Sermons on Trials Refine Faith:

Consider It All Joy? You Must Be Joking!

Contributed by Mark Roper on Nov 20, 2007

God uses many different kinds of trials in our lives in order to mold, awaken, and mature us, i.e., to make us lovely, Christ like people

Consider It All Joy? You Must Be Joking! James 1:2-1:4 Introduction: God uses many different kinds of trials in our lives in order to mold, awaken, and mature us, i.e., to make us lovely, Christ like people Preposition: Many times we balk at the very thought of suffering it. It’s ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Church Of God

Stand Up

Contributed by Carl Allen on Aug 19, 2009

Trials are a common part of the Christian life, but not one that we should allow to rule us. This portion of Thessalonians gives us insight into how we can stand up against the trials that come our way.

Stand Up 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 Intro Before a child can walk, he must learn to stand. Usually the father and mother teach the child to stand and then to walk. Paul was the “spiritual parent” to these believers, but he had been forced to leave Thessalonica. How, then, could he help these young ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

From Trouble To Triumph Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Aug 4, 2009

Trials in the life of a Christian are a norm. But it is how we handles those trials, that separates us from the rest.

From Trouble to Triumph James 2:2-12 Intro Trials in the life of a Christian are a part of life. How we view those trials and handle them is a whole different story though. The Scriptures mention at least eight purposes for the Lord’s allowing trials to come to the lives of His ...read more

Scripture: James 2:2-12

Denomination: Baptist

Provoked To Action

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Mar 15, 2004

You have heard me say this before that TRIALS WILL BRING OUT THE BEST IN YOU OR THEY WILL BRING OUT THE WORST IN YOU. I want to say to you this morning that if you are going through a trial it is God’s purpose to use it to bring out the best in you, and t

Provoked to Action This Morning we will be preaching on this thought: of being "Provoked to Action." We have been discussing 40 day periods in the bible, some are reading Rick Warren’s book, "The Purpose Driven Life," which takes advantage of the 40 day principle in the Bible and provides a 40 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-26

Denomination: Pentecostal

How Can I Be Happy When Life Is So Hard? Series

Contributed by N A on May 16, 2014

How can we be happy when life is hard? When we remember that God is good, and that every trial can cause us to grow and become more like Jesus.

JOURNEY THROUGH JAMES #2: HOW CAN I BE HAPPY WHEN LIFE IS HARD? INTRO TO TOPIC: Discuss the song “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. • Happy reached the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending March 1, 2014. • The song has remained at the No. 1 position longer than ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-17

Denomination: *other

Be A Doer, Not Just A Hearer

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jul 10, 2019

A study in the book of James 1: 1 – 27

James 1: 1 – 27 Be a doer, not just a hearer 1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But ...read more

Scripture: James 1:15

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Shake And Bake Series

Contributed by Tom Owen on Dec 7, 2010

Learning how to be the church in today's world through learning from the book of Acts.

[2] How many of you have ever heard of the cooking method called shake ‘n bake? [Shake ‘n bake demonstration.] Ever feel like that piece of pork? Let me rephrase that… Ever feel like that piece of meat? Wait a minute… Ever feel like your trapped in a situation ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:13-33

Denomination: Baptist

When Troubles Come Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Aug 29, 2013

So let me get this straight James... I am to 'rejoice' when troubles come my way?

A Study of the Letter of James James 1:1-8 August 21, 2013 Last week we learned a little about the background and history of the book of James. During this past week I asked you to read the ENTIRE book of James once every day… how many did that? Tonight we are going to begin our study in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

Do Not Lose Heart! (Part 2)

Contributed by Tim Patrick on Nov 10, 2009

This sermon offers resources for coping with discouragement and help in overcoming despair.

Last week we began a series entitled “Do Not Lose Heart.” We established the point that many people lose heart as they travel the path of life. I mentioned Jim Ryun, who was a long distance runner. At one point in his life he lost heart with running and walked off of the track. He quit. He was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Triumph In Trying Times: Antidotes To Losing Heart

Contributed by Lloyd John Ogilvie on Aug 9, 2011

A sermon to give support and strength to those struggling in difficult times.

Life has its trying times times. Some would say we have more than our share right now. Life is not easy. We only go round once. And for most it’s no merry-go-round ride, but a difficult, bumpy journey. People pressures get us down; problems pile up; worries and anxieties persist. The ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:16-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cross The Jordan Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Dec 21, 2023

This terrible river, lying at the bottom of the most spectacular gash upon the surface of the planet Earth, most of its course lying even below the level of the sea, is an astoundingly appropriate symbol of death. But a faith Step changes everything.

Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan Promise and the Problems: On the shore of Jordan Israelites were lodging for three days as the Lord told them to do (Joshua 1:11). Now, they saw a rushing river, swollen with spring rains lie in front of them. They would have wondered and discussed “How can we ever ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Glimpse The Glory Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 21, 2009

If we glimpse the glory ahead for every believer, we’ll be able to carry the cross today when times are hard.

Three store owners shared adjacent storefronts in the same building. Times were tough. In hopes of picking up sales, the owner of the shop at one end of the building put a sign over his front entrance that said, YEAR-END CLEARANCE!!! At the other end of the building, another owner responded ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Battle We All Face. Psalm 62:5-8

Contributed by David Cramer on Aug 2, 2025

A message about how to continue the walk of faith through life's trials.

Grab your bible and say this with me This is my Bible I am what is says I am I have what it says I have Today I will be taught more of the Word of God I boldly confess My Mind is alert My heart is receptive. I will never be the same. I am about to receive the incorruptible, Indestructible ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 62:5-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Going From Bad To Worse Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 5, 2011

What should we do when our day goes from bad to worse? We should run to God. In this sermon, we see what Moses does when things don't go the way he would hope.

Introduction: A. Have you ever had a truly bad day? 1. Have you ever had a day that went from bad to worse? 2. Imagine this guy, parachuting into a beautiful lagoon populated by alligators! 3. How about this guy, being rescued by helicopter, only to be eaten by a shark! (probably a doctored ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pressing On To The Goal Series

Contributed by Harold Laubach Jr on Oct 22, 2011

A sermon about perseverance and the trials we endure.

As we get started today, I wanted to speak about finishing the race. Not so much about the end, but about the trials and issues we all have on the way. I will be spending a lot of time in Philippians chapter 3 if you’d like to follow along in your Bibles. We heard a few minutes ago about ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Denomination: Salvation Army