Sermons on Overcoming Difficulties:

Releasing The Shackles

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 22, 2010

Releasing the Shackles. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Reading: chapter 16 verses 11-41 Ill: Harry Houdini, the famed escape artist; • Issued a challenge wherever he went: • He claimed he could be locked in any jail cell in the country, • And set would set himself free and he would do it quickly and easily. • He ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:11-41

Denomination: Brethren

Encouragement For Those Who Suffer

Contributed by Shawn Rose on Dec 27, 2008

The apostle Peter gives us encouragement to help us when we suffer.

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER Text: 1 Peter 1:13 – 16 Introduction: • 64 AD Rome burns under Nero; Nero blames Christians • Christians around world still suffer • US suffering: verbal, emotional, or physical abuse; inciting to lose temper or to sin; hindering your service for God ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Ah, Lord God

Contributed by Andy Barnard on Dec 27, 2008

When things don’t go according to our plan, we need to know God is stil in control

An explorer in the deepest Amazon suddenly finds himself surrounded by a bloodthirsty group of natives. Upon surveying his situation, he says quietly to himself, "I’m toast." A ray of light breaks forth from the sky and a voice booms out: "No, you are NOT toast. Pick up that stone in front of you ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:1-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Where Will God Take You?

Contributed by Ernest Canell on Jan 7, 2009

WHere is God taking you to. A fresh understanding to help us move forward in GOd’s direction

Where will God take you? Luke 2:26-28 When you say, "It’s time for us to move, not just feed," the flock will mumble. But a pastor, by definition, is a shepherd who is not only feeding, but also is taking people somewhere. My goal in preaching is to help people capture God’s vision and align ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:26-28

Denomination: *other

Following Christ Solo Series

Contributed by Brian Atwood on May 12, 2008

Encouraging singles, widows, and Christ followers without believing spouses to successfully face the difficult task of following Christ solo.

We’re in the series "No Perfect Families Allowed" and we’re gleaning valuable real to life, hope-inspiring principles for family encouragement from the recorded biographies of Bible families. Last week we established our theme verse for this series.. Romans 5:20b (Amplified Bible) Where sin ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The Trials Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Jun 17, 2021

Difficulties and bad times plague us all from time to time.

Doe Zantamata, a Canadian author, artist and photographer once remarked: “It is only in our darkest hours that we may discover the true strength of the brilliant light within ourselves that can never, ever, be dimmed.” Psalm 9:9-10 confirms: “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:10, Philippians 4:6-7, Joshua 1:9

"four Truths We Can Affirm In A Crisis"

Contributed by Brad King on Sep 13, 2021

Crises have long been a part of the human equation. During a crisis, it is difficult to know what to think or believe. The story of Job helps us to understand that we can affirm at least four truths during a crisis.

1. In crises we can affirm that God is in control. Job 42:1-2 2. In crises we can affirm that God knows things we cannot know or comprehend. Job 42:3 3. In crises we can affirm that the crisis can help clarify our understanding of God, though it may take time. Job 42:4-5 4. In crises we can ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

From Darkness To Light

Contributed by Howard Gwartney on Apr 4, 2020

Paul Recounts His Conversion to Agrippa and tells him that Jesus told Paul to turn people from darkness to light.

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT Acts 26:12-18 Acts 26:12 (NKJV ) “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

Turn And Trust In God

Contributed by Meshak Dayanand on Apr 28, 2020

The technologies and the science were diverting our trust from God to this man-made lifeless stuff. Today  I have entitled my sermon as Turn and trust in God alone. Today's message theme or purpose is that you turn from these idols to the Living God.

Greetings to you in the sweet name of Lord Jesus Christ. I consider it my great privilege to share the Word of God with you. We are going through one of the toughest situations in human history. We know these things are inevitable or unavoidable. This pandemic is not the worst or the last, these ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 31:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Difficult Doeg Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Aug 10, 2022

Difficult people are everywhere around us. Difficult people may be us. How do we act and react?

THE VERY RELATABLE LIFE OF KING DAVID DIFFICULT DOEG 1 SAMUEL 21:1-9, 22:6-23, PSALM 52 #kingdavid INTRODUCTION We are currently in a time when we are looking deeper at the life of King David in the Bible. His life is given to us as a gift in that we see the ups and downs of his life in detail. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 22:6-23, 1 Samuel 21:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Get Rid Of The Giants In Your Life

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 25, 2022

This passage of scripture has many surprises, but we want to look especially at two of them; ONE GOOD SURPRISE and ONE BAD SURPRISE.

Illus: This passage reminds me of the story of the little mother of seven children. She was leaving to go to a surprise party, and all seven of them wanted to go with her. One asked, "Mom, can we go with you?" She said, "No, it is a surprise party." One of the little ones ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:22-26

Denomination: Baptist

God Is More Valuable Than Life & Health Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Dec 25, 2022

Jesus Christ in the darkness of our suffering brings into it the light that we need so that we can move forward.

I'm really grateful for God's word. I don't know what I would do without it. The Bible has so much information in it about who we are and who God is and God's plan for us that it becomes this really strategic place that we spend our time learning and studying. That's why we ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When You Are Stuck Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Mar 16, 2024

This is the 191st sermon in the series "Action".

Series: Action [#191] WHEN YOU ARE STUCK Acts 27:27-28:10 Introduction: Yesterday, my Daughter-in-Law took us to Big Cheese Pizza in her SUV. I have not been in that vehicle since my Elk Hunt in December. It may seem odd that I would remember that; but that particular day was very memorable. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Comfort In The Chaos

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Nov 12, 2024

How to thrive in difficult times.

Comfort in the Chaos Acts 16:20-35 20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:20-35

Denomination: Baptist

Overcoming Temptation: Jesus’ Example In Resisting Satan Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Jul 16, 2025

Jesus didn’t just defeat temptation for Himself — He demonstrated how you can walk in victory. Armed with the Word. Filled with the Spirit. Anchored in your God-given identity. Temptation is inevitable — but defeat is not.

Overcoming Temptation: Jesus’ Example in Resisting Satan June 8, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Matthew 4:1-11 We’ve spent the last several months pulling back the veil on the enemy’s tactics — exposing his schemes, his snares, and his shadow games. Let’s be real: Satan is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Brethren