Sermons on Difficulty:

Message 8 - 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5 – Persecution, Discipline And Tribulation; What’s The Difference? – Part 2 (Verse 9) Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 30, 2022

What is the difference between God’s wrath and God’s discipline? We look into tribulation, persecution and discipline, and look at 4 reasons Christians can have difficulties. Remember this – godly living produces persecution. Trees standing against the wind have the strongest trunks.

MESSAGE 8 - 1 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 5 – PERSECUTION, DISCIPLINE AND TRIBULATION; WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? – PART 2 (Verse 9) REVISION FROM PART 1 We have been examining 1Thessalonians 5:9 and looking at the wrath of God. This is our focus verse again for Part 2 of the study on this verse – ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 2 Timothy 3:12, John 3:36, Hebrews 12:5-11, Psalm 119:67-68, Psalm 119:71, Psalm 25:18, Psalm 22:24, 2 Timothy 2:3-5, Romans 5:2-5, Matthew 5:10-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Joy: Against All Odds!" Series

Contributed by Rick Finitzer on Jul 19, 2015

Biblical joy comes from a heart yielded to God and the Holy Spirit understanding the One who rules our life loves and cares for us deeply using whatever we are going through to either perfect the image of Christ in us or to bring Himself glory!

Cornerstone Church 7.19.15 “JOY: AGAINST ALL ODDS” Philippians 1:12-30 Last week we began our look at the Book ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

Denomination: Evangelical Free

You & The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - Pt. 2 - Shake It Off! Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Feb 23, 2015

It has been one of those days! You have had one, right? Things just can't seem to get any worse and then . . . they do! It feels like every day is a Monday. So what do you do?

I. Introduction In the 60's the Mamas and Papas may have most accurately captured the sentiment of the concept of getting a "Case of the Mondays". Monday, Monday, can't trust that day Monday, Monday, sometimes it just turns out that way Oh, Monday morning, you gave me no warning of what was to ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Revealed By The Fire

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 14, 2015

Pain teaches great lessons. Perhaps you have heard: TIME WILL TELL? I guess the FIRE WILL TELL? Every man's work shall be made manifest: because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

REVEALED BY THE FIRE... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Thanks for Dr. Garry Brackett putting me on this trail of thought. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. THERE IS A ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Deserted And Disowned Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 28, 2014

When life takes an unexpected turn, trust in God's plan and don't be faithless and desert, denounce, or disown Jesus; but if you already have, trust in God's grace.

Ivan Misner, in his book The World's Best Known Marketing Secrets, tells the story of a San Diego bank, which hired a private investigator to track down a bank robber and retrieve stolen funds. The search led to Mexico. The investigator crossed the border and then, realizing he would need a Spanish ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:43-72

Denomination: Evangelical Free

God's Indescribable Gift – A Gift Worth Receiving Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Nov 16, 2006

God’s gift alone is stronger than the hate and despair that mockingly stands in opposition against “peace on earth good will to men.” Whatever the difficulty we may face in these days approaching Christmas 2005 God’s gift, the gift of His one and only So

GOD’S INDESCRIBABLE GIFT – A Gift Worth Receiving Luke 2:21-33 INTRODUCTION: Video Clip: I Heard the Bells (1:47) I heard the bells on Christmas day, their old familiar carols play And wild and sweet the word repeat of peace on earth, good will to men . . . And in despair I bowed my head: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Hope In The Midst Of Battle

Contributed by Danny Anderson on Oct 28, 2006

This psalm draws a picture of a raging battle. From David’s own words, we see that he is undergoing a tremendous battle. His life is wreaked with chaos and difficulty. Yet, as we read through it, we begin to see that even in the midst of the raging battle

Hope In The Midst of Battle Text: Psalm 27:1-6 Introduction: Are you struggling today? Do you feel your whole life is being wrecked by ongoing spiritual battles? Do you wish Satan would go pick on somebody else for a while? Do you need some inner peace and comfort? Do you wish you could just ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Facing Our Giants

Contributed by Daniel Wheat on May 29, 2009

We all have difficulties in life. I would go so far as to say that some of them look insurmountable and impassable. They take the form of a giant of an issue. And there are times when we feel defeated before even getting to the battle. And those who we re

Facing Our Giants 1 Samuel 17:38-47 Introduction: We all have difficulties in life. I would go so far as to say that some of them look insurmountable and impassable. They take the form of a giant of an issue. And there are times when we feel defeated before even getting to the battle. And those who ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:38-47

Denomination: Pentecostal

Completing The Task

Contributed by John Visser on Jun 10, 2009

There may be difficulties, personally and corporately because we never know what is coming, that is a part of life. Yet, Paul goes on to say, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Je

Acts 20: 22-24 – Completing the Task Paul speaking his farewell to the Ephesians elders, “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:20-24

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why The Inner Circle Fights

Contributed by Raymond Watson on Jan 27, 2009

Did you ever run into difficulty with those that are close to you? Did you ever think that you were the only one that this happened to. Well you are not alone, that same thing happened to Moses and the God’s Word can show light on why this happens.

There have been many times that leaders have faced criticism from those that are closest to them. Just when things seem to be going right a left hook, out of nowhere puts things out of whack. There are many times that the leader looks to stop and give up. Others put on determination and ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Be Afraid - Only Believe Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 6, 2006

Does Jesus have authority over the difficulties in your life? What if God doesn’t seem to answer your prayers on time, do you still trust Him? In this study we see Jesus take authority over the powers of darkness and death itself.

The last half of Luke 8 gives us two incredible stories of Jesus combating the forces allied against humanity - the hosts of darkness under the control of Satan, and darkness itself: death. Just before this episode, Luke records for us Jesus’ control over the elements as He calmed the wind storm ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-56

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Intimacy & Agony Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 23, 2012

How do you handle impending doom? You know, those times when something bad is happening and it's about to get much worse? Jesus faced the ultimate in impending doom in the Garden of Gethsemane. How He handled it is a model for us in times of difficulty.

The stage has been set, the lights have dimmed. The players have taken their places and learned their lines. All the blocking is complete and the production of Jesus’ crucifixion is ready to begin. From Chapter 14 verse 12 the action is nearly non-stop leading to the betrayal, arrest, trial, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:12-42

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

God Our Rescuer - God Our King Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 24, 2012

Psalms 2 & 3 show us that God is in charge no matter how the human default condition of rebellion tries to get in the way. They also show us that when faced with difficulty there are four things we do naturally that make our troubles worse, and four ways

Our world today is moving faster and faster away from faith in God. In fact, the very existence of God is regularly called into question. In every part of our culture you are marked as narrow-minded, ignorant, uncool, hateful, bigoted, and foolish for trusting in Jesus Christ as your Savior. ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Take Your Burden To The Lord: A Lesson In Prayer

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 6, 2021

The Old Testament stateman Nehemiah heard of the difficulties that his fellow Jews were having in rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple after the time of exile in Babylon. His plans and burdens were brought before the LORD and were answered. So, what's our excuse?

The Old Testament story of Nehemiah presents his account of life and service in the royal court of the Persian Emperor Artaxerxes around 445-444 B.C., and how, upon hearing of the plight of his fellow Jews as they were in the process of rebuilding Jerusalem along with a new Temple for the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11, Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Christian: What Kind Of Disciple Are You? Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 6, 2022

How can we be better disciples? 1. Avoid distractions (vs. 17-21, 23). 2. Accept the difficulties of following Jesus (vs. 22-23). 3. Avoid pointless disputes (vs. 24). 4. Live with Christlike devotion (vs. 25-28).

Christian: What Kind of Disciple Are You? The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 20:17-28 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared December 6, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 20:17. In this verse of Scripture, Jesus has started His trip to Jerusalem to die on the cross for our sins. And by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:17-28

Denomination: Baptist