Sermons on Difficulties:

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

Marked

Contributed by Steve Ely on Oct 13, 2009

We have been marked by destiny, purpose, favor, but is that the whole picture? What if we are marked by pain? What if we limp?

Marked Introduction: Riding on a plane to a conference called “Marked”. I already knew in my mind some of the things that would be declared over the young people that would attend. You will be marked by power, by destiny, by purpose, by anointing, etc. All true. All good words. All real. But ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:29-33

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Answers We Need

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Sep 13, 2009

A Message from Psalms 42 speaking to the trials and troubles which we encounter.

The Answers We Need Psalms 42:1-11 * Two days after the 9/11 attacks on our nation, Anne Graham Lotz was being interviewed by Jane Clayson on the CBS early show and was asked, "I’ve heard people say, those who are religious, those who are not, if God is good, how could God let this happen? To that, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

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

In Tandem With God: When The Storms Hit Series

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Aug 11, 2008

As disciples of Jesus Christ we often experience storms in our life, this sermon shows how God is present during those storms helping us.

This week we are continuing our sermon series being tandem with God. As we discussed last week being in tandem, is like being in partnership, cooperating with God. It doesn’t mean it that we are equal with God, but that we work with God. And today we are looking at what it means to be in tandem ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-36

Denomination: Lutheran

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

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

Watch Out For Dream Killers Series

Contributed by Lorenzo Edwards on Feb 20, 2008

You have to understand this. If the enemy destroys your house, you can build another one. But if he kills your dreams if he destroys your visions. He can destroy your future. And I come to encourage the saints of God on today. Do not stand by and let

Watch out for dream killers! Pastor Lorenzo Edwards N.S.P.B.C. 1/19/2008 Jesus states in John 10:10 that the thief desire is to come steal kill and destroy your life. And to counter that Jesus say that he has come to give life in abundance. And if you would happen to look up the word abundance. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:12-24

Denomination: Baptist

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

Facing The Storms Of Life Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jun 7, 2009

Each of us will face storms in our lives from this story we discover ways to survive those storms.

Facing the Storms of Life (That video I think was taken off the coast of New Zealand, sometimes on you tube it is identified as being off of Newfoundland or Grand Manan, it’s not.) Have you ever been in a really great storm? I mean a doozy of a storm? Do you remember when Juan swept through in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:13-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Widow's Oil

Contributed by Scott Ridout on Jul 2, 2009

This sermon focuses on the story of the Widow’s Oil from 2 Kings 4 and answers the questions: "Why do bad things happen to good people, where is God when they do, and what do we do when it happens to us?" Part of a series entitled "Seven".

We’re in a series called "Seven" learning unforgettable lessons from forgotten lives of the Old Testament. This week we are going to take a look at a woman who is having a very difficult time in her life. In fact I’m not sure things can get worse. If you have a Bible, turn to the passage in 2 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Baptist