Sermons on Difficult Childhood:

Motivation To Serve God

Contributed by Nate Herbst on Dec 28, 2008

Staying motivated while serving God can be difficult but God has given us keys for maintaining motivation in the Great Commission He’s called us to - these keys will help you stay focussed and energized towards the goal.

Merriam-Webster’s Definition: Motivation is something, as a need or desire, that causes a person to act. Russ Akins – “Motivation is the measure of what it takes to overcome initial inertia and become activated towards some sort of accomplishment.” Introduction: One second before you die, if you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Anticipating Grief

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 18, 2010

A grief anticipating what will happen is difficult, but can be handled if we ask and accept forgiveness. When the grief is fulfilled, then we are ready to do what our hearts tell us. God suffered anticipating grief and so understands.

Only someone who has done some grieving can help those who now grieve. A hundred "I’m sorries" and a thousand "I know how you feels" are worthless when you feel profound grief. You need at your side someone who has been through loss. And if yours is anticipating grief; that is, if yours is the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

To Live: Deliverance Series

Contributed by Mark Nichols on Aug 5, 2009

Paul has joy even when life is hard because he focuses on Deliverance! Either your difficult times will come to an end, or you will, but it’s a win/win situation...because Paul knows Christ!

TEXT: Philippians 1:12-30 TITLE: To LIVE: Deliverance SERIES: To Live TOPIC: Salvation OCCASION: Burnside Christian Church, June 28, 2009 PROP.: in order to receive deliverance, you must wait for the Lord…but continue to read His word, continue with your mission, understand God’s plans are ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Marks Of Maturity: A Leadership Checklist Series

Contributed by Larry Osborne on Jun 13, 2007

Spiritual growth and maturity is often accelerated under difficult circumstances. In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians (see 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10), he describes what spiritual growth looks like in the midst of “severe suffering.”

1 Timothy: Doing Church God’s Way North Coast Church Message #4 July 29-30, 2006 Dr. Larry Osborne The Marks of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Can We Take Christmas

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

For many of those that are among us, however, each Christmas becomes more and more difficult to endure. It is a joyous time, but there is also more loneliness, depression, heartache, and disappointment at this time than any other of the year. Can we en

I read a story this past week about a woman who, in early December had stopped at a grocery store to pick up a few things on her lunch break. One of them was a cinnamon-scented air freshener. She had smelled a candle with the same scent in the store but wanted to know exactly what the air ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4

Denomination: Methodist

Challenges Of Worship Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Jul 1, 2012

True worship presents a challenge to everyone who comes in the presence of God. Our Scripture today is one of the most difficult to understand in the entire Bible because the insinuations of the story can be unsettling. It presents a view of God which mak

The Challenge of Worship Genesis 22:1-19 Camp Leach tells the story of some friends who took their 5 year-old grandson to church one Sunday. Bettie took her place with the choir while Christopher, their grandson sat in the congregation with his grandfather. During the service, Bettie motioned to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19

Denomination: Methodist

God’s Forever Family

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Apr 4, 2014

We are often misunderstood in this life. Often as believers seeking to serve God, we are misunderstood. Sometimes we are even opposed by well-intentioned people. Now, when those people are member of our family, it makes it increasingly difficult.

God’s Forever Family Mark 3:31-35 31 Then His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him and called Him. 32 A crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You.” ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:31-35

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Power Of The Name - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Feb 4, 2015

The Power of the name of the Lord does not just give us abilities to accomplish his will, but it also gives us promises that can be counted on so that we can endure during the difficult times when there seems to be little hope.

The Power of the Name – Part 2 In the name of Jesus we have Hope The hope of Earthly Restoration The hope of Eternal Resurrection The hope of Spiritual Courage Intro Slide Well, last week, we began talking about “The Power of the Name.” We began looking at Peter ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Are Here

Contributed by David Spiegel on Feb 19, 2015

There are times in our lives we find ourselves in difficult situations. When we would rather be anywhere else, but even in those situations God can be glorified and you might just find out you were there for a reason!

I remember as a kid traveling and stopping at rest areas that had the map of the state we were in and seeing the little arrow with the words, “You are here”. • You can find it in mall maps • And now most of our cell phones have that capability Yet despite all of our ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:1-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Gray Areas Of Faith

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Apr 19, 2017

It's not difficult at times living in a world of absolutes, that something is either right or wrong. The challenge comes in the so-called Gray areas, or the subjective areas of our faith. How do we decide what is right or wrong in these areas?

THE GRAY AREAS OF FAITH ROMANS 14:1 – 14:23 THE PASSAGE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT TODAY, IS ONE THAT MANY PEOPLE FIND CONFUSING. IT’S EASY TO LIVE IN A WORLD OF ABSOLUTES, TO BE ABLE TO SAY THIE IS RIGHT AND THAT IS WRONG. WHY, BECAUSE THE BIBLE SAYS SO. BUT HERE PAUL MAKES US ASK THE QUESTION IS ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Love Lifted Me Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 24, 2016

Love is an essential character trait for the believer. The Lord loved us, so we are expected to love one another. This is easy preaching, but often a difficult practice. John reveals great truth regarding the love we should possess.

Love Lifted Me 1 John 4: 11-16 John 13:34-35 – A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. [35] By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. There can be no doubt that Jesus loved ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

There Is A Cost For The Oil

Contributed by Pastor E Cavenaugh on Feb 9, 2018

Life's difficult experiences help us to value the investment given to us by Christ. He has anointed us and it is all for His glory. You may not know my story but may you always see His glory.

Disclaimer: Due to a large number of sermons and topics that appear on this site, I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and illustrations are often gleaned from many sources ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:37-38

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Confidence Of Elijah Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Sep 18, 2016

Elijah was forced to live by faith in a place of isolation, totally depending on the Lord. These places of isolation are often difficult, but very beneficial. We should cherish and guard those places where we have an opportunity to hear from the Lord.

Series: Walking by Faith # 3 The Confidence of Elijah 1 Kings 17: 1-7 Following several chapters dealing with the chronicles of the kings of Judah and Israel, we are abruptly introduced to a man named Elijah. There is no background information leading up to his ministry; he just steps on the scene ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Mini-Series: You Must Be The Cycle Breaker In Your Family (Part 1)

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 9, 2020

Change is a difficult thing because it is so uncomfortable. Question: Do you want to change? Are you ready to break that cycle of day-to-day life and receive God’s change? I am talking to somebody who’s tired of going around and around the same old problem. Then be the Cycle Breaker...

YOU MUST BE THE CYCLE BREAKER IN YOUR FAMILY John 5: 1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a Great Multitude Of Sick People, Blind, ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Charismatic

Release Weights To Fly Higher

Contributed by Kelechi Uwanuruochi on Mar 2, 2020

Do you see the need to let go of some things that have been holding you down. Do you find it difficult to offload the burdens God did not give you to carry, and get on with your life? This sermon is for you

Elisha cooked his oxen with wood from his plough to do his farewell as he joined the ministry. So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. ... ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19-21, James 1:5-6