Sermons on Difficult:

The Embarrassing Whine Of The Ungrateful Believer Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 22, 2023

Jacob makes a striking (and embarrassing) statement in his audience with Pharaoh: "my years have been few and difficult." Amid all the good things God has given him, what can we learn from his lack of gratitude?

- Picture the scene. - Joseph has been an incredible, dynamic presence in Egypt, saving the country and the region from this lengthy famine. His brothers came down and, after a long drama, there was a dramatic reunion and forgiveness. They were sent home to bring the whole family to Egypt to live ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 46:1-7, Genesis 47:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Can A Genuine Believer Lose Their Salvation?

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on May 27, 2023

This is the concept of remaining in faith. Abiding in Christ. We must hold fast to our faith, not drifting away, while also knowing that Christ holds us firm, and we do not need to fear the Father losing his hold on us. This sacred balance is a difficult one.

Once an unbeliever has given their life to Christ, been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, reborn of Christ, and placed into the kingdom of God, can such a person fall away, and lose their salvation? This question is so incredibly important. It goes to the very core of the gospel: How does it ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5-6, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Romans 11:19-22, 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, John 15:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Who Cares? Series

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Mar 8, 2022

We’ve all had times when we’ve wondered if anyone really cares. The world can sometimes be a lonely, scary place. Difficult life situations can make a person feel rejected, isolated, and abandoned. It seems like nobody really cares.

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 DOES ANYONE CARE? We’ve all had times when we’ve wondered if anyone really cares. The world can sometimes be a lonely, scary place. Difficult life situations can make a person feel rejected, isolated, and abandoned. It ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 23:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Jesus’ Grief Over Jerusalem Reveals Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Mar 30, 2023

The reasons for grief are many, such as the loss of a loved one, the loss of health, or the letting go of a long-held dream. Dealing with a significant loss can be one of the most difficult times in a person's life. Jesus sees God’s dream for Jerusalem slipping away.

Sermon: What Jesus’ Grief over Jerusalem Reveals Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 38 And now, look, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-36, Matthew 23:37-39, Acts 7:51-53, Proverbs 29:1-2

Denomination: Methodist

Sermon: Preserving The Best Of Both Worlds Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jan 17, 2023

Jesus in this discourse helps us to realize the importance preserving the best of both worlds and the danger of putting new wine in old wineskins. New wineskins are flexible and easy to stretch, while old wineskins are difficult to stretch. How can we preserve the best of both worlds?

Sermon: Preserving the Best of Both Worlds Scripture: Matt 9:10-17 “As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew (Levi) sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He said to him, “Follow Me [as My disciple, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:10-17, Luke 10:18

Denomination: Methodist

To And Fro On The Earth: Born To Trouble Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Oct 2, 2021

NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR B Well, you’ll have to look elsewhere for a complete answer to that question. But it is our contention that the book of Job deals with some profoundly difficult questions in the life of faith, and it does so without easy answers or simplistic cliches

MAIN TEXT: One day the heavenly beings[i] came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan[j] also came among them to present himself before the LORD. 2 The LORD said to Satan,[k] “Where have you come from?” Satan[l] answered the LORD, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:1-3

Denomination: United Methodist

When Life Is Hard

Contributed by Rakesh Sharma on Oct 25, 2024

As we navigate through difficult seasons, let us remember that faith is not the absence of doubt but the perseverance through it. Trust in God's goodness, rely on your community, and keep your eyes on His miracles, for in every challenge lies the opportunity for profound growth.

>> Opening Bible Reading Luke 7:18-23 18 John's disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 19 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-23, Genesis 3:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Give Up

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Mar 25, 2025

A lesson from Luke 9:37-43a is to never give up doing something for God. Like the disciples we may need for training or education to accomplish the task. Evangelism is one of the most difficult things to do. However, with training it is not that bad. Afterall, it is for God

Don’t give up Luke 9:37 – 43a Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H Koplitz Luke 9:37 On the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Him. 38 And a man from the crowd shouted, saying, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, because he is my only son, 39 and a spirit seizes him and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:37-43

Denomination: United Methodist

In Honor Of My Dad - Jake Nelson

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Mar 20, 2003

I am deeply grateful to all of you who have expressed your prayers and concerns for our family during this difficult time. Thank you so much for coming to this service and for all that you have done to express your love over the last couple of days.

In Honor of My Father - Sebert Reed "Jake" Nelson Thursday, March 20, 2003 Comments: I am deeply grateful to all of you who have expressed your prayers and concerns for our family during this difficult time. Thank you so much for coming to this service and for all that you have done to express ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:55

In Honor Of My Mother - Patricia "Peachie" Nelson

Contributed by Joey Nelson on May 5, 2006

I am deeply grateful to all of you who have expressed your prayers and concerns for our family during this difficult time. Thank you so much for coming to this service and for all that you have done to express your love over the last couple of days – the

In Honor of My Mother Patricia Jean Nelson February 02, 2006 Opening Statement: I am deeply grateful to all of you who have expressed your prayers and concerns for our family during this difficult time. Thank you so much for coming to this service and for all that you have done to express your ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:13-16

Get In Step With The Spirit Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 15, 2007

We all find the idea of letting God set the pace, and the direction, and leading us, somewhat difficult because we want to be in control of our lives – we want to set the pace, we want to set the direction, we want to be in charge. A full life is when Go

Get In Step With The Spirit Gal 5:13-26 Sept 17, 2006 Intro: How many of you have ever danced – and before you answer, I don’t mean like turning your stereo on in your house when you are all alone with your hairbrush in your hand like a microphone; and I don’t mean like the way people dance ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-26

Denomination: Baptist

New Beginning

Contributed by Bob Soulliere on Dec 30, 2006

As Christians we still experience difficult seasons… …trials and hardships. There is winter as well as spring. But God causes even those times to have purpose. We soon learn that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have bee

A NEW Beginning Genesis 1:1&2 1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. The original term tohu and bohu , which we translate without form and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Delivered From Among The Bricks

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 6, 2009

Labor Day sermon, Calverton Baptist Church: God is able to deliver us from work we do not like and which is focused only on the bottom line. Work faithfully but do not let work consume you. Believe that God is at work even in financially difficult times

We have a love-hate relationship with our jobs. If we do not have jobs, we are anxious, because no job means no income, and no income means trouble, so we want to work. But when we get those jobs, we begin a love-hate relationship. We say that we love our work, but then we want to take as ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 9: Sin In The Church Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 8, 2010

Handling sin in the church has become very difficult from both angles - in our PC world much bad behavior is actually celebrated, but Christians are also wounding each other over weakness instead of supporting and helping. We'll try to walk the fine line

In Chapter 5 we move from pride of surface appearance over internal substance to pride over major sin in the body. It's issue two on Paul's mind as he writes to the Corinthians. It's a tough subject—sin in the church. This chapter can easily be misconstrued in several ways and I want to try ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

True Grit: Traits Of A Godly Mom

Contributed by Mark Opperman on May 18, 2011

In honor of all the moms here today, we are going to look at a woman who faced some difficult challenges, but became a model of motherhood to show how moms can be Godly moms. This applies to each one of us because it is about how we can be godly people.

True Grit: Traits of a Godly Mom 1 Samuel 1:1-2:2 Intro: [Tribute to the Pastor’s wife by H.B. London] -Being a mom today is a tough job. It is hard, it causes sleepless nights, it brings trouble into your life, it is often a thankless job. -God has designed moms with a caring heart and ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God