Sermons on difficult tasks:

Making Hard Choices

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 1, 2009

Today’s world is filled with energy-saving devices that make life easier, but there is something to be said for embracing life’s challenges. The apostle Paul found serving Christ hard, but he didn’t see it as a cause of discouragement. The goal was worth

Opening illustration: On September 12th, 1962, President JF Kennedy delivered a speech at Rice University in Houston, TX, about the difficult challenges facing the nation. He also shared his passion for the US to place a man on the moon. In balancing the needs of his people with the desire to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preparing For The Present Troubles And The Joy Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Nov 4, 2021

This message focuses around the events of John 14:1-6 when Jesus was preparing his disciples for the events ahead of them that night, throughout life, and preparing for heaven.

PREPARING FOR THE PRESENT TROUBLES, AND THE JOY OF HEAVEN John 14 Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ September 20, 2021 Video Link: https://youtu.be/6YY1guN-YIs I) JESUS WAS PREPARING THEM FOR THE EVENTS AHEAD THAT NIGHT. 1) Let not your hearts be troubled (14:1a.) A) In one sense there ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, John 14:15-27, Revelation 21:16, Acts 4:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Spread The Word Despite The Odds Sermon Ix: Change Of Direction Epitomized By Peter Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jan 15, 2020

In anti-Christian environments, mature Christians adapt to changing circumstances as led by the Spirit . . . and are willing to make life changes as prescribed for doing the Lord's work without compromising fundamental Christian beliefs.

PETER EPITOMIZED CHANGE OF HEART AND MIND . . . (Acts 11:1-18) If all church leaders today were like the Apostle Peter, there is no telling what kind of churches our churches would be. A lot would depend on which aspect of Peter’s personality they ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Spread The Word Despite The Odds Sermon V: Any Culture, Any Era, Any Place Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jan 15, 2020

Despite multiple attacks against Christianity today, mature Christians will not be deterred by those who hate us as we go about our God-given task of spreading Good News of God's love.

ANY CULTURE, ANY PLACE ON EARTH, ANY ERA - GOD IS AND CAN BE KNOWN! The man’s name I cannot tell you but his story I cannot forget. He burst into the Waffle House with unbridled enthusiasm praising God and telling anyone who would listen how thankful he was to be alive. I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-31

Mentoring A Teammate Series

Contributed by Boomer Phillips on Jan 5, 2022

There are certain tasks in ministry that are too big to handle by yourself, so you need to select and train a teammate. Moses enlisted Joshua as his teammate, and mentored him in envisioning and realizing the dream of the Promised Land.

You have fought the good fight, you have stayed the course, you have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7), and you are now on the precipice of realizing your hard sought-after calling. In pursuit of God’s best you may have wrestled with and overcome some internal spiritual battles, and individually ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Doing The Work

Contributed by S Henriques on Jan 27, 2003

When God gives us a task or a responsibility, He also gives us the ability and strength necessary to do that task.

Doing The Work Exodus 3:1-4:13 by S. M. Henriques There are few things as frustrating and discouraging as being given a job to do, and not knowing how to do it. The more active you are as a person, and as a Christian, the more demands there will be made on your energies, your time and your ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Galatians Chapter 2- "In Defense Of The Truth." Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 25, 2005

When is it time to defend truth and do the hard task of confronting another person about their error? We must make sure in these difficult situations that we continue to act like Christians – in other words act like Christ.

Galatians part 2 – “In defense of the Truth!” Thesis: When is it time to defend truth and do the hard task of confronting another person about their error? We must make sure in these difficult situations that we continue to act like Christians – in other words act like Christ. Video Illustration ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Committed To Serve Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Sep 1, 2019

Knowing the disciples would face a difficult and discouraging task at times, Jesus sought to encourage them by reminding them of their standing with God. We too can draw strength from the Lord and need reminded of that which is available to the believer.

Committed to Serve Matthew 10: 29-33 Jesus had shared much with the disciples prior to sending them out in pairs of two for ministry. He had been very straightforward with them, revealing the difficulties and opposition they would encounter as the proclaimed the Good News. Some would happily ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:29-33

Denomination: Baptist

Genesis 26 - What Does Trusting In Christ In Difficult Times Look Like? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Oct 12, 2011

What does trusting in Christ look like? What difference does it make if I give my life to Christ? Isaac is a believer. His brother Esau is not. We can learn a lot from their journey in Genesis 26.

Genesis 26 - WHAT DOES TRUSTING IN CHRIST IN DIFFICULT TIMES LOOK LIKE? 1. Genesis 26:1 - MY WANTS WILL LINE UP WITH GOD’S DESIRES GOD RIDES A MOUNTAIN BIKE She has no money or likelihood of obtaining the $500 needed for its purchase, but my daughter Rachel sees a beautiful green bicycle with a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 26:1-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Zacchaeus Meets Jesus And Is Saved

Contributed by Chris Blackshaw on Oct 31, 2010

No one is beyond being saved. Our task is the same as Jesus' task - to seek the lost and save them and to be proactive in doing it.

Jesus was passing through Jericho from the area of Jordan to Bethany near Jerusalem. He was on his way to raise Lazarus back to life. It was an important journey that he was undertaking but as he was going to perform this great miracle he still found time to deal with other people and their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

The Importance Of Outlook

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Sep 25, 2006

When a facing a new task the most important indicator of eventual success or failure is the outlook of the person headed into that task.

Dakota Community Church September 24, 2006 The Importance of Outlook You arrive at work to discover they are retooling the computer system which will result in much more efficient operation; but, first you will have to learn an entire new program. How do you typically respond? It’s Sun. morning ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Mennonite

When God Says Wait Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 14, 2013

Waiting is difficult but it teaches us lessons that we cannot learn any other way. After he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's officials, Joseph thought that his time in prison would soon end. But God had more to teach him as he waits another two years

Three weeks ago I suffered a ruptured biceps tendon. It did not hurt much at the time, but it required surgery and now a six week recovery. I have learned much during this time. I learned the importance of receiving. I am usually the one to take care of others in my family and even in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 40:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spread The Word Despite The Odds Sermon X: Encouragement Epitomized By Barnabas Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jan 15, 2020

In anti-Christian environments, mature Christians may be called on to help stabilize unsettling situations as was Barnabas whose encouraging words and acts of love changed fearfulness to thankfulness.

BARNABAS EPITOMIZED ENCOURAGMENT (Acts 11:19-30) Barnabas was the New Testament witness we all have a chance to identify with. Whether we adopt the Barnabas approach to witnessing depends on our willingness to be encouragers rather than ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30

What Are You Doing Here, Elijah?

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 15, 2025

God’s question to Elijah, "What are you doing here?", was not about location but about purpose.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, ELIJAH? By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Kings 19:9-13 Supporting Texts: Jeremiah 1:5, Isaiah 41:10, 2 Timothy 1:7 INTRODUCTION: God’s question to Elijah, "What are you doing here?", was not about location but about purpose. Elijah had just called down fire ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-13, Jeremiah 1:5, Isaiah 41:10, 2 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Reconciliation Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Mar 1, 2019

We have an exciting task before us. We need to fully grasp the scope how this task is even possible

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • As we conclude our Rebrand series, today we are going to place our focus on something that is important for us to remember and important for us to do, we are all called to a ministry. • It is vital that we do not forget, neglect, or set aside this ministry because it has ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ