Sermons on Difficult:

You Never Saw A Calf Like This

Contributed by Guy Glass on Aug 27, 2004

How do we get Golden Calves in our live? By that I mean how do we get idols or things not worthy of our worship in our lives? Cause once they get in, they are difficult to get out!

YOU NEVER SAW A CALF LIKE THIS Exodus 32:1-26 INTRODUCTION: In the Disney movie Dumbo, one scene finds Dumbo, caught in a tree. Timothy the mouse concludes that the only way he could have gotten up there is that he flew! This conclusion brings a hearty laugh from some nearby crows, and a song ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-26

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

Working Well With Others Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

At first glance, Nehemiah chapter 3 looks a bit dry. One commentator refers to it as a "colorless memorandum of assignments." It reads much like the book of 1 Chronicles with its long lists of names that are difficult to pronounce, information that seems

Working Well with Others Have you been watching the Olympics? NBC isn’t very happy with their ratings but it’s been fun to watch the different sports. As the athletes compete, they’re all seeking a medal and the recognition that comes with it. Those who win a gold are held up as heroes. While most ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:1-32, Nehemiah 3:3

Denomination: Baptist

Leaving The Boat To Get Aboard

Contributed by Joshua Bowers on Dec 18, 2005

So often we either sit like a knot on a log and refuse to seek God’s purpose for our lives or we do seek God’s purpose and realize just how difficult it can be to fulfill it.

Leaving the boat to get on board. A. John the Baptist had just been beheaded by King Herod. Because of the rat race that was going on Jesus got his disciples in a boat and headed away for a little R and R. The crowds noticed Jesus and his disciples heading away from town, across the lake, so ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Church Of God

How Could A Good God Allow Suffering? Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 16, 2012

No answer can completely answer this most difficult question of life. I this sermon we consider some things about God and the world He created, we consider the reasons for suffering, and we consider how to cope with suffering.

Introduction: A. There is a scene in a British movie where a young brother and sister had experienced the death of their beloved kitten. 1. The children had prayed fervently that the cat would get well, but unfortunately, it had died. 2. The children couldn’t understand why this had ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When I Am Lonely Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 29, 2013

Do you ever feel physically or emotionally alone? David knew very well how that felt. Fortunately for us, he wrote down both his feelings and his vision of what to do in these very difficult times.

We don’t really know the occasion for Psalm 63. It could have been written when David was running from Saul, or from his son, Absalom. This psalm is really about who you turn to when it seems like there is nothing in your environment that brings comfort or rest. 1 – 2 David was in ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Crises And Conflict

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Mar 2, 2013

The life of a leader is filled with challenges and crises. A spiritual leader should be able to navigate successfully through difficult and challenging times and should know how to stand firm when facing critical situations. Leadership ability can be test

Crises and Conflict Matthew 12:25-30 - But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. “If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:25-30

Denomination: Charismatic

To Live: Deliverance Series

Contributed by Mark Nichols on Aug 5, 2009

Paul has joy even when life is hard because he focuses on Deliverance! Either your difficult times will come to an end, or you will, but it’s a win/win situation...because Paul knows Christ!

TEXT: Philippians 1:12-30 TITLE: To LIVE: Deliverance SERIES: To Live TOPIC: Salvation OCCASION: Burnside Christian Church, June 28, 2009 PROP.: in order to receive deliverance, you must wait for the Lord…but continue to read His word, continue with your mission, understand God’s plans are ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Anticipating Grief

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 18, 2010

A grief anticipating what will happen is difficult, but can be handled if we ask and accept forgiveness. When the grief is fulfilled, then we are ready to do what our hearts tell us. God suffered anticipating grief and so understands.

Only someone who has done some grieving can help those who now grieve. A hundred "I’m sorries" and a thousand "I know how you feels" are worthless when you feel profound grief. You need at your side someone who has been through loss. And if yours is anticipating grief; that is, if yours is the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

New: Flat-Line Faith

Contributed by John Bishop on Mar 25, 2009

Staying on fire for God can be one of the most difficult things we do. Pastor John Bishop talks to us about the Church at Laodicea and how we can maintain the joy of our salvation and share it with the rest of the world.

PRAYER: Father, I pray that You’d bring our faith back to life. That the parts of our faith that have kind of become ’flat-lined’, this apathetic sort of indifference, that’s so affected us and it’s affected the people around us. And I pray in the name of Jesus, by the power and blood of Jesus, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Motivation To Serve God

Contributed by Nate Herbst on Dec 28, 2008

Staying motivated while serving God can be difficult but God has given us keys for maintaining motivation in the Great Commission He’s called us to - these keys will help you stay focussed and energized towards the goal.

Merriam-Webster’s Definition: Motivation is something, as a need or desire, that causes a person to act. Russ Akins – “Motivation is the measure of what it takes to overcome initial inertia and become activated towards some sort of accomplishment.” Introduction: One second before you die, if you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Forgoing Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Dec 21, 2010

Christmas is a wonderful time of year for many. For some however, the pains that life can bring make the Christmas season a difficult one. In this series we will be talking about forgiving and being forgiven. (Taken for a series by the same name by Craig

Page 1 of 5 Christmas is For-giving Part 2 Forgoing Introduction (taken from a series by Craig Groeschel) Today- continue our series- Christmas is For-Giving. Complete series on Christmas Eve- invite friends. Last week- looked at forgiving those who have hurt us. Today- initiating forgiveness ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:23-25

Denomination: Charismatic

Can We Take Christmas

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

For many of those that are among us, however, each Christmas becomes more and more difficult to endure. It is a joyous time, but there is also more loneliness, depression, heartache, and disappointment at this time than any other of the year. Can we en

I read a story this past week about a woman who, in early December had stopped at a grocery store to pick up a few things on her lunch break. One of them was a cinnamon-scented air freshener. She had smelled a candle with the same scent in the store but wanted to know exactly what the air ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4

Denomination: Methodist

The Marks Of Maturity: A Leadership Checklist Series

Contributed by Larry Osborne on Jun 13, 2007

Spiritual growth and maturity is often accelerated under difficult circumstances. In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians (see 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10), he describes what spiritual growth looks like in the midst of “severe suffering.”

1 Timothy: Doing Church God’s Way North Coast Church Message #4 July 29-30, 2006 Dr. Larry Osborne The Marks of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

God’s Forever Family

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Apr 4, 2014

We are often misunderstood in this life. Often as believers seeking to serve God, we are misunderstood. Sometimes we are even opposed by well-intentioned people. Now, when those people are member of our family, it makes it increasingly difficult.

God’s Forever Family Mark 3:31-35 31 Then His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him and called Him. 32 A crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You.” ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:31-35

Denomination: Calvary Chapel