Sermons on Hardship:

Death Valley Days

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Mar 10, 2001

Ties together Israel’s disobedience during the Exodus, people’s failure to recognize Jesus when he came, and our own obliviousness to the warning signs around us. Lesson: Hardships aren’t for punishnment, it’s to point us to God.

Have any of you ever watched a movie or a TV show about a wagon train? You know, a column of Conestoga wagons, what they called prairie schooners, with the rounded canvas tent-tops? When I was young Westerns were the commonest sort of show, and everyone knew the conventions: The square-jawed ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21, Numbers 21:4-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Sufferings Of Life

Contributed by Vernon L Caruthers on May 20, 2006

Jesus had His Gethsemane and so will each one of His children. Yet, without those Gethsemanes, many times we do not pray and place our faith and our trust in Christ. There are BLESSINGS found in sufferings and hardships that cannot be found in the times o

Subject: The Sufferings of the Christain Life Scripture Reference: Luke 22: 44 ’And being in agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." ------------------------------------------------------ --------- <>< <>< <>< -- <>< <>< <>< ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:44

A Touch Of Faith Can Make You Whole

Contributed by Spencer Miller on Jun 30, 2013

Are you willing to go the extra mile, knowing that the extra mile is never easy. What route do you take when life for you has become desperate? The woman with the issue of blood can teach us a lot about faith in the hardships of life.

“For she said, “If I can just touch His robes, I’ll be made well!”  Introduction Are you willing to go the extreme to be with Jesus? That is the question I brought with me this morning, and this question is not just for you, it is for each and every one of us. Are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:28

Denomination: Baptist

Providing Comfort During Trials

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on May 13, 2021

How do we respond to those who are enduring hardships? Do we dish out criticism and judgment, or do we show genuine compassion? The experience from our own trials can help us better minister to those in trouble and anguish.

Samuel Chadwick said, “Compassion costs. It is easy enough to argue, criticize and condemn; but redemption is costly, and comfort draws from the deep. Brains can argue, but it takes heart to comfort.”(1) How do we respond to those who are enduring hardship? Do we dish out criticism and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Jeremiah... Never, Never Give Up Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Nov 25, 2019

Chapter 17 of The Story (The Kingdom Falls)... in this message my focus is on Jeremiah and how even when the nation falls, he never gives up. Jeremiah serves as a great source of encouragement to each of us to not give up regardless of the hardships we face.

Jeremiah.... Never, Never Give Up (The Kingdom Falls) The Story Chapter 17 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. - Gal 6:9 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 15:15-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Purpose Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Nov 22, 2020

You can either accept your trials and they will become heavenly blessings or you can fight your trials and they will become heavy burdens.

Over the past three weeks, we’ve been taking a Biblical look at hardship … what the Bible says it is … why we experience hardship … and how we should respond to the trials and challenges of life from a Biblical perspective. God uses the trials and hardships of life to teach us … to help us grow ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Denomination: United Methodist

How Rooted Are You In God's Word? Series

Contributed by Alis Cerrahyan on Aug 13, 2019

Unfortunate circumstances cannot and should not define who we are. It's what we choose to do with them that determines the outcome. We either believe in God wholeheartedly or we don't. Even a tiny doubt can taint our faith in his supremacy.

It would be fair to say that the following statement is not even believable: "I've never encountered any hardships; nor have I known anyone with evil intentions!" If we are a part of this world, whether a child, an adolescent, or an adult; we have tasted dysfunctions somewhere along ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:28, Genesis 39:1, Genesis 41:41

Why Does Belief Sometimes Come The Hard Way?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Why do some people only trust God when they experience terrible hardships? In this passage we are given insights into how a governor of Cyprus was brought to Christ the hard way. His path to faith is symbolic of so many people who seem to prefer to learn

1. Why do some people only trust God when they experience terrible hardships? In this passage we are given insights into how a governor of Cyprus was brought to Christ the hard way. His path to faith is symbolic of so many people who seem to prefer to learn the most important lessons in life, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:4-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rejoicing

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 25, 2005

In this passage Paul resumed the story that he left in 2:13, where he said he went to Macedonia to look for Titus. Though Paul still had many problems and hardships to face, he found comfort and joy in the ministry God had given to him.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court for 30 years. His mind, wit and work earned him the unofficial title of “the greatest justice since John Marshall.” At one point in his life, Justice Holmes explained his choice of a career by saying: ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:2-7

Denomination: Baptist

What We Learned From A Ping-Pong Marathon Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 15, 2011

Paul says to dwell on those things that are excellent and worthy of praise. These encouraging words will help us all through any circumstance, any trial or any hardship, as we remember that “all things work together for good to those who love God.”

How soon we forget, or how soon we don’t forget. I have cherished memories from long ago that I will never, ever forget. Way back in 1975 I learned a valuable lesson about time, and I learned how many hours are in a week. I also learned about the power of prayer and leaning on God to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Christian Church

Bouncing Back (Part Three)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jun 6, 2021

In parts one and two we looked at Joseph and Paul. People like Job, Jesus, Joseph and Paul suffered hardships but they didn't do anything wrong. But what about when our suffering is our fault? How can we bounce back?

BOUNCING BACK (part three) In parts one and two we looked at Joseph and Paul. People like Job, Jesus, Joseph and Paul suffered hardships but they didn't do anything wrong to bring it upon themselves. Their sufferings weren't because they had sinned yet they bounced back anyway. But what ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24, John 21:7, John 21:15-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Paul’s Message Before Governor Felix Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Feb 9, 2022

We see that Paul is faithful to Jesus Christ in whatever his circumstance. He faced numerous attempts on his life. He was on trial and struck in the face. In all these hardships Paul remained steadfast and whenever he had the chance, he shared the gospel with Governor Felix.

The Background of Paul before Felix Here we find Paul in Caesarea standing before Felix the governor. Paul recently completed his third missionary journey and now he is beginning his Jerusalem to Rome ministry. Right before he went to Jerusalem, he stopped in Caesarea to visit Philip the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:10-21

Denomination: Baptist

Thank You Lord, For The Thorns That Hurt Us

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Nov 24, 2021

No true child of God gets out of life without enduring some kind of pain, adversity, discomfort, or suffering. Each encounter we have with the difficulties of life need to be seen as lessons the Sovereign LORD teaches us to rely less on ourselves and more on His wisdom and grace.

I've spent much time in thought and silent prayer, organizing in my mind and soul on how this message should be presented. I wanted to be certain that what I was about to say would be based primarily upon the Word of God and not merely a repeat of topics that I have covered in previous ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 4:13, Mark 8:31, Luke 24:46, 2 Timothy 2:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Tired And Weary

Contributed by Steven Glover on Jul 12, 2001

We find rest in the Lord.

Text: Matthew 11:28-30 28. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30. For my yoke is easy, and my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

Strong Winds On Deep Waters

Contributed by Ken Alford on Aug 3, 2001

The Storm Jesus Calmed provides three indisputable themes that demonstrate that IT REQUIRES REAL FAITH AND NOT MERE PRETENSE TO FOLLOW THE LORD THROUGH STRONG WINDS ON DEEP WATERS.

Lessons from Storms in the Bible #5 -- July 29, 2001-- AM STRONG WINDS ON DEEP WATERS -- The Storm Jesus Calmed -- Luke 8:22-25 INTRODUCTION: (1) Jim Nicodem took his two youngest kids to the Batavia quarry. It has a beautiful sand beach with shallow water. [Anyone can play in the shallow ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25

Denomination: Baptist