to service. Companies like Enron, Nextel, Worldcom, Delta, and United have suffered huge losses. Financial investing has always b

Ministry – Investing in Others Matthew 20:28-34 Intro What is a good investment today? Several strong companies that enjoyed a superior reputation a year ago are now struggling to service. Companies like Enron, Nextel, Worldcom, Delta, and United have suffered huge losses. Financial investing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:28-34

Denomination: Baptist

Series: Do Not Limit The Holy One Of Israel (Part 7): The Power Of The Lord Was Present That Day To Heal Them

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 10, 2020

Sickness enters without knocking, changes plans, mocks certainty, diminishes hope, intrudes like a burglar. Such interruption occurred to a woman in Mark 5 and a man in Luke 5. They both experienced much losses and grew frustrated. That is until they came across Jesus.

DO NOT LIMIT THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL (PART 7): THE POWER OF THE LORD WAS PRESENT THAT DAY TO HEAL THEM 1. Mark 5: 24 So Jesus went with him (Jarius). A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:24-34, Luke 5:17, Psalm 78:41

Denomination: Charismatic

Go! And Find Hope In The Brokenness - Psalm 34:18 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 20, 2025

Have you ever had your heart broken? Perhaps it was the loss of a loved one, the betrayal of a friend, the collapse of a dream, or the weight of guilt from past choices. In those moments, life can feel like it’s crumbling beneath us.

Go! And Find Hope in the Brokenness - Psalm 34:18 Psalm 34:18 — “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” (NLT) Introduction: A Message for the Wounded Have you ever had your heart broken? Perhaps it was the loss of a loved one, the betrayal of a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 57:15, Matthew 11:28, Psalm 147:3, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, John 1:14, Philippians 2:7-8, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Deception Scheme Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Nov 18, 2021

Satan tries to rob us of life – both eternal life and abundant life – through his lies and deception, and if we listen to him, he will steal away life as a thief in the night. He wants to bring about death, and loss of joy and fulfillment.

If you’re sinking in quicksand, Satan will gladly pat you on the head. - Adrian Rodgers Satan, or the devil, is always trying to beat us down and to steal our life. The Christian vocalist Carman, in his song called “Slam,” stated of the devil, “You tried to break me, tried to shake me; tried to ...read more

Scripture: John 10:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Go Tell It On The Mountain - A Mandate Into The New Year

Contributed by Brandon Queen on Jan 4, 2025

The hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” stirred my heart amid years of losses. His reminder: Christ came for you, no matter your sorrow or unworthiness. Let His birth spark hope in 2025; share His light with the world.

Go Tell it on the Mountain - A Mandate into the New Year December 29, 2024 Brandon Michael Queen / General Advent / Isaiah 52:7–10; Luke 2:8–20; Matthew 28:18–20 Introduction: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel I want to go back to the beginning of Advent. Hank started us with a gospel-centered sermon on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-17, Isaiah 7:14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Go! And Find Comfort In Grief: Seeking God’s Peace, Not The Voices Of The Past Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 20, 2025

Grief is a journey we all experience at some point in life. The loss of a loved one, whether expected or sudden, leaves a void that words cannot easily fill. In our sorrow, we long for comfort, for answers, and for peace. But where do we turn?

Go! And Find Comfort in Grief: Seeking God’s Peace, Not the Voices of the Past Introduction Grief is a journey we all experience at some point in life. The loss of a loved one, whether expected or sudden, leaves a void that words cannot easily fill. In our sorrow, we long for comfort, for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:18, John 11:25-26, Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Psalm 73:25-26, John 14:26, Job 23:10, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Revelation 21:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Elijah's Breakthrough Pt 3 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 23, 2020

Elijah's life teaches us what it means to trust God and allow God to provide for us and lead us. He also teaches us how to respond to God in tragedy and hardship and how to grow our faith through tests.

Video Transition: Martin Luther King Jr - Last Speech April 3rd the day before he is assassinated – he showed his faith over fear to do the will of God. Would you have done the same? I find it amazing today how many people think the will of God is to live safely in our homes and to live a long ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

His Love Sets Us Free

Contributed by Mike Hays on Oct 18, 2000

God's hearts desire is that you and I would come to experience the depth, breadth, and wide open spaces of His love for us.

His Love Sets Us Free 1 John 4:13-5:2 It was Tuesday, June 6th, 1944: What is known as "D-day" when the initial assault wave hit the shore at Omaha Beach. The men stormed the beach at 6:30 am and immediately lives began to be lost for the sake of their country. It was a bloody battle and the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Seasons Of Grief

Contributed by Ryan Sato on Dec 12, 2004

Here we try to understand how David coped with the loss of his best friend Jonathan. Through David’s reactions we are challenged to embrace our seasons of grief in ways that would show that we are relying on God rather than relying on ourselves.

Opener: This week we reflect on David’s real life struggle with grief. With last week’s teaching on fear, and this week’s text focussed on the theme of grief it seems like we’re wading through some heavy waters aren’t we? But this is good for us. Because I firmly believe that we (as followers ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Hedges Of Protection

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Jun 27, 2017

Was Satan telling the truth or lying when he accused God of surrounding Job with a protective hedge? If Job had one, do we? What is it? What kind of protection does it give, in view of illness. accidents, temptation, enemies, and loss that befall us?

HEDGES OF PROTECTION Note: I have developed a set of slides on PowerPoint 10. If anyone is interested in having the pptx file I will send it to you by Email. Send your request to me at sam@srmccormick.net with the subject Hedges of Protection Slides and I will send them directly, along with a file ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:16-19, Matthew 10:16-22, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Romans 8:35-37, 1 Peter 1:3-5, Psalm 91:1-16, Job 1:1-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Power When Your World Crashes

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jun 30, 2018

The gospel of Mark is answering the question who is Jesus? Mark 5 has miracles when two individual's world has crashed. Loss of hope, helplessness. some research from Bob Deffinbaugh 2004 and Rev. Ken Klaas phrases. Death is overcome. There is hope.

In Jesus Holy Name July 1, 2018 Text: Mark 5:22-24a Pentecost VI Redeemer “God’s Power When Your World Crashes” In last week’s gospel we saw Jesus quite a furious storm on the Sea of Galilee. The Disciples were amazed and asked: “What kind of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:22-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Moths Rust And Pirates Series

Contributed by John Sears on Jan 18, 2012

We live in a wolrd where the law of loss rules -- where things break down, fall apart, or are even stolen. What if we could find something that had permanent value? Where can we store it? What does that look like?

Introduction We see the evidence everywhere. It’s seen in a bike no longer ridden... a washer or dryer no longer functioning... a table or chair with a busted leg... a television that stopped working... How many of you have something you once valued now stored in your garage, shop, attic, or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Christian Church

An Outline Of Acts 19:21-41

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 1, 2023

The loss of one's livelihood might well cause normal people to do some strange things. When Paul was in Ephesus, one man's speech to his co-workers led to a riot! How it started and ended is strange indeed.

Introduction: These last verses of Acts 19 show some of the opposition Paul faced as he taught the Truth of God and God’s Word to the people in Ephesus. Paul had seen the Lord work in a number of ways; now, he was going to experience some of the hatred the devil had for him and for all those who ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:21-41

Denomination: Baptist