Sermons on enduring hardship:

Surviving Dark Valleys Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Oct 18, 2004

5th in a 6 part series on surviving stress. This series uses the popular "Survivor" TV show as a "hook" and Psalm 23 as the Biblical foundation.

SURVIVING DARK VALLEYS Psalm 23:4 INTRODUCTION: (Play 2:40 & fade of “Tears of Heaven” by Eric Clapton - lyrics on powerpoint) I am a fan of Eric Clapton’s music but until this week I didn’t know what motivated Eric to write the song we just heard. “Tears of Heaven” won Eric Clapton a 1993 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Denomination: Christian Church

Psalm 40- A Righteous Response To Hurt And Hardship

Contributed by Jeremy Long on Feb 18, 2023

Man will hurt us, but God will heal us. David gives us a roadmap to making sure we stay focused on God and His purpose through even the toughest times.

Psalm 40:11-17 11 Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord; Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me. 12 For innumerable evils have surrounded me; My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up; They are more than the hairs of my head; ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:11-17, Matthew 24:35

Denomination: *other

What Does The Bible Say About Hardship? Series

Contributed by Michael Monica on Jul 31, 2021

What Does the Bible Say About Hardship?

James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. John 15:18-20 “If the world hates you, know ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prune Till You Bloom

Contributed by Thomas Miller on Dec 30, 2004

Most believers think that God is mad at them, when it’s only His loving hand that strips away the dead works of flesh to reveal the fruit that will never perish

Prune until you bloom I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn’t bear fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful, (John 15:1-2). Most believers think that God is mad at them, when ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Storms Of Life Series

Contributed by J.d. Tutell on Jul 25, 2011

As Paul goes through the storm in Acts 27 he is an example of who to go through the storm properly and how to be a blessing to others during the storm.

Illustration: Test pilots have a litmus test for evaluating problems. When something goes wrong, they ask, "Is this thing still flying?" If the answer is yes, then there’s no immediate danger, no need to overreact. When Apollo 12 took off, the spacecraft was hit by lightning. The entire ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:13-26

Denomination: Baptist

Ain't Your Day

Contributed by Bo Dunford on Feb 17, 2009

Some days just don’t go the way they should.

JOB 1:6; 13; 2:1; 3:1 “AIN’T YOUR DAY” A) Story of an Indian lying in the middle of the road with his ear pressed to the ground! * The Indian was mumbling these words: “Truck, Chevy truck, Chevy pick up truck, large tires, man driving, German shepherd in front seat .......” * “Loaded with ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Having A Spiritual Slump?

Contributed by Carol Patterson on Jun 9, 2008

What to do in a "spiritual slump"

June 8, 2008 “When we lose our Way” I Samuel 27:1-12 Intro: Review story and comment about David being in a spiritual ‘slump’ Bible heroes had spiritual “slump” We have spiritual “slump” What do we do when we are spiritually “slumped”? I. Faith isn’t based on feelings Habakkuk 2:4 Habakkuk was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 27:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Why Do Christians Suffer?

Contributed by James Thibodeaux on Oct 29, 2021

The only thing I can think of is this, we who have been called to this great purpose of conformity to the image of Christ will for that reason also be called to suffer with Christ.

Intro: When writing this message, not to long ago, I had a conversation with a lady who lives here In the trailer park where I live. I was cutting her yard for her because she was hurt 2 weeks ago and could not do so and asked me to cut the lawn for her till she gets better. When she came to pay ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10

Denomination: Baptist

Authentic Servants Of God Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on May 3, 2023

Paul took us on a look at the message of the Gospel, its messengers, ministry and our trust in the Master of the work of the Gospel. He helped us understand the endurance we need, the character and nature of the ministry.

2 Cor 6:3-13 Authentic Servants of God Paul has been writing in answer to his critics and in defence of his ministry. • This was necessary because false teachers had sown discord among them, challenging Paul’s authority, questioning his motive in ministry and casting doubt on his character. • Why ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:3-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Faithful Saying Series

Contributed by Terry Denis on Jan 29, 2021

A very interesting Bible passage is found in 2 Timothy 2:11-13 and it begins with the phrase: “This is a faithful saying”.

A Faithful Saying Text: 2 Timothy 2:11-13 There is an encouraging Bible passage found in 2 Timothy 2:11-13l, beginning with the sentence, 'This is a faithful saying.' Reading the verse, you will notice that this passage is indented. It is similar to the verses that we read in the book of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:11-13, 2 Peter 2:20-22, Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:26-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Surviving The Setbacks And Storms Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 19, 2009

Life is that life is filled with setbacks and storms. Life is hard sometimes. We’re all going to suffer and it hurts, it’s no fun but it’s something we will all have to go through. But the other truth for you this morning is that we can overcome. We can s

Surviving the Setbacks and Storms Philippians 4:6-7 Any of you who have ever played a board game know that one of the most important things to remember is the rules. In fact, most family arguments occurring during a board game are over disputes about the rules. If you don’t know the rules, the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: Methodist

Do Your Best

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Oct 9, 2013

Paul tells Timothy you need to do your best at proclaiming the Gospel, practicing endurance, avoiding arguments, rightly dividing the Word, and pursuing purity I order to win souls.

Do your Best 1. First Paul tells Timothy that you have to do your best A. Do your best at presenting yourself as one approved by God 2 Timothy 2:15. Do not be ashamed, but rightly explain the word of truth. B. Paul tells Timothy to do your best at being an ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:8-22

Denomination: Methodist

"unshakeable - Forging Strength In The Fires Of Adversity"

Contributed by Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr. on Jul 29, 2024

In a world filled with challenges and trials, we are called to stand firm in our faith, finding joy and growth even in the midst of hardship.

Focal Scripture: James 1:2-4 (CSB) "Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Other

The Trying Of Your Faith

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 9, 2006

How to respond to hardships and disappointments and actually benefit from the process.

The Trying of Your Faith 1 Peter 1:1-9[1] 8-07-05 Intro During our teaching from the book of Judges[2] we talked a lot about trouble that comes as a consequence of sin. The recurring cycle in that book involved God sending trouble to correct Israel’s disobedience –the chastening of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Denomination: Charismatic

What To Do With A Bum Knee Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 30, 2006

To develop a more finely-tuned attitude toward hardships and to develop a plan that will help to regularly grow through events that stretch us

1. Title: What To Do With a Bum Knee 2. Text: Hebrews 12:4-13 (12:3-29) 3. Audience: Villa Heights Christian Church, AM crowd. September 17, 2006, in the series “Nothing Better Than The Best” 4. Objectives: -for the people to understand how difficulties are used by God for our good; what a right ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:4-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ