Sermons on Difficult Start:

Don't Go That Way, 2016 Go For It And Follow Wisdom

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jan 3, 2016

Andy Stanley once noted: “Many people are what you might call directionally challenged; They don’t know where they’re going, They haven’t a goal, They just wander thru life expecting that everything will turn out all right.”

Don’t Go That Way, 2016 Go For It and Follow Wisdom Proverbs 7:1-27NLT On New Year’s Day, 1929, Georgia Tech played UCLA in the Rose Bowl. In that game a young man named Roy Riegels recovered a fumble for UCLA. Picking up the loose ball, and he ran 65 yards toward the goal line. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 7:1-27

Denomination: Pentecostal

New Begginings

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Dec 30, 2016

This is a sermon for the new year . Hopefully it will get people to realize that as bad as we think things are we are not alone in our struggles. With God our situation can always change for the better.

( Please feel free to use the parts of the sermon that are my personal testimony if you like) (Read Genesis 1:1) In the beginning God created this big old world that we call Earth. He created this world we live on from nothingness, what it was before the beginning is all but forgotten, it is ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, Genesis 43:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trouble And New Beginnings

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Dec 24, 2014

Sometimes it takes big problems to bring us to a new beginning.

As we enter a new year, we are hoping to prosper more than we did the previous year and often we are wanting to forget the many trials and troubles we had as well. The Jewish New Year is on first and second days of Tishri (September-October). Though it is on a different calendar day, it means ...read more

Scripture: Amos 4:9

Denomination: Baptist

Endless Possibilities

Contributed by Steve Malone on Dec 31, 2013

In this message we will see 4 words (Go, Risk, Adapt, Believe) that will help us G.R.A.B. 2014 so that another year does not slip away from us.

Endless Possibilities #makingthemostof2014 Video bumper QUESTION… • AS YOU – look back and reflect on the year 2013, what do you see? • WAS IT – a good year? • WAS IT – all you hope it would be, when the ball dropped 363 days ago, at midnight on January ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:15-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

From Drop-Out To Dependable

Contributed by David Nolte on Jul 13, 2019

We are not defined by any one act -- good or bad. Mark proves that.

“From Drop-Out To Dependable” Acts 13:13 David P. Nolte Some of the greatest achievers are also known for some failure, or seeming failure, in their lives. To cite some famous “failures” we note the following: · Cut from the high school basketball team, he went into his bedroom and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:13, Acts 15:36-40, 2 Timothy 4:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Two By Four (A New Years Message)

Contributed by Steve Malone on Dec 30, 2020

In this MSG we will pull FOUR powerful truths from TWO well known passages that if lived out will lead us to a great new year.

Two By Four New Years Message 2016 The year is about 700 BC. AND – God’s people were not doing so good. YEAH - things are pretty tough for the nation. A large part of Judah and all of the northern kingdom of Israel were in exile in various parts of the Assyrian Empire. YOU SEE – because ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6, Philippians 3:3-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

This Might Be Your Day-- New Year's

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jan 1, 2021

This is a combination continuation of Christmas and New Year's message. Looking at the lives of David and Simeon, we see how God works through common life events to fulfill his promises in our lives. We have to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.

This Just Might Be Your Day January 3, 2021 1 Samuel 17:12-22 Luke 2:21-40 If you are believer, there are going to be situations in which you pray for something to happen, and you will have an assurance that God has said yes, or you may hear God tell you that God is going to do something ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:12-22, Luke 2:21-40

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Live In The Present Series

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Jan 2, 2023

It’s a new year. Now what? For some the possibilities seem to be endless, but for others the future appears uncertain with many challenges. Regardless of whether your future seems bright or bleak, here are some things to keep in mind.

I. A Clear Admonition A. In Isaiah 43:18 God gives us a clear admonition; don’t dwell on the past! If you want to make progress in the future, you must leave the past behind. The past is over and gone. Don’t dwell on what could have been or should have been. It is what it is. Leave it at ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:18, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 5:7, Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In The Beginning God...and In The End God. A New Year Message

Contributed by William Akehurst on Jan 11, 2023

Everything BEGINS with GOD so why would you begin anything without HIM? Everything ENDS with GOD, are you prepared to meet HIM?

2023.01.01 In The Beginning God...and...in The End…God. A Message for the New Year William Akehurst, HSWC My prayer for you. Colossians 1:9-17 (KJV) 9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:9-17, John 1:1, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 3:5-8, Psalm 119:49-50, Philippians 4:13, 1 John 5:4-5, Revelation 22:12-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Title: From Setbacks To Success: Finding Hope And Victory In Difficult Times Series

Contributed by Don Aldrich Tamayo on Jun 23, 2023

Today, we gather to explore how we can find victory over these difficulties through our faith in Christ. We will delve into the Word of God to discover wisdom, encouragement, and practical guidance for navigating these trials.

Introduction: Life is filled with unexpected challenges and setbacks. One such hardship is the experience of getting laid off, which can bring feelings of loss, stress, and a loss of focus. Today, we gather to explore how we can find victory over these difficulties through our faith in Christ. We ...read more

Scripture: Job 5:7, John 16:33, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 46:10

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

How Does God Bring Us Out Of Our Difficult Situations?

Contributed by Samuel M on Oct 15, 2024

God gives us a unique revelation about himself to bring us out of our difficulties.

In our difficult situations, God gives us a unique revelation about himself to bring us out of our difficulties. This revelation will comfort, sustain, and bring us out of our difficulties. This revelation will be a lifetime blessing or asset that can be used many times in the future. Some of these ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:13

Rock Bottom

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Nov 9, 2018

Let today be your "Rock Bottom"

Rock Bottom “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind n earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Preparing For The Present Troubles And The Joy Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Nov 4, 2021

This message focuses around the events of John 14:1-6 when Jesus was preparing his disciples for the events ahead of them that night, throughout life, and preparing for heaven.

PREPARING FOR THE PRESENT TROUBLES, AND THE JOY OF HEAVEN John 14 Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ September 20, 2021 Video Link: https://youtu.be/6YY1guN-YIs I) JESUS WAS PREPARING THEM FOR THE EVENTS AHEAD THAT NIGHT. 1) Let not your hearts be troubled (14:1a.) A) In one sense there ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, John 14:15-27, Revelation 21:16, Acts 4:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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