Sermons on Difficult Ministries:

Perseverance Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 24, 2009

There is a process in our becoming all that God credated us to be. This is the human side of the divine change.

James 1:2-4, 22-25 “Perseverance” INTRODUCTION When it comes to travel, I think many of us are highway people. We want to go the fastest way possible in order to get to our destination as quickly as we can. We aren’t really interested in seeing the sights or stopping at the tourist ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Dealing With Life Issues

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jul 12, 2025

Facing life's challenges can be overwhelming but with a perspective rooted in faith can shape not merely the response to those challenges but also the outcomes and growth experienced from them. Our shared experiences highlight how adopting a godly approach.

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Facing life's challenges can be overwhelming but with a perspective rooted in faith can shape not merely the response to those challenges but also the outcomes and growth experienced from them. Our shared experiences highlight how adopting a godly approach—rooted in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:17-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Disappointing Messiah

Contributed by Mike Hays on Oct 18, 2000

The Messiah many are looking for is quite different than the Messiah who came to us in Jesus.

The Disappointing Messiah John 12:12-19 Jack was raised in the church. He frequented Sunday school and worship services each Sunday with his family. He had learned all of the famous stories of the heroes of the Bible. He had heard of the times that God had intervened in the lives of His committed ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus In Action

Contributed by Steve Malone on Mar 3, 2004

And in this chapter the good Doctor records for us 4 encounters that Jesus had with 4 very different people...(

"JESUS IN ACTION" LUKE CHAPTER 7 INTRODUCTION Before the world was created -- before man was ever formed by the hand of God. God the father; God the Son; and God the Spirit were together. They have always been....THEY WERE/ARE/WILL ALWAYS BE... When Moses asked God who should he tell ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-50

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Highs And Lows Series

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Aug 5, 2019

Dealing with rough times in ministry

Acts 5 - Dealing with the Highs and Lows in Ministry - 2/26/16 Turn with me this morning to Acts chapter 5.  Whenever we look at the lives of individuals in scripture, we see that every one of us goes through highs and lows in ministry.  Think of Abraham - willing to sacrifice his son ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Journey Of Jesus

Contributed by David Dewitt on Oct 31, 2001

This is an inductive survey of the Travel narrative as recorded in the gospel of Luke.

LUKE TRAVEL NARRATIVE I. Divide and Title A. Segmental Divisions 9.51-11.13 Jesus sends the seventy 11.14-13.30 Renewed opposition and Jesus continues to teach 13.31-15. Jesus with the Pharisees 16.1-19.27 Jesus teaches on the kingdom 19.28-21.4 Jesus enters and claims the Kingdom 21:5-38 Jesus ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

Making Hard Choices

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 1, 2009

Today’s world is filled with energy-saving devices that make life easier, but there is something to be said for embracing life’s challenges. The apostle Paul found serving Christ hard, but he didn’t see it as a cause of discouragement. The goal was worth

Opening illustration: On September 12th, 1962, President JF Kennedy delivered a speech at Rice University in Houston, TX, about the difficult challenges facing the nation. He also shared his passion for the US to place a man on the moon. In balancing the needs of his people with the desire to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Third Year Of Ministry Lesson 6 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 6, 2023

I spent more time teaching disciples. “Come away with Me to a private place in the desert to rest awhile” (Mark 6:31). My emphasis – first year, miracles. Second year, sermons. Third year, parables/teaching.

Note: All Scripture references in this lesson are from The Bible by Jesus unless otherwise noted A. THE THIRD YEAR OF MINISTRY My Ministry First year – introduction. Second year – popularity. Third year – preparing for My death. 1. I spent more time teaching disciples. “Come away with Me to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:31, John 6:42, John 6:26

Denomination: Baptist

The Dos And Don'ts Of Christian Ministry Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on May 13, 2022

1 Timothy 4:11-16 shows us the dos and don'ts of Christian ministry.

Scripture In his First Letter to Timothy, Paul wanted Timothy to stop the false teaching that was taking place in the churches in Ephesus (1:3-4), and also to teach believers how to behave in the household of God (3:14-15). In chapter 4, Paul set down the qualities of an excellent minister. In ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Instructions For Ministry (Matthew 10:5-42)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 10, 2025

In these verses, Matthew describes the responsibilities given to the apostles by the Lord Jesus. He anointed them with special powers and abilities to show people the power of God but also warned Mark 13;9-13of coming persecution for the cause of the Gospel.

The Lord Jesus gave the apostles specific responsibilities and gifts to minister to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. His role as the Promised Messiah would be to not deliver the nation from the bondage of Rome, but to free them and all people from a far worse bondage, that of sin and it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:5-15, Mark 6:7-13, Mark 13:9-13, Luke 9:1-6, Luke 21:12-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Governed By Descent

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Mar 15, 2012

Certain traits are ascribed/attributed to/associated with Jesus by virtue of His descent. But What traits/attributes? 4 traits/attributes of Jesus that are His by descent. By virtue of Descent, Jesus has a peculiar...

GOVERNED By DESCENT—Luke 3:23-38 Attention: A middle school in Oregon faced a unique problem. A number of girls were beginning to use lipstick & would put it on in the bathroom. After they put on their lipstick, they would press their lips to the mirrors leaving dozens of little lip prints. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:23-38

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus The Center Of It All

Contributed by Jerry Carr on Apr 21, 2001

A sermon describing how that God has no Plans, no Purpose for you and I which is not centered in the person of his son the Lord Jesus Christ

It has been said that this is one of the greatest verses in all the Bible. It contains so much that it is vertually inexhaustable, for example we can see in this passage the Revelation or the unveiling of the Heart of God, it says "For God so LOVED the world.." I thank God that he is a God of ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

An Invitation To Get To Know Jesus

Contributed by Steven Chapman on May 2, 2001

Step into the shoes of those around the table at Simon’s house.

Luke 7:36-50 It was an invitation that I couldn’t refuse. Oh, I had received lots of invitations in my lifetime; invitations to weddings, invitations to parties, invitations to fund raising gatherings for religious organizations and political parties. But never an invitation quite like this one. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Show Down At High Noon!!!!

Contributed by Matthew Drake on May 29, 2001

The Devil thought he’d make a match for Jesus, he found out at High Noon how wrong he was!

Read Luke 23: 33-34, 39-46, 53-56 I. Introduction This morning we are going to travel back 2001 years ago to the year of our Lord. The setting of this infamous scriptural story is in Jerusalem on a hill called Golgatha, otherwise known as Calvary. What we will find brings the toughest grown man ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Come See A Man Named Jesus

Contributed by Jerry Carr on Jun 3, 2001

As we look at the first 4 encounters with Jesus we find these men describe the full ministry of the Son of God

I want you to notice with me verse 6 of John chapter 1, we find where John the Baptist was the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ, God had sent him to prepare the way of our Lord, and he spoken with such authority, that in verse 19 the Jews sent Priest and Levites to ask him who art thou? ...read more

Scripture: John 1:46-51

Denomination: Independent/Bible