Sermons on Trials Of The Saints:

Why Does God Allow Pain? Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jan 8, 2010

If God really is there and loves me, why do I still hurt?

Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Jeremiah 15:18a It’s always helpful at the start of a journey to know where you’re headed! Let me share some of the “roadmap” for our series on ‘WHY’ – the questions people ask. The well-known artist and songwriter Bill ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 15:18

Denomination: United Methodist

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

Steps To Self Destruction Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Apr 7, 2010

A study of chapter 18 verses 1 through 30

1 Samuel 18: 1 - 30 Steps to Self Destruction 1 Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. 3 Then Jonathan and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1-30

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The First Six Seals

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Apr 28, 2010

The seals show the suffering of the world which believers must endure, even if it means martyrdom, but they are precursors to hope.

Like other prophecy, Revelation has a layered quality. Some say it is about the Roman Empire beginning with 70 AD. Some say it is about all time since Christ. Others say it is about the last days. I say, yes it is. One interpretation does not necessarily negate another. Rather, like much ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:1-17

Denomination: Mennonite

Ring Around The Myrtle Bush Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Apr 30, 2010

A study of chapter 1 verses 1 through 20

Zechariah 1: 1 – 20 Ring around the Myrtle Bush 1 In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, 2 “The LORD has been very angry with your fathers. 3 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 1:1-20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Last Lap

Contributed by Steve Keeler on May 9, 2010

God helps us run the race before us. Are you planning on finishing the race of life well? With God's help you can.

The Last Lap by Steve Keeler 2 Timothy 4:7-8; "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It's All Good

Contributed by Steve Keeler on May 9, 2010

No matter how hard it may seem, as Christians we also are supposed to rejoice in all things.

It's All Good by Steve Keeler Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." "Once upon a time." How long has it been since you heard a story that began like that once upon a time? Well, we're ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seven Examples Of Testing In The Bible Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Oct 30, 2006

This sermon looks at seven examples of how people were tested in the Bible.

Seven Examples of Testing Job 23:8-10 (HCSB) 8 If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot perceive Him. 9 When He is at work to the north, I cannot see Him; when He turns south, I cannot find Him. 10 Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:8-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Suffering And The Human Condition: Where Was God? Series

Contributed by John Barry on Jun 12, 2009

The editor-in-chief of Bible Study magazine addresses the topic of suffering and God’s place in it and through it.

I was in a room close to 7:00 AM playing Jazz with my High School Jazz Band. We had band practice at 6:00 AM Monday to Friday mornings. (What kind of deranged person came up with that idea?) As I was sitting there at the drum set playing along half-asleep, the intercom began to come on and off. It ...read more

Denomination: *other

The Peace Of Faith Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 20, 2009

What is it that makes these verses so forceful? To me it is the courageous way in which Habakkuk faces possible calamities & triumphs over them through knowledge & faith in his Savior. Habakkuk has learned the lesson of faith taught in 2:4

Habakkuk 3:16-17 THE PEACE OF HABAKKUK’S FAITH [Psalms 18:18-33] The last section of this glorious chapter contains some of the most moving verses in all the Bible. On one occasion it was used by Benjamin Franklin, who was not a Christian, to confound some of the sophisticated, cultured ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:16-19

Denomination: Baptist

Surviving Life's Dark Times Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 27, 2009

Life’s dark times can pull us in all directions and produce all sorts of feelings; we must cling God during those bleak experiences.

Surviving Life’s Dark Times (Jeremiah 20:1-18) 1. After Jeremiah’s trip to the pottery shop, he had been commanded to assemble the elders and leaders of the city and smash a completed piece of pottery to pieces before them. Then he preached a message that God was going to do just that with ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Get Past Frustration: Experiencing The Power Of The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Charles Wallis on May 7, 2009

The disciples were frustrated because Jesus was leaving, but the Holy Spirit gets us past frustration.

How to Get Past Frustration: Experiencing the Power of the Holy Spirit I. Introduction a. Have you ever lost your power? Were you frustrated? b. Personal Story: “My car wouldn’t start…I found out the battery connections were dirty…” c. Main Point/Theme: We can get past frustration when we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Dust In The Wind

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 12, 2008

The “winds of change” brings dust into your life to change your shape into what God has in store for you. Dust may come in the form of your reputation slandered, Relocation out of your comfort zone, or separation of friends. Swirling sand helps you disco

Dust In The Wind I close my eyes only for a moment and the moment’s gone. All my dreams pass before my eyes, a curiosity. Dust in the wind. All they are is dust in the wind. Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea. All we do crumbles to the ground though we refuse to see. Dust in the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational