Sermons on Courage In Difficulty:

Preparations For Persecution Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on May 22, 2023

Will persecution against Christians intensify in the days ahead? If so, will we be ready to stand strong in our testimony of Christ? This message processes seven preparations we should be making now.

Intro We have been discussing the final, eighth, beatitude found in Matthew 5:10: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”i Last week we addressed two preparations for potential persecution. First, expect it. It will happen in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12, 2 Timothy 3:12, Genesis 3:1-6, Acts 21:10-40, Mark 8:34, Numbers 25:1-16, Jeremiah 12:5-6, 1 John 2:15-17, Matthew 26:18, Matthew 10:19-20, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 29:25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Memento Mori

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 6, 2021

We prepare to live by preparing for death.

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for ‘All flesh is like grass and all its ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

Easter Energizes Christians!

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Apr 23, 2012

Easter Energizes Christians to courageously proclaim Christ, pray to him and live for him. Unlike today's energy drinks that eventually wear off, discover how Easter provides a continual source of energy for Christians. Based on Acts 12:1-19

Have you noticed the number of so-called “energy drinks” that are on the market these days? Some have some pretty interesting names like, “Full Throttle”, “Red Bull”, “Monster”. Their purpose is rather self-explanatory. They are supposed to be able ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Lutheran

Warfare

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 25, 2005

We need to keep in mind that throughout this letter Paul is writing to a divided church, and a church that is being seduced by false teachers. These false teachers charged Paul with being very courageous when he wrote letters from a distance, but said t

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: A custom of the natives in New Guinea is told. At certain times they have rituals, songs, and dances. They work themselves up into a frenzy and the ritual culminates in what are called “the murder songs,” in which they shout before God the names of the people they wish ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Living In Sunday

Contributed by Troy Borst on Oct 12, 2013

They were living in a Saturday full of no hope and no purpose and no answers. We, too, can easily get stuck in living with a Saturday state of mind—no hope, no courage, no plans... This particular SUNDAY was Resurrection Day a day of love, life, hope!

LIVING IN SUNDAY THE STORY CHAPTER 27 / Matthew 27:62-28:10 INTRODUCTION… Some People Live for Certain Days (P) Each of us has something in common… we all are slaves to time and we experience life on a day in and day out basis. We give the days specific names so we can help mark the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hope Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 13, 2019

Hope is a significant key to finding in the journey of life because it is a wonderful gift from God. Hope will become a source of strength, power and courage in the face of life’s severest trials. Hope will bring you joy when you think there is no joy!

Series: Finding Joy in The Journey Series: We need to find joy in the journey! Thesis of series: Joy needs to be experienced in the journey of life! But Joy, like any other attitude, can come and go. It is not guaranteed simply because we are born again believers because storms will blow in and out ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:15, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 1:1-12, John 11:1-44, John 12:12-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hope Part 3 "good Friday" Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 18, 2019

Hope is a significant key to finding in the journey of life because it is a wonderful gift from God. Hope will become a source of strength, power and courage in the face of life’s severest trials. Hope will bring you joy when you think there is no joy!

Series: Find Joy in the Journey Scripture Text Series: Phil. 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Sermon 2: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3, Hebrews 6:19-20, Romans 15:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Battle-Ready Christian

Contributed by Major Stewart on Dec 26, 2025

A powerful expository sermon from 1 Timothy 6:11–16 calling believers to live with conviction, holiness, and courage. This message challenges the church to flee compromise, pursue godliness, fight for the faith, and stand battle-ready in Christ’s victory.

A BATTLE-READY CHRISTIAN Text: 1 Timothy 6:11–16 There comes a moment in every believer’s life when God stops whispering and starts charging. Not suggesting. Not hinting. But charging. This is not casual instruction. This is holy assignment. This is not a word for convenience. This is a word for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

How Jesus Taught That Sometimes Things Must Get Worse Before They Can Get Better

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Sometimes the Lord allows conditions to get worse so He can make us better. No one goes through life without difficulties. In order to get our attention; the Lord may allow adversity to bring out the best or the worst in our attitudes - depending on our p

No one goes through life without difficulties. In order to get our attention; the Lord may allow adversity to bring out the best or the worst in our attitudes - depending on our perspective. The Lord is far more interested in developing our character than in seeing us succeed in our jobs. God is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:23-28, Exodus 5:22-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Paul’s Great Purpose In Life

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Apr 13, 2011

Paul wrote this epistle while in a Roman prison. Prior to this he had many trials and tribulations before reaching Rome (see Acts 27-28). Paul was a man of God who faced countless difficulties; and yet he was able to rejoice in the Lord amidst all his pro

Intro: Paul wrote this epistle while in a Roman prison. Prior to this he had many trials and tribulations before reaching Rome (see Acts 27-28). Paul was a man of God who faced countless difficulties; and yet he was able to rejoice in the Lord amidst all his problems. His secret of joy in spite of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:20-26

Denomination: *other

Faith In The Midst Of Despair Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jul 26, 2017

Jairus had a great need, and he met One greater than his need. When he faced an impossibility, Jesus provided life. We all have difficulties beyond our control. We have great needs, and we serve a great Christ for our needs.

Faith in the midst of Despair Mark 5: 21-24; 35-43 Following the great miracle in Gadara where the demonic was healed, Jesus made His way back across the Sea of Galilee. Most agree He returned to the region around Capernaum, the home-base for His ministry. As soon as Jesus steps out of the boat, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Baptist

A Living Hope Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Sep 29, 2013

The Living Christ is the source of our new birth & our living hope. If you have a living hope in the living Christ you can deal with your past failures & present difficulties because of your future blessings. God’s glorious best for you lies ahead.

1 PETER 1: 3-6 [Renewing Hope Series] A LIVING HOPE [ Mark 16:1-8 ] The power with which Peter aims to equip these beleaguered saints is the power of hope. [If they, or we, are going to live and love like Jesus commands us, even in times of great stress and worry, then they, and we, must be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-6, 1 Peter 1:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon # 21 - Cry Out To God Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Oct 30, 2024

As Jonah travailed in the belly of the fish he called out to God knowing that only God could help him. In the midst of all the trials, difficulties and challenges that come our way do we call out to God? Here’s what happens when we do so.

We read in Jonah 2:1-2, “From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God: When I was in trouble, LORD, I prayed to you, and you listened to me. From deep in the world of the dead, I begged for your help, and you answered my prayer.” (CEV) Jonah called out to the Lord his God from inside the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-2, Psalm 50:15, Exodus 15:25, Nehemiah 9:9, Matthew 14:30-31, Luke 18:37-38, Luke 18:40  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

It Is Time For Renewal

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Aug 4, 2021

The world is going through dark times, yet we see people standing together as bright torches shining through the blackest night. Others in great suffering cannot keep their faith and kneel to the ground in discouragement, let us renew our minds, take courage, share our faith and keep working.

Hag 2:1 in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, 2 "Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, 3 ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:1-9, Luke 2:27-32, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 1 Corinthians 6:20

Denomination: Methodist

Blameless Behavior Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

Looking back over this defense of Paul, it is no wonder he was used of God the way he was. His courage in severe struggle; his master motive of pleasing God; his attitude of complete sincerity and gentleness, and his blameless behavior all add up to one of the most Christ-like lives ever lived.

These 5 verses conclude Paul’s defense of himself to the Thessalonians, and in them we see clearly that one of the basic secrets of success is to love your work. Paul’s work was reaching people with the Gospel and seeing them mature in the Christian life. He loved this work more than life ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12