Sermons on Difficult:

Faces: Nehemiah Series

Contributed by John Braland on Apr 3, 2007

Nehemiah reads like a novel and is full of practical wisdom for many of today’s complex problems. We read it to gain wisdom and for direction. Nehemiah has been an example to many when it comes to dealing with difficult people and he has been an inspira

The movie Amazing Grace accounts the determination of a man named William Wilberforce who spends his life crusading for the abolition of slavery. Wilberforce came from a prosperous family that lived near a North Sea port which saw little in the way of slave trading. At the young age of 21 he was ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Measuring Up To God's Standard

Contributed by Greg Tabor on Oct 21, 2005

You’ve got to think that the folks listening to Jesus were hoping for a replacement for the stringent Law of God that had become even more difficult to keep under the unbearable traditions of the Pharisees. I’m sure there were some great expectations. Aft

Measuring Up to God’s Standard 7/10/05 Lighthouse Assembly of God Pastor Greg Tabor Introduction You’ve got to think that the folks listening to Jesus were hoping for a replacement for the stringent Law of God that had become even more difficult to keep under the unbearable traditions of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Rejection Test

Contributed by Doug Morrell on Dec 5, 2005

It is completely unnatural, painful and difficult to risk friendships when you are truly about God’s work, but Jesus never flinched in His pursuit of God’s will - in the end you will discover those who are there for the show and those who show Christ-like

As I was reading in I Peter 4:1-19 from The Message I came across some passages that appear to be very timely: Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Promises To Keep Before I Sleep

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 8, 2007

We find it difficult to keep promises because we are focused on dealing with today’s issues. We back off our commitments to God because they are hard, but we can receive help from accountability partners, and can know joy and fulfillment.

To be a saint is not to be perfect; to be a saint is to be someone who makes promises and keeps them. Sainthood is not some magic status, conferred by the church for merit or miracles; sainthood is ordinary people living in extraordinary faithfulness, making promises and keeping them. Did you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 1:48

Denomination: Baptist

Herod - The King Who Couldn't Kill Jesus Series

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Apr 1, 2009

Lent 6 Mid-week: Herod’s treachery, brutality and paranoia showed itself in the taking of many lives. This kind of evil drives some very difficult questions. These find their answer in Jesus, whose love, suffering and sacrifice gave live to many.

During the mid-week Lenten worship services, we’ve spent our time considering the earthly kings who served as leaders of Israel. It’s been a pretty motley crew – hasn’t it? Life at the top of the food chain during the history of God’s people has not been much different from what we find at the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-20

Denomination: Lutheran

First And Last Things Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Aug 7, 2008

We live in a world that is often difficult to understand, where sometimes we just have to trust that God is in control, even if it seems that things are upside down, even if we find we can’t straighten out the things that are crooked in this world. But we

How did a book like Ecclesiastes get in the Bible? Did someone make a mistake, do you think? I don’t know about you but I find the beginning of the book a bit depressing. Some people find it quite disturbing as it reinforces the doubts that they may have already about God’s place in the scheme of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

The Kinsman-Redeemer Series

Contributed by Thomas Donelan on Jun 29, 2010

Ruth the widow who left with her mother-in-law and came to Bethlehem and a difficult time, God has blessed her efforts and brought her into favor with Boaz. We have studied how this story as an allegory between Christ & the church. Watch for the blessing.

Introduction Ruth the widow who left with her mother-in-law rather than return to a soft life at her father’s house who more than likely could have arranged for a nice marriage for Ruth came to Bethlhem and a difficult time gleaning in the fields to help support herself and Naomi. God has ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Book Of The Law Was Found

Contributed by Jose R. Hernandez on Apr 9, 2011

When we take the time to examine biblical history, it is not difficult to find that through the ages man has always failed God. The reasons why this happens can be attributed to many things, but I would say that what modern society has in common with all

When we take the time to examine biblical history, it is not difficult to find that through the ages man has always failed God. The reasons why this happens can be attributed to many things, but I would say that what modern society has in common with all other societies of the past is lack of faith ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 34:1-33

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Savior: Surrendered For Us Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 18, 2011

God usually calls us to be active, but sometimes passive. Passivity can be the more difficult of the two, because it means we accept what God brings without grasping for control. And nowhere do we see surrender to the Father's will exemplified as we do wh

The Savior: Surrendered for Us Isaiah 53:7-10a 1. John Anselmi said, "On October 19, 1987 the stock market declined in a sudden, surprising plunge that left many investors much poorer. The day was quickly named Black Friday. It has always seemed to us that Good Friday should be called Black ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:7-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

El-Olam "The Everlasting God" Series

Contributed by David Scudder on May 1, 2011

No doubt, it had been a difficult 25 years, but now the new parents were enjoying their new baby son.Remember though, that God had also promised Abraham that his descendents (through Isaac) would inherit the country they were living in to be their very ow

Purpose: To focus on the eternal nature of God. Aim: I want the listener to marvel at God's greatness because He is eternal. INTRODUCTION: Abraham received two amazing promises from God: he would have a son in his old age and his descendents would inherit a land that would belong to them forever. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:22-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Thorn In The Flesh

Contributed by Moy Hernandez on Oct 26, 2009

Sometimes we are called to suffer or carry on difficult issues and situation and although we ask and plead with God to remove those situations his response is always the same, "My Grace is Sufficient for You" We must learn to once again trust completely i

A Thorn in the flesh 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 - July 19, 2009 Captain Moy Hernandez, Jr. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Salvation Army

Mother's Day

Contributed by Bret Bone on May 14, 2012

Being a mother is difficult… a challenging responsibility that is defiantly underappreciated…it takes patience…and it takes commitment. I think that every mother learns at a young age… the importance of wearing many hats within the home. How many of

Slide #1 Video- Being Mom…skit guys Being a mother is difficult… a challenging responsibility that is defiantly underappreciated…it takes patience…and it takes commitment. I think that every mother learns at a young age… the importance of wearing many hats within ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Godly Dads

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jun 13, 2012

Being a good father or mother is one of life’s most important privileges. But being a father or mother is also one of life’s most difficult responsibilities. It is easy to become a biological father, but hard to become a really good father. Some of you we

Opening illustration: Play a video on imitation. Introduction: Now in this text of Scripture Paul compares himself to a father of the Corinthian believers. He was not their biological father, but he was a spiritual father to them. He was instrumental in bringing them to faith in Christ. Through ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Does God Hate?

Contributed by Greg Nance on Aug 13, 2011

Raising godly children today is more difficult than ever. We need God's help at every turn. This lesson looks at two passages that point us to some practical wisdom for accomplishing this. My focus is on dads, but moms could use this as well.

What does God Hate? Text: Proverbs 6:16-19 16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:16-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Judge Not, Least Ye Be Judged! Really?

Contributed by John Hickman on Oct 21, 2013

Working through a difficult passage of scripture on judging others. What did Jesus mean? If it is okay to judge others, what are the tools we need to use to make fair assessments? And, do we judge Christians any differently than non-Christians?

JUDGE NOT, LEAST YE BE JUDGED! (loudly – Like old time Preacher). That sure sounds good from the pulpit, doesn't it? But really. Can we just put an exclamation point after it, chisel it in stone and make it a commandment? One of the top five questions I’ve been asked over the years ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Charismatic