Sermons on Struggle:

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

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

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

Accepting The Challenge Of Your Faith

Contributed by Scott Carroll on May 20, 2011

ALLOWING GOD TO INCREASE YOUR FAITH THROUGH HIS MANY MEDIUMS

ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE OF YOUR FAITH 5/20/2011 IKing 17:17-24 17 And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. 18 And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:17-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

This Thing Called Marriage

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Apr 4, 2011

A sermon that can also be used as a marriage or relationship seminar. Ephesians 5:22-30

Have you noticed that, as much as couples seem to ’get along’, they also spend just as much time ’not’ getting along? Statistics show that in the late 1800’s, only one out of every 34 marriages ended in divorce. By the mid 1900’s, one out of every 7 marriages ended in divorce, and through ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-30

Denomination: *other

How To Handle Conflicts

Contributed by Adrian Rogers on Apr 26, 2011

A classic sermon from Adrian Rogers about resolving conflicts in relationships, particularly in marriage.

Take your Bibles and find James chapter 1, would you please, and when you’ve found it look up here. In a moment we’re going to begin reading in verse 19. One Lord, one love - achieving intimacy in marriage: that is not easy. Why is it? Well, we’re different, male and female. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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