Sermons on Facing Criticism:

When All Seems Hopeless

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Feb 13, 2003

Following the death of Moses and facing the task of conquering a land of fortified cities, Israel experienced a sense of hopelessness. Trust and confidence in God will restore hope in our life.

WHEN ALL SEEMS HOPELESS “Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke unto Joshua saying: ‘Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you, and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, the children of ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Increasing Our Resolve

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Nov 29, 2003

Here are a few guidelines to increasing our resolve that we can glean from the lives of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they faced the wrath of the King and the fiery furnance

Increasing Our Resolve (Dan 3:1-30) In order to overcome the tendency to be impulsive, obsessive or compulsive one needs greater resolve. A person with resolve decides firmly to do something regardless of surrounding circumstances. People who increase in their resolve gain greater mental, ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Wise And The Foolish

Contributed by Ron Hicks on Jul 3, 2006

Is all that religious stuff necessary? The foolish found out, as you will, when the rapture takes place and when you find the door shut in your face.

THE WISE AND THE FOOLISH Matt 25:1-13 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Adopted Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 15, 2009

Like Jesus, God calls us into ministry through our baptism and gives us the things that we need to meet everyone of the challenges we may face.

Mark 1: 4-11 “Adopted” INTRODUCTION We have our challenges cut out for us this year. All of us have been affected by the economic recession. In 2009 we face a depressed housing market, depleted savings, curtailed income and the increased tension of living a hand to mouth existence. We know ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11

Denomination: Lutheran

God, Are You Really Fair? Series

Contributed by Mark Nichols on Sep 27, 2008

When we face difficult times in our lives, we will look around at others who aren’t suffering and ask: God, are you REALY fair?

TEXT: Habakkuk 1:12-2:5 TITLE: God, Are You Really Fair? SERIES: Questions We Ask God TOPIC: Trusting in God OCCASION: Burnside Christian Church, September 14, 2008 PROP.: When we face difficult times in our lives, we will look around at others who aren’t suffering and ask: God, are you ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Conquering Mountains

Contributed by Norbert Garcia on Oct 23, 2009

In life we are faced with obstacles on a daily basis. Many times we cannot conquer them on our own. With God’s help mountains will become molehills.

CONQUERING MOUNTAINS Peaks and valleys. Ups and downs. Mountains and molehills. We use different euphemisms to explain how our life progresses such as peaks and valleys or ups and downs. Life is never simple we all have our good days and our bad days. If we were to plot our life on a graph it ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:30

Denomination: Adventist

Run The Play Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 27, 2008

Teach your teens how to effectively follow through with their commitment to Christ when facing opposition using these three steps gathered from Jehoshaphat’s confrontation.

Opener: Air Guitar Contest Choose contestants that you know will really "ham it up" on stage. Find some music that has a lot of guitar solos. Tell the contestants each will be judged (by the audience’s applause) on how well each can play the "air guitar". Send each contestant in one at a time, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Church That Experiences Joy

Contributed by Gerald Steffy on Sep 10, 2009

A church that experiences joy is a church where the members have made a full surrender to Jesus Christ and are focused on following Him regardless of the circumstances one faces in life.

A CHURCH THAT EXPERIENCES JOY Acts 16:6-15, Philippians 1:1-2, 4:4 Proposition: A church that experiences joy is a church where the members have made a full surrender to Jesus Christ and are focused on following Him regardless of the circumstances one faces in life. Objective: My ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Preserved By The Lord

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 11, 2009

Sermon addresses challenges Americans may face in the future. God’s blessing and preservation of Daniel during a time when the nation of Israel was experiencing judgment is examined.

Preserved by the Lord Daniel 1:1-2 2-1-09 What will our nation look like ten years from now? How will that affect you and me? How will it affect our children and grandchildren? I heard one senator describing the significance of a trillion dollar bailout. He said, “If you began spending one ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-2

Denomination: Charismatic

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 23, 2008

God is not only a fortress and a refuge. God is the only effective fortress and refuge for us as we face the challenges of life and take seriously the call to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 46:1-11 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” INTRODUCTION One of the most popular reformation hymns was based on the words of this psalm. Martin Luther combined the thoughts of this psalm with a popular beer drinking song and wrote the powerful hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” The hymn ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Don't I Know You From Somewhere Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on Feb 22, 2007

The seventh, and final in a series exploring keys to true spiritual freedom and victory in the life of the believer. This message explores facing similar battles multiple times in our lives.

(Extensive inspiration for this message, and this series taken from Francis Frangipane’s "This Day We Fight".) (Video clip – Veggie Tales – David and the Giant Pickle, available at ScreenVue.com) So there we have it. The end of the story, right? At least as we package it for our children. Cute ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 21:15-22

Denomination: Wesleyan

How Can I Live The Life I've Always Longed For? Series

Contributed by Dan Stires on Jan 18, 2007

This is the first sermon in the series of The Quest. Every believer must face the need for the Spirit-filled life. The Holy Spirit will be there to be our Guide in our spiritual walk with God.

“How can I live the Life I’ve always longed for?” Scripture Reading: John 14:15-24 Barna Recaps 2006 Church Trends, Future Directions Christian researcher George Barna has outlined what he considers his most significant findings for the year of 2006. According to Barna, the latest survey ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-24

Denomination: Nazarene

#1 The Truth - Take A Deep Breath And Say It Anyway Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jan 29, 2007

There are plenty of difficult times in life. Some are more breath-taking than others. What do you do when faced with life’s difficult tasks?

21Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” 23He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:21-30

Denomination: United Methodist

Growing Pains Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Feb 11, 2010

As we face various trials in life we must learn to respond appropriately to the work God is doing in us: Embrace your trials and ask for God's help.

Growing Pains James 1:1-8 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Rewards Of Persecution

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Nov 19, 2008

A challenge to live our lives in fuller awareness of those who are suffering and facing death because of their faith in Jesus Christ. (National Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church)

A UKRANIAN BISHOP IS DEPORTED FROM BELARUS FOR “RELIGIOUS ACTIVITES.” TALIBAN GUNMEN SHOOT AND KILL A CHRISTIAN AID WORKER IN KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. ISLAMIC EXTREMEST RANDOMLY KILL 7 CHRISTIANS IN MOSUL, IRAQ. A MAN IN MEXICO KILLS 3 MEMBERS OF A CHRISTIAN FAMILY WHO JUST HAPPENED TO BE HIS ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Free Methodist