Sermons on Struggle:

Perseverence Pays Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 31, 2012

Faithful perseverence is the key to surviving our trials.

Runner’s World (8/91) told the story of Beth Anne DeGiantis’s attempt to qualify for the 1992 Olympic Trials marathon. A female runner must complete the 26 mile, 385 yard race in less than two hours, forty-five minutes in order to compete in the Olympic Trials. Beth started strong but ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Did Not Leave Us Powerless Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Oct 25, 2012

We need to rely on GOD's energy! He will equip us with the power and energy to do what He has called us to do!

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Do you feel overwhelmed by life, tired from the struggles, fearful of the future? • How many of us live in the city of Worryville? How many of us have housing in the new Stress Village subdivision? • Life can be very tiring, tough and stressful. ...read more

Scripture: John 4:14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Thanksgiving Joy Killers (And How To Beat Them). Series

Contributed by Tim White on Nov 19, 2012

There are three things in this passage that will steal your joy for Thanksgiving.

Giving thanks has always been a part of God’s people. Ill. The story is told of two old friends bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, "What has the world done to you, my old friend?" The sad fellow said, "Let ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-35

Denomination: Baptist

Warfare Of The Image Bearer Series

Contributed by David Oaks on Sep 22, 2004

Jesus promises us life but in the same breath says that life will be fought by a thief...

Warfare of the Image Bearer #1 Heritage Church David Oaks (This is the beginning message to accompany the congregation wide reading of Waking the Dead, by John Eldredge. Many of the thoughts and ideas come from him.) Have you ever tried to put together a puzzle without looking at the picture of ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Fruit Of The Spirit- Kindness (08) Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jul 1, 2008

Kindness is a lost art at times.

INTRODUCTION OPENING CLIP • SLIDE #1 • Today as we carry on with out look at the fruit of the spirit, we are going to take some time to examine a fruit that seems to be pretty nondescript on the surface. • Kindness seems like something that is pretty ordinary, but when you start to really think ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Eavesdropping In Gethsemane

Contributed by Ken Pell on Jan 25, 2009

Sermon Objective: To show God’s people the connection between an intimate prayer life and the ability to follow God’s will.

EAVESDROPPING IN GETHSEMANE Mark 14:32-41 Sermon Objective: To show God’s people the connection between an intimate prayer life and the ability to follow God’s will. Supporting Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16; Jeremiah 29:11; Hebrews 5:7-9 NOTE: This sermon included a vocalist who sings the hymn “Where ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-41

Denomination: Nazarene

Part 1 - Marital Rocks And Hard Places Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on May 10, 2009

Part one six on marriage and family

…let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. 1 Corinthians 7: 17b (NRSVA) Today we are beginning a six-part series on marriage and family life. Family life is not just about husband, wife, 2.3 kids, the dog and a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:1-17

Denomination: United Methodist

Why Do We Do The Things We Do

Contributed by Dan Swan on Sep 7, 2006

Sermon deals with the original sin (carnal nature) that is in one’s life. Subsequent to salvation, the Holy Spirit empowers us to not make the same choices and mistakes we’ve made in the past by being entirely sanctified.

Why Do We Do the Things That We Do? Sept. 3, 2006 AM Romans 7:7—8:14 (NIV) Key verse 7:15 Why do we do the things that we do? That is a good question. There are guidelines, rules, policies, practices put into place all around us. And yet when the desire comes to break one of them, we succumb to ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

Beyond Comfort

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jul 6, 2011

Sometimes God gives us the opportunity to use the lessons we’ve learned and the comfort He’s given us during difficult times to help others in special ways. God doesn’t comfort us to make us comfortable; He comforts us to make us comforters.

Opening illustration: A medical school program in New York gives students who are training for geriatric medicine a unique opportunity. They experience life as nursing home residents for 10 days. They learn some of the struggles of maneuvering a wheelchair and being raised out of bed with a lift, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Unfinished Symphony

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 22, 2010

We start the new year thinking it will be much like the last and that we will not finish all those things we have started. But there is more beauty in being unfinished than in being complete; for in Christ we can grow and become what He wants us to be.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC December 29, 1985 I have told you before, I believe, that I am an inveterate list-maker. I believe I have mentioned that my way of working and of setting daily work priorities is to build lists, long, elaborate, detailed lists of things ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-16

Denomination: Baptist

Cut Out Controversies Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Nov 30, 2010

God gives every guidance and every grace for building a healthy church.

Scripture Introduction Paul and Titus traveled the island of Crete, preaching Jesus. God blessed their evangelist zeal, converting many and creating churches in towns scattered across the land. But caring for these new Christians proved difficult, in part due to the character of the people. ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:9-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jacob: Back To Bethal

Contributed by Carl Allen on Oct 14, 2009

The life of Jacob is a great picture of the battle raging within every Christian between the flesh and the spirit.

Jacob: Back to Bethel Genesis 35:1-3 Introduction Bethel is about 20 miles north of Jerusalem and is described as a bleak highlands in the hill country. It stands 1,200 feet above sea level where the winds whistle around the large exposed rocks. Although the city was desolate and forbidding it ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 35:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

To Live Is Christ

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Sep 18, 2011

How do we balance our own pursuit of meaning and happiness with the call to live as Kingdom people? What role does suffering have in the Christian life and why in the world are we called not only to believe in Jesus but to suffer for him? A little bait an

This dates me, I know, but I can sometimes relate to Charlie Brown in the Peanuts cartoons. Like the one where Lucy is philosophizing and Charlie is listening. As usual, Lucy has the floor, delivering one of her lectures. She says, "Charlie Brown, life is a lot like a deck chair. Some place it so ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Are You Living Series

Contributed by Mark Elkins on Aug 17, 2010

A Biblical description of what God has for us.

WHY ARE YOU LIVING 1 PETER 1:4-5 Many years ago, there was found in an African mine the most magnificent diamond in the world’s history. It was presented to the king of England to blaze in his crown or state. The king sent it to Amsterdam to be cut. It was put into the hands of an expert ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

God's Dysfunctional Family

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Sep 16, 2009

God has love for his Dysfunctional Family. God shows his love for us by dying for this family and restoring us and reconciling us to Him.

Sermon 092009 Jeremiah 11:18-20; Mark 9:30-37 Dysfunctional Families. There are so many different ideas, emotions, memories, that come to mind when we hear these words. People tell me about growing up in homes where they knew they would move away as soon as they had an opportunity. Other ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 11:18-20

Denomination: Lutheran