Sermons on Hardship:

Rocky Road

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 28, 2025

The first step in our becoming ambassadors for Christ is to accept that the road of Christian discipleship is often a rocky one.

Ambassadors get VIP treatment: first class seats and free champagne, red carpets and limos, valet parking and 24-hour room service. Ambassadors get interviews with world leaders and press mavens. An ambassadorship is a class act, the apex of the diplomat’s career, the privileged crown on a lifetime ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Go Out In Joy And Peace

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jun 30, 2025

Isaiah 55 is a poem that starts like a commercial. God appears as a street vender in the marketplace near a river, eager to sell his goods, but with a big difference. What He’s offering is free.

Isaiah 55 is a poem that starts like a commercial. God appears as a street vender in the marketplace near a river, eager to sell his goods, but with a big difference. What He’s offering is free. His merchandise--wine and milk--represent life’s blessings. Milk is a symbol of nourishment, wine a ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

Once Upon A Time On A Lake Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Aug 30, 2023

Once upon a time on a lake, we see the power of the divine command.

JUST JESUS: CHAPTER BY CHAPTER THRU LUKE Once Upon a Time on a Lake Luke 8:22-25 #JustJesus INTRODUCTION… Luke 8 (p) There are some passages or chapters in the Bible that are epically long. For example, Psalm 119 is 176 verses long and has about 2445 words. If I wanted to preach one sermon on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Finding God's Goodness Amidst Difficulties SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

James in his first chapter warns us not to be deceived, providing reasons to believe in God's goodness regardless of our circumstances.

In the late 90s, there was a popular saying in the church: "God is good, all the time; all the time, God is good." It's easy to proclaim God's goodness when things are going well, but what about when we face difficult circumstances? How can we know that God is truly good? In James 1:16-18, we find ...read more

Scripture: James 1:16-18

Topics: God's Goodness, Overcoming Hardships

Purpose Driven Strength - Purpose Driven Life Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 22, 2004

Paul rejoiced in his weaknesses and hardships and difficulties... was he crazy? No, he had learned the source of strength in his weakness.

OPEN: Years ago, the story was told of a Sunday School teacher who – on the Sunday before Thanksgiving - was encouraging the children in her class to share things they were grateful for. A little boy was asked what he was thankful for, and he thought for a moment. Then the boy went through a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Going To Use Your Shortage To Bring Increase

Contributed by Gregory Thomas on Oct 20, 2012

This season many have seen hardship and disconnection, but as we exit and enter into this next season we will see divine connection and manifestation.

God’s Going to use your shortage to bring increase Ruth 1: 1-6 Ruth 1:1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God’s Grace Is With Us Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of God's unending grace and presence, even in times of hardship, through the story of Moses from the Old Testament.

Good morning church. I’m excited you decided to join us this morning for our first week of a brand-new 4-week series called, Grace Under Fire. How many of you today have experienced God’s grace in your life and in your story? Are you thankful for it? The reality of life is that we will not always ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:1-12, Mark 9:24

Topics: God's Grace, Moses' Story, Faith In Hardship

Sermon Series: Grace Under Fire

Preparing For The End Series

Contributed by J.d. Tutell on Dec 1, 2010

In Paul's trip to Jerusalem we see that when God sends you a hardship He also prepares you to go through it.

(The open illustration was taken from Sermon Centrals Illustrations database) Tony Campolo tells about the time he was asked to speak at a Pentecostal college. Before the service, eight men had him kneel so they could place their hands on his head and pray. Tony was glad to have the prayer, but ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:10-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Vital Link Of Prayer And Praise Series

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Mar 1, 2010

Life is hard. Sometimes we are dealt a difficult hand. But earnest prayer leading to real praise will lift us out of life’s ruts.

Sermon Notes The Vital Link of Prayer & Praise Philippians 4:4-9 (Based in part on "The Answer to Your Problems" by Jay McPhearson) Introduction: Ever face a problem you thought would top them all? In Budapest, a Jewish man went to his rabbi and complained, "Life is unbearable for my family & ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Spiritual Olympians Respect God's Discipline Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Sep 8, 2008

Spiritual Olympian, with a ’go for the goal’ mindset, respect God’s discipline.

Title: Olympians Respect God’s Discipline Text: Hebrews 12:5-11 The Big Idea: Spiritual Olympians, with a “go for the goal” mindset, respect God’s discipline. Series: Spiritual Olympians: Going for the Goal, is based on Hebrews 12:1-13 and designed to coincide with the 2008 Olympic Games in ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To View Your Problems

Contributed by Gary Bennett on Feb 25, 2003

What do we expect from life? Comfort or hardship? God’s grace and comfort are available to us - not to store, but to share.

INTRODUCTION Every now and again, one of our politicians expresses a view that cuts to the heart of Australia’s social conscience. Sometimes these phrases come back to haunt them during the next election campaign. Occasionally their words will be immortalised as famous words of a great leader. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Manna Is All You Need!

Contributed by Howard Strickland on May 22, 2006

God’s all about purpose and destiny; however, many times our future and promise gets lost during the hardships!

Manna is All You Need! Text: Number 11:1-10 1The people soon began to complain to the LORD about their hardships; and when the LORD heard them, his anger blazed against them. Fire from the LORD raged among them and destroyed the outskirts of the camp. 2The people screamed to Moses ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 11:1-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Must Put Up With The Rain To See A Rainbow

Contributed by Richard Cook on Aug 25, 2009

Teaches people that, if you want to see God’s deliverence and glory, you sometimes must endure hardships and pain.

Genesis 9:12-14 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:12-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

When Life Really Gets Hard (I) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 16, 2009

Benefits gained by those who persevere through trials are discussed. James tells us to rejoice in hardship; sermon examines why.

When Life Gets Really Hard James 1:2-12 4-13-08 How would you respond this morning if you received a call telling you that terrorists had just blown up your house and your insurance had expired yesterday? How would you respond if your boss called to tell you his business had fall off and he was ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Charismatic

Learning From Leah

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jan 31, 2006

Out of Leah’s offspring came the Ancient of Days! Sometimes it’s the present hardships in life that drive us to Jesus!

Learning from Your Hurts Text: Genesis 29:16-19, 26-35 Leah wasn’t much to look at, but God’s hand was upon her and that’s all that matters! She was different, and she knew it. As we read we see that Jacob loved and adore Rachel. Imagine for a moment, being in a house where you are always ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:16-19

Denomination: Pentecostal