Sermons on Difficulties:

Wounded, Weary And Warring

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Nov 6, 2012

Christian life and ministry getting rough?

When I was a new Christian I wanted to be like Peter and Paul. I wish I had been more specific because I have found that I have a lot of their weaknesses, but I was hoping for their strengths. Everyone has a hero in the Word that they wish they could be like and most of us while we want to be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7

Denomination: Baptist

Running In The Valley

Contributed by Craig Benner on Nov 7, 2012

Jesus comes off the mountain and finds a heap of problems in the valley. It is like that for us many times as we look at seeming defeat in the face and cannot understand why.

Down from the Mountain and Roaming the Valley Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Jer 42:6 Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Pain And Pleasure Of The Pastor

Contributed by Ken Henson on Nov 12, 2012

A person in ministry experiences both, pain and pleasure. From 2 Timothy 4 we can see that Pastor Paul experienced: Pain from Opposition, Pain from Disappointment, Pain from Abandonment and Pleasure of Partnership, The Pleasure of Restoration and The Plea

We had a recital yesterday from our music school. I was looking around at our community, enjoying Sam’s performance. For those of you who do not know him, Sam is a student of the Bangalore Conservatory. He has autism, somewhat rare condition, in which his brain does not function like everyone ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-18

Denomination: *other

Overcoming Obstacles

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Nov 22, 2012

I. EXORDIUM: Do you have enemies? Are you facing obstacles? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To acknowledge GOD in everything therefore winning any obstacles or hindrances over to GOD. IV. TEXT: 1 Samuel 7:3 (New Livi

I. EXORDIUM: Do you have enemies? Are you facing obstacles? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To acknowledge GOD in everything therefore winning any obstacles or hindrances over to GOD. IV. TEXT: 1 Samuel 7:3 (New Living Translation, Second Edition) Then Samuel said to all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 10:25

Denomination: Pentecostal

Running The Marathon

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Jun 21, 2010

The Christian walk is a long marathon -- don't grow weary, pace yourself, and keep your eyes fixed on our model and Savior Jesus!

“Running the Marathon” Text: Hebrews 12:1-4 © 2007, Sterling C. Franklin Free for your use and encouragement Story/Illustration: In high school, I ran several years of track. At the end of each season, there was a conference meet – a big gathering of schools racing against each ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Deliverance In The Storms Of Life

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Jul 2, 2010

Jesus has power over the wind, the waves, and the storms of life.

Deliverance in the Storms of Life Given at Living Water Evangelical Church December 2008 Main Text: Matthew 8:23-27   Matthew 8:23-27 8:23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 8:24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sharpening The Tools Series

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Apr 23, 2018

We are God's tools. To make us useful, God sharpens us by way of trials.

Ever try to chop a tree down with a dull axe? Abraham Lincoln was quoted to say: "If I had six hours to cut down a tree, I would spend the first fours sharpening the axe." We have heard that analogy before in terms of how we prepare ourselves for a task to be done. But when we come to Christ in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

In God We Trust Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 8, 2018

Faith in God is not immunity from troubles. God builds our trust in Him through the trials of life, not apart from them.

We read of the fall of the Northern Kingdom ISRAEL last week. • When the North falls, King Hezekiah was reigning in the South. We are going to read in the next 3 chapters. Let’s read 2 Kings 18:1-8. King Hezekiah is one of the two good kings in the history of Judah (S). • The other is King ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 18:1-37

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When Lilfe Sucks Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on May 19, 2015

Let's face it - sometimes life just plain sucks. It is, as little Annie sang, a hard knock life.

“Getting Into Shape: When Life Sucks” Job 1:1-2:10; 38:1-3; 42:1-5 Let’s face it – sometimes life just plain sucks; it draws all the energy and strength out of us as we work hard at just trying to survive. Little Annie was right: “It’s a hard knock life.” ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When Trials Become Triumphs

Contributed by Michael Cariño on Sep 6, 2017

When life hits you hard, don’t let it knock you down.

When Trials Become Triumphs When Jason Lester was 12 years old, he was hit by a car and suffered a paralyzed arm. Decades later, he’d be a world-class endurance sports champion. Today, he can swim faster, ride further and run incredible distances as an Ironman and Ultraman, and he does it all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:7-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Present Joy Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 13, 2013

After beginning his letter with hope & encouragement, Peter proceeds with loving counsel for those who are facing trials & suffering. He shares with a suffering church various results that develop out of the trials which God allows to come into our lives.

1 PETER 1: 6-9 [Renewing Hope Series] OUR PRESENT JOY [James 1:2-4 / Romans 5: 3-5] Our faith in Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead not only fills us with a living hope but also with joy inexpressible and full of glory. As we endure the trials of life God refines our faith and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9

Denomination: Baptist

119 - Pt. 4 - Affliction Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Jul 27, 2014

Lengthy and loaded. Confrontational and convicting. All reasons we very seldom (but need to) spend time in the One One Nine!

119 - Pt. 4 I. Introduction It is long. It is lengthy. It is passed over by those who prefer brevity. It is neglected by those who prefer short and sweet. It is shunned by the Reader's Digest crowd. However, in its great length is also has great depth. Multifaceted. It is rich. It is worth the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:67-75

Denomination: Pentecostal

When Everything Falls Apart

Contributed by Chris Mcmillan on Jul 28, 2014

What do you do when everything in your world falls apart?

Introduction: During a transatlantic flight the pilot came over the intercom and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I'm delighted to be your pilot for this plane's flight. I can tell you the flight is going well. Nevertheless, I have to tell you about a minor inconvenience that has occurred. The ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:11-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? Series

Contributed by Chris Mcmillan on Jul 28, 2014

It is inevitable in life that tragedies and pain will occur. However, if God is good why does He allow these bad things to happen to good people?

Introduction: Many years ago, two prominent movie stars died in separate alcohol-related accidents. William Holden died in a drunken fall, hitting his head on a table; Natalie Wood drowned when she fell into the ocean from her yacht. A friend who was close to both of them, actress Stephanie ...read more

Scripture: Job 14:1

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Secrets To Joy In The Midst Of Trials (1 Peter 1:6-9) Series

Contributed by Greg Brown on Aug 2, 2014

Exposition of 1 Peter 1:6-9

Secrets to Joy in the Midst of Trials In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational