Sermons on Difficult Choices:

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

Forgoing Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Dec 21, 2010

Christmas is a wonderful time of year for many. For some however, the pains that life can bring make the Christmas season a difficult one. In this series we will be talking about forgiving and being forgiven. (Taken for a series by the same name by Craig

Page 1 of 5 Christmas is For-giving Part 2 Forgoing Introduction (taken from a series by Craig Groeschel) Today- continue our series- Christmas is For-Giving. Complete series on Christmas Eve- invite friends. Last week- looked at forgiving those who have hurt us. Today- initiating forgiveness ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:23-25

Denomination: Charismatic

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

New: Flat-Line Faith

Contributed by John Bishop on Mar 25, 2009

Staying on fire for God can be one of the most difficult things we do. Pastor John Bishop talks to us about the Church at Laodicea and how we can maintain the joy of our salvation and share it with the rest of the world.

PRAYER: Father, I pray that You’d bring our faith back to life. That the parts of our faith that have kind of become ’flat-lined’, this apathetic sort of indifference, that’s so affected us and it’s affected the people around us. And I pray in the name of Jesus, by the power and blood of Jesus, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Leaving The Boat To Get Aboard

Contributed by Joshua Bowers on Dec 18, 2005

So often we either sit like a knot on a log and refuse to seek God’s purpose for our lives or we do seek God’s purpose and realize just how difficult it can be to fulfill it.

Leaving the boat to get on board. A. John the Baptist had just been beheaded by King Herod. Because of the rat race that was going on Jesus got his disciples in a boat and headed away for a little R and R. The crowds noticed Jesus and his disciples heading away from town, across the lake, so ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Church Of God

God's Will For Us

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jan 6, 2020

We often think of God's will as something that will involve doing difficult or complicated things. Our text gives us three simple things we can do to be living in God's will every day.

God’s Will for Us 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Preached at Church of God December 2019 INTRODUCTION: We all share a faith in the God who made us, and saved us, and who has a plan for each of us. Because of that we often ask ourselves how can I do God’s will? We ask, what is God’s will for my life? ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Committed To Serve Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Sep 1, 2019

Knowing the disciples would face a difficult and discouraging task at times, Jesus sought to encourage them by reminding them of their standing with God. We too can draw strength from the Lord and need reminded of that which is available to the believer.

Committed to Serve Matthew 10: 29-33 Jesus had shared much with the disciples prior to sending them out in pairs of two for ministry. He had been very straightforward with them, revealing the difficulties and opposition they would encounter as the proclaimed the Good News. Some would happily ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:29-33

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

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

Crises And Conflict

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Mar 2, 2013

The life of a leader is filled with challenges and crises. A spiritual leader should be able to navigate successfully through difficult and challenging times and should know how to stand firm when facing critical situations. Leadership ability can be test

Crises and Conflict Matthew 12:25-30 - But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. “If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:25-30

Denomination: Charismatic

When I Am Lonely Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 29, 2013

Do you ever feel physically or emotionally alone? David knew very well how that felt. Fortunately for us, he wrote down both his feelings and his vision of what to do in these very difficult times.

We don’t really know the occasion for Psalm 63. It could have been written when David was running from Saul, or from his son, Absalom. This psalm is really about who you turn to when it seems like there is nothing in your environment that brings comfort or rest. 1 – 2 David was in ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

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 Ultimate Balance: Resting Faith In Christ & Taking Dutiful Action

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 1, 2021

In life there is often a balance we must seek after, finding good measures of various attitudes and actions to find a happy medium in life. The struggle to find this difficult balance can best be summed in the shortened version of the serenity prayer:

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works In life there is often a balance we must seek after, finding good measures of various attitudes and actions to find a happy medium in life. The struggle to find this difficult balance can best be summed in the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Denomination: Salvation Army