Sermons on Difficulties:

How To Follow Jesus--Though Persecuted Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jun 8, 2021

How we regard difficulties and persecutions will have everything to do with whether we respond positively or negatively to them. Surprising to us, the very things designed by men to destroy faith cause it to thrive, when we have a godly attitude.

Jeanie and I recently read a book with a provocative name—The Insanity of God—by the pseudonymous author Nip Ripken. Of course, the title elicits the question, what is insane about God—a question the author never directly answers, but only becomes evident upon contemplation of his message. It ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-11

Denomination: Bible Church

Jesus Calmed The Storm

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 15, 2021

Jesus and His disciples were on a literal sea, facing a real storm; It represents the trials and difficulties we experience. All of us are, at times, storm-tossed and feel we're going under. Look to the Master of the Storms!

JESUS CALMED THE STORM Mark 4:35-41 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A doctor called a man into his office and said, "I've got some bad news and some worse news. The bad news is, you have a terminal disease and have only 10 days to live." 2. The man looked at him in astonishment ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Goodness Of God

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Feb 15, 2023

Many people, including Christians, struggle greatly with the Goodness of God. They get their ideas about Him from circumstances and difficulties, rather than from the life of Jesus Christ. This message can help refocus people to the considering the proper evidence.

The Goodness of God Pastor Eric J. Hanson January 29, 2023 Read Matthew 19:16-17a. One of the first childhood prayers that many of us learned, went like this: “God is good. God is great. Let us thank Him for this food. Amen.” It is easy to smile, remembering the childlike simplicity of this little ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Message 12 - 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5:18 – Giving Thanks In Everything; Rejoicing With Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 31, 2022

When Paul said to give thanks in everything he meant it, and he did just that; thanks in persecution, thanks in every difficulty; thanks for His fellow Christians and workmen. Thanks and rejoicing go together and they are considered in this message.

MESSAGE 12 - 1 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 5:18 – GIVING THANKS IN EVERYTHING; REJOICING WITH THANKSGIVING {{1Thessalonians 5:18 “In EVERYTHING give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”}} [A]. WHAT IS EVERYTHING? That is challenging. “Everything” is everything. We all know ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Genesis 3:12, Luke 18:11, 1 Timothy 2:1, Colossians 4:2, Philippians 4:6, Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 3:17, Hebrews 13:15, Acts 5:40-41, Acts 16:22-25, Luke 8:22-25, Romans 16:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"that's All I Want!"

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Mar 2, 2020

Yes, the 23rd Psalm sustains us in hours of difficulty & trial. But I would like to consider it in a slightly different way this morning. I’d like you to see in this psalm three great reasons to be thankful to God.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: Psalm 23; Philippians 4:11-12 For nearly 30 centuries the 23rd Psalm has been one of the best known ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:24-25, Philippians 4:11-12, Psalm 32:6-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bearing One Another’s Burdens

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jan 25, 2025

As Christians, we are called to demonstrate love, compassion, and solidarity with one another, especially in times of difficulty. Bearing one another’s burdens means coming alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ to support them emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

Title: BEARING ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Galatians 6:2 "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Supporting Texts: Romans 15:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 1 Corinthians 12:25-26; Philippians 2:4 INTRODUCTION: As Christians, we are ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:2, Romans 15:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, 1 Corinthians 12:25-26, Philippians 2:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Narrow And Difficult Way Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 20, 2024

There are two separate gates that lead to two separate ways, or roads. One way leads to blessing and the other way to difficulty. So, which way, or which road, leads to life and blessing? The correct way is Jesus (John 14:6).

When I was in my twenties, I was an avid cave explorer. Now, I just watch caving videos on YouTube. It is interesting how spelunkers will naturally follow a large wide-open passage first. They will bypass numerous smaller ones, all because the larger one does not involve hunching over or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Evidence Of Spiritual Strength Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 14, 2021

Paul is wrapping up his encouragement letter to the Philippians by acknowledging their genuine concern for him, and by reminding them that circumstances have no power of his perspective--he knows that Christ in us is greater than any difficulty this world can produce.

I. Intro: GODZILLA MEAT! A. Want to be as strong as Godzilla?  Eat Godzilla Meat!  “Godzilla Meat—actually 3.5 ounces of corned beef from Tokyo toy maker Takara Company—is packaged with pictures of the stomping, fire-breathing, irradiated dinosaur made famous by movies that started ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-13

Broken, Worn Out, Old Clay Pots

Contributed by Paul Dietz on Jun 19, 2008

I used this sermon as one of several in a series on Clay Pots (Earthen Vessels). This was the one I used on Father’s Day during that series.

I recently came across a Chinese parable that eludes to our thoughts for today’s text. It’s a tale about a water-bearer and his two pots of clay. An elderly peasant had two large clay pots. One of the pots had a crack down its side to a point about half way. The other pot, perfect! Each had been ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, Leviticus 15:12, 2 Corinthians 4:7

Denomination: *other

Christ In You - The Hope Of Glory

Contributed by C Jordan on Jan 17, 2009

The Bible talks about Christ in you, the hope of glory. What does that mean? And if we really believed that, how could it transform our lives?

CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY OPENING TEXT: “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:24-27

Denomination: *other

Down But Never Out

Contributed by James May on Jan 31, 2010

Peter's sifting was no match for Jesus' prayer. God's plan is for His people to always overcome every trial and every test that the devil can send against us.

Down But Never Out Sunday a.m., January 31, 2010 By Pastor James May This has been a week that I will long remember. There are some things that come along in life that will tend to stretch, bend, twist and break your faith. For the Reed Family in particular, this has been one of those weeks. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-33

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Trial Of Our Christian Faith

Contributed by Craig Condon on Sep 10, 2015

When we talk to the genuinely curious, we show God’s love. We show that we want to be with God and want others to be with him. We will love the things and people that he loves. We will hate the things and people that he hates. We will love others.

The reading we heard from John 5:30-47 a few minutes ago takes place during a “trial”, but it was not held in a courtroom. Jesus had just healed the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethsaida, and the healing took place on the Jewish Sabbath. The Jews had strict rules about what could and ...read more

Scripture: John 5:30-47

Denomination: Anglican

Keerthi

Contributed by Bala Samson on Nov 25, 2015

Every pain in your life has a purpose! Don’t worry!

Keerthi! Genesis 45:5”And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.”’’ ‘Keerthi’ means ‘fame’ in telugu and in tamil and this is the name of one of my students who joined ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

When The Way Gets Rough, Turn To Jesus!

Contributed by Bob Phillips on Jun 2, 2014

Try to remember that no matter what Satan, the world, or this life throws at you, turn to the one who can see you through it all, and never give up on his promise to never leave or forsake you.

There is a saying that “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”. Job could have been the one who started that saying. He truly bore more grief and pain than we can imagine. Vs 2: Even today is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. Vs 3: Oh that I knew ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:2-10

Denomination: Baptist

Happy Living In Crete

Contributed by Don Emmitte on Jul 1, 2014

Titus was miserable in Crete, writing to Paul, the title might have been “How to Make the Best of a Bad Situation.” I have decided to title this message Happy Living in Crete.

Happy Living in Crete Titus 1:1-15 Sermon by Don Emmitte, Grace Restoration Ministries The little book of Titus covers just a few pages in most Bibles. There are lots of questions about this relatively ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-15

Denomination: Baptist