Sermons on Difficult Start:

A Great Mother (Mother’s Day)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on May 11, 2023

One of the most difficult sermons a pastor has to preach is a “Mother’s Day” sermon.

Why? For the same reason you spend a great deal of time searching through the Hallmark Cards trying to find the perfect card that will begin to convey how deeply you feel about your mother. If that is a strain on us consider the strain that puts on us preachers trying to preach a message ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

Taming Our Tongues Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Oct 19, 2001

We can tame and control so many things, but our tongues, ooh, how difficult that is.

First Baptist Church September 30, 2001 James 3:1-12 On the September 13th edition of the Christian television program "The 700 Club," Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson had the following conversation regarding the terrorist attacks — Falwell said, "The ACLU’s got to take a lot of blame for this. ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Repentance

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 20, 2018

Repentance is one of the first principles of the gospel and is essential to our temporal and eternal happiness. It is more than just acknowledging wrongdoings. It is a change of mind and heart that gives us a fresh view about God about ourselves and world

The Power of Repentance Matthew 21:28-32 28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32, Acts 2:22-24, Acts 2:32-41

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Judas Iscariot

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 13, 2018

Why did Judas Iscariot betray Jesus - was there an ulterior motive? Did Judas Iscariot see something in Jesus that the other disciples missed? Was Judas Iscariot trying to kick-start Jesus into action as the real and promised Messiah, the expected Messiah

Judas Iscariot John 12: 1-8 Today’s gospel from John is set in holy week, the anointing of Jesus with precious ointment – a poignant scene; but Judas reacted that it was a terrible waste, the ointment could have been sold and the money given to the poor. John's comment is that Judas said this, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16, Matthew 26:47-50, John 12:1-8

Perilous Times Series

Contributed by Ray Pritchard on Sep 5, 2003

Here are three very practical survival strategies for the perilous, difficult, dangerous days in which we live.

Perilous Times II Timothy 3 You’ve probably heard the old joke about the fellow who was told, “Cheer up. Things could be worse.” So he said, “I did as I was told. I cheered up, and sure enough, things got worse.” That in a nutshell is the message of II Timothy. The Apostle Paul, writing from a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Parenting In Perilous Times Series

Contributed by Bill Harper on Jan 23, 2001

The parents of Samson model for us the marks of successful parents who raise their child in difficult times.

“PARENTING IN PERILOUS TIMES” Text: Judges 13:1-25 Intro: Illustration-Radio personality Paul Harvey tells the story of how Eskimo kill wolves. First the Eskimo coats his knife blade with animal blood and allows it to freeze. Then he adds another layer of blood, and another, until the blade is ...read more

Scripture: Judges 13:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

What Are You Thankful For?

Contributed by Gerald Steffy on Sep 9, 2009

A Christian can experience joy and thank God even under the most difficult and extreme circumstance.

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR? Philippians 1:3-8 Proposition: A Christian can experience joy and thank God even under the most difficult and extreme circumstance. Objective: My purpose is to challenge people to be thankful even under the most difficult circumstance in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-8

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph - Big Faith In A Big God - Week 1 Series

Contributed by Steve Greene on Mar 25, 2019

Joseph had unwavering faith in the midst of some of life's most difficult circumstances.

We have been talking about what it would look like for our faith roots to go deeper. Now it is time to get really practical. What does BIG faith look like in real life? For the next three weeks, we are going to focus on an amazing story of faith. It is the true story of a guy who lived almost ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Under The Coverage Of The Most High

Contributed by Jose R. Hernandez on Apr 9, 2011

One of the most difficult things that people find to do is to trust. To trust is something that we find very difficult because through our life all of us have been disappointed or betrayed by people that we have trusted.

One of the most difficult things that people find to do is to trust. To trust is something that we find very difficult because through our life all of us have been disappointed or betrayed by people that we have trusted. Due to this our heart has hardened in a certain way, which causes us to stop ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 13:17-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Ministry Is Tough

Contributed by Mark Mitchell on Jan 8, 2019

God is sovereign in all circumstances of our lives. God is sovereign in the life of the church. Difficult circumstances are meant to bring us to rely on Him. The answer to difficult circumstances is prayer and reliance on Him, desiring His will come what may.

I. The gospel preaching being questioned. (vs.1-7) A. The evening prayers and sacrifices were now over. B. Likely it was about 4:00 PM C. Since a miracle occurred and that miracle was being used to show God’s work they were being questioned according to Deuteronomy 13:1-5. D. They were held over ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Taming The Tongue

Contributed by David Dewitt on Nov 17, 2006

James tells us that the tongue is one of the most needed areas of life to be tamed and also the most difficult

Taming the Tongue James 3:1-12 October 29, 2006 Evening Service Introduction A cartoon from leadership magazine shows a line of pews and the same sentence being passed from pew to pew. 1st pew: My ear kind of hurts 2nd pew: The pastor has an earache 3rd pew: The pastor got a hearing aid 4th pew: ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Church Of God

The Doors: Releasing Your Child Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on May 3, 2008

#4 in a six week series on marriage and parenting. This message discusses the difficult task of releasing your child.

"THE DOORS: RELEASING YOUR CHILD" Home Improvement - Week 4 1 SAM. 1:10-11, 24-27, Luke 15:11-13 INTRODUCTION: You know, of all the areas that we have talked about in this child rearing portion of our home improvement series, certainly for me and I think for all of us as parents.. releasing ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:10-27

Denomination: Christian Church

You Are Your Values

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Feb 7, 2020

As we look at our purpose in life, we start with a foundational step which is our values.

You are what you Value! February 9, 2020 I’ve never built a home, and if I was to build a home, I would hope I wouldn’t hire some of my favorite carpenters. This was one of their attempts to build a home for their wives . . . VIDEO Hopefully I wouldn’t be quite so bad. If you’re going to build ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13, Ephesians 4:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

Encouraging Words In Desperate Times

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Feb 1, 2007

Paul understands that his life is drawing to an end and pens these encouraging words to ministers and believers in difficult ministries.

Introduction - Running toward Unseen Goal United States runner Marla Runyon has been legally blind for 22 years. Even so, she competed in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. In fact she qualified for the finals in the 1500 meter race. (Marla finished eighth, three seconds behind the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5, 2 Timothy 4:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

I Beg Your Pardon Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Nov 18, 2011

One of the most difficult things to do seems to be to forgive. God requires it of us because HE is forgiving.

At a convention with their wives, two businessmen who had been roommates in college crossed paths. They sat in the lobby all night talking. They knew they would be in trouble with their wives. The next day they happened to see each other. "What did your wife think?" "I walked in the door and my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ