Sermons on Trial By Fire:

Part 7 - Why Does Bad Stuff Happen To Good People? Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 26, 2010

We all ask it....why? And "why me"? Is there an answer?

Job was a man who lived in Uz. He was honest inside and out, a man of his word, who was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion. Job 1:1 (TMSG) --- No rest for me, ever—death has invaded life. Job 3:26b (TMSG) Why does bad stuff happen to good people? This question is such a ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Gethsemane

Contributed by Randy Croft on Dec 21, 2009

Reflections on Gethsemane

When have you been closest to death? ILLUS: I seem to come close every time I play softball with (name of parishioner)...especially when I’m on Third base and he lines a sharp foul ball...or playing paintball-- I remind everyone that I’m a noncombatant, but that doesn’t work either... ILLUS: I ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Answers, Not Appeasement

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 19, 2010

When our needs are real, we want genuine answers, not just appeasements. Look to self-esteem, look to the resources already present, and look to the Lord of victory for real answers.

When you need something, and you ask for it, what do you expect? Do you expect an answer or an appeasement? Do you expect a clear-cut, usable answer to your request, or are you satisfied if you are just told, well, have a nice day? When you need something, and you ask for it, which really satisfies ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 17:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

Mourning For Haiti

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jan 21, 2010

Isaiah 57:1 NIV The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.

Mourning for Haiti Psalm 23 On January 12, 2010, at 4:53 pm Eastern Standard Time Haiti was struck by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, the country's most severe earthquake in over 200 years. The epicenter of the quake was just off the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, a city of 2 million. Our world has ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Worry Well Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Oct 27, 2009

How do we live fearless lives as Christians? God’s heart is that we not just survive, but thrive (adapted from a series taughty by Pastor Larry Osborne, North Coast Church).

Introduction Fearless the series continues- last installment. We will be addressing the topic of worry today. Much to worry about today and even be fearful of. How do we master our fears/concerns as Christians? How do we worry well? Do you know someone who worries? Do you worry? What do you worry ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Charismatic

A Bitter Goodbye Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 28, 2009

Life’s crossroads can be messy, but sometimes you cannot walk around the mud, but you must march right through it. Yet even [when we are] walking through the mud, God does not abandon His children.

A Bitter Goodbye (Genesis 31:17-55) 1. At Kokomo’s Jackson Morrow Park, Marylu and I were hiking. We like to walk several times a week, and a walk in the woods can add an pleasant environment. I decided to take a short cut near the creek…I thought the ground was solid, but I immediately sunk in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 31:17-55

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Perseverance Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 24, 2009

There is a process in our becoming all that God credated us to be. This is the human side of the divine change.

James 1:2-4, 22-25 “Perseverance” INTRODUCTION When it comes to travel, I think many of us are highway people. We want to go the fastest way possible in order to get to our destination as quickly as we can. We aren’t really interested in seeing the sights or stopping at the tourist ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Playing It Safe: Job's Friend Zophar Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 7, 2009

For Lent and Annunciation: Zophar’s counsel is to "play it safe" by sticking to ideas rather than engaging persons. He thinks that security is the goal. God in Christ takes the risk of loving us and living with us.

Every human heart is so made that it can be hurt. Of that I have no doubt. Every human heart is subject to hurt, to pain, to shock. Every one of us is subject to feelings that we do not enjoy -- disappointment, anger, despair, guilt, anxiety -- a whole range of painful feelings. And we either deal ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons About Prayer From Life's Battlefield Series

Contributed by Noel Atkinson on Oct 17, 2010

I. They learned that a trial often comes on the heels of a victory II. They learned that they could depend on God in battle III. They learned the value of prayer IV. They learned the importance of praying for one another Looking at moses on the battle

Prayer part 1 LESSONS LEARNED ON LIFE’S BATTLEFIELD There are times when the walk of the Christian is difficult. It is difficult to live in community, it is difficult to pray, to read your bible and be responsible. This is so difficult that the government has to run ads on television ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:8-16

Denomination: Baptist

Persecución Y Sufrimiento De La Iglesia

Contributed by Major Gerardo Balmori on Mar 23, 2010

Se tiene la idea falsa de que al convertirnos a Cristo todos nuestros problemas se van a acabar y parece que en algunos casos es todo lo contrario.

Mayor Gerardo Balmori El Ejército de Salvación PERSECUCION Y SUFRIMIENTO DE LA IGLESIA 2 Corintios 12:7-10 Introducción: Alguien preguntó porque sufre el justo... Esta de hecho fue la primera pregunta que surgió en mi mente desde los primeros días de mi conversión. Que el pecador sufra no ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Salvation Army

Who Are You Going To Call When You Need Help?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jul 25, 2011

When you just can’t do it your self and you need someone to give you a helping hand to make it through, who do you reach out to for help? You may feel like there is no one you can run to but I’ve got good news there is One you can run to.

Who Are You Going To Call When You Need Help? Psalm 20:1-9 When trouble comes your way, to whom do you run to bail you out? When you have overwhelming needs, who do seek out to meet those needs? When you just can’t do it your self and you need someone to give you a helping hand to make it ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 20:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Handed Over Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Dec 25, 2012

The passion of Jesus is happening precisely because Jesus is perfect and in perfect control. All this handing over is going according to script.

Introduction We continue along the road that for Jesus has been a travesty of justice and friendship. First, Jesus, the Messiah of the Jews, is conspired against by their leaders. Judas, one of his disciples, sells his loyalty to the conspirators. The rest of the disciples abandon him at his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Far From Home

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Jan 28, 2013

Why is there so much trouble in the world and trouble in our lives? The trouble that we experience is just symptomatic of a single underlying problem that has become somewhat of a dirty word!

Far From Home Why is there so much trouble in the world? Why are there wars, murders, divorce, sickness, death, unrest, disappointment, depression, addiction, earthquakes, tornadoes, drought and famine? And you could go on and on, seemingly without end. The answer is clearly in Genesis 3:1-7: ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Blessing Of Suffering Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 9, 2011

Don’t fear people. Fear Christ and follow Him from grief to glory. Look to Jesus alone to keep your conscience clear even in the midst of your pain. Then you will enjoy the benefit of pain.

Joanna Lerud of Steamboat Rock, Iowa, was standing up to leave a restaurant when she hit her head hard on a lamp hanging above the table. As she staggered away, she heard an older gentleman, who was sitting nearby, say, “It will feel better when it stops hurting.” (Joanna Lerud, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Recovery Of Treasured Possessions Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Oct 3, 2012

A study of the Gospel of Luke 15: 8 – 32

Luke 15: 8 – 32 The Recovery Of Treasured Possessions 8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:8-32

Denomination: Calvary Chapel