Sermons on Defeating Obstacles:

Steering For Success Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Sep 10, 2005

1st in 5 part series on overcoming the obstacles and difficulties of life using five different Psalms. We used a "journey" or "road" metaphor in terms of the bumps of success, fear, guilt, grief, etc.

STEERING FOR SUCCESS Navigating the Bumps of Life - Week 1 PSALM 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES:(Special: “Without A Song.”) It was written in 1929 but it has been sung for over 6 decades by such performers as Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, The Carpenters, The Supremes, Willie Nelson and now, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Christian Church

The Faith Of The Friends Of The Paralytic

Contributed by Jose Imperial on Feb 8, 2009

Having faith in a faithless environment is a real challenge to the Christian. How did the Lord able to heal the paralytic through the faith of his friends. Lets see the odds and obstacles they face and discover the way they overcome.

The faith of the friends of the Paralytic Mt 9:1-8 Luke 5:17-26 Having faith in a faithless environment is a real challenge to the Christian. How did the Lord able to heal the paralytic through the faith of his friends. Lets see the odds and obstacles they face and discover the way they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Matter Of The Heart

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Nov 3, 2015

Unless and until you believe in your heart that Jesus rose from the dead you will not be changed from a sinner to a Saint. For many people is it the 18 inches between the head and the heart that is the obstacle to their faith in Christ.

A Matter of the Heart Romans 10:8-9 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:8-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

An Unhindered Life Series

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 5, 2016

Paul lived an unhindered life and had an unhindered ministry, but that doesn't mean he didn't have many obstacles and challenges. The secret to Paul being unhindered was his attitude of contentment and commitment.

Introduction: A. How many of you like the story “The Little Engine that Could”? 1. The Little Engine That Could is an illustrated children’s book that was first published in the United States in 1930. 2. The story is used to teach children the value of optimism and hard work. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:11-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Detours - Pt. 1 - Detour Decisions Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Dec 4, 2012

A wandering from a direct route. A different path. Unexpected turns and obstacles. What do you do when your life takes you down a path for which you didn’t plan?

Detours Pt. 1 – Detour Decisions I know we all have pet peeves. There are certain things that push your buttons and cause your perfect day to become your worst day. I have buttons! I am an ordered person. In other words, I like to travel the same route every day. I don’t like to alter from that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Detours - Pt. 3 - Detour Deliverance Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Dec 18, 2012

A wandering from a direct route. A different path. Unexpected turns and obstacles. What do you do when your life takes you down a path for which you didn't plan?

Pt. 3 – Detour Deliverance Detours are despised by every path loving, calendar driven, time conscious people worldwide. However, as deeply as we despise detours they continue to be a part or our life and as we have seen over the last two weeks God is involved in the detours that we face. So ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Laughing At God Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Real faith challenges the status-quo. Real faith says, “I was made for more than this.” Real faith sees past obstacles to a brighter future God has in store for His children.

We continue our series on Abraham this morning. If you have your Bibles, turn with me to Genesis 18, if you will. As a part of today’s message, we have something special for you. At the end of today’s service, you will be invited to one of several locations in our worship center. Volunteers in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Don’t Be A Spiritual Packrat

Contributed by John Gaston on Jan 22, 2020

Here are practical steps on how to cooperate with Jesus and the Holy Spirit in changing your life to be more Kingdom centered. We must unclutter our lives and make changes that will reduce the obstacles to our transformation.

DON’T BE A SPIRITUAL PACKRAT INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Jerome Dasso of Georgetown, Texas was visiting the great naval academy of Annapolis (in Rochester, New York). He saw several freshmen crawling around the main courtyard on their hands and knees with pencils and clip boards. He asked his tour ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:22, James 1:21

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Overcoming The Barriers To Destiny Help Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 10, 2025

Destiny helpers are essential for fulfilling God’s purpose, but various barriers can hinder these divine connections. Spiritual opposition, personal attitudes, environmental factors, and failure to discern helpers are some of the major obstacles.

OVERCOMING THE BARRIERS TO DESTINY HELP By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 37:26-28 "And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:26-28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Paradox Of Power

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 28, 2025

This sermon 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 reveals the life-changing paradox that our greatest infirmities are not obstacles to God's power but the chosen arena where His strength is made perfect.

Introduction: Our Vain Obsession with Strength We live in a world that worships at the altar of strength. From the moment we rise to the moment we sleep, we are bombarded by a single command: Be strong. Look upon the images that flicker before our eyes, listen to the philosophies of this age. The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The Pothole Experience

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 28, 2025

The metaphorical "pothole experience” is considered as the unforeseen obstacles, setbacks, and difficult challenges that may jolt or derail a person's journey in life, similar to how actual potholes disrupt a smooth road.

Drew Barrymore, an American actress once remarked: “Oh, I would love to be a motivational speaker. I have pulled myself out of a million potholes, and I can see the potholes ahead of me. That doesn't mean that I could always do that so perfectly for my own life. I totally fall in potholes.” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:6, 1 Peter 4:12-13, James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:1-2

Evangelism (Becoming The Light In A Dark World)

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Jul 5, 2025

Evangelism calls us to shine brightly as lights in the world, reflecting God’s love through our actions, stories, and relationships. Let’s explore how to overcome obstacles and illuminate our communities.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16, Colossians 3:17, James 2:17, Revelation 12:11, Proverbs 27:17, Philippians 4:6-7, 2 Timothy 1:7, Luke 10:38-42, Matthew 10:32-33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Dark Lord - The Lord Of The Ring Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 8, 2003

Satan is the real "Dark Lord" and while the Bible tells us he is defeated, he is still dangerous. How do we deal with this powerful force of evil and overcome?

OPEN: Several years ago, I watched a PBS Special that covered the events leading up to the "Battle of the Bulge" during WWII. It was the autumn of 1944 and Germany had been beaten back behind its borders. The Nazi war machine was in tatters and the repeated bombing raids of the Allies all but ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's Your Independence Day!

Contributed by Gary Christensen on Dec 4, 2005

Originally delivered on July 4, Independence Day, it’s about how Jesus has set us free from the dominion of sin, by defeating satan for us.

This is your Independence Day! "For sin shall not have DOMINION over you, for you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14) Our forefathers, who found themselves under the dominion of England, decided that it was time for them to declare their Independence! For them, this decision ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:14-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Facing Our Giants Series

Contributed by Lynwood Morriss on Sep 23, 2004

Our biggest giants are often those that come from inside of us.David’s example helps us to identify them and defeat them with God’s help.

I. The Anatomy of a Giant 1. Giants highlight our inadequacy 17:1-7 A. Physical description of Goliath 4-7 B. Average hgt. of Isralelite in ancient times 5’6” C. Everything covered, with a dedicated front guard D. Israel had few swords 1 Sam. 13:16-22 Although there were some battles ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-47

Denomination: Pentecostal