Sermons on Ministry Struggles:

Our Agenda Vs God's Agenda

Contributed by Revd Dr Ruwan Palapathwala on Dec 29, 2024

Jesus has a vision for his ministry and the people have another, a different vision. The people’s own expectations have deafened them to the fulfillment of the scriptures. They are so caught up in their own agenda they cannot hear, let alone participate in, God’s agenda.

“What’s your plan for the day?” It’s a question I often ask my wife; usually on the weekend. But sometimes in the evenings after work I’ll say, “What’s your plan for this evening?” What’s your plan for the weekend? They seem like innocent enough questions and often they are. I’m really interested ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:21-30

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

One With Christ ~ Christ Series

Contributed by Ava Ch on May 11, 2025

This sermon is part of a three-week Stewardship Series about the communion commitment of "one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all." Three strands of one binding together in one cord that cannot be broken as we commit ourselves to the kingdom of God.

Opening Illustration:?Many of us love receiving gifts—birthdays, holidays, anniversaries. But have you noticed that the most meaningful gifts are not the ones that fade or break but connect us to someone’s love? A letter. A family heirloom. A handmade card from a child. These are gifts that hold ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-11

Lesson 2: "The God Who Establishes Us” Series

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Nov 12, 2025

This second sermon explores Paul’s explanation of his integrity, his ministry under accusation, and how God’s faithfulness steadies us when plans change and people misunderstand. It moves from comfort to credibility — from grace received to grace lived out.

Introduction Sometimes the greatest challenge in ministry is not persecution, but misunderstanding. Paul faced criticism from those who thought his change of travel plans meant he was fickle or untrustworthy. Yet, in this passage, Paul reminds us that God is faithful — and it is He who establishes ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:12-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Casualties Of Divine Service

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 8, 2019

The message explores how Christians can avoid becoming casualties of divine service. There is a high cost demanded of those who will serve Christ, and we must not imagine that we will be spared paying that cost. However, in standing firm with Christ, we will stand victorious.

“Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ Then he was afraid, and he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

When You Feel Like Quitting Don't

Contributed by Ronald Crandall on Jan 10, 2003

Have you ever felt like just giving up? I hear Pastor’s say all the time I resign every monday morning... God gave me this at a very crucial moment in my ministry and I was hurt,tired and fed up. Teri and I had just lost our son.

When you feel like quitting DON’T! 1 Peter 2:9 John 21:1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: (NIV) John 21:2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-3, 1 Peter 2:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Resurrection Of Deliverance-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 22, 2025

1 of? Mark records some of the historical events that surround the actual resurrection of Jesus Christ. True Deliverance is found in the resurrected Jesus....He IS our Deliverance! ?How” or “Why? is true deliverance found in Jesus’ resurrection? The Resurrection of Deliverance informs your...

The RESURRECTION Of DELIVERANCE-I—Mark 16:1-14(:1-20) Sunday & Wednesday the week before last, we looked at: ‘The DEATH Of DELIVERANCE’—Mk. 15:1-47 Today, we’ll delve into: The RESURRECTION Of DELIVERANCE—Mark 16:1-14(:1-20) Need: People struggle with various means of so-called ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-6, Mark 16:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Enlarged Understanding Of The Kingdom Of God Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on May 23, 2006

What does Luke mean by the phrase “the kingdom of God” and how does it apply to our daily lives and ministries? Sermon also deals with disciples’ question in Acts 1:6 “So when they met together, they asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restor

Enlarged Understanding of the Kingdom of God Series: Book of Acts #4 Acts 1:1-11[1] 11-06-05 Intro We are in a study of the Book of Acts and this morning I what to talk with you about “the kingdom of God.” What does Luke mean by the phrase “the kingdom of God” and how does it apply to our daily ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: Charismatic

The Kingdom 101

Contributed by Johann Neethling on Aug 27, 2003

The Kingdom of God was the #1 topic of all Jesus’ ministry. He told us to seek first God’s Kingdom and righteousness, and in a world filled with so much bad news, we need to hear and focus on the Good News of the Kingdom so as not to live our lives withou

The Kingdom 101 Introduction: • Coming to the US from South Africa certainly had its cultural challenges. Even though we also grew up speaking English, some words meant very different things there from what they do here. • A lady friend of ours, newly from South Africa, was driving along the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34

Denomination: United Methodist

Water To Wine—declaring God's Anointed-1 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 3, 2015

1 of 6. Jesus turned water to wine in order to initiate/call attention to/set apart His public ministry. Where is Jesus heralded as God’s Anointed? or Why turn water into wine? God’s Anointed is heralded on the stage of...

WATER To WINE—Declaring God's Anointed-I—John 2:1-12 Attention: On Stage—The Lion King—2nd highest grossing Broadway musical, pulling in $699.1 Million since 1994. Story of a coming of age reluctant King, threatened by his own uncle, who enviously seeks the king’s ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Water To Wine—declaring God's Anointed-3 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on May 5, 2015

3 of 6. Jesus turned water to wine in order to initiate/call attention to/set apart His public ministry. Where is Jesus heralded as God’s Anointed? or Why turn water into wine? God’s Anointed is heralded on the stage of...

WATER To WINE—Declaring God's Anointed-III—John 2:1-12 Attention: On Stage— Jesus turned water to wine in order to initiate/call attention to/set apart His public ministry. Jesus is set apart as God’s Anointed. Declaring God’s Anointed can/may be accomplished thru ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Why Did Michael The Great Archangel Say "The Lord Rebuke Thee"?

Contributed by Tony Abram on Oct 31, 2010

In my early ministry as a young evangelist, just starting out and in one of my first revival meetings, I heard the Pastor say while praying for a person the Lord rebuke thee. Some how this did not feel 100% correct. However, he being a senior minister a

WHY DID MICHAEL THE GREAT ARCHANGEL SAY "THE LORD REBUKE THEE"? In my early ministry as a young evangelist, just starting out and in one of my first revival meetings, I heard the Pastor say while praying for a person the Lord rebuke thee. Some how this did not feel 100% correct. However, ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-10

Calling Of Elisha By Elijah - 1 Kings 19:20

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Aug 4, 2011

Calling of Elisha By Elijah - 1 Kings 19:20 It takes a genuine man of God to recognize another genuine man of God. It takes a real man of God to conquer a man of God. How to spot your successor in the ministry? How to know how to choose your leaders, a

Calling of Elisha By Elijah - 1 Kings 19:20 1 Kings 19:20 Elisha then left his oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you." Elijah answered, "All right, go back. I'm not stopping you!" It takes a genuine man ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:20

Denomination: Pentecostal

"It Only Takes A Spark"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on May 27, 2010

We are empowered to continue the ministry of Christ—which is our calling! And all it takes is trusting God to be God. We need not be Superman or Wonderwoman. All we need is God and one another. All we need to do is, “Just do it!”

Luke 17:5-6 Acts 2:42-47 “It only Takes a Spark” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN I think, oftentimes, many of us are intimidated by our faith. Now what in the world do I mean by that? Well, for one thing, the mission of the Church is to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5-6

Denomination: United Methodist

Seeing Clearly Series

Contributed by Tim White on Mar 5, 2012

Jesus' healing of the blind man in Mark 8 illustrates four points: 1) Some people just want to come out of the darkness. 2) Our ministry can sometimes only lift the darkness. 3) The religious expectations of others can be harmful. 4) There are times when

Seeing Clearly Mark 8:22-26 Seeing is a strange thing. An infant can see a john deer tractor and not benefit from it. A farmer can see a jar of smashed carrots and not be drawn to it. A doctor can see blurry images on a glass slide and be excited about what it tells him. A preacher can see three ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:22-26

Denomination: Baptist

What Is And How Do We Do The Will Of God?

Contributed by Tony Abram on Feb 8, 2009

I have said many times over the past 50 years of International Ministry to God’s people when asked, "What is the Will of God for me? and how can I know it and do it? I have said that in a nutshell that the Will of God is the Word of God and the Word of G

What is and how do we do the Will of God? I have said many times over the past 50 years of International Ministry to God’s people when asked, "What is the Will of God for me? and how can I know it and do it? I have said that in a nutshell that the Will of God is the Word of God and the Word of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-12