Sermons on Difficult Choices:

Up To Here With Self

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Aug 28, 2016

Bernstein once was asked which instrument was the most difficult to play. He said, "The second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasm--that's a problem."

Up To Here With Self Philippians 2:3-4NASB One of the first conductors born and educated in the United States to receive worldwide acclaim was Leonard Bernstein. He directed the New York Philharmonic, conducted concerts by some of the world's leading orchestras, wrote symphonies, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Ready Or Not

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Jan 9, 2018

On the whole being prepared isn’t a bad thing. In fact it can be downright crucial! Most people I know that have had a very difficult life, it is not that they could not have done much better in life, it was simply a lack of preparation.

TITLE: READY OR NOT SCRIPTURE: ST. MATTHEW 25:1-13 I remember with great fondness growing up and spending weekends and holidays with my grandparents in Keyport, NJ. Both sets of grandparents lived just blocks from one another. One of my grandparents lived right next to the City Cemetery. I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing Our Heart And Mind (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jan 4, 2017

The struggles we face as we journey with the Lord are varied and many. None are more difficult that the battles that rage within our minds. If we are to overcome, we must approach this battle from a biblical approach. (A continuation of previous study)

Preparing our Heart and Mind (Part 2) Philippians 4: 4-9 We began to consider these powerful verses in our last study, and I hope to conclude them today. Paul was well aware of the various struggles the church faced. Society presented particular challenges and there were disagreements and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Baptist

A Compelling Conclusion (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 24, 2016

Life is often difficult, even for the strongest believer. It is easy to focus on the trials we endure instead of the Lord. While we are unable to fully comprehend all our Lord is, our faith is increased as we look at Him by faith.

A Compelling Conclusion (Part 2) 1 John 5: 13-21 As we continue to consider the closing words of John in his first epistle, we are mindful of the many difficulties and obstacles the early church faced. John has dealt with false doctrine, the spirit of antichrist, personal sin, and the great need ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:18-21

Denomination: Baptist

Stones In The Road

Contributed by Robert Henrich on Mar 19, 2013

The ’stones’ on the gospel road – those difficult verses we stumble over or just pass by – are treasures if we take the time to stop and pick them up; two such ‘stones’ in the story of the raising of Lazarus speak of the intensity of Jesus’ love for us.

I had to take my car into the shop in Binghamton last week, and I had a lot of time to kill. The waiting room didn’t look very inviting, so I decided to do something I haven’t done in a long time: I took a walk. At first it seemed as if the world had been put on pause, or at least slow motion; the ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45

Denomination: *other

The Plagues Of Egypt Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on May 31, 2013

So Moses comes back to Egypt with his brother Aaron after the experience with the burning bush. Apparently his wife and kids stay in Midian, and we begin to see what was probably the most difficult and frustrating ministry position ever.

The people are happy to see Moses and at the end of chapter 4 we see that they are convinced that the Lord sent Moses and they worshipped together. Well, there's usually lots of enthusiasm when a new pastor comes and does lots of great things. Hope starts to build in the people and they get excited ...read more

Thoughts About The Trinity

Contributed by J Bernard Taylor on Jul 17, 2020

Trinity Sunday gives us an opportunity to study one of the most difficult themes of the Christian faith, the concept of one God in three persons. The Trinity is important because in a real way it shows us how God does his thing.

Last Sunday was Pentecost Sunday, the day we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit with power upon the disciples. As the disciples proclaimed the wonderful works of God in their own language, but Jews from all ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Keeping Our Faith During The Hard Times

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Oct 26, 2022

We've probably all been through hard times at least once. It's difficult even to think of joy in those trying moments, yet James wrote that believers should consider trials joyous.

Hard times. We've probably all been through hard times at least once. It may be a financial loss that caused the hard times. It may be a job loss that caused the financial loss. It may be a relational loss - breaking up with someone we thought would be a lifelong friend. When these hard ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

"Is There No Balm In America?"

Contributed by Roy Wade, Sr. on May 16, 2022

I don’t have to remind you, that America is facing some of her most challenging days or times! Yes, this country has had some difficult times in the past, but what we are facing today is a Fulfillment Of Bible Prophecies.

Subject: “Is There No Balm In America? Text: Jeremiah 8:20-22 Introduction Of The Text: I don’t have to remind you, that America is facing some of her most challenging days or times! Yes, this country has faced some difficult times in the past, but what we are facing today a ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 8:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

How To Minister To The Lgbt Community: Wesley's Quadrilateral As A Guide

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 26, 2021

How can we as Christians minister and carry the gospel to the LGBT community? Let us consider this difficult issue, which centers around gender, homosexuality, gay marriage, and past hurts through the lenses of Wesley's Quadrilateral.

How can we as Christians minister and carry the gospel to the LGBT community? Let us consider this difficult issue, which centers around gender, homosexuality, gay marriage, and past hurts through the lenses of Wesley's Quadrilateral. The quadrilateral is a time tested tool for discerning ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48, Mark 1:15, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:10, John 1:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Waiting For Christmas

Contributed by Rodney Rapp on Dec 23, 2024

Christmas time can be a wonderful time for many and at the same time be a very difficult time as we face the challenges of life. But we must focus on the true meaning of Christmas is not the gift under the tree, the lights, the parties but rather it is the gift of a savior!!

In the Christmas Season we often focus on the Birth of Christ We celebrate His birth and his coming to bring salvation What a wonderful gift!! And on top of that He has promised to come and take us home to be where He is!!! Christmas time can be a wonderful time for many and at the same time be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-32, Luke 2:36-38, Galatians 6:4, Ecclesiastes 3:11

Denomination: Other

God Is Not Finished With You Yet

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 20, 2025

No matter where you are in life, God is not finished with you yet. He has started a good work, and He will surely bring it to completion. Even when things seem delayed, difficult, or discouraging, trust that He is working behind the scenes.

GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH YOU YET By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text:  Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Supporting Texts: Jeremiah 29:11 Isaiah 43:18-19 Job 42:12 Romans ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:6, Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 43:18-19, Job 42:12, Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Dangers Of Social Media

Contributed by David Henderson on Aug 12, 2024

The strains of life for many of us can be difficult. You may ask, with all the success Simone Biles has had, her success, with so much to be proud of, how she could possibly have so many struggles.

The Dangers of Social Media & How to Find Real Happiness Mattthew 5: 10-12 Our Summer Olympics began two weeks ago and one of the high points for Team USA is that we have won a total of medals of 105 medals: 31 of those being gold. Simone Biles has earned 4 medals, 3 being gold. All of this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas: God Will Turn Things Around For Good

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 14, 2024

Christmas is a time of pressures: decorating, shopping, dinners, loneliness, money pressures, missing our loved ones. Joseph & Mary also had a difficult first Christmas. But we serve a God who will TURN THINGS AROUND FOR THE GOOD!

CHRISTMAS: God Will Turn Things Around for Good Mt. 1:18-25 INTRODUCTION Christmas, instead of being a time of joy, can be a time of great stress. Often there are unrealistic expectations and disagreements. One Poem says... A. “TWAS THE FIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” by Tony Cooke and David Beebe 1. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Twenty-Ninth Sunday In Ordinary Time; 29th Sunday B -- Can You Drink The Cup?

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 18, 2021

For training purposes, the supervisor suddenly handed the nurse a wine glass that happened to be on a nearby shelf. The "director" asked the nurse to "lose" her thumbs by tucking them into her palms. It was uncomfortable and difficult to hold the glass.

Jesus asked James and John, “Can you drink the cup that I drink?” To answer, One can use Theology as Drama. e.g. A supervisor and a nurse did a re-enactment when a patient was going to have an operation on her thumbs the following day. The nurse asked, "Why? What's the matter with ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:42-45

Denomination: Catholic