Sermons on Difficulties:

Stay Focused

Contributed by Elvis Burrows on Jun 30, 2007

A sermon of encouragement to those who may be going through unforeseen trials and other life challenges.

INTRODUCTION Say: Today is a different kind of day in our church - we have always been in transition, well, ever since I arrived as the new pastor and that was expected. But as I come to you today, I believe that the transition that started seven and a half months ago has taken a different ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-4, Hebrews 12:1

Denomination: Baptist

Rx For The Soul - Peace For The Mind Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 25, 2003

Jesus promised a peace unlike that offered by the world. What was the difference between the two, and how can we lay hold of God’s peace?

OPEN: Several years ago, I visited the historic site of Appomattox and heard an amazing story. As I remember it, our guide told of Wilmer McLean who owned a home near Bull Run. His house was seriously damaged during the opening battle of the Civil War, and so, falsely believing he would be safer ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lay Your Burdens Down Series

Contributed by Grant Van Boeschoten on May 14, 2008

Practically deal with burdens in life.

Today I want to tackle a truth that is foundational to the Christian Faith. What I want to talk about is burdens, the heaviness of life that weighs us down. If we are not rooted in God’s word we will find ourselves going through life with baggage and heaviness that is not meant for us. Last ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Mutual Prayer For Difficult Times

Contributed by H.b. Charles Jr. on Jan 22, 2014

"Mutual Prayer for Difficult Times" is an exposition of 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5. There is a powerful dynamic that works when pastor and people pray for one another, when saints pray for one another.

MUTUAL PRAYER FOR DIFFICULT TIMES 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 In this brief letter to the young church at Thessalonica, Paul teaches about the last days or end times. There was confusion about the second coming of Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul discusses the coming of the Lord to rapture ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Has God Forgotten Me?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 28, 2014

A look at the care that God has for us and the important difference between pep-talk self-esteem and God-spoke personal value.

A LINGERING QUESTION: Has God forgotten me? - What if God forgot about me? Has God forgotten me? Can I be confident that God is paying attention to me? - Reasons that we think that God has forgotten us: a. It’s taking longer than expected for God to answer our prayer. b. Events in our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Pressure Cooker Living

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 28, 2014

How do you handle the pressures of life? How can we make sure the pressure cooker of life doesn't cause us to explode?

“Faith That Works: Pressure Cooker Living” James 1:1-12 Pressure cookers are wonderful. They are manufactured to help bring food to a proper tenderness and fitness. It’s an amazing process in which the pressure inside the cooker is intense – so much so that if the cook is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

An Unstoppable Momentum Series

Contributed by Danny Davis on Jan 30, 2014

When we come into relationship with Jesus Christ we are brought into an unstoppable momentum that brings us into the kingdom of God and propels us forward to finish the race we started.

I am so excited to begin a new sermon series this morning called UNSHAKEABLE. Over the next few weeks we will be looking at Hebrews chapter 12. In this study we will look at the big picture of God’s wonderful kingdom. • Hebrews 12 teaches us to grab hold of an unstoppable momentum that ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Thank God I Totaled My Car! Series

Contributed by Pastor Jeff Hughes on Feb 8, 2014

How can one find blessing in wrecking their car? You might be surprised to find out...and blessed.

I've been preaching for a while, in my 18th year of preaching. I've been around the block so to speak, but I don't claim to anyone special--just a man called to work for the Master. But being in ministry for more than just a few years does give a man experience in both the good and the bad--but is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-10

Denomination: Bible Church

Keep The Faith When Trials Come Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Feb 17, 2014

These principles from James 1 will help us keep the faith when trials come.

Recently, Addie Zierman wrote an article on“Five Churchy Phrases that are Scaring Off Millenials.” This age group currently in their 20's objects to statements that appear insincere or dishonest. One of the statements that doesn’t pass the “sniff test” with them is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Life Really Gets Hard (Ii) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 16, 2009

God gives wisdom to those who ask and enables them to successfully navigate difficult circumstances in life.

When Life Gets Really Hard (II) James 1:5-12 4-27-08 We are currently in the book of James, chapter 1. James begins this book with the subject of trials. Is anybody in a trial at this time in your life? Has anybody here walked thru a few valleys during your Christian journey? What is the one ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5-12

Denomination: Charismatic

Navigating Your Trial Successfully Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 16, 2009

Sermon discusses the importance of choices made during trying experiences and how to make wise choices.

Navigating Your Trial Successfully James 1:12-18 5-4-08 We’ve been talking about trials in James Chapter one. In the first 12 verses we learned that if we persevere through the trial, God will work some wonderful things in us during the process and in the end we will receive a crown of life. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12-18

Denomination: Charismatic

Facing Forward Series

Contributed by Andy Stanley on Sep 18, 2009

The third in a series of messages on the topic of an invisible "unseen" world that impacts our visible world. This sermon focuses on the bondage of our human bodies to decay and suffering, and that God remains present and active through it all.

Get the logos, graphics, and videos Andy used to preach this message. Visit www.andystanleysermons.org. The irony of pain and suffering, or one of the ironies, is that it’s really the shortest route to God. When the bottom drops out and things suddenly, overnight, or in a moment, or in a phone ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-27, Romans 14:17-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Booby Trap"

Contributed by Ken Harris on Sep 27, 2009

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to affirm to others that the Enemy of our Faith has "Booby Traps" set for unsuspecting believers; but our King is going to reverse his entrapments.

27 September 2009 U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris 504th Compound’s Multi-Purpose Facility C.O. B. Adder Tallill, Iraq REFERENCES: Sun Tzu: “The Art of War” & other quotes from this military genius; Haman – Enemy of the Jews; Esther 2:7 (ESV) He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther,(A) ...read more

Scripture: Esther 7:1-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Shaken

Contributed by Jim Belcher on Oct 1, 2009

The world will not stop shaking us. We have to be shaken by God. Then we will have the courage to shake the world.

The church turned the world upside down. They went from a small band, to being all over the roman empire by the year 200. How? 3 things: 1. They were shaken by the world; 2. They were shaken by God; 3. They shook the world I. Shaken by the world How do you get in a position where you ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Trialful Joy

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 8, 2009

Trials and tests are no fun. James doesn’t tell us to consider it fun but to "consider it all joy." Trials and tests are gut wrenching and drawn out at times, but the one thing that we must know is that God is with us through the whole ordeal.

Opening illustration: After William Carey was well established in his pioneer missionary work in India, his supporters in England sent a printer to assist him. Soon the two men were turning out portions of the Bible for distribution. Carey had spent many years learning the language so that he could ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational