Sermons on Struggle:

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

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

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

Is Your Faith Working??

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 7, 2009

People have differing views about how faith is expressed and what it looks like when it is expressed. Faith to remove a problem and faith to endure a problem are both illustrated in Hebrews 11. Habakkuk’s struggle with faith is also addressed.

Is Your Faith Working? Hebrews 11 7-19-09 Intro I want to begin this morning with a question. Is your faith working? Since the Bible says, “The just shall live by faith” I would consider that question extremely important. Are you living by faith? Martin Luther applied that verse to justification. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-40

Denomination: Charismatic

Wrestling With God

Contributed by Carl Greene on Jul 18, 2009

Jacob wrestles with God and names the place "Peniel," meaning "face of God". Each of us needs our own "Peniel," a place to meet God. God gives us such a place, the Holy Bible.

OPENING Talk about the courage to suffer: A first-grade teacher seated her students in a circle. She asked them what they wanted to be when they grew up. One by one, each child got up and announced, "I’d like to be a nurse like my mother," or "I want to be a banker like my father," or "I want to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-31

Denomination: Methodist

Being Under The Influence I

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jul 12, 2008

There are two ways to be controlled: Our minds are either under the influence of our sinful nature or the Holy Spirit.

Title: Being Under the Influence Text: Romans 8:1-11 The Big Idea: There are two ways to be controlled: Our minds are either under the influence of our own sinful nature or the Holy Spirit. Introduction The conflict between good and evil is as old as time… the earliest was a cosmic battle ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Help, I Married The Wrong Sister!

Contributed by Brian Buriff on Feb 2, 2010

When you feel like Jacob - "Help, I married the wrong person." Within every man and woman there lies 2 dimensions - the lovable Rachel side and the difficult Leah side. Successful marriages recognize both sides and learns to embrace both sides.

HELP, I MARRIED THE WRONG SISTER! Read: Gen 29:15-31 I. HOW COULD JACOB POSSIBLY MARRY THE WRONG SISTER? A. Raises Lots Of Questions 1. Was it really that dark at night? / Did she have a bag over her head? 2. Was Jacob simply drunk at the wedding? B. Custom Practiced During Some ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:15-31

Denomination: Church Of God

Breakthrough For Joy

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 2, 2010

Every now and then something happens, after a long struggle, to give us a breakthrough. So with God in Christ, planning from the foundation of time for the cross and achieving a breakthrough victory at the empty tomb. So count nothing impossible.

Every now and again, in human history, we achieve a breakthrough. Something which we have worked for, hoped for, fought and died for, finally happens. There has been struggle and agony and seemingly endless defeat, but suddenly it all works out. That’s called a breakthrough. You know the feeling. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

That Was Then, This Is Now

Contributed by Ken Hubbard on Feb 2, 2010

This sermon is to encourage listeners not to let life's "detours, delays discouragements" distract them from God's sovereign work in their lives.

INTRO - Have you ever wondered - Why bad things happen to good people - When I am asked that question - I must respond with: „X God is sovereign „X His ways are higher than ours „X When you can't trace / trust - If we're not careful we will let ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 34:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

The Big Three: Major Obstacles To A Better Marriage Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 9, 2012

Marriage brings with it great blessings, but marriage also brings with it many problems because marriage is the uniting of two sinners. Today, I would like to share three of the biggest and commonest marriage problems, but as you listen, you will discove

The Big Three: Major Obstacles to a Better Marriage (topical) 1. “A Swedish woman who lost her wedding ring 16 years ago was flabbergasted when she found it again, around a carrot growing in her garden, media reported Saturday. Lena Paahlsson had taken off the white gold ring before a Christmas ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Marriage God's Way

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Nov 28, 2011

Marriage is under assault today on several fronts. This message makes clear God's original design and intent for marriage, and shares some tips for helping a marriage to survive.

MARRIAGE GOD’S WAY Pastor Eric Hanson We are living in curious times regarding marriage. There are those who would like to abolish marriage altogether and replace it with various legal arrangements having to do with property and finances. At the same time, there are others who wish to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:20-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational