Sermons on Difficult Start:

Are You A Finisher?

Contributed by Jimmy Dillon on Nov 19, 2013

This is a message about staying the course and finishing our Christian walk strong. Many Christians start off on fire and strong but it doesn't matter how you start but more how you finish.

Are You a Finisher? Heb 12:1-3 Intro This morning I want to ask a question…what’s more important, how you start a race or how you finish? Doesn’t matter how you start the race but more how you finish the race! Story of Bill Brodherst The year was 1980, Bill Brodherst who ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The False Prophet Elymas Bar-Jesus Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 19, 2025

Barnabas and Saul had just started their first missionary journey. They started in Cyprus, walking from the eastern shore to the western shore. That's where they met a false prophet with an unusual name.

The False Prophet Elymas Bar-Jesus (Based on a message preached at New Hope Baptist Church near Fulton, MO on Sunday evening, 3-16-2025. This is not an exact transcription.) (Full disclosure: Sermon Central has an outline of mine on this passage, but this is an edited sermon and not just an ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

There Came A Sound From Heaven

Contributed by Ron Hicks on Jul 10, 2006

Talking about putting the clamps on Satan,Pentecost sure made his work more difficult.

“THERE CAME A SOUND FROM HEAVEN” Acts 1:4-5 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Is God's Will For Me?

Contributed by Jason Cole on Mar 11, 2007

Learning God’s will is difficult, but we can know certain things about His will for us.

“God’s Will for Our Lives” Introduction: I don’t know about you, but I like doing puzzles. Crossword puzzles are always fun. I usually answer the five or six that I know and then retire and go to a new puzzle. Some people like those word search puzzles too, where you din a word in a group of ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Did You Create Us If... Series

Contributed by Stan Rodda on Mar 15, 2006

This sermon attempts to answer a difficult question about why did God create us anyway.

Why Did You Create Us If… Dear God letters “House” God, are you that cruel? 1. Why create if You knew we would sin? Understand 2 things a. God is relational Gen. 1:26 & angels We do crazy things for love But you can’t force a relationship b. God wanted us to choose to love Him You ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Learning To Depend On God"

Contributed by Dennis Deese on Aug 15, 2002

One of the most difficult things in life is becoming and remaining a person after God’s on heart.

“LEARNING TO DEPEND ON GOD” (The Leader’s Strength) Dr. Dennis Deese 1 SAMUEL 18:17-21:15 One of the most difficult things in life is becoming and remaining a person after God’s on heart. If you doubt that, just consider for a moment how many people you personally know that you would consider ...read more

A Life Of Blessing Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Oct 15, 2007

When life is difficult, think about the amazing blessings that are yours because of Christ and thank Him.

Remember: The original readers of 1 Peter were facing persecution. The Big Idea: When life is difficult, THINK about the amazing blessings that are yours because of Christ and THANK Him. 1. There is nothing more important that our RESPONSE to Jesus. “As you come to him, the living ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-10

Denomination: Baptist

Walk By Faith

Contributed by Demarquis Johnson on Mar 23, 2013

This sermon reflects on how we walk by faith, but find it difficult to take steps in life by faith

Introduction There are studies and reports about how many steps we take each day. Many men and women working to get in shape wear clickers to track their steps. All of this talk about taking steps is exciting. People who have no concept of God or having faith are exercising faith simply by ...read more

Denomination: *other

When Stress Gets Tough Series

Contributed by David Dewitt on Dec 29, 2011

Dealing with stress can be difficult. Paul gives us a glimpse of how to handle the issue of stress

When Stress Gets Tough Acts 27:1-44 June 25, 2011 Morning Message Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency. ~Natalie Goldberg, Wild Mind How many of you deal with some form of stress? Stress is one of the factors of life that we all deal with. Stress comes at us ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:1-44

Denomination: Church Of God

Thriving Or Surviving Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Apr 19, 2012

We will examine what it tookDaniel and his three friends to thrive amidst difficult times.

Thriving or Surviving Feb 5, 2012 Dan 1 Intro: What does it take to not merely survive, but to thrive amidst difficult times? That is the uncomfortable question that jumped out at me through the pages of Scripture this week, in a story that I am going to tell you in a moment. See, we are in ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Revelation Of The Lamb's Followers Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Apr 19, 2011

To make Jesus the King of your life is often a difficult decision, but it's always the best decision.

[If you would like to receive free sermons each week by email, please contact jonrmcleod@yahoo.com.] WHO ARE THE 144,000? And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel (v. 4). Chapter 6 ends with the question, “Who can stand?” Chapter 7 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Strength In Numbers

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Jan 24, 2019

The church must realize how much we need one another if it will survive difficult times.

January 27, 2019 Morning Worship Text: Psalm 103:1-5 Subject: Trusting the Lord's Promises Title: Strength in Numbers In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he didn't. "What makes you think you can walk right in here and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

David's Growing Confidence In The Lord Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Aug 23, 2019

First Samuel 22:1-23 shows us how to trust in the Lord in difficult circumstances.

Scripture David was now a fugitive on the run from King Saul. Initially, David’s faith in the Lord was superseded by his fear of Saul. As a result of his fear, he made a number of mistakes. He went to Ahimelech, the priest at Nob, and lied to him. Then he left Ahimelech and fled to Achish, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 22:1-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Faithful Through The Challenges

Contributed by John Dobbs on Nov 1, 2020

Our text introduces us to a man who is no stranger to difficult circumstances and challenges - but remains faithful.

Faithful Through the Challenges 1 Kings 17 Introduction We are living in one of the most challenging times. The pandemic, the election, the weather, personal challenges. We try to face these challenges from the perspective of faith. Our text introduces us to a man who is no stranger to ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"let Us Run"

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Aug 13, 2019

Scripture refer to faith on occasions as run or running. Faith is a run, faith is a challenge, and fait is difficult.

Hebrews 11:29-12:2 “Let Us Run” 1. Faith is often recorded in Scripture leaning towards Running • Isaiah says those that have Faith in the Lord 31will renew their strength They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, Isa 40:31 • Paul make a statement that who run ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2

Denomination: Methodist