Sermons on Difficult Road:

"The Focus Of The Victorious”

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 1, 2009

When disciples lose their focus they lose their direction. Jesus has answers for that.

“And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Orthodox

Update: Signs Of The Times - March 2025 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 14, 2025

What if I told you those who prayed silently are now guilty of thought crime? Free speech is being slain. I share part of a fantastic speech by VP J.D. Vance. Christians are heading for difficult times. This article looks at some of the significant recent happenings.

UPDATE: SIGNS OF THE TIMES - MARCH 2025 WHY DO WE BOTHER TO CONSIDER THE AFFAIRS OF THE WORLD? [A]. INTRODUCTION It is not beneficial to be weighed down by the bad things in the world, and some get depressed by such things. Like most aspects of life we need to be balanced and sober. It is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8, Matthew 16:2-3, Daniel 2:32-35, Revelation 13:1, Genesis 12:3, Revelation 11:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"The Power Of A Proper U-Turn" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Aug 7, 2016

Turning around can be difficult and painful. I mean let’s face it when you have to turn around there is usually only one good reason. You have realized you’re going in the wrong direction. This is exactly what happened to a man named Saul

“The Power of a Proper U-Turn” Acts 9:1-19 Early in our ministry my wife and I did a lot of work with youth and children. There was a camp in Northeast Arkansas we would take them to each summer located in the mountains. It was beautiful. As many times as we went there I would usually ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do When You Are In Exile, Part 1

Contributed by S Henriques on Jan 27, 2003

Don’t we all know the feeling of being in a complicated and difficult environment that feels sometimes as though we are in a foreign land? We find ourselves being forced into an unpleasant situation we would never choose for ourselves, and it looks as tho

What To Do When You Are In Exile Jeremiah 29:1-13 by S. M. Henriques Folks, I have been so eager to bring you this message of hope and good news this morning. I am truly excited about what God wants to say to you and me today. Suppose that this afternoon, a group of soldiers was to storm into ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

"In His Presence”

Contributed by Rev. M Edmunds on Jun 15, 2005

It is hard to see that God is working in our lives sometimes when things are unfavorable. In fact it seems sometimes as if God is not there at all when we are experiencing difficult, unexplainable moments within our existence, but don’t loss faith, you ar

Elder M. Edmunds Co-Pastor of United Ordained Church August 2003 It is hard to see that God is working in our lives sometimes when things are unfavorable. In fact it seems sometimes as if God is not there at all when we are experiencing difficult, unexplainable moments within our existence. ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Promises

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Apr 6, 2005

Misunderstandings are often very difficult to untangle, because one misunderstanding often leads to another. This is what had happened to Paul as he was forced to make a change of plans. In Paul’s initial itinerary, he had intended to go immediately from

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: C.S. Lewis in his biography tells of the suffering he endured because he kept a promise he had made to a buddy during World War I. This friend was worried about the care of his wife and small daughter if he should be killed in battle, so Lewis assured him that if that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

When God Can't Be Explained

Contributed by Danny Anderson on Oct 28, 2006

Tragedy is often difficult to cope with, hard to understand, hard to explain, and it’s hard on our faith. Tragedy often causes people to lay the blame for these events on God. This will often cause these people to become bitter and cynical toward Him. Of

When God Can’t Be Explained Introduction: As we look back over the last several years, we see recent history dotted with some very tragic events. Middle Eastern terrorists have made a number of attacks against America in various ways - their crowning achievement, of course, being 9/11. The tsunami ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Hope In The Hard Times Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 7, 2007

Do you go through difficult trials that don’t seem to have any way out? So did Naomi, but God showed his love and an alternative she hadn’t thought of, like he does with us.

Ruth was written in perhaps the 2nd half of the 12th century, making it contemporary with Jephthah and Samson of Judges 11 and following. This is important because if you didn’t know that you’d think there’s no way the events could take place concurrently with Judges. Judges is filled with ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

No One Said This Would Be Easy Series

Contributed by Peter Schmidt on Dec 29, 2004

On the day after Christmas, on St. Stephen’s Day, we learn that though getting to heaven is easy through Jesus, carrying his cross on earth often times isn’t. But if being a Christian is difficult, it is even more so for the unbeliever.

Festival of St. Stephen Matthew 23:34-39 I have always had a healthy respect for all branches of the military, and not to take anything away from the other divisions of our armed forces, but one branch particularly stands out in my mind: the Marine Corps. What is their slogan that you see on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:34-39

Denomination: Lutheran

The Prince Of Peace Brings A Sword?

Contributed by Doug Koehler on Jun 27, 2008

There are a number of passages in the New Testament known by some as "difficult sayings of Jesus"; one of which is, "I did not come to bring Peace but a Sword". This sermon explains Christ’s Words using Creative Homiletics. Creative messages, if done corr

Advertising is quite effective. It is so effective that millions of dollars are spent each year just to acquire 60 seconds worth of air time during the Super Bowl. When asked why companies are willing to spend so much money for just 60 seconds of air time, the response is simple. Companies believe ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:34-40

Denomination: Lutheran

The Fear Of Failure

Contributed by Thomas Miller on Feb 21, 2008

Being negative is easy; it requires no work because it comes natural. All you have to do to fail is nothing. On the other hand being positive isn’t as easy; it requires work. Optimism in the face of adversity is difficult and is hard to find in this day a

The Fear of Failure Diamonds in the rough often go unrealized because they don’t think they are diamonds, they don’t have an advocate to encourage them, so the fear of failure ruins the confidence that leads to success. The greatest days and moods are quickly forgotten with one ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Shall I Not Drink The Cup The Father Has Given Me?

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Sep 26, 2013

Jesus faced his cup of suffering willingly. God had a plan and Jesus, as difficult as it was, was willing to carry it out. Jesus needed to teach this lesson to Peter and it's a good lesson for us as well. Are we willing to 'drink our cup'?

“SHALL I NOT DRINK THE CUP THE FATHER HAS GIVEN ME?” John 18:1-14 1) Agony in the garden (vs. 1). John’s gospel doesn’t mention anything about the events that took place in the Garden of Gethsemane before Judas showed up. It’s important to look at what Jesus dealt ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Can’t Do Everything Won’t Do Anything Syndrome

Contributed by Don Emmitte on May 20, 2014

Our history calls us to an optimism that often is difficult to support. We do live in a changing time. The familiar has gone for most of us. Too often this creates within us a feeling of uncertainty and confusion rather than hope and optimism.

The Can’t Do Everything Won’t Do Anything Syndrome John 6:1-14 Sermon by Don Emmitte – Memorial Day, 2014 – Grace Restoration Ministries Take Your Bibles, Please… After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

What Is The Trinity? Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jan 16, 2013

the mystery of the Trinity, God being three persons in one, has been difficult for Christians to explain since the beginning. Last week we talked about some religions and offshoots of Christianity who have denied the Trinitarian nature of God because it

How many of you have read the Shack? I recently read it and the newest book that author came out with, and both books have interesting imaginings about the Trinity. In both books the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit are people with various characteristics, male and female. In the Shack, the Father ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6-10

The Days Of Noah

Contributed by Martin Holland on Oct 10, 2012

Noah lived in a very difficult time and yet in so many ways by the descriptions given in the Bible of Noah days we are living in a similar environment. What can we learn from Noah that we might find grace in the eyes of the God?

The Days of Noah Genesis 6:1-13 Mention: Genesis 6:5-6, 11 The state of the world in Noah’s days Questions: • I wonder how many people were upon the earth at this time. Genesis 6:1 Today we know that there is an estimated 6.5 Billion • I wonder how bad it was at this time. We ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist