Sermons on Difficult Times:

A Difficult Return (2 Samuel 19)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 16, 2025

How difficult would it be to reunite a nation or church after a time of division? Let's look at 2 Samuel 19.

How did David handle his return to Jerusalem as king? After betrayal and false accusations, how difficult is it reconciling a divided nation or church? Let’s look at 2 Samuel 19. Did Joab disapprove of David mourning his rebellious son? Then it was reported to Joab, “Behold, the king is weeping ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Increase Our Faith

Contributed by Peter Parry on Jun 29, 2002

Increasing our faith is a gift from God that we recognize in difficult times when we question God less and trust Him more.

INCREASE OUR FAITH (Luke 17:3-6; Mt.15:21-28) Increase our faith asked the disciples after Jesus had just explained to them the need to forgive your brother even up to 7 times in one day. The disciples knew themselves well enough to admit that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5

Denomination: Congregational

The First Melancholy Christmas

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Dec 22, 2006

The Christmas season is a difficult time for some to celebrate when they have suffered tragedy during the year. That first Christmas also had their share of tragedies.

Matthew 2:13-23 The First Melancholy Christmas Introduction – I Heard the Bells Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was filled with sorrow at the tragic death of his wife in a fire in 1861. The Civil War broke out that same year and it seemed this was an additional punishment. Two years later, Longfellow ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

Got Contentment? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 10, 2023

This sermon explores trusting God in difficult times, understanding His love, responding to persecution, and learning contentment in all circumstances through Christ's strength.

Good morning, beloved. It is indeed a joy to gather with you today, in this sacred space where we come to meet with our Lord, to seek His face, to hear His voice. We are here to lean in, to listen and to learn from His holy Word. Today, we are going to turn our hearts and minds to the letter of the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-13

Topics: Contentment, Today's World

Who Is This? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 21, 2023

This sermon explores how Jesus is present in our lives, especially during difficult times, and emphasizes the importance of faith in His power to overcome challenges.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I am thrilled to stand before you today, under the banner of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are gathered here in His name, in His presence, and for His glory. I am reminded of a quote by the esteemed Christian author, Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "I have a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25

Topics: Faith, Christ

The Most Difficult Word

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Jun 14, 2010

A simple message to encourage us to keep drawing nearer to God by deepening our personal, loving and intimate relationship with Him.

WHEN IT COMES TO STUDYING THE BIBLE, THERE ARE QUITE A FEW MIND-TWISTING CONCEPTS, STATEMENTS, AND WORDS SUCH AS "PROPITIATION," "BLOOD," AND "JUSTIFICATION." IF YOU THINK THOSE ARE RELATIVELY TAME, THEN TRY TO FULLY COMPREHEND THE BOOK OF REVELATION. BUT, SERIOUSLY, DESPITE THESE THINGS, I FEEL ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7-8, John 4:7-8

Denomination: Free Methodist

Dealing With Difficult People Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Mar 27, 2025

In this sermon, we will explore biblical principles and examples that can help us navigate these challenging relationships.

As Christians, we are called to love and interact with people from all walks of life, including those who can be challenging to deal with. Difficult people can be found in our families, workplaces, churches, and communities. So, how do we respond to them in a way that honors God? The Bible ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:28, Proverbs 20:3

Strength For Crisis Times

Contributed by Joshua Boateng on Nov 3, 2012

Having the strength to match difficult circumstances and to come out the other side.

INTRODUCTION Do you sometimes find life is so difficult you wonder if it is worth believing and running to the very end? Do you ever think the journey is too hard and wonder if you are the only one going through this situation? Do you ever feel like giving up? Turn to Deuteronomy 33: This is ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 33:24-29, Deuteronomy 33:23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Go! And Believe Jesus, Not Just Believe In Jesus Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 7, 2025

Many people claim to believe in Jesus. They believe in His existence, His teachings, and His sacrifice. There is a significant difference between acknowledging who He is and trusting in what He says.

Go! And Believe Jesus, Not Just Believe in Jesus Introduction: Many people claim to believe in Jesus. They believe in His existence, His teachings, and His sacrifice. But the real question is: Do we not only believe in Jesus but also believe Jesus? There is a significant difference between ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1, James 2:19, Matthew 6:31-33, Philippians 4:6-7, Luke 6:46, Matthew 7:24-27, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 11:1, Romans 12:1, Galatians 2:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

25 Pentecost A

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Nov 7, 2002

Championships are won when the stands are empty. We make daily choices that may not be glamorous but are foundational to our faith. Only in difficult times are the foundations tested.

25 Pentecost A Matthew 25:1-13 10 November 2002 Rev. Roger Haugen There is a slogan written on the walls of a football locker room somewhere that says, “Championships are won when the stands are empty”. When you think about it you know it is true. If it were not for hard work at many practices ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

"Dealing With Grief"

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Sep 3, 2004

Grief is something to go through, not hold on to. God’s comfort can bring us through difficult times and he certainly will do it.

Iliff and Saltillo UM Churches September 5, 2004 “Dealing with Grief” John 14:1-6 I Thess. 4:13, 14 Introduction: This week marks the third anniversary of 9/11, that horrible day when we saw unfolding before our very eyes on TV where terrorists brought death and destruction to the lives of 3000 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Denomination: Methodist

Nothing Back There

Contributed by Victoria Oladipupo on Oct 24, 2005

This sermon is to encourage those going through difficult time at this moment and thinking of doing what they used to do, you cann’t just go back.

NOTHING BACK THERE OCT: 23RD 2005 SCR READNG: HEB 10: 38 - 39 [38] Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. [39] But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. As I continue to grow ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:38-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Man Of Valor PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

To encourage trust in God during difficult times, embody the traits of valor by willingly shouldering burdens, and to rest assured in God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises.

Hello everyone, welcome to today's sermon. I'm so glad you're all here as we tackle the truths found in Genesis 30:18 & 49:14-15. Trusting God in difficult times, the traits of a man of valor, and God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises - these are the themes that we will explore today. Let's ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 30:18, Genesis 49:14-15

Topics: Trusting God

Matthew 2 Joseph's Difficult Road Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 3, 2009

Many times we think of Mary’s role in the birth of Jesus, but Matthew records the difficult road Joseph had to travel in protecting this little life that the enemy wanted to snuff out.

Have you noticed that the first chapters of Matthew are really Joseph’s story? Luke records Mary’s version of events and has her genealogy, but Matthew one is Joseph’s lineage, and her in Chapter 2 we find God again speaking to Joseph about caring for the safety of the Messiah. As a father, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

To Whom Shall We Go Series

Contributed by Dewayne Bolton on Jun 25, 2012

In the midst of the journey of life there comes times we are distressed and don't know how to handle the difficult situations of life. But thanks be to God there is one we can go too and know He knows the way through life's difficult times.

John 6:66-71 TO WHOM SHALL WE GO Jesus began his ministry in Judea. His success there seemed to be all that could be desired. However it soon became apparent that the crowds that followed Him misunderstood or willfully ignored His purpose. It seemed they followed Him chiefly for material things. ...read more

Scripture: John 6:66-71

Denomination: Holiness