Sermons on Struggle:

Do You Have 20/20 Vision?

Contributed by Chad Taylor on Jan 7, 2014

Every year we struggle with New Year's Resolutions or goals set that we fail to reach. The church is no different. Does the church have a clear vision for Jesus and the authority of His word? Its time to separate the garbage from the truth in our walk!

Introduction On September 27, 1991, as was his custom, Gerald Sittser, a professor of religion and philosophy at Whitworth College, prayed, asking God to protect and bless his family. Something went terribly wrong. Later that afternoon, returning from a family outing, a drunk driver lost control ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:8-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expanding Your Prayer Life Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 4, 2021

Sermon expounds exhortation in Eph. 6:18 to "pray with ALL KINDS of prayer." A key to expanding our prayer capacity is developing in a variety of modes of prayer. Many struggle with prayer because their prayer life is one-dimensional (primarily petition).

Our text today is found in Ephesians 6. A couple of weeks ago we ministered on the armor of God presented in verses 10-17.i Paul begins by saying, “Finally, my brethren, [much of what Paul has said previously in this epistle is leading up to this exhortation.] be strong in the Lord and in the power ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 7:7, Jonah 2:2, James 4:2, Luke 12:32, Philippians 4:6, Psalm 99:9, Numbers 6:22-27, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 62:1, Matthew 18:18-20, 1 Corinthians 14:1-18, Romans 8:26-27, Ephesians 6:10-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Wake Up, Church! Awaken Our Commitment Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Aug 20, 2021

We struggle with commitment in our world today. Marriages, for example, last as long as life is convenient. Commitment to God has dwindled as well. If we are going to make a difference in the world, and set our country right, we need a solid commitment to God.

Lack of commitment is something that runs rampant in our world today. People do not truly stand for anything or are even truly committed to anything. They are blown around like fall leaves in a windstorm, swirling around, going this way and that. (Chameleon Commitment By Neal Gracey Copied from ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11, Romans 13:14, Psalm 37:1-6, Luke 9:57-62, Acts 2:42  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Right Side Up In An Upside Down World Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Oct 1, 2015

Rather than giving a list of ideals to strive for, Jesus was showing the people how widely available God’s kingdom was – even for ordinary, poor, ignorant, imperfect, despised people. The beatitudes describe their struggle & grace to thrive in adversity.

Right Side Up in an Upside Down World Intro: The more I study the Sermon on the Mount, esp. the Beatitudes, the less prescriptive and the more descriptive they become to me. Here is what I mean by that. Last week as I shared them, I introduced the first one (poor in spirit) as a requirement for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Anger Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 11, 2015

God knows our tendency to struggle in the area of anger. His Word gives us some instruction in this matter. Let’s pay close attention so that we might honor God in all things – even in our anger.

Series: There’s an App for That “Anger” Matthew 5:21-26, 39, 43-48 Open In Lille, France, a woman became fed up with neighbors parking outside of her home blocking her gate. For weeks, she asked and pleaded with them to not do it. She woke up before dawn one morning to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Worry Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 11, 2015

We all struggle with worry. It seems than any humanly devised plan only seems to cause us more worry. Jesus had some things to say about this subject. Let’s talk about what He said.

Series: There’s an App for That “Worry” Matthew 6:25-34 Open A man went to see a psychologist because he was anxious and stressed out all of the time. At the end of their first session, the psychologist gave the man some instructions for the time leading up to the next ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Remedy For Wretchedness

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jun 28, 2015

Paul desperately wants to be delivered from the influence of indwelling sin. He struggles, as do we all, with his corrupt nature. Through Christ we overcome and make progress...yet the more we grow, the more in touch we are with our faults.

Do you ever feel like a hopeless mess? The Apostle Paul sure did. In Romans 7 he berates himself for his shortcomings: “What a wretched man I am!” Paul's problem was a serious condition. Sin enslaves; it takes over. Jeremiah writes that the human heart is “desperately ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Congregational

God's Promises For Every Need: A Dirty Mind Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Nov 10, 2020

Thread: Aim for the Heart We find the Apostle Paul describing the push and pull and tension and struggle between good and evil and righteousness and unrighteousness that happens inside the mind of each person. Every person who has ever lived deals with the sinful nature.

GOD’S PROMISES FOR EVERY NEED: A DIRTY MIND 2 Timothy 3:1-17 #EveryNeed INTRODUCTION… The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (p) I don’t know what kind of movies you all like, but one of my favorite types of movies are westerns. I like “Sons of Katie Elder.” I like the original “True Grit” and the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unlocking Divine Blessings SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 9, 2023

Many individuals expend unnecessary effort in worry, work, and struggle without God's blessings. Haggai's message to the people, in nine points, taught them how to align their priorities correctly. He provided them with a word from God that reverberated with wisdom and guidance.

Many people spend too much time worrying and working without experiencing the blessings of God. In Haggai's message to the people, he taught them how to prioritize their lives according to God's will. By aligning their actions with God's purpose, they could tap into His supernatural blessings. Let ...read more

Topics: God's Provision, Prioritizing God

Return To Sender.

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Mar 29, 2024

let us take a moment to ponder the depth of these words. Not tomorrow, not next week, not in some distant future, but today! During our trials, our tribulations, and our struggles, Jesus offers us immediate access to paradise, to the very presence of God Himself.

RETURN TO SENDER. And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”"Luke 23:43, ESV. Brothers and sisters, today we gather in the presence of the Almighty, holding onto the promise that resonates from the lips of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In the midst of agony ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:43, Psalm 23:6

Denomination: United Methodist

Clothed In Humility - 1 Peter 5:5b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 16, 2025

Pride has a thousand faces. It's possible to think you do not struggle with pride because you don't have the kind someone else has. But you may have a different kind that flies under the radar.

1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5

"From Genesis To Glory: The Legacy Of African American Labor” Honoring The Past And Inspiring The Future

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Feb 21, 2025

The inspiring theme "African American Labor," a reflection not only on historical events but also on the resilience and ingenuity of our people. Just like Joseph, our journey has spanned from bondage to blessing, shaped by faith, struggle, and an indomitable spirit.

"Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am Joseph! Is my father still living?' But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'Come close to me. When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:3-15

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus Knows

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 13, 2025

One of the most comforting truths in the Bible is that Jesus knows everything about us. He knows our struggles, our pains, our needs, and our deepest desires. Unlike people who may misunderstand or judge us, Jesus understands perfectly.

JESUS KNOWS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." – Hebrews 4:15 Supporting Texts: Psalm 139:1-4, Job 23:10, John 2:24-25, John ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Spiritual Warfare: Transformed By The Truth Ephesians 6:12-13 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 28, 2024

As we immerse ourselves in the truth of Ephesians 6:12-13, we enter the realm of spiritual warfare—the unseen battle that shapes the course of our lives. Today, let's explore the transformative truth that equips us for this ongoing struggle.

Spiritual Warfare: Transformed by the Truth Ephesians 6:12-13 Introduction: As we immerse ourselves in the truth of Ephesians 6:12-13, we enter the realm of spiritual warfare—the unseen battle that shapes the course of our lives. Today, let's explore the transformative truth that equips us for ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12-13, Ephesians 6:12, Ephesians 6:13, 2 Corinthians 10:4, Ephesians 6:14-17, John 8:32  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Inexpressible Joy

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Dec 1, 2024

This kind of joy is not rooted in the absence of struggle or challenges but springs from a deeper place—a place anchored in God's promises. Today, we will explore this profound joy, its foundation, its vast greatness, and how it can be truly ours.

1 Peter 1:6-9 Introduction A Kid Anticipating Christmas Use the excitement of a child counting down to Christmas morning. The child’s joy isn’t just about the day arriving; it’s about the hope and anticipation of what the day will bring. Similarly, our joy in Christ is grounded in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Denomination: Church Of God