Sermons on difficulties:

Surviving The Terrible T's Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Jul 27, 2009

First in a Summer series on the book of James

In elementary school we took a field trip to the Richmond Auditorium. I don’t know who was leading the orchestra but one of the things they did was to introduce us to the idea of "musical themes" via Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. Musical themes are those repetitious melodies that mark the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

Surviving The Storms Of Life

Contributed by Tim Huie on Mar 16, 2009

When the storms of life threaten to overwhelm us, Jesus is still Lord of the storm!

SURVIVING THE STORMS OF LIFE MARK 4:35-41 1. Illus. of hurricane Fran • In 1996, Fran came up the East Coast and ran straight into Raleigh NC. • When it hit, winds were still over 80 miles an hour. Rain fell at a rate of over an inch an hour all through the night. I could hear the wind as it ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Baptist

Purpose Won’t Kill Me

Contributed by Gregory Thomas on Apr 2, 2009

We will experience adversity but our success is predicated upon how well we handle our trials.

Purpose won’t Kill Me Though He Slay Me Yet Will I Trust Him, but I will maintain mine own ways before him. Job 13:15 Everyone that knows the story of Job would assert that Job is the master of suffering, having to endure adversity that is unknown to any ordinary man ...read more

Scripture: Job 13:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expect Trials Series

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Feb 27, 2010

We can expect trials because we live in a fallen world. We can expect some of our difficulties to originate from God Himself, and we will bring hardship upon ourselves because we are not perfect.

Expect Trials Faith Expectations Part 5 06/01/08 PM Text: Various [This lesson and this series are drawn from the writings of Tom Allen in his book “What to expect now that you believe.”] Faith Expectations This lesson is another in the series titled Faith Expectations. I know it is probably true ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Joy Comes In For A Landing

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Mar 16, 2010

What does it mean to Rejoice in Real Life, when Joy touches down on the rough patches of our lives?

Philippians 3:8-14 Lately, I’ve talked some about how I don’t really enjoy flying. I will go, and it isn’t a huge deal, but I tend to get nervous. But, there is one think that I LOVE about flying. It’s the sound of the wheels of the plane touching the ground. It’s a powerful moment, marked by ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Authentic Life Part 2 - James 1: 9-14 Series

Contributed by David Rumley on Aug 19, 2010

James is a no nonsense leader of the church. His letter speaks to specific issues in the church, and those issues are still around today.

Study of James: Wisdom and Practical Christian Living * as a long time participant in Sermon central... there will be spliced material and illustrations in from the site. If not cited I apologize. JAMES 1: 9-14 The Book of James is probably the oldest book of the New Testament, written perhaps ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

What To Do When Your Breakthrough Does Not Come Through

Contributed by Charles Mccall on Jul 11, 2010

There are times when you expect a breakthrough to occur in your life, but it don’t happen. So, what are we to do when our breakthroughs don’t happen?

Genesis 40:9-15, 20-21, 23 Topic: What to do when your breakthrough don’t come through In these passage of scriptures of Genesis 40-41, we read about a man named Joseph. Joseph was one of the 12 sons of Jacob; in matter of fact, Joseph was the 11th son of Jacob(Israel). Joseph was the favorite ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 40:9-23

Denomination: Baptist

In Times Like These (A Message Of Encouragement)

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Jul 20, 2010

Paul had set the example of joyfulness in difficult times. In prison, after beatings, Paul and Silas had sung praises. Now, in the difficult times of their life, Paul gives advice for believers in difficult times.

In Times Like These: A Message of Encouragement Philippians 4:1-8 Calvary Baptist Church October 19, 2008 INTRODUCTION • The church at Philippi had fallen on difficult times. APPLY! – We are in difficult times! (The economy, the election) • The story of the founding of this church may be read in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

God's Way In The Wilderness

Contributed by Jaco Bester on Feb 13, 2013

A reflection on the fact that God often meets us in the most difficult places...

MEETING GOD IN THE WILDERNESS... ISAIAH 40:1-11 Introduction: Someone once said that it is “only when we are brought to the end of ourselves (in other words our own strength and ability) that we are in a position to see more of God than we have seen.” How true is it that it is often ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Part 2 "The Changing Of A Nation!" Series

Contributed by Kyle Sullivan on Jun 16, 2011

This series on Lean Time is a depiction of where our church and country is right now and how we grow during Lean Times with the Lord.

Question: What decisions are you facing right now that will change your life forever? How do we Change a Nation: 1. We proceed slowly! Question: What is your first tendency when faced with a decision? Nehemiah 1:4 "When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Part 3 "The Perfect Vision In Imperfect Times!" Series

Contributed by Kyle Sullivan on Jun 16, 2011

This series on Lean Time is a depiction of where our church and country is right now and how we grow during Lean Times with the Lord.

Nehemiah 2:11-20 Preparing for the Vision of God: 1. We must make an accurate assessment of the situation! Nehemiah 2:17 "So I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been burned down." (HCSB) Question: How would you describe your current ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

Part 4 "The Joy Of The Lord Is Our Strength!" Series

Contributed by Kyle Sullivan on Jun 16, 2011

This series on Lean Time is a depiction of where our church and country is right now and how we grow during Lean Times with the Lord.

Question: When the race gets tough what do you do? Nehemiah 8:5-12 When Life is Tough: 1. Don't give up! Our resolve is to never give up! Isaiah 40:28-31 William Barclay "Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory." Lamentations 3:40-41 "Let ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:5-12

Denomination: Baptist