Sermons on Difficult Ministries:

Pretending Everything Is Okay

Contributed by Jason Patrick on Nov 24, 2001

As part of a family of faith, Christians need to realize that we can be honest with God and with one another about just how difficult life can sometimes be.

Pretending Everything is Okay / Psalm 137 Proper 22, Year C; Downsville Baptist Church; 7 October 2001 One of the biggest grievances that I presently hold against many churchgoers is the notion that it is important that we act like everything is just fine in our lives even when it is not. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

2 + 5 = 5000

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 26, 2018

The main point of this sermon is that miracles can take place when we do our part and depend on God to direct the ministry.

2 + 5 = 5,000 John 6: 1 – 21 Intro: Children can ask some really difficult questions regarding religion such as: “Who made all the planets?” or “How come God doesn’t do miracles any more?” I Perhaps God performed these miracles to demonstrate to humanity their inadequacy. A VS 7 “It would ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What's My Motivation

Contributed by Chip Monck on Sep 26, 2007

This message followed up one on the Biblical Bridal Paradigm, and reflected on the motivation of living and participating in ministry out of love.

(Opened with a homemade "YouTube" video to the Toby Mac hit, "Made to Love") Last week we explored our love relationship with God. This idea of a “holy romance” through such long standing hymns of the faith as “And Can It Be” and “My Saviour’s Love” and “My Jesus I Love Thee.” This week, it is a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Wants Us To Be Sure

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 7, 2001

In this day & age it is sometimes difficult to know what is true. But surely, there are some things we can count on, some things we can know for sure.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN, BROWNSVILLE, TX A. What do we know for sure? In this age of contemporary uncertainty it is difficult to know what is true, because what was considered true yesterday may not be considered true today. ILL. For example, for a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:15-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are You Justified By Faith, Or By Works?

Contributed by Charles Degner on Oct 23, 2006

This difficult chapter of the Bible is not hard to understand if you ask a simple question. James says we are justified by our works, not just by faith. But justified BEFORE WHOM?

James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-26 Pentecost 17B Rev. Charles F. Degner 1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Qualities Of An Effective Servant

Contributed by Carl Allen on Dec 6, 2007

Paul and Barnabas. Through this narrative these two servants of God manifest examples of seven qualities that make for effective spiritual ministry.

Qualities of an Effective Servant Acts 14:1-28 Intro Admittedly this lengthy narrative passage contains no explicit teaching on God’s requirements for effective service. It does, however, present two highly qualified and effective servants who modeled the qualifications necessary for all who ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Living Outside My Comfort Zone Series

Contributed by M. Keith Williams on Jan 13, 2015

From time to time we all need to move outside our comfort zones if we are going to be effective in ministry

Living Outside My Comfort Zone Nehemiah 11:1-36 Rodeo Road Baptist Church November 9, 2014 Disclaimer: Each sermon in this series on Nehemiah was written with both commentary help and referencing from time to time information from sermons and illustration found on Sermon Central. In most cases I ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 11:1-36

Denomination: *other

Following Jesus Into The Wilderness

Contributed by William Mouser on Mar 14, 2006

Lent is one of the earliest observances of the church. Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness is a model for spiritual preparation for future effectiveness and fruitfulness in ministry.

Psalm 25, Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-13 For most of the past 500 years, there was an almost infallible way to tell Catholics from Protestants: the Catholics were the ones who had a cross-shaped smudge of ashes on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday. But, those times are changing. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-13

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Restored

Contributed by Stephen Schwartz on Dec 17, 2001

Can Christians today be restored to full time Christian ministry such as Peter was after denying the Lord three times?

Restored” Have you ever lost something or misplaced something and you couldn’t remember where you had placed that something. If you are like me you take that something and place it in a safe place where you know you can find it again. The problem with this is that after a certain amount of ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-19

Denomination: Methodist

The Day Jesus Wept - The Day Of Visitation

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Mar 30, 2021

What a tragedy it is when God visits His people and many of them miss His visitation! Take advantage of the move of God during this difficult season. God is still speaking!

Introduction: The Christmas carol ask the question, Do you see what I see?, Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king, Do you know what I know?, In your palace wall mighty king, Do you know what I know?, A child, a child Shivers in the cold, Let us bring him silver and gold, Let us bring him silver ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:41-45, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Matthew 23:37-38

Denomination: Methodist

Famine Living

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Aug 26, 2009

Famine times in our life challenge all of our convictions. These are often difficult times in our lives, but they also present an opportunity for God to show Himself in miraculous ways.

During the 20th century, an estimated 70 million people died from famines across the world, of which an estimated 30 million died during the famine of 1958–61 in China. Dictionary defines it as any extreme and general scarcity. In biblical times famines weren’t uncommon and this scarcity of food ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 26:1-13

The Best Gifts Come In Small Packages

Contributed by Jason Patrick on Jan 5, 2002

We need the joyful reminder that God is present with us not only in life’s most difficult moments but especially in the midst of life’s tragedies.

The Best Gifts Come in Small Packages / Matthew 1:18-25 Advent 4, Year A; Downsville Baptist Church; 23 Dec. 2001 A little boy and girl were singing their favorite Christmas carol in church the Sunday before Christmas. The boy concluded "Silent Night" with the words, "Sleep in heavenly beans." ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Sexual Purity Series

Contributed by Don Jaques on Feb 11, 2004

God’s plan for our lives commands sexual relations be enjoyed in the context of marriage only. This plan is for our best. This plan is difficult, but possible.

Clarity or Confusion? 3. Sexual Purity Feb. 8, 2004 Don Jaques MAIN IDEA: God’s plan for our lives commands sexual relations be enjoyed in the context of marriage only. This plan is for our best. This plan is difficult, but possible. Intro: Contrast the rules of Roy Rogers’ riders rules with ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, Matthew 5:27-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Trouble With Being Righteous Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Feb 26, 2008

Living under the blessing of grace we need to be reminded that a life of righteousness follows our salvation. A righteous life is difficult to live in an unrighteous society.

THE TROUBLE WITH BEING RIGHTEOUS “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…” (Isaiah 64:6). The subject of righteousness is very disturbing for a number of reasons. First of all, “righteousness” is not a word we use very much in our ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 51:1-11

Denomination: Mennonite

"Hope” In Haggai And Zechariah: True, False, Postponed And Perilous Series

Contributed by Wm Darius Myers on Apr 24, 2007

Theme Paper in Haggai-Zechariah, tracing the appropriate applications of hope, despite the difficult realities of our circumstances. An excellent theme for redevelopment pastors to consider.

“Hope” in Haggai and Zechariah: True, False, Postponed and Perilous The Shawshank Redemption: Morgan Freeman tells fellow-inmate Tim Robbins, “Hope is a dangerous thing. Drive a man insane. It’s got no place here.” In a place like Yehud, with the Jews seeking to rebuild the temple amidst ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational