Sermons on Hard Situations:

Pass The Blessings Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 18, 2006

Through the cross, Jesus gives us the freedom to love with abandon and to give recklessly and abundantly.

Luke 6:27-38 “Pass the Blessings” INTRODUCTION Martin Luther King in his “I Have a Dream” speech that he delivered in Washington DC on August 28, 1963 proclaimed at the end of the speech, “Free indeed, free indeed, thank God I’m free indeed. “ Christians of all times and places are able to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-38

Denomination: Lutheran

Narnia: Is The Lion Safe?

Contributed by Pat Cook on Dec 8, 2005

This is an article I wrote for an online journal. It’s a devotional based on the question asked about Aslan: Is he safe? The answer was : No, but he’s good. That’s God’s plans for us too: not safe but good.

Is the Lion Safe? I’ve been a fan of the Chronicles of Narnia for several years now. What’s funny about it is that it was recommended to me by a friend of mine who is decidedly not a believer. That’s funny because Narnia was written by a man who worked hard to make his Christian faith known ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:68-75

Denomination: Baptist

Destiny By Choice!

Contributed by Charles Hughes on Jun 15, 2004

As soon as you arise each day, you will have choices to make. The choices you make today, will take you toward or away from your divine destiny! Remember, choices are life-changing and everlasting! Will you choose to be on the Lord’s side?

Let me start this article out by saying that it’s not directed at everyone. There are so many who are doing a fine job following God and His plan for their lives. They are making choices that are in alignment with the Word of God and moving toward their divine destiny. They are also obedient and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-35

Denomination: Charismatic

Loving Through Suffering

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Apr 3, 2009

A sermon that explores how Jesus loves us through suffering....and how through our suffering we may have an opportunity to love.

Have you ever said if I was God I would…. If I was God there would be no weeds in my garden. If I was God no one bad would get good things. What would you do if you were God? What about if you were in the situation that Jesus faced in the reading from Matthew what would you have done? If you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:32-44

Denomination: Lutheran

Faith, Part 2 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jul 20, 2011

Part 2 of 6 in a series on exploring "Faith". This message focuses on answering the question, "Why Does God Test our Faith?" using a story of one man who's faith was tested often.

Faith Series, Part 2 “Why Does God Test our Faith?” Matthew 14:22-33 - Six part series on our faith - Wed night: “Faith is our understanding that through the Law we must die to ourselves in order to live for God.” - Believers often wonder why God would test our faith - ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Passion For Compassion Series

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Feb 29, 2016

How can we address the sea of humanity that is now pressing upon us for assistance?

A Passion for Compassion Defend the weak and fatherless, uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:3-4 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 82:3-4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Lifestyle Of Evangelism Series

Contributed by Scott Jewell on Nov 20, 2016

Evangelism is a word that causes many of us to tremble. When we simplify the process it can become easier to do. Here's some thoughts from a meeting between Philip and an Ethiopian eunuch.

What is your initial, knee jerk reaction when you hear this word? (pause) Evangelism. A few of you slid forward in your seat, got this eager look on your face, and can’t wait to hear the rest of the message. Most of you are looking a bit like a deer caught in the headlights, startled and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Before It’s Too Late

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Feb 15, 2017

We can easily forget the importance of time in our lives and how a single moment in time can change our lives for eternity. We can become overwhelmed by the fast pace of our lives and the world forgetting that the next world is just a breath away.

Before it’s too Late Luke 12:54-59 New International Version (NIV) 54 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:54-59

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Happens When We Get Tired Of Waiting On God’s Answer?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 20, 2013

A look at the consequences of trying to manufacture an answer rather than waiting on God to come through for us.

OUR SITUATION: We have a real problem and God seems to be late. - Genesis 16:1, 3. - Verse 3 notes that they’d been living in Canaan for 10 years at this point. Ten years is a long time to wait, especially for something as meaningful as a child. - We don’t want to minimize the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Before It’s Too Late

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 19, 2018

As a spiritual people it is important for us to realize the spiritual signs of the times that we are living in. By the time that Jesus arrived the Jews fell into a kind of spiritual numbness that led to complacency. For them it was just another day.

Before it’s too Late Luke 12:54-59 54 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:54-59

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

From Pain To Promise

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 15, 2024

we're exploring a story from the Bible about Hannah. This story is more than just an ancient tale; it's about facing tough times and finding hope.

"Good morning! Today, we're exploring a story from the Bible about Hannah. This story is more than just an ancient tale; it's about facing tough times and finding hope. Like a gardener seeing potential in a bare plot, Hannah's story reminds us that in our empty moments, something ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The Learning Curve

Contributed by William Meakin on Oct 11, 2023

The learning curve is defined as the rate of a person’s progress in gaining experience or new skills.

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson, a British business magnate once remarked: “My mother always taught me never to look back in regret but to move on to the next thing. The amount of time people waste dwelling on failures rather than putting that energy into another project, always amazes me. I ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:7, 2 Timothy 3:16, Philippians 4:9, Titus 2:1

Experiencing Successful Ministry In Difficult Times

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Aug 24, 2021

It has been said, “God didn’t call us to be successful, he called us to be faithful.” Yet in John 15, Jesus speaks of examination, inspection, and fruitfulness. He speaks of bearing fruit, more fruit, and much fruit that God maybe glorified.

What is success? General view of success is defined as fulfilling your role in ministry. It is trusting that your employer has placed you in a position where can achieve the God-given goals for your life, and you work faithfully toward completing those individual duties as effectively as possible ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

4 The Mighty Tempest Series

Contributed by Michael Collins on Aug 10, 2020

This is the 4th of 31 devotions on the book of Jonah, where I compare Jonah with The Global Church. This devotion is about the great tempest that God sent on the sea and a few learnings from that.

# 4 - The Mighty Tempest Jonah 1:4 - “But the Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up.” But the Lord sent out a Great Wind on the Sea Jonah had just boarded a ship to Tarshish and was doing a good job of ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:4, Romans 8:31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Punishing Rod Part 2 Series

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 27, 2022

When we merit correction or discipline, how can we or why do we grumble and complain about what type of "ROD" that God utilizes on us?

Habakkuk 1:12 – 2:20 Now the prophet asks a second question. How can God allow such a godless nation to be allowed to bring judgment upon His children? Granted Judah has been wicked, but how can God use another wicked nation to punish them? Although this is hard to understand, Habakkuk waits on ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:12

Denomination: Independent/Bible