Sermons on Ministry Struggles:

How To Handle Temptation

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 28, 2017

Trust God "not" your Feelings. This Message is based on another Sermon on Temptation, Titled "Temptation is Only a Question, your response is the answer." with different Illustrations along with 4 Additional Illustrations at the end. Updated February 2023.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four Scripture readings prior to the Message. The Scriptures for this day are: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19 and Mathew 4:1-11 Desserts have often been called ... a "seduction" ... or a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:4, James 4:7, Psalm 119:11, 1 John 2:16, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 1:7, Luke 4:13, Romans 12:21, 1 Peter 5:8, Matthew 4:1-11, Matthew 5:37  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The Difference Between Jesus' Trouble And Ours

Contributed by Todd Wagner on May 1, 2013

The source of peace to your troubled hearts is belief in Jesus Christ.

We are going to dive into a series of weeks where we're going to come across that little phrase, take heart, a whole lot. We are in John 14. We've been away from the gospel of John for a while. We pick it back up at an incredible moment, when the Commander, if you will, of God's enduring people on ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Will Your Will Match God's Will?

Contributed by Larry Turner on Oct 30, 2013

God's will is not a mystery. Rather it's a battle; his will against our will.

We just read the Apostle’s Creed. It was written in the 4th Century by a Council in Milan as an early statement of Christian belief. It is read regularly in some congregations. However, I found a statement of belief that may fit how we truly believe based on our actions. From Rick ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Foursquare

The Fire

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Feb 1, 2019

Greetings in the Holy Name of Christ Jesus, My sisters and brother, I speak to you, going in the storms with the fire of Christ Jesus that the fire of Christ Jesus would not let me deny the everlasting love of God, ...

THE FIRE By Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (January 5, 2019) “And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:7-9

Denomination: Friends

Was The Early Church The "Golden Age"? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 31, 2018

Christians today tend to romanticize the early church as a Golden Age when passages like this one present a picture of a church with plenty of struggles. What does that mean for how we should view the church today?

- Read 2 Corinthians 1:12-17 and 2:1-10. An Early Church Story: - What we are looking at today is just one story from the early church. 1. There was serious sin in the church. - 2 Corinthians 2:6; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13. - We know this from 1 Corinthians 5 and Paul’s extensive instructions to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:12-17, 2 Corinthians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The King Keeps His People Safe Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Dec 30, 2019

How can you be sure? When it comes to heaven, how can you be sure that you’re going to make it? Christ the King gives us the sure confidence that heaven awaits us as he turns us to the power of his love in the past, present and future.

How can I be sure? You’re looking at the sign that says “Best Price Guaranteed” but how can you really be sure? So you pull out your phone and go to Amazon just to make sure that you’re really getting what you were promised. You stand there looking at a car or a new appliance. You want to make ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39

Denomination: Lutheran

Together We Are Strong

Contributed by Steve Taylor on Apr 5, 2020

Have you ever thought that God allows sorrows to come into our lives, and in that end, those sorrows have a purpose. Whether it be tragedy, sorrow, depression, disappointment, or grief; these sorrows are gonna eventually visit the house of every person.

Together we are strong. 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:17, Psalm 46:1, Ephesians 5:15, Proverbs 13:20

Jacob Wrestles With God Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jun 8, 2022

Peniel was a place where Jacob reached brokenness. He lost all self-sufficiency and depended completely on God. This was a time for Jacob of genuine soul searching and spiritual struggle. It was also a significant time of knowing God’s grace.

A profession of faith in Christ is not an end in itself. It is the beginning of a pilgrimage. Along the way there will be defining moments and spiritual highlights. For Jacob his defining moment was at Peniel. The meaning of Peniel is the face of God. Peniel was a place where Jacob reached ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Peace In Betrayal - A Maundy Thursday Reflection Psalm 55

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 25, 2024

Maundy Thursday - our hearts are drawn to the table of communion, a symbol of Christ's ultimate sacrifice and love for us.

2024-03-28 Maundy Thursday Communion: Finding Peace in Betrayal - A Maundy Thursday Reflection Introduction: As we gather on this sacred Maundy Thursday evening, our hearts are drawn to the table of communion, a symbol of Christ's ultimate sacrifice and love for us. In Psalm 55, we find ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:1-2, Psalm 55:22, Psalm 37:5, Isaiah 26:3, Matthew 11:28-30, 1 Peter 5:7, John 6:35, John 14:27, Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:26, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Are You Listening? Series

Contributed by Delwyn Campbell on Feb 16, 2019

Sometimes we come to church hoping to be stirred up to some great compelling vision. We’re praying for God to speak in a way that transforms our perspective so that we can go boldly in His name to transform the world.

AFRICAN-AMERICANS MOST BIBLE ENGAGED IN THE US The Bible tops coffee, sweets, and Social Media African-Americans have higher levels of Bible engagement than the general U.S. population, which is demonstrated by their beliefs and practices, according to the latest State of the Bible survey by ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Revealing Jesus’ Mission-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Sep 18, 2012

1 of 6. Luke recorded the public assignment of Messiah’s mission to Jesus. Jesus’ mission is publicized/revealed. But for whom is it publicized/revealed? Jesus’ mission is revealed for the...

REVEALING JESUS’ MISSION-I—Luke 4:16-21 Attention: My having to introduce myself to the people I worked with UPS hub in Raleigh, NC(seminary 1991-1994). Need: We all are searching for truth. Some knowingly & others appearing oblivious, resigning themselves to believing, ’it’ll all come out in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Revealing Jesus’ Mission-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Oct 2, 2012

2 of 6. Luke recorded the public assignment of Messiah’s mission to Jesus. Jesus’ mission is publicized/revealed. But for whom is it publicized/revealed? Jesus’ mission is revealed for the...

REVEALING JESUS’ MISSION-II—Luke 4:16-21 Attention: This morning, there were expectation in our home. Getting ready for church. Usually wear a suit, so I dress differently on the Lord’s Day. Even my dog knows that Sunday day is different. She knows that we will never take her ‘for a ride’ on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

A Long Campaign

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 16, 2025

In God’s time we will see the results of what we have done, even if someone else completes the work, just as Timothy built on Paul’s foundation.

My own graduation from high school and departure to college is so long ago and far away that I can hardly remember it. On the other hand, I graduated from seminary almost 30 years later, and so it’s much closer. There’s a lot the two have in common: leaving behind the old familiar, and going off ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Pastor Is The Church's Theologian

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2015

Pastor's are responsible to prepare themselves to present theology, making it a joy to the flock.

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Who Really Needs Help? Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

Christ will act towards you on his terms, not yours.

There is a scene in C.S. Lewis' children's book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, in which the children of the story are learning about the great lion king Aslan from Mr. & Mrs. Beaver. One asks the question, "Is he safe?" Mr. Beaver replies, "Safe?… Who said anything about safe? ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed