Sermons on Difficult Childhood:

"Hope” In Haggai And Zechariah: True, False, Postponed And Perilous Series

Contributed by Wm Darius Myers on Apr 24, 2007

Theme Paper in Haggai-Zechariah, tracing the appropriate applications of hope, despite the difficult realities of our circumstances. An excellent theme for redevelopment pastors to consider.

“Hope” in Haggai and Zechariah: True, False, Postponed and Perilous The Shawshank Redemption: Morgan Freeman tells fellow-inmate Tim Robbins, “Hope is a dangerous thing. Drive a man insane. It’s got no place here.” In a place like Yehud, with the Jews seeking to rebuild the temple amidst ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The First Melancholy Christmas

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Dec 22, 2006

The Christmas season is a difficult time for some to celebrate when they have suffered tragedy during the year. That first Christmas also had their share of tragedies.

Matthew 2:13-23 The First Melancholy Christmas Introduction – I Heard the Bells Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was filled with sorrow at the tragic death of his wife in a fire in 1861. The Civil War broke out that same year and it seemed this was an additional punishment. Two years later, Longfellow ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

Heroes #6: Daniel's Faith, Friendships And Favour Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Aug 9, 2008

What do you do when you are faced with a difficult or impossible situation? Daniel found the answer in faith, friendships, and favour from God.

HEROES #6: DANIEL’S FAITH, FRIENDSHIPS AND FAVOUR KEY TEXT: Daniel 11:32b. “But the people who know their God will be strong and carry out great exploits.” THE BIG IDEA: What do you do when you are faced with a difficult or impossible situation? Daniel found the answer in faith, friendships, ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:19-20

Denomination: *other

Thankful For Heaven

Contributed by Charles Wall, Jr. on Feb 15, 2005

This has been the most difficult year of my of life with Elizabeth’s going to be with the Lord. Therefore on this Thanksgiving, what am I thankful for?

This is the Sunday before Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Sunday and it is customary that the pastor bring a message on Thanksgiving, on giving thanks. So as I considered what the Lord would have me share with you today, I began to ask myself the question: what am I thankful for? Obviously ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-3

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Prayer Is For Weak People Series

Contributed by Dan Jackson on Jul 3, 2006

Life’s difficulties are often the Father’s appointed paths to spiritual maturity. The positive way forward in difficult and painful circumstances is the way of prayer.

An airliner was bound for New York City. The flight was routine until the pilot began the descent. Then he realizes that the landing gear would not engage. Working the controls back and forth, he tried again and again to lock the gear into place. No success. He circled the landing field, getting ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-20

Jacob's Dream

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Aug 29, 2008

Jacob’s dream helps us to realize that at the most difficult time’s of our life, God desires to speak to us with positive results.

SC 8/30/2008 Jacob’s dream Genesis chapter 28:1-22 Disclaimer- This sermon is from private study and resources ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:1-22

Denomination: Nazarene

"Fixation - Looking In All The Wrong Places" Series

Contributed by Nick Panico on Apr 28, 2008

This is the 3rd message in the four part series on walking through the wilderness. This message deals with keeping our perspective during difficult seasons in life.

Wilderness– Pt.3 “Fixation – Looking In All The Wrong Places” Ex.16:1-3 – Pastor Nick S. Panico (Exo 16:1-3 NKJV) And they journeyed from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Loves Me? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 25, 2008

This is one of the most difficult passages in the Gospels because it seems to portray a harsh, callous and uncaring Jesus. But it’s not. Find out why.

OPEN: In 1948, Harry Truman authorized an expenditure of $10,000 to have a balcony installed on the south side of the second floor of the White House. He’d barely gotten around to enjoying it when he became the first president since James Madison to evacuate the White House out of fear for his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Trouble With Being Righteous Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Feb 26, 2008

Living under the blessing of grace we need to be reminded that a life of righteousness follows our salvation. A righteous life is difficult to live in an unrighteous society.

THE TROUBLE WITH BEING RIGHTEOUS “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…” (Isaiah 64:6). The subject of righteousness is very disturbing for a number of reasons. First of all, “righteousness” is not a word we use very much in our ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 51:1-11

Denomination: Mennonite

The - First Light - Factor Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 5, 2008

To some people, the world is a dark and difficult experience. But in the midst of their frustration, there is the hint of eternity that makes them hope that there is something more than they are presently experiencing.

(Twenty years ago I heard a preacher give a sermon with the same kinds of opening and closing illustrations. It left such an impression on me that I have waited all this time to preach this specific sermon.) OPEN: Nine men lay trapped more than 200 feet beneath the ground in a coal mine in ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When You Fast Do Not Advertise

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Vivek Gundimi on Mar 17, 2019

Generally speaking, Fasting is about going without food in order to spend time in prayer with God and meditate on God’s Word – this is noble but difficult.

When you Fast – Do not Advertise Introduction: Generally speaking, Fasting is about going without food in order to spend time in prayer with God and meditate on God’s Word – this is noble but difficult. (But Fasting is not hunger strike). In the passage that was read to us… we find that Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1, Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Methodist

The Vital Link Of Prayer And Praise Series

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Mar 1, 2010

Life is hard. Sometimes we are dealt a difficult hand. But earnest prayer leading to real praise will lift us out of life’s ruts.

Sermon Notes The Vital Link of Prayer & Praise Philippians 4:4-9 (Based in part on "The Answer to Your Problems" by Jay McPhearson) Introduction: Ever face a problem you thought would top them all? In Budapest, a Jewish man went to his rabbi and complained, "Life is unbearable for my family & ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

No One Likes A Wishy, Washy God Series

Contributed by Troy Luttrell on Jan 27, 2014

This difficult passage seems to suggest that God changes His mind, but a closer look reveals that God does not change His mind as men do.

Introduction: Verses that I wish were not in the Bible, but they are and I must deal with it. • Ill: As a married men, it is often where we hear our wives say, “I have the right to change my mind at any time!” One minute the couch is perfect on that side of the room, ten ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:14

Denomination: Baptist

Treasuring God's Money Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Oct 25, 2012

In this prolonged, difficult economic recession, what role does our Christian faith play? What does treasuring God's money look like?

“Treasuring God’s Money” 2 Chron. 20:1-17; Heb. 12:25-29 I treasure my family. That’s why I have pictures of Barb and our kids and grandkids in my office (and on my computer screen.) There’s little I wouldn’t do for them; there’s nothing I wouldn’t ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Convinced And Convicted In Worship Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 25, 2012

Learning to live with one another in harmony while distinguishing between what is detrimental and what is neutral is one of the most difficult aspects of Christian life.

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12

Denomination: Baptist