Sermons on Difficult:

The Heart Of Our Heavenly Father

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Feb 25, 2026

A man who had grown up with an abusive father once shared, “For many years, I found it difficult to call God ‘Father’ in my prayers. The word felt threatening rather than comforting.”

In what ways do you view God? In 2006, a sociologist at Baylor University released a study done by the Gallup organization that identified four views people had of God. • 31.4 percent believe in an "Authoritarian God," a God who is angry at humanity’s sins. • 23 percent believe in a ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, 1 John 3:1, Mark 10:17-22, Luke 15:11-32

No Discipline = No Love

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jul 26, 2003

When the church fails to practice biblical discipline it loses its influence for the cause of Christ and ruins its members. A difficult work requiring committed leadership and obedient membership, see how Paul commands it and instructs it for the Thessal

No Discipline = No Love 2 Thessalonians 3 On the flight home from Honduras there was a sitcom about discipline. The title of the sitcom was “Yes Dear.” It involved two couples with young children. The son of one couple lied to the mother and they were discussing how to discipline him. They ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18, 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Motherhood Today

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 19, 2001

It’s difficult being a Christian mother today. But as hard as that may be, we need to realize that difficulties are not unique to our time. In every age Motherhood has had it's share of difficulties.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2017) TEXT: Luke 1:26-38 ILL. Most of you are familiar with the Calvin & Hobbes comic strips. Well, on one Mother's Day, Calvin is pictured standing by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13, Luke 1:26-38, Psalm 127:3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stop Making The New Birth Appear So Complicated

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 15, 2003

Why do you suppose that so many well meaning Christians overcomplicate the gospel with extraneous ideas, traditions and requirements? Millions of people have the mistaken notion that to become a Christian is so difficult that it is not really worth the e

Avoid Overcomplicating the New Birth in Christ – Rom. 10:5-13 Why do you suppose that so many well meaning Christians overcomplicate the gospel with extraneous ideas, traditions and requirements? Millions of people have the mistaken notion that to become a Christian is so difficult that it is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:4-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How God Turns Things Around For Our Good

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Too many people live with a feeling of fatalistic pessimism that adversely affects their thinking, emotions and behavior. The Lord has a way of turning around the most difficult situations for our good. Pessimists think their circumstances are the worst p

1. Too many people live with a feeling of fatalistic pessimism that adversely affects their thinking, emotions and behavior. The Lord has a way of turning around the most difficult situations for our good. Pessimists think their circumstances are the worst possible because they believe that the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:23-30, Acts 9:23, Psalm 126:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Word Is Very Near

Contributed by William Baeta on Jul 14, 2001

"Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach...No the word is very near you: it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it."

Theme: The word is very near Text: Deut. 30:10-14; Col. 1:15-20; Lk. 10:25-37 Read Deut. 30:11, 14 “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach… No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.” This century has ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37, Deuteronomy 30:10-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Reason Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jan 9, 2003

Though difficult, the call for Christians to live lives different than the world around us is based firmly in what God has done for us– He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ!

The Reason Ephesians 1:1-14 Focus: Though difficult, the call for Christians to live lives different than the world around us is based firmly in what God has done for us– He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ! Function: To encourage Christians to see how God has blessed ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Divorce & Remarriage

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Jun 25, 2007

Everyone agrees that divorce is one of the worst tragedies plaguing families today. Sadly, many pastors and church leaders have sometimes made things worst. What does the Bible really teach about this difficult issue?

Divorce & Remarriage by Scott R. Bayles Church of Christ Everyone agrees that divorce is one of the worst tragedies plaguing American families today. Some studies are now showing that for the first time in American history, single parent families now out number families with two parents living in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:3-9

Denomination: Christian Church

Rebuke

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 25, 2005

One of the most difficult things to do in life is to rebuild a shattered relationship. Unfortunately, there are many broken relationships today in homes, churches and ministries, which can only be repaired when people face problems honestly and deal with

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: John Wesley and a preacher-friend of plain habits were once invited to dinner where the host’s daughter, noted for her beauty, had been profoundly impressed by Wesley’s preaching. During a pause in the meal, Wesley’s friend took the young woman’s hand and called ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:8-16

Denomination: Baptist

Turning Hardship To Joy

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 24, 2004

Sometimes God allows things to get difficult so He can produce greater joy in and through and with us. Jesus knew that His Father often used tragedy to cause people to look to heaven for solutions to their problems.

John 15:11-16 Illustration: A cynic asked an elderly believer who had endured great physical pain for 20 years, "What do you think of your God now?" The godly sufferer replied, "I think of Him more than ever." Sorrow can be the means of bringing us heart-to-heart with God. When repeated strokes ...read more

Scripture: John 15:11-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joseph’s Just Love Series

Contributed by David Mcbeath on Jan 27, 2012

THE ONE THING TO DO: In difficult, hurtful situations follow Joseph’s countercultural example and demonstrate “just” love by knowing God’s word well enough to allow it to teach you to turn your anger into grace.

Series: Christmas 2011, Advent Message: Joseph’s “Just” Love Topics: Love, Christmas, Advent, Joseph, Anger, Hurt, Justice, Grace, Bible, Marriage Text: Matthew 1:18-20, Isaiah 42:1-6 Date: Dec. 18, 2011 Pastor: David McBeath (Credid: In this sermon I rework part of a 1st person sermon on Joseph ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-6, Matthew 1:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Wisdom Or Nonsense?

Contributed by Justin Hardin on Aug 7, 2010

An examination of a difficult passage in John 6 where Jesus floors the crowd with his declaration that they must eat his flesh and drink his blood in order to receive eternal life. Appropriate for use prior to Lord's Supper.

Wisdom or Nonsense? John 6:47-71 47“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. 48Yes, I am the bread of life! 49Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. 50Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. 51I am the living bread that came ...read more

Scripture: John 6:47-71

Denomination: Baptist

Obedience Series

Contributed by Todd Leupold on Apr 28, 2010

Yes, obedience can be a big, difficult and sometimes bitter-tasting bill to for us to swallow. It costs us, sometimes richly, in pride, preference, personal control and self-sufficiency. Nevertheless, it is absolutely necessary if we are to maintain our

OBEDIENCE Series: “7 Spiritually Healthy Habits” Perth Bible Church Sunday, November 1, 2009 AM Rev. Todd G. Leupold INTRODUCTION: Ron Dentinger warns: “Health care is getting far too expensive. I just got a prescription. The instructions read: 'Take one every ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Shrine Of Flesh

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Nov 24, 2011

The most difficult thing in life is for one to know oneself. It is true that the easiest person to deceive is oneself. And the worst fraud is to deceive oneself. But it is surprising to know that many people actively deceive themselves. Some know within t

A shrine is not a strange thing to an average person living in Africa because in many of the communities, there are shrines where people worship every time. God is in the business of disqualifying men and women when they do not meet His standard. This is because everyone has this personal shrine ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

God Is With Us: To Give Us Hope And To Help Us Be Hope Deliverers

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Nov 29, 2008

At times life can be difficult and even dark, as we prepare for Christmas and Jesus’ second coming we gain hope not by relying on this world but on Jesus. This Advent sermon explores what it means to be a hope receiver and a hope deliverer.

As we begin the start of the church year, our first Sunday of Advent encourages us to look at being hopeful. This week I read a story about a lady called Susan Duggan. Susan Duggan is a lady with hope. Not because she’s had an easy life or she has received great rewards. Listen to part of her ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Lutheran