Sermons on Struggle:

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

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

When God Wrestles With Family Tensions

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 16, 2009

We use avoidance, anger, anxiety, and aloneness to manage family tensions. We even use self-centered prayer. But when we let God wrestle with us, we are changed and we accept vulnerability in family life.

The most critical issue in family life is not anger or argument. It is avoidance. What plagues most families is not that they are embroiled in fighting or torn by argument. What destroys families is that people drift apart from one another; they avoid one another. You see, if you fight with ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Becoming A Giant Killer

Contributed by James Lee on Oct 17, 2012

If we run from our giants they just keep coming and we can never get away from them. What we need is to become giant killers…

I want to know something this morning… Are there any giant killers in this place? We have seen, over the last few weeks, what it takes to rush our giants… What happens if we fail to rush our giants…BUT just rushing them is not enough. I was thinking about this series last Sunday ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:31-53

Denomination: Baptist

Preparation Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 12, 2011

John the Baptist is an example of what it means to prepare the way for Jesus' return.

Mark 1:1-8 “Preparation” INTRODUCTION Our journey through Advent seems to be a sprint. We are already celebrating the Second Sunday in Advent. Last week we focused on Jesus’ promise to come again in order to complete his establishment of the kingdom of God. The key word for ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

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: 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

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

Getting Off The Crazy Cycle Series

Contributed by Dan Carroll on Jul 28, 2011

In relationships, we keep doing the same things over and over and expect a different outcome. This sermon will help listeners deal with marriage issues.

INTRODUCTION – We live in new world. • Social networking has never been easier, • But we don’t do relationships very well. • The hardest place for relationships is home. • Hebrews 13:4 NLT, “Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:28-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It Can Be Tough To Communicate Series

Contributed by Dan Carroll on Jul 28, 2011

This sermon helps couples learn to communicate in this "sound bite" generation.

INTRODUCTION • We are a sound bite generation. • So when it comes to really communicating our feelings we are not very good. I. COMMUNICATION BEGINS IN THE HEART • Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29

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