Sermons on faith in tough times: showing 91-105 of 204,961

When The Going Is Tough Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Apr 21, 2015

A first-person sermon of Joseph his life story and learnings with his brothers.

“Getting Into Shape: When the Going Gets Tough” Gen. 45:1-8 & 50:15-26 Oh my dear brothers. As much as I have trusted God throughout these years, I admit I never envisioned such a glorious reunion, let alone being together to bury our father. It’s been so long since we’ve ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Answering A Tough Question

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jul 29, 2010

Here is the parable of the sower, which we have typically spiritualized to death. What is the bottom line principle exposed in this parable?

Passage: Matthew 13:10-17 Intro: Let’s just dive right into this fascinating and tough passage. 1. right in the middle of the parable and explanation of God’s revelational plan 2. soils, hard to soft, barren to fertile. 3. so the disciples, after this first parable, wonder why ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:10-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Jesus Talking Tough

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 1, 2016

Let’s examine Luke 14:25-33 and the cost of being a disciple.

Intro If church size is more important than faithfulness to Jesus, then here are 5 ways to build a mega church. 1) Promise that obedience to Jesus will improve your worldly stature. 2) Promise that people will not have to carry their own cross, because Jesus did. 3) Tell them not to use their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Tough Promise To Keep Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Feb 7, 2016

This message looks at the story of the Vow of Jephthah, what he could learn looking back, and what we can learn looking ahead.

A Tough Promise to Keep Have you ever made a promise you regretted? Given your word and then realized the price was way too high but couldn’t find a graceful way to back out? Happened different times in the bible. Herod had John the Baptist arrested because John wouldn’t stop harping ...read more

Scripture: Judges 11:29-40

Denomination: Wesleyan

Takling Tough Prophecy

Contributed by Michael Durst on Jan 26, 2006

An in depth look into Hosea and what he has to say about us fulfilling our part of the covenant.

How many of you here this morning have ever had a speeding ticket? How many of you had to go to court for that ticket? Well, I certainly remember my one and only ticket. I was 17 years old and a senior in high school. I was taking a college class at Old Dominican each morning and so every day ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:1-13

Denomination: Holiness

Preparing For A Tough Job Series

Contributed by Richard White on Jun 4, 2004

We see the task, we have to move on it soon. But we have to get it past some difficult people.

Preparing for a tough job Nehemiah 2, Proverbs 21 PR 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. 2 All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. 3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-10, Proverbs 21:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Tough Love

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 23, 2018

If you want to grow to full maturity in life, respect God's discipline; don't reject it.

A mechanic accidentally swallowed some brake fluid and really liked the taste. Before he knew it, he had finished off the whole bottle. One of his co-workers caught him sneaking a swig the next day. “Man, that stuff will kill you,” said his friend, “you've got to give it up.” “Don't worry,” the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:4-13

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Life Can Be Tough

Contributed by John Ruland on Sep 15, 2010

As we encounter difficulties in life, it will help us to remember the big picture. First, God is our Father and has a wonderful eternal plan for us.

Life Can Be Tough JOHN 16:33 ICB 33 "I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble. But be brave! I have defeated the world!" Jesus never promised us that everything would be perfect here on earth. He recognized that we would encounter trouble. ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God's Tough Love

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jun 25, 2012

Often God has to spank as part of His loving discipline. Heb. 12:6 “…whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." There are at least 3 purposes to God’s tough love or chastening - instruction, correction, and prevention.

God’s Tough Love Job 5:17-18 “Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole. Have you ever thought that God was upset or angry with you? When we go through some ...read more

Scripture: Job 5:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Separation; Tough But Necessary

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jun 24, 2013

Sometimes you might have to appear harsh.

2 Cor 6:14-18 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

Love: Tender Or Tough

Contributed by Timothy Gardner on Apr 26, 2015

Christians need to learn the value of tough love in both giving and receiving it.

Who said the following harsh words? “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!” “You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!” “You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-10

Denomination: Salvation Army

Answers To Tough Questions

Contributed by David Hodgin on Sep 8, 2005

3 questions people ask regrading a tragedy. Written after Hurricane Katrina.

Natural catastrophes always raise certain big questions, here are 3: 1. If God is all loving and all-powerful, why does he allow such devastating events to occur? 2. Does God deliberately make them occur? 3. Does God punish people with natural ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7

Tough And Tender Love

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jul 18, 2021

God’s love is tender, but it’s also tough. God is a God of justice as well as a God of mercy, and it’s from both that God deals with His people. In Zephaniah’s prophecy, we see both sides of God’s love, the toughness in judgment, and tenderness in His mercy.

Tough and Tender Love Book of Zephaniah Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvl8jnGnUyY Bill Johnson was a young man from California whose sole thrill was stealing cars. Eventually he was caught and at his sentencing, the judge did something very unusual. The judge didn’t send Bill to jail, ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:2, Zephaniah 3:3-4, Zephaniah 2:1-3

Denomination: Foursquare

Tough Love In The Church

Contributed by Tim Huie on May 7, 2009

What does the Bible REALLY teach about church discipline?

TOUGH LOVE IN THE CHURCH Matthew 18:15-17 1 Corinthians 5:1-11 1 Timothy 1:18-20 Titus 3:10-11 1. Illus. of teenager gone wild • Young man of about 18 went wild. • Would drink, do drugs, come home raging and tear up the place. • Would come to blows with mom and dad. • Finally, parents had to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Tough Love In The Church

Contributed by Tim Huie on Apr 23, 2008

What is church discipline? When is it appropriate? How long does it last?

Matthew 18:15-17 1 Corinthians 5:1-11 1 Timothy 1:18-20 Titus 3:10-11 1. Illus. of teenager gone wild • Young man of about 18 went wild. • Would drink, do drugs, come home raging and tear up the place. • Would come to blows with mom and dad. • Finally, parents had to administer “tough love.” They ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17

Denomination: Baptist