Sermons on Defeating Obstacles:

5 Ways To Stay Encouraged In A Lonely World

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 24, 2023

Hope is the secret weapon of the Christian. Hope is the weapon of our mind to defeat any discouraging thought. Use this powerful weapon, by training your mind to counter any pessimistic thought with the truth of the scriptures.

According to a study by Harvard, 36% of Americans, so more than one in three, described their level of loneliness as "serious." In a lonely world, how can we find encouragement? How can we find a mindset that leads to stability and peace? That is the challenge in this world. The battle ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:11-15, Hebrews 12:2, Psalm 123:1

Denomination: Salvation Army

Joshua 8: Victory Promised, Victory Achieved! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 6, 2024

Israel had suffered defeat at the first battle of Ai (Joshua 7). Now, following God's strategy, they were victorious! Take a look at just how Israel achieved this victory.

The prologue: the LORD’s promise Text, Joshua 8:1-2, KJV: 1 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land: 2 And thou shalt ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Embrace The Power Of The Cross - 1 Corinthians 1:18 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 17, 2025

A simple yet profound truth: there is power in the cross of Christ. To the unbelieving world, the cross is a symbol of weakness and defeat. But to those of us who are being saved, the cross is not a relic of shame—it is the power of God!

Go! And Embrace the Power of the Cross - 1 Corinthians 1:18 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NLT): “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” Introduction: The Paradox of the Cross Let me begin today with a simple ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18, Isaiah 53:3-5, Romans 1:16, Galatians 5:11, 1 Corinthians 2:2, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Luke 9:23, John 14:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Small & The Large Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Aug 5, 2018

God has chosen the small to defeat the great, and the foolish ones of this world to confound the wise. We can all look forward to an extraordinary reward for the small things we do in service to Him.

Revelation 11 15. And the seventh angel played his trumpet, and there were great voices in heaven, saying “the Kingdom of this world is become of our Lord, and of His Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever. 16. and the twenty four elders, the ones before their God who is sitting on the throne, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 11:15-19

Denomination: *other

The Memorial At Mount Ebal Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 2, 2021

Joshua built an altar to the LORD near Mount Ebal in Canaan. This happened after Israel had defeated Ai. Something unique to this altar was that Joshua wrote parts of the available Word of God on it.

Introduction: Israel, under Joshua’s leadership, defeated the people of Ai. After that, Joshua built an altar to the LORD, God of Israel, placing it in about the middle of the country. Israel had built two other memorials as recorded in Joshua chapters 3-4, but the altar Joshua built here had a ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 8:30-35

Denomination: Baptist

I Have Overcome Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Mar 31, 2021

Jesus promised his disciples that they could overcome the World. He has power and he lives forever as a victorious Savior. He is with us and helps us to defeat and get victory over everything.

John 16:33 I have overcome Introduction: Vaccination for Corona was introduced. People were vaccinated. After getting the shot. They used to express their feelings, experiences to those who want to take the vaccine. After I got the vaccination, the first few hours I did not have any pain, but ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Denomination: Methodist

The God Who Never Loses A Battle Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 7, 2025

The God who never loses a battle is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His record of victory is flawless, and His commitment to His children is unwavering. When you face challenges, remember that you serve a God whose word cannot fail and whose power cannot be defeated.

THE GOD WHO NEVER LOSES A BATTLE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Chronicles 20:15 – “And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:15, Exodus 14:14, Psalm 24:8, Romans 8:31, Isaiah 54:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Battling Giants

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Jul 4, 2021

Are there obstacles in your life that seem impossible to overcome? How can you as a little person make difference against forces much bigger than yourself? And where does God come into this? A sermon on 1 Samuel 17 ..... The video version of this is available at https://youtu.be/V8wJeTGAYqQ

...................................................... One of the most iconic scenes from modern culture - {clip of the Death star destroyed by tiny xwing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuKqcfO31is } . The Death Star is enormous - it is capable of destroying entire planets - indeed it has ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:27

Denomination: Anglican

Are You Searching For Milk And Honey And Finding Nothing But Grass?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Dec 8, 2006

While we search for a land of milk and honey, we often find nothing but green grass. With patience and love and effort green grass can turn into milk. OBSTACLES ARE WHAT YOU SEE WHEN YOU LOSE SIGHT OF GOD AND THE GOAL. DRY WELLS WILL PRODUCE EMPTY BUCKETS

THIS LAND OF MILK AND HONEY LOOKS LIKE GRASS TO ME? THIS IS NOT AN OBSTACLE --- THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com This is a two part lesson. Let us ponder a few points before we start. Is not this a land of milk and honey? NO, TO MY EYES IT LOOKS JUST LIKE A ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:19

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Seeing The Possibilities

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jan 1, 2017

Paul faced much opposition in ministry. He was forced to change his plans on numerous occasions, and yet he chose to see the possibilities instead of the obstacles. We too will face difficulty, but we must maintain our perspective, seeing possibilities.

Seeing the Possibilities 2 Corinthians 2: 12-17 As you read and study Paul’s letters to the Corinthian church, you discover his ministry there was difficult at best. The church was situated in a city that was morally corrupt, and its influence was showing up in negative ways within the church. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Circle Cycle

Contributed by Steve Ely on Oct 22, 2013

We continue to see the same spiritual scenery. We continue to fall into the same traps and trip over the same obstacles. We find ourselves rounded out. In a cycle of circling. Why? And more importantly how do we line out?

The Circle Cycle I had witnessed it then in the lives of countless young people as I crisscrossed the nation and now after 6 years of working with our incredible congregation that God has and continues to gather is that so many of us, even after sitting in powerful worship services, hearing ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 6:6-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Worship In Warfare

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jan 13, 2011

What do you do when you are facing such monumental obstacles? How do you resist temptation, flee from evil, or believe beyond your ability to understand how your problems can be solved or your battles won?

Opening illustration: AN ESKIMO FISHERMAN CAME to town every Saturday afternoon. He always brought his two dogs with him. One was white and the other was black. He had taught them to fight on command. Every Saturday afternoon in the town square the people would gather and these two dogs would fight ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Can A Man? Drowning In Questions?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jun 8, 2016

Will I make the commitment to COMPLETELY TRUST GOD'S PLAN WHEN I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON? WILL WE LAY AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS AND SAY GOD THIS OBSTACLE HAS A REASON AND A SEASON... I WILL BOLDLY AND WITH FAITH AND CONFIDENCE FACE PROBLEMS.

HOW CAN A MAN ? DROWNING IN QUESTIONS? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com As a teacher I love questions? Questions can be a valuable teaching tool! But know this QUESTIONING can be a hindrance to progress. The Bible is full of questions. The first question is simple: AM I MY ...read more

Scripture: Job 38:1-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Causes Fights And Quarrels?

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 14, 2016

Let's talk about these 6 relationships killers (Material adapted from Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp's book, Relationships: A Mess Worth Making, Chapter 4 Sin, pgs. 29- 40; and Chapter 8 Obstacles, pgs. 77-90)

HoHum: Larry Crabb said in his book called The Safest Place on Earth- “The difference between spiritual and unspiritual community is not whether conflict exists, but is rather in our attitude toward it and our approach to handling it. When conflict is seen as an opportunity to draw more fully ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Truth Detector? War Room!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 4, 2018

Today we see the tendency to re-define truth... We seem to find God in the valleys. This obstacle may be to drive us to dwell in the WAR ROOM. The truth detector will tell where we really are... The enemy of better maybe good?

TRUTH DETECTORS? WAR ROOM? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com TEXT: John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. WE MIGHT NEED TRUTH DETECTORS TO REVEAL GOD TO US IN THE WAR ROOM? THERE IS AN AGE OLD QUESTION THAT EACH GENERATION ASKED … A KING (PILATE) ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God