Sermons on Overcoming Hardships:

What We Learned From A Ping-Pong Marathon Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 15, 2011

Paul says to dwell on those things that are excellent and worthy of praise. These encouraging words will help us all through any circumstance, any trial or any hardship, as we remember that “all things work together for good to those who love God.”

How soon we forget, or how soon we don’t forget. I have cherished memories from long ago that I will never, ever forget. Way back in 1975 I learned a valuable lesson about time, and I learned how many hours are in a week. I also learned about the power of prayer and leaning on God to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Christian Church

Bouncing Back (Part Two)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on May 30, 2021

Last week we looked at the story of Joseph. He bounced back from multiple situations: sold into slavery, a false accusation, betrayal, etc. But he wasn't the only one who bounced back from multiple hardships; Paul did too.

BOUNCING BACK (part two) There are many personal stories of people who bounced back from a bad situation. We're bouncing back from the pandemic with vaccinations and loosening COVID restrictions. People have bounced back from having COVID. Churches have bounced back from having to shut down ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, 2 Corinthians 11:24-27, 2 Timothy 3:10-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas Courage: The Story Of Joseph Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Nov 28, 2006

There are three points to this sermon. 1. God gives courage to ordinary people. 2. God gives us courage to overcome our doubts and fears. 3. God gives us courage to face the future.

(This sermon is a re-working of “The Nativity Story: The Courage of Joseph” by C. Raymond van Pletsen. I used some of the same wording and illustrations but changed the outline and applications. I only spoke of movies I had seen and since I am not a sports fan changed the ending.) Christmas ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

1 Peter 1:2-12

Contributed by Kurt Heisey on May 29, 2002

From 1 Peter Series: What were some of the issues in Peter’s heart he had to overcome in order to be used by God in fulness?

1 Peter 1:2-12 VCC July 26, 1998 Introduction Written by Peter Acts 4:13, described as unlearned and ignorant men This means that they did not go through formal religious training, NOT professional religious leaders He had simply been with Jesus for 3 years He simply had been baptised in the Holy ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:2-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Exposing Spiritual Pride

Contributed by Tim Gibson on Nov 23, 2000

What is Spiritual Pride ? How to overcome it ? This sermon looks at these questions and how the 5 I Wills of Satan show five aspects of spiritual pride.

(1) INTRODUCTION: How does this passage of Scripture apply to us if it talks primarily of the fall of Satan ? (a) It’s actually written about an earthly man - the King of Babylon (v4). (b) Satan tempted man to go a similar way as him (Gen 3:5) (c) Throughout Scripture we are ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 14:12-15

Denomination: *other

"The Four Faithful Friends"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Sep 18, 2003

This story teaches us that we can make a difference in people’s lives ... and to overcome obstacles that keep us away from the power of God.

“The Four Faithful Friends” Luke 5:17-26 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our series on ‘Great Events In The Life Of Jesus’. TODAY, we want to look at a man whom Jesus healed. Luke 5:17-20 – all turn – READ 5:17 – Jesus was in a house, teaching a large group of people. The place was packed! Every ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Baptist

Ten Ways The Holy Spirit Equips Us For Spiritual Warfare

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 12, 2004

Ask the Lord to help you fight the good fight of faith in overcoming your sinful desires that oppose God’s purposes, plans and priorities.

Ten Ways the Holy Spirit Equips us For Spiritual Warfare (Eph. 6:10-20) Illustration: Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day. --Ephesians 6:13 As believers in Jesus Christ, we are engaged in spiritual warfare with unseen wicked forces. To overcome our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Douse The Flame Of Excuses Series

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 30, 2004

Offering excuses will always limit spiritual growth. We look at people from the Bible and their excuses and how God helped them overcome their excuses.

DOUSE THE FLAME OF EXCUSES! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.  Kyfingers@aol.com TEXT: Proverbs 22:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. Luke 14:18 And THEY ALL with ONE CONSENT BEGAN TO MAKE EXCUSE. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:18-24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Freedom From Hopelessness Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 28, 2004

To overcome a seemingly hopeless situation, you need to (1) get to the right person, (2) assume a right posture, and (3) maintain the right perspective.

We thank God for Jesus Christ - who frees us from SIN and everything that comes with it. Our burden of guilt, of hopelessness, and a meaningless life - and we are no longer BOUND. This FREEDOM gives us renewed purpose for life, we experience a different kind of peace and joy in this freedom. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Freedom From Hopelessness Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 28, 2004

To overcome a seemingly hopeless situation, you need to (1) get to the right person, (2) assume a right posture, and (3) maintain the right perspective.

We thank God for Jesus Christ - who frees us from SIN and everything that comes with it. Our burden of guilt, of hopelessness, and a meaningless life - and we are no longer BOUND. This FREEDOM gives us renewed purpose for life, we experience a different kind of peace and joy in this freedom. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

From Pit To Place

Contributed by James Harrington on Feb 18, 2003

The story of Joseph helps us to choose to overlook unfair offenses, overcome enormous obstacles and model a virtue that is fast becoming lost in or hostile age.

From Pit to Palace Genesis 32:22-32 In David Aikman’s book Great Souls: Six Who Changed the Century, he profiles six leaders of the 20th century who he argues triumphed over criticism, adversity and opposition. Aikman writes, “I’ve always personally been inspired by the lives of great people. It ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Lose Heart

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 28, 2006

What happens when we lose heart and how to overcome it. 1- Obvious doubt 2- Clear Evidence 3- Great commendation

INTRO.- ILL.- The New York City Transit Company was missing a bus and a driver some years ago. For over a week, authorities searched for the man but couldn’t find him. Finally, ten days later after the man had disappeared, he was found, bus included, in Miami, FL! The driver said, "I’d had it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-11, Matthew 11:2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living Beyond Being Down And Out (Part Ii) Series

Contributed by Danny Pinksen on Jul 2, 2007

The Bible does offer great advice and instruction on how to deal with and overcome many of life’s everyday challenges including being down and out.

Living Beyond the “Down and Out” II (Advice adapted from Rick Warren’s “God’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions”) {DVD – Laughter is Contagious} [ILLUS: “Laughter Really is the Best medicine” states Sue Casiglia – Lets look at some highlights from her study: > The affect of laughter on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28

Denomination: Holiness

"Tabitha, Get Up" Series

Contributed by Ken Harris on Apr 29, 2007

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to affirm to others that whenever Prayer and the Power of God’s Word is present, there is new life to overcome the spiritual handicaps.

Acts 9:36-43 (MSG) 29 April 2007 U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Fort Ord Chapel Seaside, California BIG IDEA: Whenever Prayer and the Power of God’s Word is present, there is new life to overcome spiritual handicaps. References: Colossians 3:12-15 (ESV); Acts 12:1-19 (James Killed ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:36-43

Denomination: Pentecostal

Breaking The Barriers To Belief Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 6, 2006

In this sermon we explore the barriers to belief that some people have, and then point out that God wants to help all people overcome the obstacles to belief.

A. This morning we return to our series called Embracing Our Mission. To help refresh our memory, here are some of the things we have been emphasizing in this series: 1. First and foremost – People Matter to God. He loves them and He wants to save them! 2. Second – Reaching out to the lost is not ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ