Sermons on Trials:

Confused By God's Favor

Contributed by John Appling on Dec 22, 2008

Mary is described in this passage as highly favored by God. But this favor didn’t result in an easy time. We need to understand God’s thoughts if we are not going to struggle in life.

Confused by God’s favor – by John Appling Luke 1:26-38 26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Encouragement For Those Who Suffer

Contributed by Shawn Rose on Dec 27, 2008

The apostle Peter gives us encouragement to help us when we suffer.

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER Text: 1 Peter 1:13 – 16 Introduction: • 64 AD Rome burns under Nero; Nero blames Christians • Christians around world still suffer • US suffering: verbal, emotional, or physical abuse; inciting to lose temper or to sin; hindering your service for God ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Ah, Lord God

Contributed by Andy Barnard on Dec 27, 2008

When things don’t go according to our plan, we need to know God is stil in control

An explorer in the deepest Amazon suddenly finds himself surrounded by a bloodthirsty group of natives. Upon surveying his situation, he says quietly to himself, "I’m toast." A ray of light breaks forth from the sky and a voice booms out: "No, you are NOT toast. Pick up that stone in front of you ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:1-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

When Your World Is Turned Upside Down

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Apr 23, 2008

When our world is turned upside down we need God’s truth to guide us, instead of our feelings.

When Your World is Turned upside Down Psalms 34 and; 1 Samuel 21:10-15 1 A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away. I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. 2 I will boast only in the LORD; let all who ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-22

Denomination: Wesleyan

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 11, 2011

This question haunts many of us, especially as Christians. We think that things should go well if we are blessed of the Lord. When bad things happen, even seemingly disconnected things like losing a job or getting into an accident, we wonder why? Paul won

Finally here in the latter half of Chapter 11, Paul defends himself to the super-apostles by listing his accomplishments. He does it very reluctantly as he should. Taking credit for what you’ve done was normative for the false teachers in Corinth but is “this age” thinking. God is ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Grace And Future Glory Series

Contributed by Martin Wiles on May 10, 2011

God takes everything in our life-good and evil, and works it together for good in his purpose for our life.

Romans 8:18-30 Introduction: A. There is a longing in humans that leads them to want something better and to believe there is more to life than experienced on earth. B. While we don’t necessarily want to die to attain the better experience, believers maintain taking this step is the only way ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-30

Denomination: Baptist

Where Will God Take You?

Contributed by Ernest Canell on Jan 7, 2009

WHere is God taking you to. A fresh understanding to help us move forward in GOd’s direction

Where will God take you? Luke 2:26-28 When you say, "It’s time for us to move, not just feed," the flock will mumble. But a pastor, by definition, is a shepherd who is not only feeding, but also is taking people somewhere. My goal in preaching is to help people capture God’s vision and align ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:26-28

Denomination: *other

Heart Trouble

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Jul 15, 2014

The Scripture teaches that persecution comes from every side to those who live like Jesus. Living for Jesus is radical. It is intrinsically counter-cultural. To walk like Jesus we walk against the flow of our culture.

Heart Trouble Mark 15:1-20 Jesus before Pilate 1 Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole Council, immediately held a consultation; and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate. 2 Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

God Always Has A Plan

Contributed by Terry Frazier on Feb 1, 2013

Christians need to learn to look at all the circumstances in our lives, the good and what we consider to be bad circumstances and look at these circumstances the way God does. We need to remember that God uses all of our circumstances to teach us things!

If you’ve been around me for any length of time then you know that I am fond of saying that God always has a plan for each of us. Sometimes we like how His plan unfolds for us and sometimes we can become disappointed in how the plan unfolds. I have also mentioned a Bible study that Diane and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Anchor

Contributed by John Gaston on Jul 25, 2013

God fashioned an anchor of hope for us, so that we can ride out our storms. We’re going to look at the purpose of this anchor, what it’s made of, how we hold onto it, and how it holds us.

THE ANCHOR Heb. 6:16-20a INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR Husband/Wife Follies 1. A husband asked his wife about what she wanted for her birthday. She answered, "I want something that's bright and shiny, and can go from 0 –150 in 3 seconds; That's what I want for my birthday!" So He got her a bathroom ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:16-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

From Pleasant To Bitter Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jul 30, 2013

Upon Naomi's return home she said, "Don't call me Naomi [Pleasant] anymore. Call me Mara [Bitter]" This sermon examines her bitterness, now destructive bitterness is and how to deal with the trials in life.

From Pleasant to Bitter Chuck Sligh Series: Ruth July 28, 2013 TEXT: Ruth 1:19-22 – “So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? 20 And she said unto them, ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

"...other Little Boats"

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on May 31, 2013

Calling attention to the phrase "other little boats", we consider the hurt of so many around us.

“...OTHER LITTLE BOATS" Mark 4:35-41 (v.36) This little phrase is often overlooked and somewhat overshadowed by the more spectacular events mentioned in the account. I. THE REALITY OF THE STORM! Storms on the Sea of Galilee (as on the “sea of life”) are all too common. No ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Feel Forsaken? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 25, 2012

Often Christians their most difficult moments when they choose to trust God in difficult times and then He seems not to answer. David, and Jesus experienced this and we can learn from their reactions.

Psalm 21 is a royal psalm that celebrates the king’s victory and looks forward to future victories over the enemies of Israel. It’s a psalm that gives us comfort as we entrust our future to Him. This is likely connected to Psalm 20 where David cried out for just such a victory. 1 In ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 3, 2012

One of the greatest of all the psalms gives us hope when venturing out of the sheep pen that a God of great love will accompany us in life's darkest valleys.

Psalm 23 is by far the most well-known of the psalms. Many people who are not Jewish or Christian can often recite it from memory. It has even made its way into popular films and TV shows (mostly in graveside scenes). Overall this psalm gives us a picture of God as provider, no matter what ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

A Picture Of Abuse Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 23, 2013

The experience of Peter and John gives a clear picture of persecution.

The early church was doing well. However, last time (Acts 5:1-11) we saw the introduction and the punishment of hypocrisy as it entered the church for the first time. We saw that it was Satan’s way of trying to stop the growth of the church. Well Satan continues in tonight’s passage ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-25

Denomination: Baptist