Sermons on Trials Refine Faith:

God’s Waiting Room

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Feb 5, 2018

This sermon is a part of the Spiritual First Aid series and looks at our waiting on the Lord when we find ourselves in His waiting room.

Spiritual First Aid “God’s Waiting Room” Introduction One of the hardest things we can do is wait. If there’s one thing we probably hate more than anything else, it is waiting. We hate to wait for the traffic light to turn green especially when there is no one else on the road, or at least half ...read more

Denomination: Foursquare

Are You A Friend Of God?

Contributed by John Oquinn on Sep 15, 2018

Abraham's' faith on trial

What does GOD have to say about you? Can you imagine what it must feel like to have GOD reference you by name -- as HIS friend? What would it take to be known as a personal friend of GOD? Abraham is said to be a friend of GOD in two different passages, one of those spoken by GOD. Isaiah 41:8 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Benefit From Your Problems Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Jan 13, 2023

A study from the book of James. This study is based on Rick Warren's book: Developing a Faith that Works, Book of James Volumes 1 & 2.

A. Of all the New Testament EPISTLES (letters written to Christians) James is the most practical of all. 1. It is the “HOW TO” MANUAL FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. a. Every verse of this book speaks so POWERFULLY to everyday LIVING—to the “NUTS and BOLTS” of Christianity. b. It’s just ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Furnace Of Your Choice!

Contributed by Rusty Tardo on Apr 30, 2009

Trials and troubles! Everybody has them! Better to suffer the furnace of trial now, than the furnace of hell later!

The Furnace of your Choice Dr. Russell K. Tardo 12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Uncompromising Faith In A Compromising World

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Aug 30, 2023

The stories of Daniel and his friends in the Bible show us how to live an uncompromising faith in a compromising world. They refused to compromise their beliefs, even when faced with death, and they were ultimately rewarded for their faithfulness.

Introduction: Dear Brothers and Sisters. As we gather today, I want to take a moment to invite you to journey back in time, to a world much different from our own, yet one that bears striking similarities to our current day. The Bible recounts the stories of individuals who stood unflinchingly ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:3-21, Daniel 3:8-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Practical Faith For Real Life Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 6, 2002

Jesus was out to prepare His disciples for their greatest trial, His crucifixion. But He was also giving us direction to prepare for the realities of life.

A Practical Faith for Real Life (Matt. 26:31-35, John 13:33-38, Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:31-38) 1. Students at Bible College/seminaries…lose track of the real world…There used to be an old saying, "It takes 10 years to get over seminary…" 2. In our church, we try to encourage an "honest ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:35-38, Matthew 26:31-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When Faith Confronts Favoritism Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 26, 2013

In the Book of James, we see the real faith that engages life's trials and temptations, social prejudice and pride, and the path to staying plugged into God.

When Faith Confronts Favoritism Series: Real Faith (The Book of James) Brad Bailey - July 14, 2013 Intro: Let me begin by asking you to reflect on this question: Who do you tend to include in your life? Who do you tend NOT to include in your life? All of us walk around with an unpublished list in ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Malachi Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Sep 26, 2021

The Refiner and Purifier of silver

September 25, 2021 We have arrived at the end of the Old Testament. We know nothing about the man, “Malachi” or the specific dates of his ministry. We do, however, get some clues from the text: The use of “governor” instead of “king” in Ch. 1:8 and references to the Temple being up and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8, Romans 5:3-5, 1 Peter 4:12-13, 2 Corinthians 3:18, James 1:2-4, Zechariah 13:8-9, Isaiah 48:10, Psalm 66:10, Romans 8:18, Malachi 3:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Festering Pharoah Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 6, 2025

God turns up the heat on pride, not to destroy but to heal—transforming our ashes into grace and our wounds into worship.

Egypt thought it had already seen the worst of it. The rivers had bled, the frogs had croaked, the flies had swarmed. But pride is hard of hearing. Pharaoh still stood tall, still folded his arms, still told God, “Not today.” So God turned up the heat. No thunder this time. No frogs hopping down ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 9:1-12, Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 4:12-13, Romans 8:28, Job 5:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Faith, Love, And Hope

Contributed by Terry Denis on Jul 13, 2021

Perhaps the best example on the exercise of the virtues of faith, love, and hope in the New Testament is found in the book of 1 Thessalonians, where the Christians, in the midst of severe trials, afflictions, and persecutions, persevered and put their faith, love, and hope into action by

Faith, Love, And Hope 1 Thessalonians 1:1-6 INTRODUCTION Perhaps the best example on the exercise of the virtues of faith, love, and hope in the New Testament is found in the book of 1 Thessalonians, where the Christians, in the midst of severe trials, afflictions, and persecutions, persevered ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Galatians & Thessalonians: Faith In Jesus, Encouragement For Trials, & The End Times

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Sep 24, 2021

The message of the book of Galatians is very clear: You are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the works of the law.

“A duck hunter was with a friend in the wide-open land of southeastern Georgia. Far away on the horizon he noticed a cloud of smoke. Soon he could hear crackling as the wind shifted. He realized the terrible truth; a brushfire was advancing, so fast they couldn't outrun it. Rifling through his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, Galatians 3:3-6, Galatians 5:13-26

Denomination: Salvation Army

Go! And Shine Like Diamonds In The Darkness - Malachi 3:17 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 6, 2025

God takes us — broken, buried in sin, seemingly worthless — and through His grace in Jesus Christ, He cleanses, refines, and transforms us into something of eternal worth.

Go! And Shine Like Diamonds in the Darkness - Malachi 3:17 Malachi 3:17 (NLT): “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.” Introduction: Diamonds in ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:17, Ezekiel 28:13, Isaiah 54:10, Zechariah 13:9, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 2:9, John 8:12, Matthew 5:16, Romans 5:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

How’s Your Faith Now?

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Apr 12, 2012

Satan's goal = to use trials to extinguish our faith God’s goal = To ignite our faith

1 Peter 1:6-9-In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9

Denomination: Baptist

Faith, Faith, And Faith

Contributed by Jimmy Giffin on Apr 3, 2004

This message shows three distinct phases of Faith.

FAITH, FAITH AND FAITH Text: John 11 Tell the story of the death of Lazarus. I. Struggling Faith (Martha) vv 20-27 A. A person in deep water. 1. Trying to find something to cling to. 2. But it is just out of reach. B. If you only had been here Jesus (Martha) 1. ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-46

Denomination: Church Of God

From Doubting To Faith

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jul 19, 2025

The best thing we can do during difficulties and trials is to bring all our griefs, troubles, and discouragements to Jesus. This is what John the Baptist did when he was in prison, and it helped him move from doubting to faith.

All me to begin with an illustration: “Joe Scriven was a missionary from Ireland to Canada, working among the Iroquois Indians. He was joined by his fiancé, who was also from Ireland. Just before the wedding, she was killed in an accident. Joe buried her with his own hands and a broken ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-15

Denomination: Baptist