Sermons on Difficult Start:

Stay The Course

Contributed by Brian Atwood on May 1, 2001

Attributes of people who finish what they start.

The 2000 movie, "The Patriot" starred Mel Gibson as Benjamin Martin, a Revolutionary War hero. Martin’s 18-year-old son, Gabriel, enlists in the conflict and he spends the first half of the movie diligently repairing an American flag he found in the dirt. Tragically, Gabriel becomes a casualty of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Never, Never, Never

Contributed by J.d. Tutell on Jan 17, 2012

A New Year's Day sermon on pressing on during difficult times.

It was October 29th, 1941 Winston Churchill had been the Prime Minster of England for about a year. He came to the office in the darkest of times. Within days of his taking office England’s closest ally, France, fell to Germany. Much of the year was spent in the darkness of an anticipated ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Is There Hope For Me? Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 9, 2010

God continues and completes what he starts.

Scripture Introduction Today’s text is a “plaque verse,” you find it inscribed on plaques, “calligraphy-ed” on cards, and on lists of verses Christians memorize. A couple of weeks ago, Kevin sent me a link to Steve Green singing it. In my previous pastorates, we sang, “He Who Began a Good Work in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hard Times - Better Than Evian Water Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Apr 12, 2008

Hard times and difficult circumstances are not an argument for the absence of God in our lives; Hard times and difficult circumstances are in fact, an argument for the presence of God in our lives.

We assume that sailing through life with ease is a sign that God is with us. We assume that when a tragedy happens, God was looking the other way. We assume that when we find ourselves out in a desert standing in the middle of nothing but dirt and rocks, we assume that there has been some mistake. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lawsuits And Legal Disputes

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on May 5, 2025

Getting along with others can often be difficult. But how we deal with difficult situations will say a lot about our spiritual maturity or lack thereof.

Alba 5-4-2025 LAWSUITS AND LEGAL DISPUTES I Corinthians 6:1-8 There was a street in a town that was lined with lovely mature trees, manicured lawns, and three churches—all right next to each other. The three churches were each built in different styles and shapes. They each posted a sign out ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Remain Loyal Series

Contributed by W F on Sep 20, 2004

If we want to kick-start our faith we must remain loyal (Part 2 in a series on "How to Kick-start Your faith").

How to kick-start your faith Part 2 Remain Loyal (2:10-17). INTRODUCTION Malachi 2:10-16 With good reason there was one particular woman who was always suspicious of her husband’s waywardness. Each night there would be a row when she would discover a blonde or a brunette hair on his lapel. One ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:10-17

Denomination: *other

The Desert - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Oct 15, 2009

Our journey through the desert to find God in difficult times.

The Desert Journey August 23, 2009 Psalm 63 Have you ever been to the desert? It’s a fun place to go to . . . as long as you don’t run into some animals we may not consider all that friendly, and as long as you know your time in the desert is coming to an end. Usually when we think about the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Church Fires Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Oct 3, 2011

Even in Paul's day getting along with fellow Christians was difficult.

“Between the Lines: Dealing with Church Fires” Romans 14:1-15:7 Max Lucado has related A PARABLE. “Every sailor could agree on one fact. Had it not been for the captain, they would never have survived. The storm came suddenly. In a matter of moments hulls were broken, decks were ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Remember God Loves You Series

Contributed by W F on Sep 20, 2004

If your want to kick-start your faith, remember God loves you (Part 1 in a series on "How to Kick-start Your Faith).

INTRODUCTION When God is doing nothing he is always doing something - loving his people. It’s true isn’t it, that at times God seems to be doing nothing in our personal lives or in the world around us. But the truth is, he is always doing something, he is always loving his people. Sometimes our ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:1-5

Denomination: *other

The Only Thing We Have To Fear Is God Himself! Series

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Dec 7, 2011

In the beginning marks a starting point of a specific duration.

Intro: WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR BUT GOD HIMSELF! 1. In Boca Raton Florida, Jerry Stevens, a pilot, decided to greet the New Year by writing, "God is Great" and similar messages in the sky above the city. When they saw the skywriting; many residents panicked and called police. They believed ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Prophecy: The Hope Of Our Future Series

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Jul 22, 2008

The power of prophecy enables us to get through difficult times.

Sons & Daughters: Prophesy, Dreams, Visions, July 20, 2008 Acts 2:14-18 Illus: “Mendin Fences” Fixing the fence: I should have prayed before I started instead of cutting the wood wrong. We need to live prophetically! We have questions – what is going to happen next? Are we going to make it? ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:14-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Honor Your Mother

Contributed by Rick Boyne on May 14, 2013

Whether easy or difficult, we are commanded to honor our mothers.

Honor Your Mother May 12, 2013 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: Whether easy or difficult, we are called to honor our mothers. Focus Passage: Ephesians 6:1-3 Supplemental Passage: Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On Keeping The Faith

Contributed by William Meakin on Oct 19, 2020

In bad times it is often difficult to hold on to our faith in God

Ben Carson, the American politician, author and retired neurosurgeon once stated: “I believe if you keep your faith, you keep your trust, you keep the right attitude, if you’re grateful, you’ll see through hard work, perseverance and a faith in God, you can live your dreams.” James 1:6 informs ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:16, 1 Peter 1:21

The Beginning Of… Israel Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 24, 2010

God starts something big with very small people.

Scripture Introduction In the first eleven chapters of Genesis, Moses introduces key themes and doctrines forming the parameters of life. This prologue actually ends with chapter eleven, but like any good writer, the end of the preface is a “page-turner,” not suited to ending a ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Will Follow You Series

Contributed by Anthony Craver on Sep 27, 2006

Ruth was faithful to follow Naomi, in spite of difficult circumstances!

I Will Follow You Ruth Chapter One I. Introduction Tonight we begin a four week study of the book of Ruth. Ruth was a remarkable woman. She was from the land of Moab. The Moabites had been a thorn in Israel’s side for a long time. Even though Ruth was born in a land and of a people that ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Pentecostal