Sermons on Hard Situations:

If Something Is Worth Doing... Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Sep 5, 2003

Jesus’ 4 thoughts on prayer: 1) we should pray constantly, persistently and fervently 2) but prayer is hard work 3) yet prayer taps into God’s power 4) so prayer is a reflection of our faith.

Luke 18:1-8 – If Something is Worth Doing… Dear God, So far today I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, I haven’t lost my temper, I haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or over-indulgent. I’m very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get out of bed, and from then ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

You Missed The Point

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 23, 2003

Why do we scold fathers on Father’s Day, when it is often that their children simply miss hearing their counsel. The sons of Josiah ignored their grounding in God’s word and the support of the Temple and misunderstood the value of hard work.

The difference between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day is that we honor our mothers but we scold our fathers. We talk of saintly moms, who wore their fingers to the bone to cook and clean and sow for us. We honor them for their industry, their mother wit, and their prayer life. And that is as it ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 22:11-23

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Failure Series

Contributed by Doug Johnston on Oct 5, 2001

When Saul made mistakes in judgment or sinned, he had the pattern of making things hard for himself by overlooking them or blaming others instead of coming back to the heart of the matter and doing the simple things God wants most.

And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan. 1 Samuel 14:44 30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God. 31 So Samuel turned again ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What God Has Predestined For Your Life In 2003-Shall Be! Series

Contributed by Carolyn Malaika Foster-Brooks on Oct 26, 2002

The last two years have brought a lot of pain and devastation to the lives of many Christians and non-believers. Many ask the question, "Why Me?" This sermon is designed to answer those hard questions and yet offer hope for tomorrow!

Evangelist Carolyn Malaika Foster-Brooks The Ministry of S.A.R.A.H. Lyons, Georgia PRAYER: Lord, once again I want to praise Your Holy name and tell you thank You! For you have brought me through the fire and the rain, the calm and the storms of life; though sickness, good health, heartache, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 6:10-12, Psalm 32:8

Denomination: Baptist

Being Busy For Christ Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

God doesn’t want us to be loafers while we wait for the appearing of His Son. Instead, we are to work hard, settle down, and earn our wages. We must never tire of doing what is right.

Being Busy for Christ For those of you who are wondering if I got my hair cut, the answer is “yes.” On Wednesday, I invited Harold Davis to speak about sheep at the Kiwanis club. He did a great job, as he did this summer when he helped us learn more about Psalm 23. In my introduction of Harold, I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

Love People, Use Things

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 31, 2009

Thanksgiving Eve sermon 1989: We have a hard time giving up our attachment to things material. We do need to feel, however, that what we use makes a difference for someone -- a way to love them.

When we read that the city of Washington is going to get everybody out of an infamous homeless shelter by Christmas, because that shelter is no longer fit for human habitation, we have a variety of reactions. Some react at the thought that we still have not come very far at settling the issue of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Attaining Your Goals Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

How do you get where you want to be? Naturally we try hard and try to be motivated - and hope God approves of us. In reality we need to trust in the Holy Spirit instead of our own abilities.

What if you had to climb a really steep trail - and somebody came along and said, "here, use my brand new 2004 Dodge RAM SRT-10 with its 500 horsepower engine capable of 525 pound feet of torque - able to reach 60 miles an hour in 5 seconds and tear up that mountain trail!" So you say "thanks" ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Discipline Of Prayer Series

Contributed by David Scudder on May 30, 2009

Since prayer is really just talking to God, then why is it so hard? Some of us have no problem spending a lot of time talking to other people? So why does it take so much effort to talk to God?

Purpose: To show that a false commitment to Christ will cause a lack of desire to pray. Aim: I want the listener to be sure that he is totally committed to Christ. INTRODUCTION: For many years medical science thought that ulcers were caused by stress and spicy foods. But, in 1979 two Australian ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You Can Remove Trash, Bugs & Weeds But How About Darkness?

Contributed by Doug Koehler on Mar 20, 2009

Children often want darkness removed because they fear what they cannot see. For adults the darkness is more of a friend. Jesus is the remover of darkness but the light of the world is still waiting for many to see it. Sometimes it is hard even for Christ

Open up the yellow pages and you can find a ton of listings that will remove pretty much whatever you want removed. There are ads for chimney sweeps to remove built up grime. There are people willing and able to remove insects, weeds, garbage, wallpaper, old fixtures, homes, cars and even bad ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Peace: Ready, Set, Go

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 27, 2010

Peace comes hard for some at Christmas. We must be open to what God wants to give, we must get down to what God wants us to be doing, and we must find meaning in our ordinary pursuits.

National Baptist Memorial Church, Washington, DC, Dec. 19, 2004 These are stressful days. There is too much going on. Too much work, too much to think about, too many demands. Stressful. We’d really like some peace, wouldn’t we? Just a moment or two of quiet – ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

How Long? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 12, 2013

When the child of God is hard-pressed by the wicked, a cry escapes the lips, "How Long?" Let the Christian know that God knows their trials, and that He shall, by His mighty hand, reveal His mercy and grace in His time.

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Indoctrination Of Our Children In Evil. The Great Falling Away.

Contributed by Anthony Smith on Dec 29, 2011

There are many controversial subjects in the Bible, some hard to understand, the Apostle Paul was one whose writings fall within this category, but without teaching or preaching about them how then would the lost become aware of what sin is and how to be

As the state of California is ready to indoctrinate school children into the acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle we wonder where this is all going. There are many controversial subjects in the Bible, some hard to understand, the Apostle Paul was one whose writings fall within this category, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:2-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Pride Verses Humility Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Mar 29, 2012

Pride and humility are the outcomes of attitudes and opinion we harbor and the choices we make. The harmful results of pride are repeatedly contrasted with humility & with its benefits. So the sayings in Proverbs hammer hard against pride & drives home th

PRIDE VERSES HUMILITY Proverbs 11:2 Proverbs is direct and forceful in rejecting pride and honoring humility. Pride is pagan behavior. It has no place in the lives of God's people. Pride is a declaration of independence from God if not an assertion of war against Him. Pride therefore draws ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:2

Denomination: Baptist

Are You In The Position To Receive?

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Sep 3, 2012

Sometimes we're on a need to know basis, but we need to realize and trust that, if He knows, that’s all we need to know and that’s where the hard part comes in,

Are you in the position to receive? So lift your hands and praise the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy endures forever! (Psalm 106:1)  Hebrews 13:15 15. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Looking For Leftovers Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 29, 2014

Can God supply all your needs? The Disciples struggled with that idea... and so do many of us. Why do we have such a hard time trusting God in this and how can we learn to believe Him more?

OPEN: I once read the true story of a family that was sitting down at the dinner table for their evening meal. But one of the girls wasn’t happy because they were having leftovers, and she complained about it. The dad was not happy about that and spent a few moments explaining to her ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ