Sermons on Hardships:

The Faith Of One In Distress

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jun 18, 2001

Overcoming hardships and distress in life by putting our trust in an unchanging God.

This psalm was written by a Jew who lived during the time of exile. Those were difficult times for the people of Israel - they were scattered away from their homeland. And as he looked at his nation, the psalmist could not see any hope of an end to the hardship his people was going through. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 77:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why God Allows Suffering, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Greg Laurie on Feb 21, 2014

To be a holy person means that you will have trials, hardship, and suffering in life.

“Have a nice day!” That’s a classic Americanism and statement one hears a lot in my home state of California. Usually, people do not mean it when they say it. After you complete a purchase, you hear, “Thank you, and have a nice day. Buh-bye.” Or even worse, when you ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Every New Year

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 5, 2021

Opportunities will come but with them will come adversaries and hardships. Do not give up!

1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. Every year is a great and open door for ministry, The sky is the limit. There are many needs so there is one or two somewhere you can meet whether you are 8 or 88. God is on your side for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:9

Denomination: Baptist

02 Joy In Adversity Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 17, 2025

Bottom Line: Joy flourishes when Christ is exalted, even in the face of hardship.

Last week, we began a new series through Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi. The Book of Philippians shows what it means to live with defiant joy. And here’s what I mean by that: “defiant joy” is a joy that stands firm regardless of what life throws our way. Even in his imprisonment, Paul ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Smyrna, The Suffering Church Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 6, 2002

The faithful of Smyrna suffered hardship, but they were spiritually prosperous and steadfast in their devotion to Christ.

"Smyrna-the Suffering Church" -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts. Sermon series on the Letters to the 7 Churches of Rev 2-3 When school report cards are issued, it’s can be a stressful time. Any assessment we receive is supposed to help us see our ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-12

Denomination: Congregational

Looking At Adversity

Contributed by C.j. Moffett on Aug 12, 2003

No one in their right mind enjoys pain and hardship, but do they hold a redeptive purpose?

--Nietzche said, "Whatever doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger." --Illus: Kia Jurgenson was a student at a Christian University. A gifted high school basketball player (she was all state), she received a full-ride scholarship and started as a freshmen on the University team. During those ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:3-12, Romans 8:28-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Staying True All The Way Through

Contributed by Ben Bannister on Jul 4, 2003

In this sermon, we learn how to stay true to our faith during hardship.

Text: James 1:9-27 ETS: James gives us qualities to hold to when we are going through trials. ESS: This passage teaches us what we need in order to remain true to Christ in trials. OSS: The youth of MVBC will have these qualities. PQ: What qualities do I need in trials? UW: Qualities Title: ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-27

Denomination: Baptist

Characteristics Of A Godly Man Series

Contributed by Doug Warren on Sep 24, 2003

Suitable for funeral for elderly Godly man who endured hardships in his life.

Mr.________ would fully identify with the Psalmist in that in his lifetime he was tested, and he would agree that he walked through the "fire and water" but he would also testify that God has now brought him to a place of abundance (Heaven). What characteristics did Mr._________have that would ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 66:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Who Am I? Series

Contributed by Robert Fa’atoia-Collins on Jan 20, 2012

Do you know who you are when your face with hardship and uncertainty?

Who Am I? Who are we? What makes you, you and me, me? About 2,617 years ago, the President of Iraq led his troops into Israel and smashed his way into the city of Jerusalem. Some of the locals were able to escape, but thousands of old men and women were slaughtered. Many more women were raped and ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Faithful Parents Mary & Joseph Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Aug 8, 2011

In spite of the hardships Mary and Joseph had to deal with, they were faithful to God!

We continue to study the Gospel of Luke. Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem because His earth parents Joseph and Mary had to go there to register for the Roman Empire. In our passage today we will read that the family went to Jerusalem. Here’s a question: As Mary and Joseph dealt with Baby Jesus or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Standing Strong

Contributed by Jeff Hatos on Aug 19, 2018

During times of hardship we need to remain strong and stand in the face of the opposition.

Standing Strong 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon On Stoicism Versus Christianity

Contributed by William Meakin on Nov 9, 2022

Stoicism is defined as the endurance of pain or hardship without the display of feeling and without complaint.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, a former Roman emperor and a Stoic philosopher once remarked: “If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” Romans 8:1-5 confirms: “There is therefore ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:9, Hebrews 13:8, Ephesians 1:3, Galatians 5:22-23

Hope And Comfort PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 29, 2023

Emphasize the comfort, hope, and peace God provides during times of loss and hardship.

Good morning, my beautiful church family. We are gathered here today to embrace the word of God from John 14:16 and Psalm 23. Our focus is on the comfort God provides us during times of loss, the assurance of eternal life, and the peace found in His presence. In John 14:16, Jesus promises, "And I ...read more

Scripture: John 14:16

Topics: Hope, Comfort

When Things Don't Make Sense

Contributed by Thomas Miller on Apr 16, 2005

Get busy living or get busy dying. We can live with adversity or let adversity live us.

When Things Don’t Make Sense It doesn’t make sense to try to and figure out the way things happen. We know He said that our ways are not His ways, and who can understand the mind of the Lord? We hear the whisper of His voice, and we have a choice to get out of the boat and walk ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Rocky Revelations - Part 1 - The Pain Threshold Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Jul 2, 2009

The "Italian Stallion" faced some serious opponents. He squared off with the "Master of Disaster", "The Southside Slugger", and "The Siberian Express" just to name a few. Each time Rocky shocked the world! He won our hearts. He can also teach a thing o

Rocky Revelations Part 1 - The Pain Threshold I. Introduction I don’t have to set the background much for Rocky. Everyone knows the gist of the movie. A local, hard hitting, undisciplined brawler gets the shot of a life time due to his marketable nickname “The Italian Stallion”. He enters the ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal