Sermons on Difficult:

Sermon On The Pothole Experience

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 28, 2025

The metaphorical "pothole experience” is considered as the unforeseen obstacles, setbacks, and difficult challenges that may jolt or derail a person's journey in life, similar to how actual potholes disrupt a smooth road.

Drew Barrymore, an American actress once remarked: “Oh, I would love to be a motivational speaker. I have pulled myself out of a million potholes, and I can see the potholes ahead of me. That doesn't mean that I could always do that so perfectly for my own life. I totally fall in potholes.” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:6, 1 Peter 4:12-13, James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:1-2

I Want Treasures In Heaven!

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 14, 2025

Jesus tells us in Luke 12:22-34 to stop being so anxious about life's ups and downs. God takes care of us even when it is difficult to see.

I Want Treasures in Heaven! Luke 12:22-34 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Luke 12:22 And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, as to what you are to eat; nor for your body, as to what you are to wear. 23 “For life is more than food, and the body is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:22-34

Denomination: United Methodist

A Victory Proclamation Series

Contributed by William Nowak on May 1, 2002

In this difficult passage, we’re told that Jesus "preached unto the spirits in prison..." To understand the passage we need to answer the basic questions...How? When? Who? Where? And Why is Peter telling us this?

I Peter 3:18-20 “A Victory Proclamation” Intro—A few years ago, I, like most people, was amazed by one of those fads that periodically sweeps the US—at the time I’m thinking of, someone had discovered that you could use a computer somehow to generate “art” that would have a picture “hidden” in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Song Of A Pregnant Teenager

Contributed by Jason Patrick on Jan 12, 2002

Often times we find it difficult to submit to God’s will, but Mary serves as an inspiring example of how we can submit to God even when God’s plan is an utter mystery to us.

The Song of a Pregnant Teenager / Luke 1:47-55 Third Sunday of Advent, Year A; Downsville Baptist Church; 16 Dec. 2001 She was the last girl anybody expected to fall under this kind of disgrace. Fourteen years old, a freshman at Jerusalem High School with a straight A average, Mary always ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:47-55

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Common Ground

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

HOW TO FIND COMMON GROUND WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE AND BE HAPPY REGARDLESS OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES Some people tend to lose sight of the importance of developing character qualities as taught by the Lord Jesus during His Sermon on the Mount.

HOW TO FIND COMMON GROUND WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE AND BE HAPPY REGARDLESS OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES Some people tend to lose sight of the importance of developing character qualities as taught by the Lord Jesus during His Sermon on the Mount. The following keys to happiness are especially valuable for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Know Your Schemes Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 29, 2002

Poetic reflection for Maundy Thursday, in which the Jesus who is about to go to the cross tells His disciples that He knows their schemes to harm, their unwillingness to travel difficult roads, and their failure to accept the burden of testimony, so that

"Oh, I know your thoughts, and your schemes to wrong me. ... Have you not asked those who travel the roads, and do you not accept their testimony?” ‘Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me." They began to be distressed and to say to him one ...read more

Scripture: Job 21:27-29, Mark 14:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Progressing Through The Storm

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 19, 2001

Whether we progress or not often depends on whether we more afraid of God or men. Peter knew that it was impossible to withstand the power of God without losing big time! Making progress despite difficult circumstances

Progressing Through the Storm (Acts 11:10-26) Illustration:"THEY MAY TRIP SEVEN TIMES, BUT EACH TIME THEY WILL RISE AGAIN." (PROVERBS 24:16 NLT) GET UP, GET OVER IT, GET GOING Jonas Salk, who invented the vaccine that wiped out polio, conducted 200 experiments before he got ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:10-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Giving Thanks At The Crossroads Of Life

Contributed by John Baggett on Nov 24, 2003

Thanksgiving sermon or anytime. Jacob gave a prayer of Thanksgiving unto God at a difficult time in his life. He remembered God’s promises, Recognized his unworthiness and Realized God’s Many Blessings

Thanksgiving "GIVING THANKS AT THE CROSSROADS OF LIFE" Genesis 32:9-10 This week our nation celebrates the holiday of Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, I’m afraid that a lot of people in America today associate Thanksgiving more with the Macy’s parade, a special meal and a football game...than the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Caught In The Act!

Contributed by Darrin Fish on Aug 29, 2007

What do you do when you are faced with a difficult decision? (work, home, family, friends, ethical, non ethical) What do you do when there doesn’t seem to be a clear answer?

Caught in the Act Chapter summary. Jesus is teaching again in the temple courts when the religious leaders drag in a woman caught in the act of adultery and challenge Him to sentence her. He avoids their trap by calling on “any one of you” who is without sin to cast the first stone—and one by one ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Change (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Jeff Budzinski on Sep 22, 2007

Change is a continual process that begins with renewing your mind. Change is an adding and a subtraction of things in our life. God has given us the power to change; and although it may be difficult and uncomfortable and unsettling at times, it will draw

Introduction · This morning, I want to talk about change. First, change is a good thing! · Change is a continual process that begins with renewing your mind. · Change is an adding and a subtraction of things in our life. · God has given us the power to change; and although it may be difficult ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Winning With People: Say The Right Words At The Right Time Series

Contributed by John Maxwell on Aug 10, 2006

It all happened so fast, it was difficult for Esther to draw the conclusion that she had to act. Wouldn’t her position as queen keep her safe? Or, could Haman take her life, too?

25 Ways to Win With People How to Make Others Feel Like a Million Bucks By John C. Maxwell and Les Parrott III 1. Start With Yourself – King Solomon (I Kings 3:5-14) 2. Practice the 30 Second Rule – Jesus and Simon Peter (John 1:42) 3. Let People Know You Need Them – Paul (II Tim. 4:11) / ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:13-14

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Puzzle Of Powerful Patience Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 5, 2006

Christians come in all different shapes and sizes. Different backgrounds make it difficult for them to all get along. Patience is the Spirit given quality that helps us fit everyone together into a church that praises God.

OPEN: How many of you like to put together jigsaw puzzles. Diana and I have always doing that… although we’ve not done it nearly so much since we’ve had kids. Sometime ago, I ran across the following article: “Everything I needed to know about life, I learned from a jigsaw puzzle.” 1. Establish the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Women Of Faith

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on May 13, 2003

Women are called to lives of faith, just like Jesus was. Their calling includes this difficult command to submit to their husbands, even ones who are not believers. What is required is the same thing required of Jesus; an obedient faith.

May 11, 2003 "Women of Faith" 1 Peter 3:1-7 Pastor Jon MacKinney ______________________________________________________________________________________ Christianity, our faith, is most challenging when we read passages of Scripture like the one we read last week. From the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Final Appeals & Greetings Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Feb 25, 2013

Romans was a letter Paul found very difficult to end. There is always more that needs to be said. So before Paul ends he makes a final appeal for his readers to keep away from evil influences.

ROMANS 16: 17-24-27 FINAL APPEALS AND GREETINGS [Acts 20: 28- 32] Romans was a letter Paul found very difficult to end. There is always more that needs to be said. So before Paul ends he makes a final appeal for his readers to keep away from evil influences (CIT). In this appeal he ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:17-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Dark At The End Of The Tunnel Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 30, 2013

You've heard the old saying about the light at the end of the tunnel, but sometimes life is so difficult that there simply seems to be no light at all - no answer, no relief. What do you do in times like that?

Psalm 85 appears to have been written upon Israel’s return from the Babylonian captivity in 538 and 458 B.C. It’s a psalm calling for spiritual re-awakening. God had disciplined the children of Israel for their unfaithfulness in their marriage to Him. They had served other gods instead ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel