Sermons on Difficulties:

What Song Are You Singing? Series

Contributed by Scott Berry on Jul 21, 2011

A reflection with modern music on one of Davids most timeless psalms. Consider what is your pit, who is your rock and what song are you singing?

To stay true to a psalm – you should hear it sung, so hear is a modern intepration – don’t try and understand everything, but get the gist – lots of rich imagery from psalms and beyond. The Mountain Goats - Psalms 40:2 Lyrics (the song can be found on itunes or ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

We Are Acceptable To God By Jesus Christ.

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Jul 27, 2011

Peter says, that Jesus is a living stone rejected by men But, chosen by God and precious. He also says that we are living stones…so we are precious to God also

1pe 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 1pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 1pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

A Reminder To Be Faithful Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jul 29, 2011

Paul's life was filled with adversity and he had learned to live out his faith in Christ despite the circumstances and situations around him, here he is calling the Philippian church to do the same!

Sermon Brief Date Written: July 23, 2011 Date Preached: July 24, 2011 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: A Series from Philippians Sermon Title: A Reminder to Remain Faithful Sermon Text: Philippians 1:12-30 [ESV] ETS: Paul pointed out that adversity was part of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

Denomination: Baptist

Running A Race Is Not All Fun But, We Should Have Joy?

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Aug 4, 2011

James is saying we should have joy when we go through trials or test that God allows us to go through.

James 1:2-5 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How To Handle Tragedy

Contributed by Michael Luke on Oct 2, 2011

Four principles that help us deal with tragedy

“HOW TO HANDLE TRAGEDY” SELECTED PASSAGES OPEN The Poisonwood Bible is a novel written by Barbara Kingsolver. It’s about a family who in 1959 move from the state of Georgia in the USA to a small village in the Belgian Congo to swerve as missionaries. The family is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Facing Giants With Nothing But Stones

Contributed by Jarvis Ellis on Oct 13, 2011

This sermon deals with overcoming the many obstacles that often stand in the way of our blessings!

Facing Giants With Nothing But Stones SCRIPTURE: " And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine." 1 Samuel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:40-41

Denomination: Baptist

What God Does With Pain Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 13, 2011

In this message the "stages" of experiencing pain are examined, with the goal of God using our pain to point others to him

INTRODUCTION * God’s sovereignty: he is in control of all; clearest demonstration of God’s sovereignty is making good come out of bad * How God demonstrated this in Scripture: - Joseph’s life (innocence - sold into servitude - rises in power in Egypt - incident with ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

Denomination: Baptist

Let Not Your Heart

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Oct 23, 2011

Have you ever had one of those days when everything goes wrong? It doesn’t make any difference how hard you try, it just seems that everything backfires on you? The harder you try, the worse it gets. I’m convinced that all of us have had days like t

So as the 14th chapter of John opens, we see Jesus & His apostles in the upper room where they have eaten the Passover meal together. Jesus knew exactly what the next few hours would bring. He knew that Judas would betray Him. He knew about the illegal trials of the night, & how troubled the ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Katie - "Strong Enough"

Contributed by Brad Henry on Oct 24, 2011

In times of tragedy we think we have to be strong. This is just the opposite of what God desires. This lesson will hopefully you give you a new perspective on the storms of life.

Last Wednesday I received a text from a dear friend of mine in Phoenix. He said that his 15 year old daughter Katie was going in for some tests to determine the reasons for some health issues she was having. I went to bed without knowing the results. I woke up the next morning and I had a text from ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-3

Enduring Trials Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 22, 2011

When we face trials in our lives, do we complain or do we trust that God will help us through?

Did you hear of the man who was dyslexic, agnostic and an insomniac? Yes, he stays awake all night long wondering if there really is a “Dog.” Michael Josephson, the founder of the “Josephson Institute of Ethics” in Southern California writes about an old legend that tells ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Christian Church

Growing Pains Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Feb 11, 2010

As we face various trials in life we must learn to respond appropriately to the work God is doing in us: Embrace your trials and ask for God's help.

Growing Pains James 1:1-8 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Dealing With Depression Series

Contributed by Ken Hubbard on Feb 11, 2010

A sermon on how believers can effectively deal with depression

TEXT: 1 Kings 19:1-9 "And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Defeating Depression Series

Contributed by Ken Hubbard on Feb 11, 2010

Part 2 of a message on dealing with depression, particularly of how God helped Elijah through his episode of depression

TEXT: 1 Kings 19:1-9 INTRO: Depression - - - pushed down de/pressed An area that is sunk below its surroundings A hollow / a hole When we push down hurts, pain, abuse, guilt... ...we are de/pressing ...it will show up Push down - - - Hurt Anger = becomes bitterness = Rage ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Reality Of Christian Persecution (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Feb 16, 2010

A sermon examining Christian persecution.

THE REALITY OF CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION (Part 1) Acts 4:1-4 (Antioch Baptist Church: Wednesday, August 5th, 2025) A woman in India watches as her sister is dragged off by Hindu nationalists. She doesn’t know if her sister is alive or dead. A man in a North Korean prison camp is shaken awake ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Down To The Sea In Ships Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Mar 3, 2010

A study of chapter 27 verses 1 through 36

Ezekiel 27: 1 – 36 Down to the sea in ships 1 The word of the LORD came again to me, saying, 2 “Now, son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyre, 3 and say to Tyre, ‘You who are situated at the entrance of the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coastlands, thus says the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 27:1-36

Denomination: Calvary Chapel