Sermons on Struggle:

Great Expectations

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 23, 2023

John the Baptist's followers struggle with changing their allegiance to Jesus.

Zach was tired. He had been coming down to Tiberias every week for almost two months, bringing news and food to John in prison, and it looked like he’d probably be doing it for the rest of the year. Nothing had changed. After Herod arrested John for publicly accusing him of incest and adultery, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Bitter Root Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 22, 2008

Churches should be a place filled with gentle and loving people who wouldn’t be a place of anger and conflict. But too often, churches are known as places of conflict and pain. How should a Christian leader deal with this issue?

OPEN: In Winchester, Ohio there’s a church called the Bethlehem Church of Christ. It’s been in existence for over 150 years, and over the years different events have been recorded in their “history” book. One of their recent ministers was reading back over the different entries in this book when he ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 16:1-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Is The One

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Dec 13, 2010

John the Baptist struggled. Was Jesus the One? Jesus leads us into God’s Word to heal our struggling hearts, just as he did for John. A) He fulfills the prophecies, so we find healing in the Scriptures B) He blesses us in his Word, so we take it to heart

Text: Matthew 11:2-11 Theme: Jesus Is the One A. He fulfills the prophecies, so that we find healing in the Scriptures. B. He blesses us in his Word, so that we take it to heart. Season: Advent 3a Date: December 12, 2010 Web page: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran

The Troubles Of A Godly Teenager Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Apr 6, 2013

Joseph was only seventeen when his brothers sold him into slavery. He faced many struggles that are common for young people today. We can learn from his struggles and victories.

Sermon Notes April 7, 2013 FBCam The Troubles of a Teenager Genesis 37:1-11 What were you up to when you were seventeen? For me, it was my first year at Bible College. I was a year younger than Kim who attended when she was 18. At 17 Kim was enjoying her senior year of High school, like most ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Josh's Journey Through Silence: Spirituality In The Making

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jan 4, 2021

This is a narrative sermon that illustrates how people often struggle with spirituality due to life's situation. It follows this narrative for developing a sensitivity to those who struggle to find meaning on their spiritual journey.

Following the pastoral prayer, the minister of music prepared to lead the people in a hymn of praise. As the pastor reflected upon the worship service and the sermon he was to preach his mind drifted to the text for his sermon. It was the first passage of scripture he had heard read from the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hope Deferred Makes The Heart Sick

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 25, 2021

How many of you struggled with hopelessness during the last year? How many of you felt burnt out over the last year? How many of you struggled with anxiety or depression in the last year?

“I am not a connoisseur of great art, but from time to time a painting or picture will really speak a clear, strong message to me. Some time ago I saw a picture of an old burned-out mountain shack. All that remained was the chimney...the charred debris of what had been that family's sole ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23, Psalm 31:24, Lamentations 3:24, Psalm 119:114, Proverbs 23:18, Proverbs 13:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Hope Deferred Makes The Heart Sick

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on May 3, 2021

How many of you struggled with hopelessness during the last year? How many of you felt burnt out over the last year? How many of you struggled with anxiety or depression in the last year?

“I am not a connoisseur of great art, but from time to time a painting or picture will really speak a clear, strong message to me. Some time ago I saw a picture of an old burned-out mountain shack. All that remained was the chimney...the charred debris of what had been that family's sole ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Proverbs 23:18

Denomination: Salvation Army

Peace Where There Is No Peace Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Dec 6, 2024

Life is interrupted in many different ways … death, disease, unhappy events, struggles within and with others. These anxiety producing events leave us struggling to find peace in a world that offers very little peace.

PEACE WHERE THERE IS NO PEACE LUKE 1:26–56 Introduction Last week we began our series through the gospel of Luke by studying about the birth and life of John the Baptist - the Forerunner of Hope. Today we continue through Luke 1 and search out the theme of Peace. Which is strange - ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-56

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Promise And The Problem Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 26, 2023

Abraham was a great man of faith... but not always. Sometimes his struggles with believing God's promises undermined his life and his family. But what did God do when Abraham struggled?

A preacher who was new to town and had dropped off his suit at the dry-cleaners. Later that week, he came back to pick up his suit, and the woman behind the counter said. “That will be $10.50.” “Oh my,” said the preacher. “I only have $9. Would it be alright if I came back later with the rest?” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Real Independence Day

Contributed by Ron Hietsch on Jun 23, 2011

Our High Priest Jesus has offered for all time one sacrifice for sins. This is the real Independence day. Christ has freed us from all sins, from death, and the power of the devil. If we reject this sacrifice there is no other cure for our disease of sin.

July 3, 2011 Pentacost 3A The Real Independence Day Grace mercy and peace from God the father and Christ Jesus our Lord. The text for today is the Epistle lesson -- Paul’s letter to the Romans chapter 7:14-25a. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Lutheran

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

Dealing With Unseen Damage: Symptoms Of Systemic Problems Series

Contributed by Michael Fletcher on Aug 31, 2011

Intro: (Michael)When you buy your first home one of the things people talk about is that now you’ll experience the “pride of ownership.

Intro: (Michael)When you buy your first home one of the things people talk about is that now you’ll experience the “pride of ownership.” But what they don’t tell you is that you are also now about to experience the price of ownership as well. And I don’t just mean ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Running With A Limp

Contributed by Ty Tamasaka on Sep 9, 2011

4 Points on learning how to deal with the "Wilderness Seasons" of our lives. 1. GOD WANTS TO DEVELOP A STEADFAST HEART WITHIN ME. 2. God leads us into seasons of growth and not gratification. 3. GOD WANTS TO DEVELOP THE COURAGE OF A WARRIOR. 4

Running with a Limp The Role of the Wilderness When Jesus comes into our lives, things sure do change don’t they? I recall when I was a new believer, I used to work out at the gym all the time, and there was one occasion when a I wanted to use a rowing machine and noticed a towel on the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 13:17-18

Denomination: Other

Fix Your Mind On These

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jun 21, 2013

To enumerate the things needed for your mind to fix on.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you have a mind? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To enumerate the things needed for your mind to fix on. IV. TEXT: Philippians 4:8 (Amplified Bible) For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Marriage: Duel Or Duet?

Contributed by Adrian Rogers on Mar 27, 2012

Marriage is more than moonlight and roses. In our day, it is by many lightly regarded, and by many as lightly discarded. But marriages are kept alive by God's grace.

Introduction Jesus said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37). And, the only people who go away unsatisfied from that living water are those who are filled with the stagnate water of self-love. But, if you’ll seek the Lord Jesus, today, if you ...read more

Scripture: James 3:5-8

Denomination: Baptist