Sermons on Wilderness Temptation:

Turning Thorns Into Roses

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jun 3, 2018

The decided weakness of Paul, which he called his “thorn” was kept vague so everybody could relate to whatever type of aggravating affliction, discomfort, constant temptation, emotional or physical or bouts.

14B Elif Shafak wrote “be thankful for every thorn that others might throw at you. It is a sign that you will soon be showered in roses”   1). The thorn “thrown”at Our Lord in our Gospel reading today was actually the rude comments by his hometown folks who dismissed him as being “all too ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Mark 6:1-6

Denomination: Catholic

Lesson From The Fall Of David

Contributed by Segun Omole on Dec 12, 2013

idleness opens you up to temptation. Don't seek rest when you're supposed to be fighting. Too many spiritual kings are sleeping when they're meant to be at war

Lessons From the Fall of David 2 Samuel 11 - Vs 1- at a time when Kings went to war David stayed back at home- there's a time to be at war as a christian. Be sober be vigilant..Don't be sleeping when you're meant to be fighting..idleness opens you up to temptation. Don't seek rest when you're ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Faith Made Abraham A Friend Of God Lesson 5 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 27, 2023

God gives us trials and our obedience makes us stronger. Satan gives us temptations, and our disobedience. Abraham’s faith obedience is his shining example of devotion to God

“By obedient faith, Abraham offered his only son Isaac as a sacrifice to God, who was testing him. God had promised Abraham that through his seed his descendants would be counted and would bless the world. Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:17-19, John 15:14

Denomination: Baptist

Being Steadfast In Your Faith Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 21, 2022

Many things distract us from living up to our identity in Christ--especially guilt and fleshly temptation. Paul continues the narrative of reconciliation: the rescuing of the broken and repairing and repurposing it for His work.

Colossians 1:21-23 21And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:21-23, Ephesians 2:12-13, John 3:19-20, Titus 1:16, Psalm 5:5, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, Romans 3:23-26, 2 Corinthians 5:17  (view more)  (view less)

Living Life On Purpose

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jan 1, 2024

This New Year's message teaches the importance of a God-given vision. When our hearts are filled with divine purpose, we are strengthened to resist temptation and live meaningful, productive lives.

Intro Our primary text is Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction (NIV)”i The KJV says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Both versions are instructive. The ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18, Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 12:1-4, 1 Samuel 16:13, Jeremiah 29:11, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Nehemiah 6:3-4, Luke 16:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Right Before...

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Mar 29, 2024

Are you connected to the source? Let me pray for us. “-Lord, help us to stay away from temptation and close to you, so we can do your will in Jesus name, amen.”

Right Before... Are you connected to the source? Let me pray for us. “-Lord, help us to stay away from temptation and close to you, so we can do your will in Jesus name, amen.” Lent is meant to be a time of repentance. Lent occurs 40 days right before the miracle. Common day duties are set aside ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:39-46, John 15:5

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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

Will You Serve The Lord?

Contributed by John Gaston on Jan 7, 2019

Israel had seen the 10 plagues, the Red Sea open, the miracles in the wilderness, and God conquer the promised land. But 24 years later their devotion cooled off. Joshua brought them to a decision to recommit their lives. We need to make a new dedication too!

WILL YOU SERVE THE LORD? Josh. 23:3; 24:14-15 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Most of us make resolutions at New Year’s. One young boy asked his father what his new year’s resolution was, and his father said he was going to do everything possible in the new year to make his mother very happy. 2. The ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 23:3, Joshua 24:14-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

Daily Bread Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 30, 2020

All over the world, humans eat bread. In nearly every culture on earth, bread is a basic part of life. This morning, we have come to the part of the Lord’s Prayer that focuses on bread.

Daily Bread Matthew 6:11 Pastor Jefferson Williams First Baptist Church of Chenoa 3-17-19 Roti In America, we like bread. We use it in sandwiches and dinner rolls. We flock to Panera Bread Company and gobble up breadsticks at Pizza Ranch. And there is nothing as wonderful as the smell of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:11

Denomination: Baptist

Ministry Under The Microscope

Contributed by Scott Maze on Feb 15, 2007

This message seeks to instruct church leaders to honor the name of God above all other matters.

Ministry under the Microscope On June 17, 2002 Federal authorities arrested a United States Forest Service employee for starting the largest fire in Colorado’s history. Terry Barton was a 38-year-old woman and had worked every summer for the Forest Service for 18 or 19 years. She had ventured ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

We Do Not Lose Heart

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 18, 2023

When we grow discouraged, we will be encouraged by the knowledge of what God has done and what He is doing in our lives because of Christ our Lord.

“We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

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