Sermons on Wilderness Wanderings:

A Comforting Embrace Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 8, 2015

Comfort, comfort my people, a voice cries out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord.

“Isaiah 40:1-11 “A Comforting Embrace” INTRODUCTION Pictures of Comfort We all need a hug at some point in our lives. In fact, experts say that we need to experience the touch of another person at least fourteen times a day for us to be able to lower stress, anxiety, and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

The Temptation Of Christ Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Jan 4, 2016

Jesus tempted in the wilderness just as we are, the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life

I. Introduction A. It was the first camping experience for Jed. As soon as he had pitched his tent, he went for a hike in the woods. In about fifteen minutes he rushed back into camp, bleeding and disheveled. "What happened?" asked a fellow camper. "I was chased by a black snake!" cried the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Temptation Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Feb 14, 2024

Even if God’s plan leads you through the wilderness, you can trust him.

How to Handle Temptation Text: Matt. 4:1-11 Introduction 1. Illustration: "Temptation is not meant to make us sin; it is meant to enable us to conquer sin. It is not meant to make us bad; it is meant to make us good. It is not meant to weaken us; it is meant to make us emerge stronger and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Triple Threat

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 22, 2023

We have exactly the same weapons against temptation that Jesus used against Satan in the wilderness.

How many of you remember your first day at school, or your first day at a new job? You usually get some kind of orientation, don’t you. At that new job, maybe you spent the morning in the human resources signing benefits papers and getting company policies explained to you, maybe you get led ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Character Study Of Ishmael Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 21, 2025

Ishmael's story teaches us the importance of trusting God’s timing and avoiding decisions based on impatience. While human efforts can bring temporary success, only God’s promises bring true fulfilment.

CHARACTER STUDY OF ISHMAEL – SON OF ABRAHAM AND HAGAR By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 16:10-12 "The angel of the Lord also said to her, 'I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude.' And the angel of the Lord said to her, 'Behold, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:10-12, Genesis 17:18-21, Genesis 21:8-21, Galatians 4:22-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Crossing Over Series

Contributed by Mike Hullah on Dec 29, 2002

The Israelites moved from the Acacia Grove to cross over Jordan. Learn the meaning of this text and lessons of moving from wilderness to promise.

CROSSING OVER Deuteronomy 11:31 “For you will cross over the Jordan and go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, and you will possess it and dwell in it. Crossing over. From one state to another. What are some of the promises God has given to us in His word? For forty years ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hardships Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Mar 22, 2019

When we face times of hardship, it can be confusing and stressful. As God did when He dealt with the Israelites as they wandered for forty years, God has a purpose for you when you inflicted with hardships.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • I think all of us either have, are, or will deal with hardships in our life. • When we are a Christian, these times can be confusing to us because we have the idea that belonging to Jesus somehow shields us from hardships in life. • Either while you are in the midst of a ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Reclaiming Your Passion Part 2 Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 22, 2009

And so at a point in history… Christ came to reclaim our destinies… by providing for the forgiveness of our failures and wanderings… and freeing us / allowing us… to hear the Father’s voice again…

Movie Clip: LION KING – IDENTITY AS GOD’S CHILD - A young lion runs away after being led to believe he is to blame for his father’s death. As such he is refusing to return as the new new king who could help his fellow clan to battle their now impending enemy. In this scene the rather strange ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call Of Matthew

Contributed by Michael Worker on Jun 22, 2007

Illustration of Accepting Jesus when he calls as a parallel to young people accepting Jesus when they grow up in the church and not needing to wander off into the world.

Matthew. The Disciple. The man who wrote the gospel of Matthew. Matthew followed Jesus the very first time that he was called. Today we have two ladies, Sandy & Grace, who have grown up as a part of this congregation who are making their choice today to follow Jesus. They too are following ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:14

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Preserved For Purpose

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 14, 2025

Every child of God is not an accident but a divine project. You were not created to wander through life without direction; you were created with a purpose in mind.

PRESERVED FOR PURPOSE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 138:8 “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” (Psalm 138:8, KJV) Supporting Texts: Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 121:7-8, Isaiah 46:10, Esther 4:14, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 138:8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When You Face Tremendous Obstacles

Contributed by David Cook on Jul 12, 2010

When you face tremendous obstacles God is ready to lead you through!

Intro: What tremendous obstacle are you facing this morning? Ex. My best friends son had cancerShare telephone call from Wayne Patton about Luke having cancer; We broke down in prayer over the phone. Praise the Lord, Luke Patton is cancer free today! You are going to face tremendous obstacles in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Does Satan Have A Better Plan? Series

Contributed by Bud Ross on Jan 29, 2005

The wilderness temptation was about Satan offering Jesus 3 opportunities to reject God’s idea of what the Messiah should be.

The dad was trying to teach his 6-year old son how to shoot a basketball. The boy would push the ball as hard as he could toward the basket but always the ball would fall short. The dad would effortlessly toss the ball toward the basket and say, "Just do it like this, son. It’s easy." The boy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Can We Give God Too Much Series

Contributed by Alan Mccann on Jun 28, 2004

giving sacrificially, God is no man’s debtor

CAN WE GIVE GOD TOO MUCH? EXODUS 363-7 This morning I am not going to preach on what was to come next in the sermon series on How people grow. The reason is quite simple – we all need to hear what I am going to say this morning about our finances and about our giving. Before some of you begin to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 36:3-7

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Lost And Found

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Sep 18, 2007

Sheep wander off and get lost because they’re stupid. We know better and still do it anyway, so I’m not sure just how smart that makes us.

Other Scripture used: Exodus 32:1,7-14 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Psalm 51:1-18 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. God, grant me the Serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the Courage to change the one I can, and the Wisdom to know it’s me. Naval aviation training ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

"Living And Loving God’s Word" Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Jan 12, 2011

Do we live our lives in fear or do we live our lives in faith? Scripture tells us to put our trust in God no matter what the circumstances.

Most of us never take advantage of God’s abundant resources. Eph. 3:20 in the Amplified Version says, "God is able to do superabundantly, far over and above, all that we dare ask or think. Infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams." We never tap into the tremendous ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20

Denomination: Christian Church