Sermons on Difficult Start:

Praying Until God Blesses

Contributed by Phillip Day on Aug 17, 2006

When faced with difficult situations, we need to keep on praying until God blesses.

Outline: I. The Problem at Hand (Genesis 32:3-8) a. Problems get closer and larger (v. 6) b. Panic sets in (v. 7-8) II. The Prayer for Help (Genesis 32:9-12) a. Remember God’s direction (v. 9) b. Humility displayed (v. 10) c. Fear’s cries (v. 11) d. Promise claimed (v. 12) III. The Preparation ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Broken For Use Series

Contributed by Ken Ritz on Mar 1, 2016

Part 1 of series on Elijah. God uses difficult times to prepare us for His use.

Broken For Use Elijah, Part 1 If you have your bible open up to the book of I Kings, chapter 17, page ____ Today we are starting a four-week study on one of the greatest people of God in all of scripture. Let me give you the context of the time period that we are studying. After the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wait For Your Time

Contributed by Darren Sirmans on Dec 28, 2010

We have to know that the Lord is listening to us, while we are going through difficult times

(2Cor6:2) After America uses the rest-room, she forgets to turn the light on, if I can really catch America, when she is just about to go in darkly as we all know it. I could teach her that there is a time for everything, a time to lose, a time to win, and a time to change. America doesn’t like ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Do You Do With The Transfiguration Narrative?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Mar 18, 2025

One the most difficult events in the Gospels to explain! However, there is a light shining through the cloud to us.

What do you do with the Transfiguration narrative? Luke 9:28-36 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Luke 9:28 About eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter, John, and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

Denomination: United Methodist

What Are You Waiting For? Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jan 13, 2008

God had faithfully restored everything required for the remnant to start building the temple. Now the only thing left for them to do was to start building. But they were satisfied, so they delayed.

1. The first setback is satisfaction with religious activities 2. The second setback is satisfaction with raw materials 3. The third setback is satisfaction with royal grants Let me tell you a story about a 33-year old California man named Larry Walters. Several years ago, Larry had an idea. ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

In The Beginning God Series

Contributed by Bruce Montgomery on Apr 21, 2008

The starting point for truly knowing God is through God’s self-revelation; and the foundation and starting point for learning what God has revealed about Himself is the study of Genesis

In the Beginning God GE 1:1 By Dr. R. Bruce Montgomery Why Genesis? I enjoy and have benefited from learning stories of Jesus and the apostles, studying the theological teachings of Paul and practical day-to-day instructions of James. But why GENESIS? Because it is a key to understanding ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Restoration Of A Failure

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on May 20, 2008

A look at several (from entertainment and science) who started out as failures but became great successes. Samson is our model of one who started well, failed miserably, but was restored.

The Restoration of a Failure Judges 16:20-22 Today I want to start by looking at some Famous Failures. 1. He was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of creativity and imagination. 2. He did not speak until he was 4 and didn’t read til 7, his teacher called him "Slow" 3. He went broke 5 times ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

Return To God Series

Contributed by W F on Sep 20, 2004

Malachi takes God’s people for a spiritual checkup, an inventory that is essential if we want to kick-start our faith (Part 3 "How To Kick-start Your Faith").

How to kick-start your faith - Part 3 Return to God (3:6-12). INTRODUCTION You may recall that we are talking about how to kick-start our faith. Someone once said, “It’s not enough for us to have been confirmed or to have made a decision for Christ at an altar. We cannot walk successfully in the ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-12

Denomination: *other

That's Your Portion

Contributed by Juan Lane on Oct 4, 2006

When we are faced with difficult situations in life we must realize that it is our portion to deal with

That’s your portion “Deal With it” II Samuel 12:19-23 (KJV) 19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:19-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Finish Strong Or Wrong.

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Mar 25, 2010

It does not matter how strong we start out, if we finish badly.

Admin OptionsFeature Edit Discussion Close Discussion Add Tags Cancel Delete Discussion Intro: 1. The year 1945 saw the emergence of three great evangelist: Billy Graham; Chuck Templeton, and Bron Clifford. All three of them packed auditoriums to capacity. Chuck Tempelton was called "the most ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

What Do We Learn From Jesus' Prayer?

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 17, 2008

Jesus is also in quite a difficult situation. How did He handle it? How did He pray? We can learn from Jesus’ example of how we should pray in difficult, hard, and emotional wrenching times.

What Can We Learn from Jesus’ Prayer? Matthew 26:36-46 ILLUSTRATION… Children’s Prayers http://www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=1145 Dear God: Please send a new baby for Mommy. The new baby you sent last week cries too much. - Debbie, 7 Dear God: Who did you make smarter? Boys or girls? My sister ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In The Mean Time Part 1 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Aug 23, 2008

Part one focuses on what we do as we prepare to go through difficult situations.

In The Mean Time Part 1 Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34; Mark 4:35-40; 16:17-18; 1 John 3:21-22; James 1:6-7 Introduction It has been said that we are either getting ready to go through something; are already in the midst of going through something; or we have just came through something. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Procrastinate Tomorrow

Contributed by Jay Yousling on Jan 4, 2021

Many people struggle with starting projects, starting something new, finishing a task, or just enjoying working hard. In Hebrews 6:9-12, the Spirit of God gives us some help with being diligent.

PROCRASTINATE TOMORROW Looking at Diligence, Work, Plans, Ants, Counsel, and Workmanship Jay Yousling, “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.” Proverbs 22:29 I love this promise! To see this principle realized on a practical ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:9, Hebrews 6:9-12, Hebrews 6:12, Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 6:10, Proverbs 12:24, Proverbs 26:13, Hebrews 5:8, Proverbs 13:4, Proverbs 26:14, Proverbs 24:33-34, Proverbs 20:4, Isaiah 32:8, Proverbs 19:20, Nehemiah 8:10, Proverbs 15:12, Hebrews 6:11-12, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 2:8-9, Proverbs 8:31, Proverbs 8:30, Proverbs 6:6, John 17:4  (view more)  (view less)

No Rich People In Heaven Series

Contributed by David Smith on Oct 27, 2009

"Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom

In any journey, such as a trek through the bush, there are exciting parts, such as when we start out (perhaps) and when we near your destination, there are relatively boring parts, and there are patches that are just hard work. In our journey through the Gospel of Mark we seem to have reached an ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:23-25

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Strike The Rock Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 25, 2002

Moses dealt with a difficult situation and prevailed because he kept his eyes on the right things.

OPENING: A small boy dialed "O" and asked the operator to call a number for him. He didn’t speak clearly, so she couldn’t understand him. After repeating it four times, he blurted out, "You operators are dumb," and slammed down the receiver. Hearing this, his mother was shocked. She called the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ