Sermons on Difficult Start:

The Great Contender

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jul 24, 2013

Contending for the faith is not winning arguments. It is much harder. It involves difficult things like prayer and displays of mercy.

1. Swedish Military The Swedish military has cut back from around-the-clock-operations to a 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule, Monday through Friday only. Sound crazy? It's true. Some people want to be Christians on Sunday (or Sunday morning only) and then just like all other people the rest of the ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:3-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is Jesus Divisive?

Contributed by Monty Newton on Aug 19, 2013

Deciding to follow Christ is a discerning decision, but depending on our circumstances, it may also be a difficult and divisive decision.

Title: Is Jesus Divisive? Text: Luke 12:49-56 Thesis: Deciding to follow Christ is discerning decision, but depending on our circumstances, it may also be a difficult and divisive decision. Introduction Ancient Greek Philosopher Democritus was cited for having said, “Creatures flock ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-59

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Does The Buck Stop? Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Aug 12, 2015

There are a lot of debates about the origin of evil but is it possible that God is responsible? A rather difficult subject attempted to be explained.

I want to tell you the story of Farmer Joe who had an accident. When the accident first took place, Farmer Joe decided not to sue the trucking company responsible for the accident. Later he reconsidered. In court, the trucking company’s fancy lawyer was questioning farmer Joe. "Didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:7, Isaiah 45:23

Denomination: Foursquare

A Messiahs Road To The Cross Begins Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jan 6, 2012

We must be willing to travel down the road that God is leading us down even when it is difficult.

A Messiah's Road to the Cross Begins Text: Matt. 26:1-16 Introduction 1. Illustration: There was a family in our last church in Arkansas that I dreaded to go visit. Now they were really nice people, but they lived on a really difficult road. First, it was a dirt road filled with huge rocks, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-16

Denomination: Methodist

Direction For Dads

Contributed by Robert Rhodes on Oct 31, 2009

No matter how spiritual we are, it is a difficult time to raise children to become real radical Christians.

No matter how spiritual we are it is a difficult time to raise children to become a radical Christian. I’m not talking about modern Christianity where they go to church will little evidence of being any different throughout the week than everyone else. I’m talking about biblical Christianity ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-29

Denomination: Baptist

Reading Revelation

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 13, 2009

The last book of the Bible presents a prophetic vision difficult to fathom--what do we do with it?

During the early days of Desert Storm, and as we approached the year 2000, people grew concerned with whether these events might be signaling the “last days” talked about in Scripture. Now doom-sayers are claiming the world will end in 2012. I recently read The Road by Cormac McCarthy, a bleak ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:6-19

Denomination: Congregational

"Were Can I Find The Intelligent Designer?”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Dec 21, 2020

I love Christmas. But this is a difficult, unexpected kind of Christmas.Christmas is the celebration of the entrance of the “Intelligent Designer” of the Universe.

In Jesus Holy Name December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve–Matthew 1:20b-21 Redeemer “Were Can I Find the Intelligent Designer?” I love Christmas. But this is a difficult, unexpected kind of Christmas. Families have had to make adjustments. Churches ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:4-7, Matthew 1:20-21

Denomination: Lutheran

How To Overcome Fear

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 2, 2022

Most Christians enjoy reading passages of scripture that bring comfort to our hearts during difficult times.

A very favorite passage of scripture of mine is Isaiah 41:10. We read, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” These are comforting words. Notice, five ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:10

Denomination: Baptist

A Faithful Defense

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Oct 6, 2019

The Big Idea: God wants us to be faithful him in our words and actions, even in difficult situations.

Of Christians put to death for their faith in the second century, perhaps no account is as striking as the story of Polycarp. Polycarp (A.D. 70-155) is bishop of Smyrna and a godly man who knows the apostle John personally. When urged by the Roman proconsul to renounce Christ, Polycarp responds ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Other

Gospel Chains

Contributed by Greg Yort on Apr 23, 2018

First, God advances the gospel through our difficult circumstances, intercessory prayers, and good news testimonies.

Sermon Idea God calls all followers of Christ to advance the gospel. Textual Idea Paul recognized his imprisonment was the will of God to advance the gospel of Christ, encouraging the Philippian ‘saints’ or ‘followers of Christ’ to stand firm side by side as partners, in prayer for one another, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-19

Denomination: Church Of God

The Season Of Hope

Contributed by Jeff Ecklund on Dec 10, 2016

This message is about the season of hope in Christ that is right in our midst that can be hidden in the difficult or buried in the familiar.

It’s interesting the way we approach our birthdays, birthdays of our children, spouses, friends etc… Consider the first birthday of your child, or grandchild…HUGE!…All the trappings, gifts, invitations, photos…(and the baby has NO idea what’s going on!) Seems as though the celebration is really ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1

Denomination: *other

Waiting Room

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 23, 2019

It is difficult to wait, especially on God. Yet, faith enables us to wait for just the right moment to move.

1. When our daughter was very young, riding in the back seat in her car seat, my wife and I were discussing names. She commented, “You should always name your child something you like because you will say the name often.” A little voice from the back said, “Then you should have named me, ‘No’ or ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:20-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You're Hard To Love

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on May 17, 2019

A sermon on how difficult it is to follow Jesus's commandment, "love one another."

You’re Not Easy to Love “I’m going away, but I will leave you with a new commandment; you should love one another as I have loved you.” This Gospel is a rewind, Jesus said these words at the last supper. John set the scene with Jesus eating dinner with his friends. Judas left and went out into ...read more

Scripture: John 13:31-35

Denomination: Episcopal

For Such A Time As This

Contributed by Rolando, Jr Pama on Sep 23, 2023

God has a plan for your life. There are times when God will ask you to do things that are difficult.

1. God determined a plan for you. Jeremiah 29:11 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 1:5 5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:14

Living Life To The Fullest From The Womb To The Tomb Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 24, 2023

Logotherapy centers on 3 things: 1) Work 2) Relationships 3) Courage during difficult times

HoHum: Billy Graham was talking to Art Linkletter when Art mentioned that after he went to heaven, the evangelist would need to find a new line of work, a new purpose. A bit taken aback, Graham asked why. Art replied, “Well, they don’t really need preachers in heaven, do they?” WBTU: This is ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:9, John 1:14, John 19:30, 1 Peter 4:1-2, 1 Peter 4:19, 2 Timothy 2:11-12, James 1:12, Philippians 3:10, Isaiah 53:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ