Sermons on Hardships:

God’s Perfect Plan

Contributed by Dan Stires on Dec 7, 2011

God’s plan for our lives is not always going to be exactly what we think. But God’s Plan will always be Perfect for us! God’s plan for our lives is not always an easy one. But it is a plan that will become a blessing to many if we will obey that call.

God’s Perfect Plan? Scripture: John 1:6-8, 19-28 Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18-25 There’s something special about Christmas pageants, even those in which everything seems to go wrong. I think you’ll like this story: A church tried to outdo the previous years Christmas pageants, so they ...read more

Scripture: John 1:18-25

Denomination: Nazarene

"Glory In Tribulation" Series

Contributed by Allan Kircher on Sep 20, 2011

Praising God in all our tribulations. Breaking the cell walls with our attitude!

Date: September 25, 2011 Scripture: Acts 16:16-40 from the series Acts Sermon: Now, let me take a minute or two to remind you of the setting of our text. • Remember from last week this is 2nd missionary journey • Paul and his team members wanted to share the Gospel in parts of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

Denomination: Baptist

What Does Patriotism Have To Do With Serving God In America?

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jul 6, 2010

Being Patriotic is a good thing! We live in a blessed nation and should be proud of our country, but as believers in America we need to understand about the foundation of our nation to fully appreciate it and realize it was very much part of God's plan!

SERMON BRIEF Date Written: July 1, 2010 Date Preached: July 4, 2010 Church: OPBC (AM) FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS Series: Special Events/Days Title: In America, what does Patriotism have to do with Serving God! Text: Hebrews 12:1-2 [ESV] 1 Therefore, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Somebody Stop The World. I Want To Get Off! Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 16, 2011

An effort to helpl my audience have a greater peace concerning family stress and crises and to begin building real spiritual resources that will help them cope with them in their home

Matthew 6:6-34; There’s a lot of stress going on out there, and a lot of that stress has been associated with the workplace. Maybe you’ve seen some of the signs of it; like this one of a zebra who says, “I think it’s stress.” Or, maybe you’ve seen this stress ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:6-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Suffering Sovereign Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 27, 2009

If we want our lives to count for eternity, then we must recognize our sin, recognize the Son and repent. That is we must trust Christ with our lives and follow Him to a whole new way of living.

The Suffering Sovereign (Mark 1:1-20) Some time ago (1996), the staff at the Bridger Wilderness Area in the Teton National Forest in Wyoming received the following responses on comment cards from hikers on their trails. These are actual responses! Trails need to be wider so people can walk ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free

P***** Off At God Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 30, 2015

Being angry at God is a reality for some believers. Where does this anger come from? What are we supposed to do with it? This inductive sermon digs into those two questions using Naomi's life from Ruth 1-4.

BOOK OF RUTH: “P***** Off At God” Ruth 1:1-4:22 INTRODUCTION… Maggie’s Story http://therebelution.com/blog/2013/08/im-angry-at-god/ #disqus _thread As we begin this morning, listen to the words of Maggie: “…I am so angry at where I have ended up and feel in such ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faithfulness Illustrated. Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 22, 2019

Paul commends the liberal contributions of the Macedonian churches for the relief of the brethren in Judea.

October 5, 2014 Tom Lowe The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians Lesson III.A: Faithfulness Illustrated. (8:1–5) 2nd Corinthians 8:1-5 (NKJV) 1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Leading Like Paul Led Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 25, 2016

In this sermon, we look at two passages that describe Paul's leadership, and then we glean leadership principles from them.

Introduction: A. The story is told of a tribe of Native Americans who came to their Chief one autumn and asked him if the winter was going to be cold or not. 1. Not really knowing for sure how cold the winter would be, the chief replied that the winter was going to be cold and that the members of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:13-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Uses Weak People

Contributed by Michael Cariño on Sep 6, 2017

All of us have handicaps. Whether emotionally, spiritually, financially, or physically --- but it does not mean that God cannot use us anymore. In fact, God is in the business of using the weak, and make us into people who can do great things.

Introduction: Kyle Maynard was born March 24, 1986 with a condition known as congenital amputation that has left him with arms that end at the elbows and legs that end near his knees. His story begins as an 11-year-old that wanted to wrestle and a coach that gave him an opportunity to try. After ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Manner Of His Preaching Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 11, 2018

The first section of Chapter 2 [v. 1-8] records Paul’s comments about his visit to Thessalonica. His words suggest that people outside the church were charging him with unworthy motives and improper conduct.

5/28/18 Tom Lowe Lesson 5: The Manner of His Preaching (1Th 2:1-8) Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 (NIV) 1 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Suffering In His Ministry Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 10, 2018

God had entrusted to Paul and his fellow evangelists this treasure of great worth—the gospel of Christ—but why would He do this? Because He delights in empowering the weak in order to confound the strong.

May 15, 2014 Tom Lowe The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians Lesson II.B.4: The Suffering in His Ministry. (4:7-12) 2nd Corinthians 4:7-12 (NKJV) 7 But we have this treasure in earthen ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

Recognizing Life's Awe-Full Moments Amidst Life's Awful Moments

Contributed by David Welch on Dec 8, 2021

No one escapes tragedy, struggle, and awful moments in their life. This message explores a number of Biblical events that demonstrate an opportunity to recognize the AWESOME God in the awful events.

Chico Alliance Church November 14, 2021 Recognizing Life’s Awe-Full moments amid Life’s Awful moments Introduction We live in an awful broken world and won’t fully realize the God-embedded longings and dreams for a restored Eden until Jesus’ glorious return. For now…we don’t fully realize the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Roll With The Winner (Exodus 18:1-12) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Mar 9, 2022

There's something to be said for giving allegiance to Yahweh, the one greater than all gods.

Today's story is mostly going to be about Jethro, the priest of Midian, and Moses' father-in-law. It's been a few months since we've mentioned his name. So let's start by simply rereading Exodus 4:18: (18) and Moses went, and he returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and he ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 18:1-12

Fragile Faith: Why Can’t I Stay Strong? - 2 Peter 1:6b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 14, 2025

You work hard to develop self-control or some other virtue, then one day, poof, it’s gone. Why does that happen? And what can be done about it?

2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, having made every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:6

How To Stand Firm In Your Faith

Contributed by Alex Umole on Mar 4, 2025

Rollo May, the distinguished psychiatrist, wrote a book called: Man's Search for Himself, and in this book, he says: “The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice; it is conformity.”

We are going to consider that in a world that often values comfort over courage, convenience over conviction, we’re faced with a tough question: Culture’s Greatest Challenge: What would you stand for? When faced with difficulties, what will you choose? Will you bow to the pressures around you, or ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33, Daniel 6:10