Sermons on Difficult Start:

It Starts With Prayer Series

Contributed by Jon Daniels on Jun 8, 2020

First sermon in series from book of Nehemiah. Focuses on Nehemiah's prayer in chapter 1.

“IT STARTS WITH PRAYER” Neh. 1:1-11 6/7/20 – FJCF Jon Daniels INTRO – I don’t think there’s any disagreement or doubt that America is in desperate need of a sweeping revival! Like the one that happened in 1857. - Jeremiah Lanphier, young businessman in NYC, who believed in the power of prayer. ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

A New Start PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 25, 2023

This sermon explores our need for forgiveness, how to accept God's offer of forgiveness, and the symbolism of baptism as a public declaration of this forgiveness.

Good morning, dear congregation. It is indeed a blessing to be gathered in the Lord's house today, to share in the Word and drink from the wellspring of His wisdom. I am reminded of a quote from the esteemed Charles Spurgeon who once said, "When you see no present advantage, walk by faith and not ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11

Topics: Baptism

Ok. We've Started Our Trip.

Contributed by David Haun on Jan 7, 2004

Setting a vision, setting goals, dreaming dreams can be difficult for a church. This sermon was preached for a congregation planning how to develop their vision.

OK. WE’VE STARTED OUR TRIP. NOW, WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE WE GOING? (The discovery of our Church’s Vision) Hope Christian Church Tamarac, Florida January , 2004 Dr. David L. Haun It has been almost ten months since we started our worship services here at Hope Christian. It has been a good ten ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:28-33, Proverbs 29:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

New Year PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 18, 2024

Explores God's guiding hand in our lives, encouraging perseverance through hardships and rejoicing in new beginnings, as exemplified in Moses' early life.

Good morning, dear church family. It's a joy to gather with you all today, to open God's Word together and allow it to speak into our lives. As we gather in this sacred space, let's remember that we are not alone. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, both present and past, who have ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10

Topics: Fresh Start

Difficulties Do Develop Destiny

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Feb 22, 2018

A study in the book of Genesis 39: 1 – 23

Genesis 39: 1 – 23 Difficulties Do Develop Destiny 39 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Starting A New Year PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 30, 2023

Encourages embracing the New Year with hope, courage, and perseverance, guided by God's wisdom to navigate life's seasons and overcome past challenges.

Greetings, beloved family of God. As we gather here today, let us embrace the promise of a fresh start that the New Year brings. We stand at the threshold of a new beginning, the dawn of a new season, and the commencement of a fresh chapter in the story of our lives. The past year may have been ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-9

Topics: Starting, New

A New Beginning PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 24, 2023

Trust in God's guidance and embrace the blessings of a new beginning, as He has great plans for our future filled with hope and prosperity.

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive into a powerful and comforting promise from the Word of God. It's a promise that speaks of a new beginning, the blessings that come from starting fresh, and the trust we can have in God's guidance. Are you ready for some encouragement? Are you ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Topics: Starting Fresh

All Things New PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 31, 2023

Explores the promise of new beginnings in Christ, emphasizing God's ability to renew our hearts, minds, and spirits regardless of our past.

Hey everyone, I'm so thrilled to have you all here today. We're about to get into something really exciting. I've got a feeling that today's sermon is going to touch your hearts and minds in a special way. We're going to be talking about new beginnings, fresh starts, and the incredible promise that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:5

Topics: Fresh Starts

Are You Ready To Return To God? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 3, 2024

This sermon encourages recognition of our need for God, gratitude for His blessings, and recommitment to His plans, through repentance and faith.

Beloved friends, gathered here today in the house of the Lord, I want to welcome you with open arms and a heart full of gratitude. We are here not by chance, but by divine appointment. We are here not as strangers, but as a family, united in Christ's love. Today, we are going to immerse ourselves ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:2

Topics: Starting, Return

Choices Make A Difference PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2025

Wholehearted obedience to God, not partial or conditional surrender, is the true expression of faith and trust, bringing us into deeper relationship with Him.

Some of us know the tug-of-war inside the heart: the whisper of God on Sunday and the noise of everything else on Monday. We mean well. We sing loud. We even start strong. But somewhere between the amen and the alarm clock, our obedience gets edited, trimmed, negotiated. Can you relate? I can. We ...read more

Topics: Starting, Staying

The Hard Thing / Difficult Situation Series

Contributed by Pastor Dr. Tim Awotide on Apr 5, 2023

Elijah told Elisha that was a HARD THING, a double portion of the anointing is a HARD THING. 2 Kgs 2:9. But then a Window was created for the actualisation of that request and that window is illustrated with the word "NEVERTHELESS".

2 Kings? ?2:8-15? ?KJV. “And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Deal With Difficult People

Contributed by Bradford Robinson on Oct 28, 2005

This sermon looks at how best to deal with difficult people by seeing how we should not be difficult ourselves.

My wife used to work at a Wal-mart in Hattiesburg, MS in the jewelry department. Now many of you know Wal-mart’s policy, that the customer is always right. There may be the case on paper, and it may be great for the overall business of the company, but what do you do when a customer takes full ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

God Provides In Difficult Times Series

Contributed by Henry Trocino Jr. on Jun 21, 2017

Part 4 of the Sermon Series, "God of Elisha"

The brief account of the widow’s oil illustrates Yahweh’s blessing of those who are faithful to the Mosaic Law. Yahweh provides a means of income for the widow, a “pastor’s wife,” and her family. In the miracle of the widow’s oil, we learn valuable lessons on how to receive God’s blessing of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7, Leviticus 25:39, Micah 2:9, Psalm 121:1, James 2:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

God Provides In Difficult Times

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Jun 25, 2023

The brief account of the widow’s oil illustrates God’s blessing of those who are faithful to His word. God provides a means of income for the widow and her family, using things she has on hand, along with the charity of people around them.

God Provides in Difficult Times A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.” So Elisha said to her, “What ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7, Leviticus 25:39-41

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Following Jesus In Difficult Times Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 10, 2023

In difficult times genuine followers of Christ abide in Christ, abound in love, and advance with power.

Greg Laurie tells a story about a woman, who had finished shopping and returned to her car. She found four men inside the car. She dropped her shopping bags, drew a handgun, and screamed, “I have a gun, and I know how to use it! Get out of the car.” Those men did not wait for a second invitation; ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical Free