Sermons on Difficulties:

God Is Looking For Heroes! Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Jan 25, 2009

We are tested by God so that we will mature in God, be complete, and not lack anything, so that we can be heroes!

God is looking for heroes! The world is looking for heroes! A few years ago, there was a story of a church in one of the communist countries. That church, secretly hiding from their atheist government, was one day visited by soldiers armed with machine guns. The soldiers asked everyone who will ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Beauty Remains. The Pain Passes

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Feb 20, 2009

We can be changed into the people God wants us to be through the mountaintop and valley experiences of life.

Mark 9: 2 – 9 / The Beauty Remains. The Pain Passes. Intro: The process of metamorphosis has always fascinated me. It is best seen in the life cycle of the butterfly which lays eggs on a leaf. A small larva emerges, molts a few times each time getting bigger. Finally, it becomes a pupa hanging ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Rejoice Through Trials Series

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 21, 2009

A joyful humble spirit will help you persevere during trials.

REJOICE THROUGH TRIALS James 1:9-11 PROPOSITION: Because Christ humbled Himself even unto the death of the cross, you must practice humility during periods of trials. I. Rejoice through trials regardless of your social status. v. 9-10 A. Impoverished believers must rejoice in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

Let Them

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Mar 6, 2009

We cannot force people to come to Christ; but, we must let them come by providing opportunities for them to witness the power of God in our lives.

Mark 8: 31 – 38 / Let Them Intro: It was 1928. A man was at the side of the road working on his Ford auto that he couldn’t get to run. --- A new Ford pulled up, out stepped a well-dressed gentleman in a derby with a cane. He looked at the engine and suggested, “If you’ll adjust this screw here, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Resistance Resistant

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 9, 2009

Anytime there is a new initiative in the kingdom of God, resistance will arise. Where God is at work, the enemy is also at work. Rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem was certainly no exception to this. When people take kingdom priorities seriously, people res

Resistance Resistant Nehemiah 4:1-8 Don Jones tells the story of a close friend who pastored in the Phoenix area but God had laid on his heart the desire to start new churches. He left to go plant a church in another state. The plans were laid for him to begin with the cooperation of two ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

What The Recession Reveals About Your Confession

Contributed by Rick Mays on Mar 13, 2009

When recession hits home, it reveals the foundation you’re standing on and what you’re trusting in.

WHAT THE RECESSION REVEALS ABOUT YOUR CONFESSION James 1:1-4 Rev. Rick Mays, Pastor Trinity Temple Assembly of God Arkadelphia, AR 71923 There is nothing that reveals who a person is than when they face trying circumstances. The real person surfaces when the pressure is turned up and the fire ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Stand Up

Contributed by Carl Allen on Aug 19, 2009

Trials are a common part of the Christian life, but not one that we should allow to rule us. This portion of Thessalonians gives us insight into how we can stand up against the trials that come our way.

Stand Up 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 Intro Before a child can walk, he must learn to stand. Usually the father and mother teach the child to stand and then to walk. Paul was the “spiritual parent” to these believers, but he had been forced to leave Thessalonica. How, then, could he help these young ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Faithfully Persevering In Times Of Trial Series

Contributed by Ned Bartlebaugh on Aug 21, 2009

James encourages us to persevere in times of trial by choosing to have an attitude of spiritual joy, an attitude of persistent faith and an attitude of humility.

1)Introduction a)Statements made: children don’t come with an instruction manual. b)Society says that there is no standard way to live your life. Just do it your way, make yourself happy, and according to Nike “Just Do It.” c)The Book of James however, is a Do It Yourself Guidebook on Faithfully ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Fighting His Way

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Aug 26, 2009

Regardless of the situation or circumstance we all have this tendency to fight first and hope we win. Unfortunately, what ends up happening is we all have had to come to others asking for help on the bad side of a good old-fashioned defeat. We come out li

Who here has ever watched an action flick and felt like you were involved in the fight scene? You know, like when you’re watching Jackie Chan and it’s so intense that you start sweating. You finish watching the movie and you feel like, “watch out anyone who tries to get in my way, I could take on ...read more

Scripture: Judges 7:1-22

Be Prepared Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Sep 8, 2009

Amos’ fifth vision encourages us to be prepared for the "Day of the Lord" by being saturated with God’s Word

Be Prepared. That’s the motto of the Boy Scouts. "Be prepared for what?" someone once asked Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, "Why, for any old thing." said Baden-Powell. Perhaps Amos would have adopted the same motto – be prepared. But not just be prepared for any old thing, as we’ll ...read more

Scripture: Amos 9:1-15

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

"Fiery Trials Are Fruitful” Series

Contributed by Ed Taylor on Aug 8, 2008

It really takes a godly man, a godly woman to say no when the pressure is on.

OPEN YOUR BIBLES TO Daniel 3 & Romans 12 1. CONFIDENCE. We left off last week with 3 men who stood their ground before the leader of the known world! a. It wasn’t new. Their confidence began early in their youth, continued through the teenage years, and now tested again! b. Before the king, they ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:19-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Use The Rest Areas Of Life Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Apr 20, 2009

When the storms of life have calmed and God has brought us into the rest area to refresh, we need to make sure we use it to our advantage before heading into the next valley.

Following In the Footsteps of Faith How to Use the Rest Areas of Life Genesis 21:33-34 Intro: There are times in life that are simply difficult to tolerate! There are battles to fight, valleys to cross, long nights to endure and storms that must be weathered. All you have to do is read the story of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:33-34

Denomination: Baptist

"The Wind In Our Face"

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Apr 21, 2009

Three things to do when the storms of life come.

“The Wind in our Face” April 26, 2009 Hebrews 12:1-4, 2 Timothy 3:14 “Well, the snow is just about melted off of Black Butte. The old timers in this area keep a watch on the conditions on Black Butte to determine when they can plant or not. Last week, with the temperatures in the mid 80’s, a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-4

Denomination: Holiness

Defiled By The World (Preventable? Response?) Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on May 4, 2009

What God wants us to do now is totally depend on Jesus Christ to show the world that Jesus already won all the battles!

Is there sin in the world? Sin is anything that does not line up with a Holy God! Specifically, where do we see sin in this world we live in?? We are confronted with sin everyday, aren’t we? Jesus prayed to God the Father in John 17, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 34:1-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible