Sermons on Facing Difficulties:

Unexpected Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on May 5, 2025

Jesus faced some things that we may see as unexpected as he dined with a Pharisee and welcomed a motley group of followers.

There are a variety of ways in which we set expectations. Sometimes cultural norms - like a handshake or a hug - set certain expectations. Sometimes we have expectations based on tradition - for example how to set a table or what you do on holidays. You may have performance expectations set by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Proceed With Faith And Praise, And Prosper

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jul 7, 2010

The account of Jehosphat's miraculous victory over Moab and Ammon teaches us the benefits of facing every situation with praise and faith toward God.

Proceed With Faith And Praise, And Prosper Copyright © July 2010 by Rev. Donnie L. Martin. All Rights Reserved. Text: 2 Chron. 20:22 I. JEHOSHAPHAT’S BURDENSOME PROBLEM A. Judah’s Enemies Were Preparing To Fight. B. Jehoshaphat Responded With Proclaiming A ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Praying In Great Distress

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Apr 9, 2017

When Jesus was preparing for the greatest ordeal any human would ever face--the one who had never sinned to be cut off from his Heavenly Father--he went to God in great desperation. We can and should do the same when we face the inevitable trials of life.

Matthew 26:36-46 Praying in Great Distress Jesus is our example in all things, and today he shows us how to take our anxious thoughts to God. I heard about a guy who was anxious in his driving. He was cutting off people, weaving in and out of traffic. Then he got inpatient at a yellow light, as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 5:20, 1 Peter 5:7

Denomination: Baptist

The Fight With The Flesh Series

Contributed by Michael Schwer on Feb 14, 2001

This is a two part "problem sovling sermon" on How to overcome sin tendencies in our life. The first sermon focuses on the nature of our flesh.

Romans 7:14-25 The Fight with the Flesh Problem Solving Sermon Part One [Introduction] Main Idea (Message in a Nutshell) Read the Text. Just because we have been saved by Christ doesn’t mean Christians don’t struggle with sin. In fact, the reality is, we find ourselves living by a superior ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

Rising From Defeat PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

The importance of standing firm in faith, obeying God's commands, and understanding the consequences of our sins.

Good morning, family! Today, we'll dive into the lessons found in Joshua 7:10. Our sermon today revolves around three significant themes: the power of faith, the necessity of obedience, and the consequences of sin. In the wise words of A.W. Tozer, "Faith is seeing the invisible, but not the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:10

Topics: Seeking God, Adversity

Why Are We To Prepare Ourselves For Persecution?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Mar 30, 2025

We should not be afraid of what may happen to us because of our faith. Trust in God to help guide us through what we may face.

Why Are We to Prepare Ourselves for Persecution? Matthew 10:16-42 In verses sixteen - eighteen: The resistance of the Pharisees would resemble assaulting wolves. The only expectation that the disciples have is to seek their Shepherd for assurance. We might even confront comparable aggression. Like ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16-42

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Journey

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jun 5, 2022

Pastor Dennis looks at God’s promised presence and rest to the children of Israel on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, and how that same presence and rest of God accompanies us on our journey through the wilderness of this world filled with desolation, trials, difficulties and an enemy.

The Journey Exodus 33:14 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtPCqEgRAZo As Michaela and I were away the other week, I began to meditate upon this Scripture and the journey we are upon as God’s people. It’s a journey that leads us away from the bondage of the world and towards the promises ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:14, Exodus 33:11, Exodus 33:15, Exodus 13:21-22, Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 4:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

Go! And Choose The Path Of Faithfulness - Psalm 119:30 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 21, 2025

I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations. This is not accidental. This is a deliberate act. This is a commitment. This is a declaration of allegiance to the God of truth.

Go! And Choose the Path of Faithfulness - Psalm 119:30 Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, We gather in Your presence with thankful hearts. Thank You for Your Word that is alive, active, and transformative. Lord, speak to us through Your truth. Stir within us a greater hunger for righteousness and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:30, Deuteronomy 8:3, Joshua 24:15, John 17:17, John 1:14, John 6:35, Hebrews 3:6, Romans 5:8, Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 10:17, Psalm 119:105  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Making The Best Of A Bad Situation

Contributed by Kraig Pullam on Feb 17, 2014

God takes the disadvantages of our dead ends and uses them as an opportunity to propel His plan into the spectrum of His greater glory and our greater good, as seen in the discourse between the disciples and Christ prior to His ascension.

Have you ever felt like you were at the end of your rope? - Seeming possibilities--crushed. - Dreams—deferred. - Hopes—handcuffed. - Hands—tied. - Predicaments—problematic. - Vision—diminished. - Life—over We are living in perilous times. And what tends to add ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Keep Rowing!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Oct 9, 2014

May be you are in a situation like in the middle of the sea, fear not, you’re not alone – trust Him to come to your rescue! Keep rowing , keep rowing, keep rowing, until He comes to your rescue – don’t quit!

Keep rowing, keep rowing! Mark 6:48” And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea…” The above text says that Jesus saw the disciples struggle in the midst of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:48

Denomination: Pentecostal

Where Is God When You Need Him?!

Contributed by Rainer Reddy on May 14, 2015

A sermon to encourage and assure during difficult times in life.

Where is God when you need Him? - Have you ever asked yourself that question? [e] - I know I have! - In fact, even as a minister of the Gospel, I have asked that question at times. [e] - Perhaps, this sermon is so much more serious than last week’s one, but sometimes we need to get serious ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:23-24

Denomination: Charismatic

Twelve Ways To Be Transformed By The Renewing Of Our Mind Series

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on May 2, 2008

The Scriptures were not given for our information, but for our transformation. -D. L. Moody-

Twelve Ways to Be Transformed by the Renewing of Our Mind - Rom. 12:1-3 Introduction: The Scriptures were not given for our information, but for our transformation. -D. L. Moody- 1. RESURRENDER - Renewal begins by offering up our whole body, soul, mind and spirit ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3, Romans 12:4-6, Romans 12:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

God's Refinery

Contributed by Chip Blackshear on Jun 2, 2012

Why does God permit pain and suffering? One reason is to help shape us to be more like Christ.

“GOD’S REFINERY” Isaiah 48:1-11 First Presbyterian Church, Corpus Christi, TX Rev. Charles S. Blackshear • April 29, 2012 Have you ever had one of those days when it seems that nothing is going your way? From the time you get up in the morning it’s as if the whole ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 48:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What To Do When Depressed Series

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on Oct 19, 2015

Many times, we have difficulty serving the Lord when we are emotionally depressed and we don't know what to do. In this message, we will discuss the causes and the cures for depression basing from Joshua's experiences in the defeat from Ai.

WHAT TO DO WHEN DEPRESSED SCRIPTURE READING: Joshua 7:1-6 (NIV) "But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things[a]; Achanson of Karmi, the son of Zimri,[b] the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel. 2 Now Joshua ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-6

Denomination: Nazarene

Amazing Grace

Contributed by Mark Roper on Nov 20, 2007

Grace to put the past behind us. Grace to Become what our Lord whould have us be. Grace to face the future.

Amazing Grace 2 Corinthians 8:7 KJV 1. God’s Amazing Grace for Spiritual Warfare We are engaged in a great spiritual battle. Satan’s cannot outright defeat us, but he will work on us until we lose our first love if we allow him. Great sorrow can stun, and it can make you forget the best source ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:7

Denomination: Church Of God