Sermons on Difficult:

Hope In The Hard Times Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 7, 2007

Do you go through difficult trials that don’t seem to have any way out? So did Naomi, but God showed his love and an alternative she hadn’t thought of, like he does with us.

Ruth was written in perhaps the 2nd half of the 12th century, making it contemporary with Jephthah and Samson of Judges 11 and following. This is important because if you didn’t know that you’d think there’s no way the events could take place concurrently with Judges. Judges is filled with ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Prince Of Peace Brings A Sword?

Contributed by Doug Koehler on Jun 27, 2008

There are a number of passages in the New Testament known by some as "difficult sayings of Jesus"; one of which is, "I did not come to bring Peace but a Sword". This sermon explains Christ’s Words using Creative Homiletics. Creative messages, if done corr

Advertising is quite effective. It is so effective that millions of dollars are spent each year just to acquire 60 seconds worth of air time during the Super Bowl. When asked why companies are willing to spend so much money for just 60 seconds of air time, the response is simple. Companies believe ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:34-40

Denomination: Lutheran

The Days Of Noah

Contributed by Martin Holland on Oct 10, 2012

Noah lived in a very difficult time and yet in so many ways by the descriptions given in the Bible of Noah days we are living in a similar environment. What can we learn from Noah that we might find grace in the eyes of the God?

The Days of Noah Genesis 6:1-13 Mention: Genesis 6:5-6, 11 The state of the world in Noah’s days Questions: • I wonder how many people were upon the earth at this time. Genesis 6:1 Today we know that there is an estimated 6.5 Billion • I wonder how bad it was at this time. We ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Our God – The Great Deliverer

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 12, 2010

One of the most vivid pictures of God in the Bible is that of being our Deliverer. A deliverer is one who sets free or saves another from a difficult situation. An example is Moses. Today we shall look at seven kinds of people God delivers.

Intro: One of the most vivid pictures of God in the Bible is that of being our Deliverer. A deliverer is one who sets free or saves another from a difficult situation. An example is Moses. Today we shall look at seven kinds of people God delivers. 1. THE LORD DELIVERS THE POOR AND NEEDY (Psa. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:2

Denomination: *other

Crossroads Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 28, 2015

The cross. It always brings us to a crossroad. A crossroad is where you have to decide to go one way or the other. As difficult as it might have been, a choice has to be made and whatever commitment you make today determines your life tomorrow

Crossroads 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 Two water towers have always served as landmarks for travelers heading for their homes near Wauconda, IL but especially at the holidays.
More than 40 years ago, John Kuester, then village police chief, suggested mounting lit large twin crosses on the towers to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Denomination: Methodist

God Is Our Help In Sorrow

Contributed by Thomas Andrufski on Feb 3, 2021

We all go through difficult times in this world. Quite often it is hard to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. But trust me, or should I say trust the Lord. He will be there with you all the way through the journey of your trial.

Isaiah 35:10 (KJV) And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. We all go through difficult times in this world. Quite often it is hard to see the proverbial ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:10, John 16:20, Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 51:11, John 14:27, 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Revelation 21:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

The True Vine Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Apr 16, 2021

Jesus the True Vine is the Only source of spiritual life. For us to know if we are a true disciple or a fake disciple we need recognise the difference between the Father bringing us through a difficult pruning process, or the Father cutting us off.

Message John 15:1 I Am The True Vine There are seven “I am” passages of Jesus … the last of which is found in John 15:1-6 (read) I suspect there are plenty of us who remember the “I am the vine; you are the branches” part. I wonder how many also remembered the “I am the vine, and my Father is ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1, John 15:5

Denomination: Baptist

Creating A Refuge Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 7, 2022

Claiming new spiritual territory is difficult. All who seek to follow Jesus in faithful obedience while walking in hostile territory need a place of refuge. It’s up to the body of Christ to create that safe haven for both ourselves and others.

Conquering the land, or claiming new spiritual territory, involves grueling spiritual labor. We will encounter resistance, or even minor persecution, when sharing the message of salvation in Jesus Christ; and we can grow weary if we do not have times of refreshing. We’ve got to find a safe haven ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 20:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

God Does Wonderful Things Series

Contributed by James Dina on Jul 16, 2020

Only God can perform wonders. Wonders are hard and difficult to perform by man, they are too hard for us; “God said, Is anything too hard for me” (Genesis 18:14).He carries out miraculous works. God is a God of wonder.

GOD DOES WONDERFUL THINGS “Who does great things, and unsearchable, Marvelous things without number” (JOB 5:9) God’s wonders are supernatural acts beyond human understanding. Through extraordinary signs, the God of wonders demonstrates His limitless power, His inescapable presence, His divine ...read more

Scripture: Job 5:9, Genesis 18:14, Job 5:10, Amos 4:7, Isaiah 5:6, Psalm 68:9, Job 38:26, Job 38:37, Joshua 3:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

5. The Shield Of Faith Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 1, 2019

Merely sort of agreeing with Christian ideas won't carry you far when life gets difficult. The real strength comes when we are solidly connected with our God through a deep and living faith inour hearts.

This morning we'll continue with putting on the armor of God. We live in a world that bombards us with things that battle against our souls. And God has provided armament to be able to resist them, not only to resist, but to stand strong and firm and hold our ground. We start by putting on ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17, Luke 17:5-10

The Fourth Word From The Cross: "Eloi, Eloi, Lema Sabachthani?" Series

Contributed by Ravin Caldera on Apr 18, 2017

This is a reflection on the forth word from the cross, which is a very difficult passage for exposition. These words give a deep expression of faith ("my God, my God"), universal cry for justice ("why") and, words of deep mystery ("have forsaken me").

And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). As Mark stated, about Jewish ninth hour or in our time three o'clock there was darkness over the whole land—out of darkness and despair ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:33-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Palm Branches And Willow Branches

Contributed by Dean Morgan on May 1, 2017

The palm branch was a symbol of triumph and victory in Roman times. The willow represents weeping, sorrow, difficult times. When you come into my presence the Lord said He wanted you to bring a palm branch in one hand and a willow in another.

We need to begin by looking at the context this verse is set in. This is part of the ceremony concerning the Feast of Tabernacles. This festival, which was instituted in grateful commemoration of the Israelites having securely dwelt in booths or tabernacles in the wilderness, was the third of the ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 23:40

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Fall To Pieces Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 24, 2017

filled with wonder, at who He is, His loveliness. His light. His goodness. His truth. It’s difficult to remain standing. At some point you have to fall before Him and worship-aknowledge His worth-ship.

And when I saw Him, I fell at his feet, as dead. And he placed his right hand on me, saying “Don’t be afraid, I am the first and the last, and the Living One, and I was dead, and Look! I live forever and ever, and I have the keys of death and Hades. Write, therefore, what you have seen, and what ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:17-20

Denomination: *other

Shall I Not Drink The Cup The Father Has Given Me?

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Sep 26, 2013

Jesus faced his cup of suffering willingly. God had a plan and Jesus, as difficult as it was, was willing to carry it out. Jesus needed to teach this lesson to Peter and it's a good lesson for us as well. Are we willing to 'drink our cup'?

“SHALL I NOT DRINK THE CUP THE FATHER HAS GIVEN ME?” John 18:1-14 1) Agony in the garden (vs. 1). John’s gospel doesn’t mention anything about the events that took place in the Garden of Gethsemane before Judas showed up. It’s important to look at what Jesus dealt ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Man With The Pitcher, Not The Picture, Just The Pitcher Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 14, 2022

Guidance can be difficult and we may struggle with it. God often send to us the man with a pitcher. We don't have much of a picture of what lies ahead, but the Lord is there. Just take note of the man with a pitcher.

THE MAN WITH THE PITCHER, NOT THE PICTURE, JUST THE PITCHER [1]. THE MESSAGE FROM PILGRIM’S PROGRESS Who has read Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan? I love that book. Many decades ago, and all through the 1800s etc., nearly everyone read Pilgrim’s Progress, even non-Christians. Sometimes in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:18-21, 1 Kings 17:2-9, Mark 14:13-17, Psalm 119:105, Acts 1:4-8, Mark 6:44-45, Acts 10:19, 1 Corinthians 13:10-12, John 16:13, John 15:26, 2 Peter 1:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational