Sermons on Trials Refine Faith:

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 All of us walk around with an unpublished list in ...read more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

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

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

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

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, 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

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

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, 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

What Shall I Say? Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Oct 14, 2008

When confronted about my faith, what can I say?

WHAT SHALL I SAY? Romans 8:31-39 * Have you ever been in position where you NEEDED to say something and didn’t know what to say? Certainly, we all have. Quite frankly, every person holds some fear of being in that situation. * When does this seem to happen? Well two of those possibilities are ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39

Denomination: Baptist

The Resurrection Power: Celebrating Easter Sunday By Pastor Joseph Ondu

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Mar 27, 2024

As we fellowship with Christ in His sufferings, we also share in the power of His resurrection. It is through the crucible of trials and tribulations that our faith is refined and strengthened, leading to a greater revelation of Christ's resurrection power in our lives.

Introduction: Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we gather in joyful celebration to commemorate the most significant event in Christian history – the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday is not merely a time for bunnies and chocolate eggs, but a time to reflect ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-7, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, Philippians 3:10-11, Romans 6:4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Stress Testing

Contributed by John Mccormack on Dec 8, 2012

A TESTING OF YOUR FAITH

STRESS TESTING INTRODUCTION: THIS STUDY ADDRESSES THE MERITS OF ENDURING ADVERSITY. DO NOT CONFUSE TRIALS-ADVERSITY WITH “FAITH BUILDING” FOR FAITH COMES BY HEARING THE WORD OF GOD (ROMANS 10:17). JEWISH BELIEVERS IN THE EARLY CHURCH EXPERIENCED ANTAGONISM AND PERSECUTION ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Why Do Bad Things Happen To People Trying To Be Faithful To God? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 16, 2022

King Hezekiah has tried to be faithful and yet a frightening attack from the Assyrians is headed his way. Why would God allow that and what can we learn from Hezekiah's response?

BUT KING HEZEKIAH WAS FAITHFUL: Why do bad things happen to people trying to be faithful to God? - 2 Chronicles 32:1. - Dismiss the idea of “why do bad things happen to good people?” with a discussion of the fact that none of us are good people. - This verse uses the word “faithfully” and that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 32:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Perseverance Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 26, 2021

“The Christian must expect to be jostled by trials on the Christian way.” All kinds of experiences will come to us. There will be the test of our sorrows and disappointments that threaten to take away our faith. There will be the test of the seductions which seek to lure us from the right way.

Title: Perseverance Text: James:1:3-4 (KJV) 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Introduction F. J. A. Hort, the New Testament scholar, writes: “The Christian must expect to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:3-4

Denomination: Baptist