Sermons on Triumph In Tragedy:

Famous Last Words

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 1, 2015

It is the everlasting covenant that gives David the courage to hope. Man may fail, but God will not. The covenant is set in place by God, and guaranteed by God.

FAMOUS LAST WORDS. 2 Samuel 23:1-7. The Bible sometimes permits us to listen in on the death-bed words of a dying saint. We hear Jacob blessing his sons. We hear Moses blessing the twelve tribes. We are interested also to hear the seven last sayings of Jesus from the Cross. In the passage ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hope For A New Year Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Apr 26, 2022

In the times and cultures of the Colossian church, hope was a commodity hard to come by. In his letter to them, Paul instructs them where they can find the kind of hope no one can rob from them.

I. Intro A. There is a poignant scene in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, where Jesus is carrying His cross down the Via Dolorosa. Upon seeing Mary, His mother, Jesus says, “Look, mother, I am doing a new thing.” B. For us, every day is a new thing, but some days have more importance than ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20, Philippians 2:6, John 1:14, John 8:58, John 10:30, Romans 8:29, John 1:1-3, Romans 11:33-36, Revelation 22:13, Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 2:19, John 5:28-29  (view more)  (view less)

Things Planned Long Ago

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 31, 2020

The ultimate triumph of the gospel.

THINGS PLANNED LONG AGO. Isaiah 25:1-9. This passage begins in song (Isaiah 25:1), and ends in song (Isaiah 25:9), with a feast in between (Isaiah 25:6-8). The first song is a solo, “You are my God” (Isaiah 25:1) and begins with praise to the LORD for “the wonderful things” that He has ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 25:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Storm Before The Calm Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 24, 2006

[Hurricane Katrina--1 year later.] Jesus and His disciples are on a stormy sea, and we can learn much about our voyage thru life by way of this passage. Link included to formatted MS Word text and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Storm Before the Calm Matthew 8:23-27 1 year ago this week a powerful storm and devastating surge came to the Gulf Coast. Though it’s calm now and the waters receded, left in the wake is devastation still to this day. Oft in literature life is compared to a voyage at sea. The same is so in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

History Class Part 1 Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Feb 4, 2010

A study of the book of Ezekiel chapter 20 verses 1 thrugh 26

Ezekiel 20: 1 – 26 History Class Part 1 “1 It came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me. 2 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 3 “Son of man, ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 20:1-26

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Katie - "Strong Enough"

Contributed by Brad Henry on Oct 24, 2011

In times of tragedy we think we have to be strong. This is just the opposite of what God desires. This lesson will hopefully you give you a new perspective on the storms of life.

Last Wednesday I received a text from a dear friend of mine in Phoenix. He said that his 15 year old daughter Katie was going in for some tests to determine the reasons for some health issues she was having. I went to bed without knowing the results. I woke up the next morning and I had a text from ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-3

Where Was God? [sandy Hook School Shooting]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 15, 2012

Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint template.

Where Was God? Psalm 46 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/wherewasgod.html Psalm 46:1-11 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From The Life Of King Solomon

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Jan 10, 2012

The story that we are most familiar with in Solomon’s life is that of his asking for wisdom from God. Not only did God grant Solomon’s request for wisdom but also gave him power, riches, fame, and prosperity. Solomon had all that a man could ask for in th

Intro: The story that we are most familiar with in Solomon’s life is that of his asking for wisdom from God (I Kgs. 3:5-11). Not only did God grant Solomon’s request for wisdom but also gave him power, riches, fame, and prosperity. Solomon had all that a man could ask for in this life. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:5-15, 1 Kings 11:1

Denomination: *other

Cry Unto The Lord

Contributed by Shawn Rose on Aug 17, 2010

A funeral sermon, for someone that has died unexpectedly and was unsaved.

Psalm 120:1 “In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me. “ Intro: • When someone dies unexpectedly, terrible tragedy • Lots of questions, variety of feelings • “What should I do?” Cry unto the Lord • 7 reasons why you should cry unto the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 120:1

Denomination: Baptist

Things We Lost In The Fire

Contributed by Charles Jones on Nov 27, 2010

This Sermon was composed after I watched the movie Things We Lost In The Fire I also share my personal notes on the movie.

Things We Lost In The Fire by Bishop Charles Jones Job 1:1-1:22 "Things We Lost In The Fire " Scripture Text: Job 1 Halle Berry plays a woman named Audrey Burke who is reeling from the shock of the news that has just been delivered to her door by the local police: her warm and loving husband ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Allowing Darkness In?

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Jul 23, 2012

Do we focus on godly things or do we allow darkness to creep into our lives?

Many of you know the tragedy that happened early Friday morning when a 24 year old man went on a shooting spree in a theater full of people watching the opening of the Batman movie. 12 innocent people were killed and many were injured including many children! We get shocked of course from these ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:33-36

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Storms In Life

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Sep 26, 2017

As we see the destruction of another hurricane season and other catastrophic events our hearts are sensitized to the great need around the world. Can we find a comparison in the "storms" of our own personal lives?

(This is more of a mini-sermon with "thought" that will need to be fleshed out in your own words. I hope that it is not too muddled for you to follow. May the Lord fill you with grace and peace today! PTL!!) Please open your Bibles to Matthew 8:18-27 which we will read in a few minutes. There ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:18-27, Revelation 6:15-17

Denomination: Nazarene

Knocked Off Balance

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 11, 2023

When you are knocked off your feet, blind with tears or pain or even a light like the one Paul saw, the first thing to do is seek God.

This has been a bad week. It started with one of the worst tragedies that has ever hit our country. Only wars, terrorist attacks and natural disasters have caused more anguish, more grief and suffering and loss, and more questions about providence and the presence - or absence - of God. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-5, Acts 9:8-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Vs Eeyore Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 31, 2021

The same divine being who planned out and created the galaxies by an effortless command comes to those who are oppressed with healing, and to the oppressors with rebuke.

Fifth Sunday in Coarse 2021 There is nothing subtle about the first chapter of St. Mark’s Gospel. He introduces us to John the Baptist, then Jesus comes from Nazareth and is baptized. Immediately He is driven by the Spirit into the wilderness and is tempted. He goes to Galilee to begin preaching, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 147:1-6, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Job 7:1-7, Mark 1:29-39

Denomination: Catholic

Gird Yourselves And Lament

Contributed by Mike Bryant on Feb 22, 2021

As Joel addresses a nation brought to its knees by a locust plague, he leaves us with a plan for surviving overwhelming disaster in our own lives. Broad outline borrowed from "The Day of Disaster," a sermon by W. Maynard Pittendreigh.

I) In Joel 1:1-3, God through His prophet addresses a people faced with absolute calamity. A) He asks, “Has anything like this happened in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?” (NKJV). He says that the nation faces a crisis greater than any seen in generations (“or even in the days of ...read more

Scripture: John 11:35, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Philippians 4:6-7, Ecclesiastes 7:2-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ