Sermons on Facing Difficulties:

It Goes With The Job!

Contributed by Cooper Abrams Iii on Sep 24, 2001

This message is directed to pastors and preachers and explains that difficulties are normal in the ministry.

IT GOES WITH THE JOB! PHIL. 1:12-18 By Cooper Abrams INTRO: This message is for preachers, missionaries and those who serve the Lord. It comes from the Apostle Paul a preacher God chose to write most of the New Testament. There is often a misunderstanding concerning the reality of the what ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

How To Benefit From Trials Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Feb 7, 2015

Suffering trials is a strange place to find anyone rejoicing, yet that is the surprising instruction of God for us in Christ.

At the heart of the gospel is the amazing truth of how God is willing to suffer to redeem us. Jesus experienced firsthand the greatest human trial imaginable. He endured being betrayed by on of the 12 apostles, deserted by all his closest friends and followers, falsely accused, being mocked and ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Handle Tragedy

Contributed by Michael Luke on Oct 2, 2011

Four principles that help us deal with tragedy

“HOW TO HANDLE TRAGEDY” SELECTED PASSAGES OPEN The Poisonwood Bible is a novel written by Barbara Kingsolver. It’s about a family who in 1959 move from the state of Georgia in the USA to a small village in the Belgian Congo to swerve as missionaries. The family is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

All Means All

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Sep 21, 2015

When Paul says "all things work together for good," does he really mean all?

Dr. James Dobson wrote a book in 1997 entitled When God Doesn’t Make Sense. The book was written for anyone struggling with trials and heartaches—the death of a loved one, disease, divorce, rejection—in the hopes of understanding the meaning of suffering in the world. He ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-39

Denomination: Methodist

Making Sense Of Life Prt 1- The Problem Of Evil

Contributed by Brian Williams on Aug 14, 2023

The existence of evil is one of the most vexing challenges a Christian—or any person for that matter, must grapple with.

Making Sense of Life The Problem of Evil - Part 1 13 Aug 2023 When trying to reconcile the existence of a good and all-powerful God and the problem of evil, it can be a difficult conversation. One doesn’t need a Ph.D. in theology or philosophy to realize something is desperately wrong with the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Speechless (So You Had A Bad Day?)

Contributed by C Jordan on Apr 27, 2008

Even though the Christian life is primarily characterized by abundant life and joy, there are seasons where the Lord allows us to go through dark valleys. It is often during those wilderness times that we encounter God, and our faith is strengthened.

SPEECHLESS (SO YOU HAD A BAD DAY?) OPENING TEXT: “Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways, and how small a whisper we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26:14). INTRO: Personal story & search for God in the midst of suffering. • The sewer backup in our ...read more

Scripture: Job 26:14

Denomination: *other

The Right Approach For The Approaching Storm Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Oct 6, 2009

How to prepare for the storms that are on the horizon.

SAILING THROUGH THE STORMS Part 1 The Right Approach for the Approaching Storm March 15, 2009 Pastor Brian Matherlee Introduction During the recent snow storm we had where the snow melted and then would refreeze overnight a man was relating how he used his seven-year-old son’s baseball bat to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 12:32

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Tests Of Provety & Prosperity Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Aug 10, 2009

Tests are common to life. Having discussed the testings of faith & the resources needed to meet them, he now introduces two of the most common examples of testing: the test of poverty & the test of prosperity.

JAMES 1:9-11 THE TESTS OF POVERTY AND PROSPERITY [Luke 16: 20-31] Tests are common to life. James having discussed the testings of faith (2-4) and the resources needed to meet them (5-8) now introduces two of the most common examples of testing: the test of poverty (1:9) and the test of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

Ups And Downs

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on May 25, 2013

Be aware that we go through various cycles in our Christian walk.

Ups and downs 2 Corinthians 4:8 - We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Be aware that we go through various cycles in our Christian walk. There are times when we are strong and on fire for God, but there are also times when we are weak. This is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8

Denomination: Charismatic

Jephthah: If Your Life Is One Big Mess Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Dec 7, 2009

This is the 5th sermon in a series on Judges dealing mainly with Jephthah (judges 10-12) and also mentioning Tola and Jair.

If your life is one big mess… Tola, Jair, Jepthah Judges 10:1 – 12:7 Romans 9:20-24, II Cor. 4:7-12, II Timothy 2:20-21 November 1, 2009 INTRODUCTION: Is your life a mess? Jephtha’s was! His story is one of the longest of all the Judges… and it’s not because of his accomplishments. It’s ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Learning To Lift Weights"

Contributed by David Henderson on Dec 22, 2015

Trials are hard but getting through them brings joy.

Objects: A set of dumbbells or some type of weightlifting equipment. Scripture: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith makes us stronger. James 1:2-3 I decided about 6 months ago that I wanted to try to get in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Bootcamp

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Nov 8, 2011

Perhaps the greatest lessons I learned about life came during Marine Corps bootcamp, Paris Island, the Summer of 1978. Christians need bootcamp too.

(All my sermons use illustrations found at www.sermoncentral.com and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted.) SPIRITUAL BOOTCAMP When I was young I was a very active kid, I am sure many of you were as well. We may have to strain a little to remember those days, but most all of us could not ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Job: A Man Tried And True

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jul 7, 2010

Using the life of Job as a backdrop, this message asked the question: "What would it take to make you stop serving God?"

JOB: A MAN TRIED AND TRUE Copyright © July 2010 by Rev. Donnie L. Martin. All Rights Reserved. Text: Job 19:25-27 I. JOB’S CHARACTERISTICS A. He Was A Godly Man. B. He Was A Great Man. II. SATAN’S CONTROVERSY A. God Questions Satan. B. Satan Questions Job’s ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:25-27

Denomination: Baptist

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait Series

Contributed by Harold Laubach Jr on Nov 2, 2011

Sermon on patience as taught by the book of James chapter 5.

If you noticed the title of this week’s sermon, you may have realized you’ve heard that phrase before. Or what about this one, “Patience is a Virtue”? Well it turns out those phrases have some biblical significance. And it also turns out they are usually true. Let’s ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-11

Denomination: Salvation Army

Christian Wrestling

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Apr 18, 2013

Wrestling is a challenging sport. It takes strength, endurance and real self-sacrifice. These guys train and work out hours each day to stay in shape. I’m sure they have a diet they stick too without compromise. It’s what they live and breathe

Christian wrestling Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12-17

Denomination: Baptist