Sermons on Difficult Childhood:

Trials And Temptations

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

God tested the Israelites in the desert to know what was in their hearts, and tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice Isaac. God allows external hardships or difficult situations produce good qualities in us.

Opening illustration: Illustrate the difference between Temptation and Trial. Introduction: In the New Testament, the same Greek word (peirazo) is used for trial, test, and temptation. The basic meaning of peirazo is to test something to determine its response, value, or character. When peirazo is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Tragedy Of Refusing Forgiveness. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 26, 2024

Forgiveness is a difficult process. When we are hurt by someone and we do not know what to do, we often keep that anger and sadness within us and cut that person off from our lives.

John 3:19-20 :"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed." Today, we confront a sobering ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 59:2, Matthew 25:46

Sermon: Blessed Hope Amid Crisis

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on May 16, 2024

Have you ever been caught in a crisis? A child of God caught in crisis may be a difficult subject to address because of todays’ social climate. Here's a few suggestion for managing crisis.

Sermon: Blessed Hope Amid Crisis Text: Isaiah 38:1-8 “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 38:1-8, James 1:2-4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 John 5:14-15, 1 Peter 3:12-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Unveiling The Scriptures: Navigating Ancient Interpretations In A Modern World Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 8, 2024

With our modern expectations, sometimes we find it difficult to understand the Bible. By adjusting our expectations we can correctly understand God's Word and apply His truth to our lives.

Unveiling the Scriptures: Navigating Ancient Interpretations in a Modern World Today, we’ll explore a fascinating and often overlooked aspect of Scripture: how the authors of the Bible interpret earlier portions of the Bible, and how we, with our modern expectations, sometimes find these ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Matthew 2:15, Hosea 11:1, Revelation 13:1-2, Jeremiah 29:11, John 16:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Trusting His Guidance Series

Contributed by Apostle Dr. Belinda V. Broadnax on Oct 24, 2024

This sermon focuses on learning to trust God's guidance through His voice, even when the path is unclear or difficult. It explores how trust in His wisdom leads to a life of purpose and peace.

Trust is the foundation of any meaningful relationship, and the same is true of our relationship with God. Without trust, our walk with the Lord becomes filled with doubt, fear, and uncertainty. Proverbs 3:5-6 gives us a clear instruction: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Other

His Ways Are Past Finding Out Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 28, 2025

God’s ways are far beyond our understanding, yet they are always perfect and just. Even in the most confusing and difficult situations, we can trust that He is working everything out for our good.

HIS WAYS ARE PAST FINDING OUT By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Romans 11:33 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 55:8-9, Job 11:7-9, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 145:17, Ecclesiastes 3:11 INTRODUCTION: The ways of God are often described in Scripture as beyond human understanding. In Romans 11:33, Paul praises ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:33, Isaiah 55:8-9, Job 11:7-9, Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

From Experience = Living And Coping With Injustice And Hurt (First Part) – Guidelines – (The Retribution Of God – Part 6 In The Series) Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 25, 2023

When we are overtaken by anxious thoughts, and battling adversity and injustice, God has given us a number of coping strategies. In this message and the next three we will look at these. The writer has been there and these “remedies” are tested. Look up, dear Christian!

FROM EXPERIENCE = LIVING AND COPING WITH INJUSTICE AND HURT (FIRST PART) – GUIDELINES – (THE RETRIBUTION OF GOD – PART 6 IN THE SERIES) INTRODUCTION FOR SOME MEASURES TO LIVE WITH INJUSTICE We have looked at the subject of retribution from several perspectives. We considered a number of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:4-6, 2 Timothy 3:1-2, Psalm 73:3-4, Psalm 73:12-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Psalm 105:7-22, James 5:13, Philippians 4:6-7, Psalm 94:17-19, Psalm 108:12-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finding Common Ground

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

HOW TO FIND COMMON GROUND WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE AND BE HAPPY REGARDLESS OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES Some people tend to lose sight of the importance of developing character qualities as taught by the Lord Jesus during His Sermon on the Mount.

HOW TO FIND COMMON GROUND WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE AND BE HAPPY REGARDLESS OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES Some people tend to lose sight of the importance of developing character qualities as taught by the Lord Jesus during His Sermon on the Mount. The following keys to happiness are especially valuable for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Giving Thanks At The Crossroads Of Life

Contributed by John Baggett on Nov 24, 2003

Thanksgiving sermon or anytime. Jacob gave a prayer of Thanksgiving unto God at a difficult time in his life. He remembered God’s promises, Recognized his unworthiness and Realized God’s Many Blessings

Thanksgiving "GIVING THANKS AT THE CROSSROADS OF LIFE" Genesis 32:9-10 This week our nation celebrates the holiday of Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, I’m afraid that a lot of people in America today associate Thanksgiving more with the Macy’s parade, a special meal and a football game...than the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Progressing Through The Storm

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 19, 2001

Whether we progress or not often depends on whether we more afraid of God or men. Peter knew that it was impossible to withstand the power of God without losing big time! Making progress despite difficult circumstances

Progressing Through the Storm (Acts 11:10-26) Illustration:"THEY MAY TRIP SEVEN TIMES, BUT EACH TIME THEY WILL RISE AGAIN." (PROVERBS 24:16 NLT) GET UP, GET OVER IT, GET GOING Jonas Salk, who invented the vaccine that wiped out polio, conducted 200 experiments before he got ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:10-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Women Of Faith

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on May 13, 2003

Women are called to lives of faith, just like Jesus was. Their calling includes this difficult command to submit to their husbands, even ones who are not believers. What is required is the same thing required of Jesus; an obedient faith.

May 11, 2003 "Women of Faith" 1 Peter 3:1-7 Pastor Jon MacKinney ______________________________________________________________________________________ Christianity, our faith, is most challenging when we read passages of Scripture like the one we read last week. From the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Song Of A Pregnant Teenager

Contributed by Jason Patrick on Jan 12, 2002

Often times we find it difficult to submit to God’s will, but Mary serves as an inspiring example of how we can submit to God even when God’s plan is an utter mystery to us.

The Song of a Pregnant Teenager / Luke 1:47-55 Third Sunday of Advent, Year A; Downsville Baptist Church; 16 Dec. 2001 She was the last girl anybody expected to fall under this kind of disgrace. Fourteen years old, a freshman at Jerusalem High School with a straight A average, Mary always ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:47-55

Denomination: Baptist

I Know Your Schemes Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 29, 2002

Poetic reflection for Maundy Thursday, in which the Jesus who is about to go to the cross tells His disciples that He knows their schemes to harm, their unwillingness to travel difficult roads, and their failure to accept the burden of testimony, so that

"Oh, I know your thoughts, and your schemes to wrong me. ... Have you not asked those who travel the roads, and do you not accept their testimony?” ‘Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me." They began to be distressed and to say to him one ...read more

Scripture: Job 21:27-29, Mark 14:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

A Victory Proclamation Series

Contributed by William Nowak on May 1, 2002

In this difficult passage, we’re told that Jesus "preached unto the spirits in prison..." To understand the passage we need to answer the basic questions...How? When? Who? Where? And Why is Peter telling us this?

I Peter 3:18-20 “A Victory Proclamation” Intro—A few years ago, I, like most people, was amazed by one of those fads that periodically sweeps the US—at the time I’m thinking of, someone had discovered that you could use a computer somehow to generate “art” that would have a picture “hidden” in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-20

Denomination: Baptist