Sermons on Difficult Relationships:

Expectations Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Jul 3, 2009

Part 6 in series Relating to God: What We Can Learn About God Through Our Closest Relationships On Earth. Dave looks at the problems caused in relationships (with humans and with God) by the expectations we bring to them.

Expectations Part 6 in series Relating to God: What We Can Learn About God Through Our Closest Relationships On Earth Wildwind Community Church David Flowers March 14, 2009 We’re in part 6 tonight of our series Relating to God: What We Can Learn About God Through Our Closest Relationships On ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-21

Denomination: Free Methodist

At Home With God-Heaven-Revelation 21 Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Nov 30, 2013

Heaven need not be an obsession, yet our relationship with God should be. It is this relationship which drives everything good in our lives. It is motivation for love for each other, gives us strength for today, and fills with hope for an eternity with Gd

• The Bible is NOT obsessed with heaven. When Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven or the Kingdom of God, in general, He is not talking about a future housing for God and His people-He is talking about a way of living here and now. The greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven must be the servant of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:10-27

Denomination: *other

Are You A Disciple?

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Mar 6, 2018

Much of the church today has watered down the gospel so much in order to just attract attenders that Lordship and discipleship are completely foreign concepts. Many want only a casual relationship with Christ, but Christ is not a casual relationship God.

ARE YOU A DISCIPLE? Matthew 16:13-27 This week I was in my storage room looking for something. I reached to the top shelf and felt fur and claws. A flying squirrel jumped up on a box and stared at me. I yelled for Lana to come. Why? Because I needed a sermon illustration. She got there with a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-27

Denomination: Baptist

Ruined Sinners To Reclaim Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Apr 15, 2011

Most Americans tend to believe a relationship with God is primarily about going to heaven when you die. They think that all good people will go to heaven. But the truth is that your relationship with God in this life will determine your destination in th

Introduction: In her book The God Who Hung on the Cross, journalist Ellen Vaughn retells a gripping story of how the Gospel came to a small village in Cambodia. In September 1999, Pastor Tuy Seng (not his real name) traveled to Kampong Thom Province in northern Cambodia. Throughout that isolated ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-31

Denomination: Wesleyan

Take And Eat - Mark 14:22-26 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 4, 2024

Why do some verses in the Bible make our relationship with God sound conditional, and other verses make it sound unconditional? The answer to that question is the key to understanding the gospel and having the closest, most intimate relationship with God possible.

Mark 14:22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." 23 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 "This is my blood of the covenant, which is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:22-26, Matthew 26:26-30, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Change (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Jeff Budzinski on Sep 22, 2007

Change is a continual process that begins with renewing your mind. Change is an adding and a subtraction of things in our life. God has given us the power to change; and although it may be difficult and uncomfortable and unsettling at times, it will draw

Introduction · This morning, I want to talk about change. First, change is a good thing! · Change is a continual process that begins with renewing your mind. · Change is an adding and a subtraction of things in our life. · God has given us the power to change; and although it may be difficult ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thanksgiving - Rejoicing With Those Who Rejoice

Contributed by Melvin Newland on May 15, 2001

I’m convinced that one of the most difficult things that the Scripture asks us to do is found in Romans 12:15. That verse says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2014) ILL. It’s Thanksgiving Day & the aroma of roast turkey fills Charlie Brown’s house. Snoopy, outside, lying on top of his doghouse, smells that aroma, & he is thinking, “It’s Thanksgiving Day. Everybody eats turkey on ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:15, Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"in Search Of The Perfect Gift"

Contributed by David Henderson on Nov 3, 2020

Some of us have in our lives a person who is very difficult to buy for. Perhaps they already have nearly…you know what do you buy for the guy who has everything?

“In Search of the Perfect Gift” John 3:16 Some of us have in our lives a person who is very difficult to buy for. Perhaps they already have nearly…you know what do you buy for the guy who has everything? What does Bill Gates‘ wife get him for Christmas? After all, he is now worth 75 billion ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Following Jesus Into The Desert Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Jan 21, 2021

What tempts you? How do you resist? We often find it difficult to not give in. Let's follow Jesus into the desert as he experiences the same temptations as we do.

You can listen to the podcast of this sermon here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/7412800 Following Jesus Into the Desert Intro: • [video - the marshmallow test] We’re not so very different than these amazingly cute kids. First conducted at Stanford U. in 1972. • We sneak up on the edge of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11, 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, 1 Peter 5:9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

New Year's Resolutions For Christians

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Dec 31, 2011

Improving ourselves in a self-focused way is not necessarily bad but it must come second to improving our relationship with Jesus.

CHRISTIAN NEW YEARS RESOLUTION WORLDLY RESOLUTIONS We are at the transition point between the end of one year and the beginning of a new year. What happened in the old year, good or bad, is done and we cannot change it; we simple must live with the results of the past. In living with the past, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-8

Denomination: Christian Church

Name Of God - Yahweh Series

Contributed by L Lee on Sep 15, 2010

The Bible refers to God by different names and each one reveals some aspect of His character and His relationship with us.

Yahweh Background information Names have occupied a significant place in Bible times. People’s names were changed to reflect some calling from God or a significant event in their lives. No wonder Moses was so eager to learn the name of God. He knew that the name of God would tell him ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:13-14, Judges 6:24

Denomination: Christian Church

Sermon On The Pothole Experience

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 28, 2025

The metaphorical "pothole experience” is considered as the unforeseen obstacles, setbacks, and difficult challenges that may jolt or derail a person's journey in life, similar to how actual potholes disrupt a smooth road.

Drew Barrymore, an American actress once remarked: “Oh, I would love to be a motivational speaker. I have pulled myself out of a million potholes, and I can see the potholes ahead of me. That doesn't mean that I could always do that so perfectly for my own life. I totally fall in potholes.” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:6, 1 Peter 4:12-13, James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:1-2

The God Who Calls You By Name Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Sep 17, 2025

God’s personal knowledge of and relationship with His children shows His love, purpose, and intimate involvement in our lives.

THE GOD WHO CALLS YOU BY NAME By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Isaiah 43:1 – “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Supporting Texts: John 10:3-4; Exodus 3:4; ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Stay The Course Sermon Iii: Spiritual Maturity Instills Courage Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on May 27, 2020

When we Christians find ourselves having to contend with enemies of the Lord, spiritual maturity sustains us and relies on the Spirit of God to give us courage to carry on despite difficult circumstances and dire situations.

SPIRITUAL MATURITY INSTILLS IN BELIEVERS COURAGE TO STAY THE COURSE At the end of World War II, millions took to the streets to celebrate victory. Simultaneously, a multitude of others quietly gathered in churches to give thanks to God for peace. Nearly all of us had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 15:1-9

Training Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jun 28, 2022

The focus of this sermon is to help the congregants get sold on the idea that training is a regular part of the Christian life. It is difficult to engage in any sort of intensive training activity unless you are convinced that there is a need for that.

Debbie and I were blessed to be able to end our vacation on a seven-day cruise through the western Caribbean. Here is a picture of us enjoying dinner in the ship. It was a very enjoyable time. We actually got to swim with stingrays. But, you know what, all that food and sun and swimming is a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-8, 1 John 3:1-2

Denomination: Christian Church