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 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

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 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

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

Striving For Perfection

Contributed by Gerry Pratt on Apr 24, 2002

We cannot ever rest in our struggle to become more like Christ.

Phil. 3:12-16 - 12Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Greatest Temptation

Contributed by Richard Wilson on Nov 19, 2001

Jesus faced his greatest temptation as he struggled with the cup in the garden of Gethsemnae.

The Greatest Temptation Luke 22:39-46 Heb 4:15 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-- yet was without sin. Jesus faced many temptations. We know of the temptations he faced in the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:15, Luke 22:39-46

Denomination: Baptist

Are You A White Washed Christian Or Are You Covered By The Blood Of Jesus?

Contributed by Carolyn Malaika Foster-Brooks on Sep 23, 2002

This sermon is meant for any one that might be struggling with their salvation and is on the edge of being a hypocrite!

(Sermon By: Evangelist Carolyn Malaika Foster-Brooks of Lyons, Georgia) PRAYER: My Father, God above. Thank You for Your eternal love. Thank You for my personal relationship with You and for Your will as it will be done in my life. Thank You God for the Prayer of Serenity which is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:27-28, Matthew 24:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

The Ongoing Temptation Of Christ

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Feb 22, 2007

A look at Jesus’ time in the wilderness and how it relates to our struggle to resist temptation.

Dakota Community Church February 25, 2007 The Ongoing Temptation Of Christ Introduction: Read Matthew 4:1-11 The kind of Jesus you follow says a lot about your beliefs concerning Christianity. Do you serve a happy face Jesus, or have you met the Jesus of the Bible? I am just saying that Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Mennonite

Marching To A Different Drumbeat

Contributed by Danny Anderson on Sep 16, 2006

Are you ready for the coming conflict? As Christians, we face spiritual struggles and battles...

Marching to a Different Drumbeat Text: Joshua 1:1-3 Introduction: Are you ready for the coming conflict? As Christians, we face spiritual struggles and battles on a daily basis. That is why Paul was so emphatic in the words he used in Ephesians 6:10-13. He said: "Finally, be strengthened by the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Thinking Clearly About Marriage

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Mar 4, 2005

This sermon deals with the struggles associated with marriage and some of the pitfalls that we can avoid.

Thinking Clearly About Marriage 2/13/2005 Genesis 2:19-25 1 Corin 7:1-7 For Christians, The date you set for your wedding, should not be based upon how much money you need to save for an elaborate wedding. It should not be based on how many more years of school you have left. It ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed