Sermons on Difficult Relationships:

Hope Is Her - Hope For The Doubter Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of doubt in difficult times, using the biblical story of Thomas doubting Jesus' resurrection, and emphasizes the need for the Church to be a safe space for those grappling with doubt.

When life gets tough, it is easy to doubt that things can get better. The disciples had watched their friend be crucified and buried in a tomb, and they were devastated. Even though others had claimed to see Jesus resurrected from the dead, Thomas did not want to get his hopes up, only to be ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-29

Topics: Overcoming Doubt, Resurrection, Hope In Tragedy

Sermon Series: Hope Is Here

A Love Affair Between Christ And His Church (Part 4) Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Jul 28, 2002

Will we be the church as Jesus desires us to be? The husband and wife relationship pictures the mysterious relationship between Christ and His church. He will make us a NURTURING CHURCH as we are passionately in love with Him.

We are all saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our church’s most valuable members, Someone Else. Someone’s passing created a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years, and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than a normal person’s ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-32, Revelation 2:1-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What About My Priorities? Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on May 4, 2018

Now that I belong to Jesus, how should that decision and relationship affect the priorities of my life?

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Now I belong to Jesus, WHAT NOW? • In this series we have been examining some the implications in our life because of our relationship with Jesus. • Today we examine the area of my priorities. How should my faith and my relationship with Jesus impact my priorities? • I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Eat Flesh? Drink Blood? Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Sep 27, 2011

This message is the fourth in a series that deals with some of the difficult sayings of Jesus. This message examines the meaning behind Jesus saying to eat His flesh and drink His blood.

The majority of us are grossed out by what this statement suggests. These are the actions that are usually confined to a horror movie. Cannibals eat flesh and vampires drink blood. These are not things that normal people do. If Jesus is meaning this literally, we would all say, “That’s a little bit ...read more

Scripture: John 6:53-56

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Don't Allow Circumstances Rob Your Joy Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Feb 13, 2007

Philippians is commonly called the "Book of Joy". But Paul presents several thieves that try to rob us of our joy. The first thief: "Difficult Circumstances."

DON’T ALLOW CIRCUMSTANCES ROB YOUR JOY A. For the next few weeks we’re going to take a look at CHRISTIAN JOY and the THIEVES that try to ROB us of our JOY from the book of Philippians. 1. Now to some people the phrase “CHRISTIAN JOY” is an OXYMORON--in their mind these two words CONTRADICT ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Allow People Rob Your Joy Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Feb 13, 2007

Philippians is commonly called the "Book of Joy". But Paul presents several thieves that try to rob us of our joy. The second thief: "Difficult People."

DO NOT ALLOW PEOPLE TO ROB YOUR JOY ILLUSTRATION: A PREACHER told about his nine-year-old daughter who one day JUMPED off the SCHOOL BUS as it stopped in front of her house and SLAMMED her way through the front door. She MARCHED up the stairs into her ROOM and again SLAMMED the DOOR. All the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The First Melancholy Christmas

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Dec 22, 2006

The Christmas season is a difficult time for some to celebrate when they have suffered tragedy during the year. That first Christmas also had their share of tragedies.

Matthew 2:13-23 The First Melancholy Christmas Introduction – I Heard the Bells Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was filled with sorrow at the tragic death of his wife in a fire in 1861. The Civil War broke out that same year and it seemed this was an additional punishment. Two years later, Longfellow ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

Increase Our Faith

Contributed by Peter Parry on Jun 29, 2002

Increasing our faith is a gift from God that we recognize in difficult times when we question God less and trust Him more.

INCREASE OUR FAITH (Luke 17:3-6; Mt.15:21-28) Increase our faith asked the disciples after Jesus had just explained to them the need to forgive your brother even up to 7 times in one day. The disciples knew themselves well enough to admit that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5

Denomination: Congregational

The Vital Link Of Prayer And Praise Series

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Mar 1, 2010

Life is hard. Sometimes we are dealt a difficult hand. But earnest prayer leading to real praise will lift us out of life’s ruts.

Sermon Notes The Vital Link of Prayer & Praise Philippians 4:4-9 (Based in part on "The Answer to Your Problems" by Jay McPhearson) Introduction: Ever face a problem you thought would top them all? In Budapest, a Jewish man went to his rabbi and complained, "Life is unbearable for my family & ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The - First Light - Factor Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 5, 2008

To some people, the world is a dark and difficult experience. But in the midst of their frustration, there is the hint of eternity that makes them hope that there is something more than they are presently experiencing.

(Twenty years ago I heard a preacher give a sermon with the same kinds of opening and closing illustrations. It left such an impression on me that I have waited all this time to preach this specific sermon.) OPEN: Nine men lay trapped more than 200 feet beneath the ground in a coal mine in ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Heroes #6: Daniel's Faith, Friendships And Favour Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Aug 9, 2008

What do you do when you are faced with a difficult or impossible situation? Daniel found the answer in faith, friendships, and favour from God.

HEROES #6: DANIEL’S FAITH, FRIENDSHIPS AND FAVOUR KEY TEXT: Daniel 11:32b. “But the people who know their God will be strong and carry out great exploits.” THE BIG IDEA: What do you do when you are faced with a difficult or impossible situation? Daniel found the answer in faith, friendships, ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:19-20

Denomination: *other

Omniscience Of God Series

Contributed by L Lee on Sep 17, 2010

Learn more about the character and attributes of God. It is difficult to please God or respond to Him appropriately if we do not know what He is like.

Omniscience of God The doctrine that God knows everything. Hebrews 4:13 (NIV) Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Psalms 139:1 4 (NIV) For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. O LORD, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:13

Denomination: Christian Church

Omnipotence Of God Series

Contributed by L Lee on Sep 17, 2010

Learn more about the character and attributes of God. It is difficult to please God or respond to Him appropriately if we do not know what He is like.

Omnipotence of God The doctrine that God is all powerful. Job 42:2 "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. Mat 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." What do we mean when we say that God can do all ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:2

Denomination: Christian Church

Justice Of God Series

Contributed by L Lee on Sep 17, 2010

Learn more about the character and attributes of God. It is difficult to please God or respond to Him appropriately if we do not know what He is like.

Justice of God Our God is a just God Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV) He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Isaiah 45:21 (KJV) Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:4

Denomination: Christian Church