Sermons on Difficulties:

God Turns Setbacks Into Platforms For Ministry Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Nov 2, 2025

God can transform every difficulty, delay, or disappointment into an opportunity for greater testimony and ministry impact.

GOD TURNS SETBACKS INTO PLATFORMS FOR MINISTRY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Acts 28:1-10 Key Verse: “Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.” — Acts 28:10 Supporting Texts: Romans 8:28; Philippians 1:12; Genesis 50:20; ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Die To Himself PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 3, 2023

Explores Elijah's despair, emphasizing the challenges of faith and the importance of trusting God's plan in times of difficulty.

Good morning, dear friends. It is a joy to be here with you today. We gather in this place of worship, in the presence of our Lord. We are united in our faith, our love for God, and our desire to understand His word. Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the book of 1 Kings. Specifically, we will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:4

Topics: Death

“passing The Test” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on May 18, 2015

James gives us some practical advice about how to pass through times of difficulty and testing.

The book of James was written by the brother of our Lord as a circular letter; a letter of instruction to be copied and passed around among the churches (v. 1). Many believe he was specifically addressing Jewish believers scattered from Jerusalem in the persecution following the stoning of Stephen ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Frequently Asked Question

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Oct 18, 2000

The answer to Job’s anguished question of "Why?" does not come in words but in presence.

I met Janet at a party, several years ago, the kind of combination business/social gathering where people talk shop, and network, and make superficial small talk. It’s the sort of event I usually avoid if at all possible, but of course it wasn’t always possible. Anyway, for some reason Janet ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Pick-Pocketed By The Past Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on May 22, 2008

Reclaim who God created you to be by not allowing your past too much influence in your life.

Over the past three weeks we’ve been investigating the culprits of spiritual I.D. theft. We’ve looked at how to avoid being, Robbed by Relationships, Mugged by the Mirror, and Stolen by Success. This morning we’re going to complete our series by considering the role of our past… and how to avoid ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:11-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith Requires Action

Contributed by Paul Zwarich on May 28, 2008

Today’s gospel message is not a lesson on how to avoid storms, but rather how to build our lives in order to withstand that storms that will come.

Lectionary 9 Matthew 7:21-29 A Rabbi and a Soap Maker went for a walk one day at the park and studied the people who had come out to enjoy the warm summer day. After going about a mile along the path the soap maker suddenly turned to the Rabbi and said to him, “Rabbi, what good is religion? Look ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-29, James 2:14-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Strength To Continue

Contributed by Tim Patrick on May 30, 2008

In this sermon you will find encouragement and strength to continue when trials are present.

Over the past few weeks I have shared several messages from the book of Nehemiah. One week we looked at Nehemiah 1. In that message, “Rising Above The Rubble”, we saw how Jerusalem lay in shambles and Nehemiah lead an effort to rise above the rubble of defeat. In the next message, “From Sadness to ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Why Struggles Are Worth The Trouble Series

Contributed by Kevin Cummins on Jul 16, 2008

James gives us some good reasons why we really should embrace the storms in our lives. Without the storms we would be weak and incomplete.

Two men were walking through a field one day when they spotted an enraged bull. Instantly they darted toward the nearest fence. The storming bull followed in hot pursuit, and it was soon apparent they wouldn’t make it. Terrified, the one shouted to the other, "Put up a prayer, John. We’re in for ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Church Of God

Give Me A Break!

Contributed by Everett Mccoy on Jul 22, 2008

Brokenness leads to Breakthrough - which leads to Breakout!

“Break” or “Broken” is a word that is very sensitive to context. - Give me a break. - Don’t break the glass. - Let’s break bread together. - Break it down for me. - You deserve a break. - I’m broke. At first glance, it seems that break takes on a different meaning in these phrases. But it ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Going From Bad To Worse Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 5, 2011

What should we do when our day goes from bad to worse? We should run to God. In this sermon, we see what Moses does when things don't go the way he would hope.

Introduction: A. Have you ever had a truly bad day? 1. Have you ever had a day that went from bad to worse? 2. Imagine this guy, parachuting into a beautiful lagoon populated by alligators! 3. How about this guy, being rescued by helicopter, only to be eaten by a shark! (probably a doctored ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Rock - Exodus Part 16 Series

Contributed by Dan Carroll on Jul 28, 2011

God always redeems us when we humble ourselves and let Him do so.

INTRODUCTION • Exodus 15 - God reveals Himself as a healer…Exodus 16 God reveals Himself as a provider, Exodus 17 reveals Him as our banner or cover • The longer we walk with God the more He will refine us…if we let Him • God’s goal is to build us and refine us ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Positioned For Success - Exodus Part 17 Series

Contributed by Dan Carroll on Jul 28, 2011

A sermon about how God positions us for success in our physical and spiritual struggles.

INTRODUCTION • Exodus 15 God reveals Himself as a healer…Exodus 16 God reveals Himself as a provider, Exodus 17 reveals Him as our banner or standard. • They complained about water at the beginning of their journey and they were complaining about it 40 years later at the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:8-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Elihu's Answer - Job You Are A Hypocrite Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Aug 12, 2011

Elihu shows that Job has allowed himself to start sinning because he has not responded to the suffering the way God expected. Through his actions Job acts in a hypocritical way.

You can listen to the full message here:- http://www.nec.org.au/listen-to-a-sermon-series/faith-when-i-suffer/ Message “The Answer of Elihu – Job You Are A Hypocrite” The conversation has been going for 31 chapters. It is only then that we discover that another person has been sitting in the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Hurting Person's Guide To Recovery: Test All Spirits!

Contributed by Doug Koehler on May 8, 2009

This is a story about an individuals great trials and what God says to her, to us, to restore us and give us hope.

1 John 4: 1-11 (12-21) Remember: Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. One day Sara Jones woke up and felt completely lost. For weeks she was heading down a path full of sorrow, loneliness and ultimate insecurity but, up until this day she was able to hold onto some sort of ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

La Misericordia En La Miseria

Contributed by Craig Benner on Jan 13, 2010

Dios deleite en mostrar Su gran misericordia cuando un menos lo merece.

La Misericordia en Medio de la Miseria Habacuc 3:1-16 El profeta entendía que Dios estaba al punto de permitir la destrucción de Jerusalén. A pesar de eso, Habacuc le conoció a Dios como un Dios de misericordia. Sí, iba a venir el castigo de Dios a su pueblo por sus rebeliones, pero por los que ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:1-16

Denomination: Pentecostal