Sermons on Hardships:

The Potter’s Hand Series

Contributed by Barry Edmondson on Feb 5, 2011

God – the Master Potter – knows how to take the mistakes of life and reform it into something beautiful.

Text: Jeremiah 18:1-6 God doesn’t make mistakes. In 1502, in Florence, Italy there was a large block of marble given to a church in Santa Maria, the church immediately hired who they thought was a professional to sculpt this enormously huge piece of rock. The man was a professional and soon ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

No Paycheck On Wednesday - James 5:7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 30, 2022

How to synchronize the clock of your expectations with divine providence.

James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See, the farmer waits for the valuable crop of the land, being patient until he receives the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7

"how To Embrace Life's Many Challenges."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jun 16, 2022

"Embracing Life’s Many Challenges" powerfully reminds us that although life presents difficulties, it is through these challenges that we can experience profound growth, deepen our faith, and ultimately fulfill God's purpose for our lives."

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (James 1:2-4) (2) “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;” (3) “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (4) “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:10, James 5:7-11, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Ecclesiastes 3:17-22, Psalm 90:12, John 5:10-15, James 1:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The King Wants To See You

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 14, 2021

Christians, especially, must always remember those who have stood with them, honouring their memory and the kinship they have shared during hard times.

“David said, ‘Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’ Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, ‘Are you Ziba?’ And he said, ‘I am your servant.’ And the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

God Is In Control

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Sep 30, 2012

A message from Daniel in the lions den about what happens when things seem to get out of control in our lives.

Title: God is in Control Theme: To show that God has a plan even in our persecution. Text: Daniel 6:1 - 28 Introduction For some reason or another over the years I have never preached from this passage. I have used it in some way as an illustration but not directly from these scriptures. It ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28

Denomination: Church Of God

After Darkness, Comes The Dawn Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 30, 2025

In this sermon, we will explore biblical examples of how God brings good days after difficult ones, and how we can apply these principles to our own lives.

As Christians, we are not immune to difficulties and challenges. In fact, Jesus promised us that we would face tribulations in this world (John 16:33). However, He also promised us that He would be with us, and that He would bring us through those difficulties into a brighter future. In this ...read more

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

I Am With You Always Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jun 29, 2020

This is the story of Romans 8:35-39. God loves you with a love so strong that nothing can separate you from it. Wherever you go, whatever you do, God’s amazing love will go with you, envelope you, encapsulate you, strengthen you, carry you, and give you hope and courage.

Chippie the parakeet was sitting on his perch one morning … whistling a happy tune … when his owner decided to clean his cage … [pause] … with a vacuum cleaner. The phone rang and when Chippie’s owner went to answer it … well … that’s when Chippie’s day took a turn for the worse. While his owner ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:35-39, 2 Corinthians 11:23-29, Matthew 5:11-12

Denomination: United Methodist

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

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