Sermons on Difficult Ministries:

Disciplines Of Disciples

Contributed by Craig Smee on Aug 23, 2006

Running the race is a difficult thing, but through certain Christ oriented practices we can have the endurance to complete the race.

87% of Americans own running shoes but don’t run. One cannot be a disciple without learning discipline! ". . . discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness." ~ 1 Timothy 4:7b (NASB) If I am going to develop Christ-like character in my life, there are certain disciplines, or habits I need to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Christian Church

Thanksgiving Declaration

Contributed by Kent Lenard on Nov 25, 2002

The need for giving thanks is vital to Chrisitan growth, but those who have much seem to find it more difficult to be thankful.

Thanksgiving Declaration Eph 5:19 - 20, 1 Thes 5:16-18, Psa 100:1 - 5, Rom 1:21, Th 5:18 November 18, 2002 I. On Sept 16, 1620 Two ships sailed from Plymouth England, The Speedwell and the Mayflower. The Speedwell had a lot of problems as they started among them were many leaks springing in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Romans 1:21

Denomination: Baptist

Broadway Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on May 29, 2005

Why is the narrow way the road less traveled? Because 1. It is difficult. 2. It is against the majority. 3. It includes persecution.

Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). (A spontneous skit can be done here. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Methodist

Do Our Loved Ones Know What's Happening To Us Now? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 1, 2003

This message explores the difficult question of whether those in heaven can still see what’s going on here on earth.

There is a romantic notion of those in heaven “looking over the balcony rail of heaven” and watching over us throughout our lives. Is that a biblical notion? The Bible does not address the question directly, but this morning I want to examine some of the relevant passages to answer this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

It's A Wonderful Life In The Face Of Trouble Series

Contributed by Randall Bergsma on Dec 19, 2006

Life is difficult. Christmas can bring crisis for many. But it can still be wonderful because God came in Jesus to be with me.

Intro: Have you ever felt you might be better off dead than alive? The struggles of life seem to surmount the beauties of life and you begin to wonder “what’s the point?” That’s what happened to Geoge Bailey in the classic film It’s a wonderful Life. In this scene your about to see, George, who ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Habakkuk's Powerful Prayer

Contributed by Jon Daniels on Aug 28, 2007

This message deals with Habakkuk’s prayer and how we can look to God to strengthen our faith in difficult times.

"HABAKKUK’S POWERFUL PRAYER" Habakkuk 3 INTRO – Life is full of questions, isn’t it? Some questions are unimportant. Others have life-changing, life-altering implications. And then there are those questions that sound relatively unimportant, but definitely have life-changing implications. ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Sometimes God Says No

Contributed by John Petty on Jan 12, 2010

In a world of greed and materialism it’s difficult for us to accept "no" from God. But sometimes God says no.

I made a statement last week in the message that I want to repeat this morning … “Sometimes, God says no.” And what I want to do this morning is give us a couple of the many examples of God saying no. Moses’… It was Moses hearts’ desire to go into the Promised Land but because he didn’t follow ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Church Of God

How To Handle Discouragement

Contributed by Rommel Samaniego on May 2, 2008

Based on Ricks Warrens book Answers to life’s difficult questions. I only made it to a Sermonand added illustrations

HOW CAN I HANDLE DISCOURAGEMENT? What can you do when you have the worlds deadliest decease? Cancer, is fatal but atleast the Doctor can tell you when your going to die… AIDS, right now with technology its not that Fatal (Magic Johnson), its not that contagious. Polio…Not really. Let me give ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Have You Swallowed An Alligator Lately? Series

Contributed by Susan Blader on May 13, 2008

Pride makes it difficult to listen to wisdom, but humility and a heart prepared to seek the Lord can give us a second chance.

Have You Swallowed an Alligator Lately? A sermon on 2 Chronicles 10-12 Two men were riding a bicycle built for two when they came to a steep hill. It took a great deal of struggle for the men to complete what proved to be a very steep climb. When they got to the top the man in front said to the ...read more

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

Surrendering

Contributed by Sam Peters on Mar 1, 2007

Too often when we are confronted with a difficult situation we strive to solve it ourselves instead of letting God be God.

Surrendering – Let Go, Let God Text – Daniel 6:10, 16-24 Situation: Your company has made announcements that it is cutting 100 jobs across the company in an effort to trim expenses and increase shareholder equity. The cuts will be made after upper management reviews employee performance. What do ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:10-24

Finding Our Way

Contributed by Chris Stevens on Feb 10, 2007

Finding our way through life can be difficult, unless we have someone to light our way for us.

Finding our way through life we have many tools: • On the road: o Road Signs o Maps o Ask for directions o Directions from officials • Raising children: o Handbooks by the experts o Advice from “parents” and “grand-parents” o Our kids.  o Those who don’t have children The “old time” cars ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You're Not The Boss Of Me

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Jan 10, 2012

To share how we can overcome difficult times by Soaking in God's Word, Soaking in Prayer, and soaking in service to God.

You’re not the boss of me. This is a phrase that most of us parents have more than likely heard from our children when speaking to one another. I believe that most kids will learn this phrase and use it towards their siblings more than any other phrase. It seems to me that this is one of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:9-11

Denomination: Other

Love Your Enemies? Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Sep 27, 2011

This message is the second in a series that deals with some of the difficult sayings of Jesus. This message deals with Jesus’ call to love your enemies.

Sometimes we hear something that sounds so unreasonable our response is, “You have got to be kidding.” I believe in our text we encounter Jesus saying something that really sounds unreasonable. In fact this statement goes against what we consider to be reasonable. This statement goes against ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Look Back?? Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Sep 27, 2011

This message is the fifth in a series that deals with some of the difficult sayings of Jesus. This message looks at Jesus' warning in regard to looking back.

At first glance Jesus sounds very harsh as He addresses someone that sincerely wanted to follow Him. What’s wrong with wanting to tell His family goodbye? In 1978 the Little River Band wrote a song that describes a great tendency that many of us have. Listen to these few lines from this song. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:61-62

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Cowardly Concessions Series

Contributed by Tim Spear on Dec 3, 2012

Pilate learned a difficult lesson that hopefully we can each avoid as he made “cowardly concessions”.

Jesus, the God-man: Gospel of John “Cowardly Concessions” John 19:1-16 Introduction: On September 30, 1938 British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain returned to England and proudly held up a document he had signed with Adolph Hitler which he declared to promise “peace in our ...read more

Scripture: John 19:1-16

Denomination: Baptist