Sermons on Difficulty:

Weathering The Weather

Contributed by Perry Greene on May 21, 2013

In light of the tornadoes of May 20, 2013, this lesson is an attempt to keep us focused on God in the midst of the storms.

1, It is Well with My Soul "It Is Well with My Soul" is a very influential hymn penned by hymnist Horatio Spafford and composed by Philip Bliss. This hymn was written after several traumatic events in Spafford¡¯s life. The first was the death of his only son in 1871, shortly followed by the great ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Hardships Work For Good

Contributed by Greg Nance on May 25, 2013

Acts 5 gives us two cases where the church faced hardship. One was internal and the other was external. Both were used by God for the good of the church. How can that happen for us today?

(Read Acts 5 with slides) What does it take to ruin a church? What does it take to stop God? Acts 5 gives us two stories about threats to the church, one from the inside and the other from the outside. First. The threat from the inside produced two deaths and great fear upon the whole ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Trials Expected & Conquered

Contributed by John Gaston on May 28, 2013

The worst harm that can come to us, comes when we don't expect it. Believers should never be blindsided by trials. We are going to look at why trials should be expected, that they will not destroy believers, and the secret to conquering trials.

TRIALS EXPECTED & CONQUERED Isa. 43:1-3 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: “SOMETIMES WE REPEAT MISTAKES” 1. Two men went to Alaska elk hunting. When the small plane came to pick them up, they wanted to load the two Elks into it. 2. The pilot said, "They’re too heavy! If we put them in the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Trials And Temptations Series

Contributed by Brian Stephens on May 31, 2013

This is the second part of a two part series titled, Trials and Temptations.

Trials & Temptations - Week 2 June 2 , 2013 We are in the second week of a 2 part series on trials and temptations Todays scripture is something that we ALL BATTLE with on a daily basis. There are things and people that influence you and me for the wrong reason and the wrong ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-18

Denomination: Nazarene

Midnight

Contributed by Gregory J Brice on Jul 22, 2013

How God changes our gloomy outlooks on life into bright, sun shining days.

I am convinced that the safest place in the world is in the center of God’s will. You will never find a place more secure than being in the center of God’s will for your life. At the same time, I am also convinced that the center of God’s will; though it is the safest place, it is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:23-25

Denomination: Baptist

What To Expect Leading Up To Jesus' Return?

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 12, 2020

Who is winning? Churches stand empty or partially filled as compared to last year. How does Jesus expect us to make it through? "Look around and listen!" told his disciples and tells us.

As Jesus and his disciples were walking through the busy city of Jerusalem, the disciples began to comment how impressive this place was. No matter how many times they had been there before, they couldn’t help but be amazed by the great structures that surrounded them: Herod’s palace, the mighty ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

"How God Tests Our Faith?” (Paano Pinatatatag Ang Ating Pananampalataya?) Part_1 Series

Contributed by Ritchie Guerrero on Oct 15, 2020

James 1:3-4 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Santiago 1:3 MBBTAG (3 Dapat ninyong malaman na nagiging matatag ang inyong pananampalataya sa pamamagitan ng mga pagsubok. 4 At dapat kayong magpakatatag hanggang wakas upang kayo'y maging ganap at walang pagkukulang.) James 1:3-4 ESV 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if ...read more

Scripture: James 1:3-4, Hebrews 11:6, 1 Peter 1:6-7, James 1:2, Hebrews 11:8, Matthew 9:29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

After The Storm

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jun 27, 2021

In Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem entitled “The Rainy Day” we find this famous line which says “Into each life some rain must fall” meaning that everyone will experience difficulty and heartache at some point.

After the Storm By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - In Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem entitled “The Rainy Day” we find this famous line which says “Into each life some rain must fall” meaning that everyone will experience difficulty and heartache at some point. Matthew 5:45 says ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-40, Matthew 5:45, Isaiah 43:2

Denomination: Apostolic

Little Chunks Of Doubt

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 17, 2022

Often what we perceive as doubt is not really that severe. We experience times in which faith in Christ seems overwhelmingly demanding.

We may cluck our tongues and roll our eyes at Thomas in this snippet from John’s Gospel. “How can the unanimous testimony,” we wonder, “of those who saw Jesus that Easter evening still leave Thomas, absent without leave then, in doubt of the Resurrection?” At first glance he just looks irreparably ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:9-19, Acts 5:12-15, Matthew 28:16-18, Matthew 24:12-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Why Is The Resurrection So Difficult To Believe? Series

Contributed by Danny Moss on Apr 9, 2004

This sermon explains why the disciples had a difficult time believing in the Resurrection, and why we, today, also have difficulty bel- ieving in it.

SERIES ON PASSION WEEK EASTER SUNDAY-"Why Is The Resurrection So Difficult to Believe?" Text-Acts 26:1-32 Introduction- You will recognize that what I have just read was the Apostle Paul’s defense of the Christian faith before King Agrippa. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

Life Can Be Tough

Contributed by John Ruland on Sep 15, 2010

As we encounter difficulties in life, it will help us to remember the big picture. First, God is our Father and has a wonderful eternal plan for us.

Life Can Be Tough JOHN 16:33 ICB 33 "I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble. But be brave! I have defeated the world!" Jesus never promised us that everything would be perfect here on earth. He recognized that we would encounter trouble. ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Call To Be Faithful Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jun 4, 2008

In your difficulty if you ever start to wonder, does anybody really know what I am going through, be assured Jesus does.

Maybe right now you are undergoing suffering and hardship. You may recently have had the painful experience of being slandered. It may have come just for the simple reason you are a Christian standing on God’s principles. In your difficulty if you ever start to wonder, does anybody really know ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

I'm On My Way To Victory!

Contributed by Rev. M Edmunds on Apr 9, 2005

If you desire the victory over the difficulties and the obstacles you face in the pursuit of your purpose and destiny, then follow God’s plan for your life.

Due to the brevity of time we have together this morning, I am unable to explain this text in an unreserved and methodical way for you to receive the richness of its essence. However, I will not rob you this morning of our text central campaign or preface of Israel’s first conquest of Jericho. For ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Unknown Quality Of Love Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 13, 2006

Believe it or not, love is hard for the world to define. Even psychology and psychiatry have difficulty explaining it. But God doesn’t. Why is that so?

OPEN: A visiting Revivalist was impressed by an older couple in the church where he was holding Revival. The wife seemed to be half-turned toward her husband holding both his hands in hers. Every time he looked toward them he was impressed by the fact they were holding hands. After the service ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prayer Is For Weak People Series

Contributed by Dan Jackson on Jul 3, 2006

Life’s difficulties are often the Father’s appointed paths to spiritual maturity. The positive way forward in difficult and painful circumstances is the way of prayer.

An airliner was bound for New York City. The flight was routine until the pilot began the descent. Then he realizes that the landing gear would not engage. Working the controls back and forth, he tried again and again to lock the gear into place. No success. He circled the landing field, getting ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-20