Sermons on Wilderness Survival:

Satisfying The Real Thirst Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 26, 2025

This sermon on Psalm 63 describes how David, in the wilderness, expressed a desperate, physical and spiritual thirst for God's presence, which he valued as better than life itself and which ultimately brought him deep satisfaction and confident praise.

??Today, we turn our hearts to a psalm that feels as relevant today as it did thousands of years ago. When King David penned these words, he wasn't in the comfort of his home, surrounded by friends and family. The heading of the psalm tells us he was in the wilderness of Judah. ?Imagine that ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God Hears And Answers Earnest Prayer Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Oct 2, 2010

How many churches band together to reach their community by having an all night prayer service! Prayer is VITAl to our survival as believers and to our fellowship! If we are to reach our community for Christ, we must start on our knees! And when we pray f

Date Written: October 1, 2010 Date Preached: October 3, 2010 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: Reaching our Community Sermon Title: God Hears & Answers Earnest Prayer Sermon Text: Acts 12:5-17 MPT: God heard and answered the earnest prayers of the church for the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:5-17

Denomination: Baptist

A New Beginning

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on May 4, 2013

Ruth was a widow who performed hard labor every day of her life in extremely hot weather conditions in order to survive. Her workplace was very hostile as she scraped food together which the reapers discarded on the ground. This must have been very humili

ANOINTED FOR A NEW BEGINNING Ruth was a widow who performed hard labor every day of her life in extremely hot weather conditions in order to survive. Her workplace was very hostile as she scraped food together which the reapers discarded on the ground. This must have been very humiliating and ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:3

Denomination: Charismatic

Faithfulness Produces Grace – Ruth, Part 3 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Oct 23, 2022

God still provides, even when we think there is no hope. But - don’t miss this - WE have to make an effort! Ruth went to work, she did not just wait for God’s blessing – she set out to survive and God honored that through Boaz!

“Faithfulness produces Grace” – Ruth, Part 3 Ruth Sermon Series, Part 3 Ruth 2:1-17 Introduction - Last week we set the foundation of Ruth around some very difficult times -- Famine causes a family to move from God’s land, disobeys God’s commands - Week 1 exposed a hard lesson – and one that ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love That Is Better Than Life Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 20, 2003

Before David was forced into the wilderness he was obsessed with his own comfort and the satisfaction of his own needs. It’s only when everything is taken from him that he becomes obsessed with God Himself, finding full satisfaction in his praise of Him.

Love That is Better Than Life I came across some actual signs this week. On a plumbing company’s van: “A flush beats a full house!” At a tire shop in Milwaukee: “Invite us to your next blowout!” At a towing company: “We don’t charge an arm and a leg. We want tows.” On a maternity room door: ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 62:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Because He Lives, There Is Hope Series

Contributed by Ian Johnson on Aug 11, 2005

If you are wondering what God is up to in your wilderness, The answer will always be the same, He is building your trust and faith in Him. God will sustain us in the place of need, even when it seems like a hopeless situation. Even when it seems all is lo

Psalm 68:1-13 - NLT 1 Arise, O God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives. 2 Drive them off like smoke blown by the wind. Melt them like wax in fire. Let the wicked perish in the presence of God.3 But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 68:1-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Spiritual Warrior’s Divine Armor - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 21, 2010

Christ has forged an armor that renders its wearer perfectly safe against all spiritual warfare hurled against us. Christ used it when He was led out into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. It was thoroughly tested on Christ so that all who put it

EPHESIANS 6: 16-18 THE SPIRITUAL WARRIOR’S DIVINE ARMOR - Part II [Isaiah 59:15b-17 / 2 Samuel 22:31-43] A young football coach was hired as a scout for his college. Before his first assignment, he said, “Coach, what kind of player are you looking for? The coach said, “Well, there is the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Transforming Power Of Bloopers

Contributed by Craig Condon on Mar 7, 2015

The Holy Spirit gives a transfigured person power to do what he or she could not do before. Authority stood on the mountaintop. The same authority and light guides us through and out of whatever wilderness we may be in, whatever horror we face.

Many of you may remember a TV show called "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes". Well my friends, bloopers have never been limited to television shows. In fact, some of the funniest bloopers have appeared in church bulletins. For example: 1. Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

Denomination: Anglican

Adversity To Joy Series

Contributed by Lonnie Erwin on Apr 18, 2020

God's people have been crossing the wilderness of sin for 4o years and now the leader they counted on has died, they are faced with the uncertainty of life. God reassures them that He hasn't brought them this far to leave them.

God's people have been crossing the wilderness of sin for 4o years and now the leader they counted on has died, they are faced with the uncertainty of life. God reassures them that He hasn't brought them this far to leave them. Today we live in uncertain times. People today face a bleak ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Journey

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jun 5, 2022

Pastor Dennis looks at God’s promised presence and rest to the children of Israel on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, and how that same presence and rest of God accompanies us on our journey through the wilderness of this world filled with desolation, trials, difficulties and an enemy.

The Journey Exodus 33:14 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtPCqEgRAZo As Michaela and I were away the other week, I began to meditate upon this Scripture and the journey we are upon as God’s people. It’s a journey that leads us away from the bondage of the world and towards the promises ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:14, Exodus 33:11, Exodus 33:15, Exodus 13:21-22, Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 4:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

God’s Grace Displayed Through Mankind’s Sin Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 27, 2023

In their sin, Adam and Eve learned what mercy meant – even as they were cast out of paradise. They learned what grace was – even as they had to fend for themselves because God provided a way for them to survive, and He even delayed their (physical) death because of His love for them.

Alpha and Omega, Part 9 God’s Grace displayed through Mankind’s sin Genesis 3:14-24 Introduction - We’ve begun 2023 with “one purpose”: Knowing there is a God! -- Continuing our series, “Alpha and Omega”; examining the beginning to the end - Key things to remember … man was: ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:14-24, Romans 8:33, 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 8:19-22, Hebrews 9:11-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Caleb Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 21, 2020

Such a small word … just three letters … b-u-t. A small word that we use a hundred times or more a day. “But” … it’s a word that can have dire consequences. Imagine getting hard labor for 40 years for one word … “but” … “b-u-t” … and not just for you but for your whole family too.

When I was growing up in upstate New York, in the summer we would go to swim in an icy glacial lake called “Green Lake.” Deep … almost 200 feet deep … and crystal clear. You could drop a quarter in it and tell if were heads or tails when it hit the bottom. And cold!! They had two diving ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:6-9, Numbers 13:17-20, Numbers 13:27-30, Numbers 13:32-33, Numbers 14:1-4, Numbers 14:34, Numbers 14:22, Numbers 14:9-10, James 1:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

What Are You "Platting” Into Your Life?

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Oct 7, 2020

There is a reason why so many of the values and beliefs of many in the Church are no different than the unchurched.

Good evening to the blessed of the Lord. I am so glad to see you. Would you join me in turning to Matthew 4 please. This a passage we’re very familiar with. It says: (1) Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (2) And when he had fasted forty days and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-4, Deuteronomy 8:1-3, John 5:19, John 5:30, Ephesians 2:4-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Earnestly Search For You!

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Jul 19, 2021

This sermon is about having a passion for the LORD. David shows us some keys how to have that passion.

Scripture: Psalm 63; Matthew 6:33 Theme: Passion Title: I earnestly search for you! I. Declare that the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY Is Your GOD II. Secondly, David tells us that we are to serve the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY with passion III. Finally, David understood the importance of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1, Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Nazarene

New Beginnings Series

Contributed by Grant Van Boeschoten on Feb 1, 2008

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NRSV) 18 Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. 19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

New Beginnings Grant van Boeschoten January 20, 2007 There are a lot of golfers out there who have convinced themselves that it is OK to cheat, they even came up with a name for it so that it didn’t sound so bad. It’s called a Mulligan, a do over, a second chance. Here is how it goes. You step ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19