Sermons on Struggles:

The Stranger Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on May 21, 2006

Part 2 in a 4 part series dealing with temptations that we all face. This message deals with the attack of our old nature upon our physical body as Paul understood the struggle in Romans 7.

AN APPLE A DAY The Temptations We Face Part 2, The Stranger Romans 7:21-25 May 7, 2006 Pastor Brian Matherlee The Scripture refers to a part of life that everyone has experienced—even those with a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Billy Joel wrote a song entitled, “The ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:21-25

Denomination: Wesleyan

Quick Slow Slow (James 1:19-20) Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 10, 2021

We all struggle with sinful anger. For some it’s violent and red-faced; for others it’s a quiet, building resentment. Whatever the form, James teaches us how to overcome it in this passage.

James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20

Overcoming Through Suffering In Ministry

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 2, 2021

I’d like to begin with the example of Richard Wurmbrand. His is a famous struggle against true evil. He was born in Armenia in 1909. He was a minister in Romania during the spread of communism across the globe.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. -2 Corinthians 4:8-10 ESV I’d like to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Denomination: Salvation Army

Portrait Of Humility - Philippians 2:5-8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 1, 2023

We know we are to be servants, but we struggle when servanthood requires giving up something precious. This message will help you see the beauty of a lifestyle of servanthood and giving up precious things for others.

Philippians 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the very form of God, did not consider that equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very form of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8

There Is One Spirit Series

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Apr 5, 2023

Sometime back the Associated Press carried this news article: "Glasgow, Ky.--Leslie Puckett, after struggling to start his car, lifted the hood and discovered that someone had stolen the motor."

Alba 4-2-2023 There Is One Spirit Ephesians 4:4 This morning's message is entitled “There Is One Spirit” from Ephesians chapter four, verse four. Sometime back the Associated Press carried this news article: "Glasgow, Ky.--Leslie Puckett, after struggling to start his car, lifted the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:4, Romans 8:6-9, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Transfiguration Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Apr 11, 2023

Transfiguration of Jesus is a spiritual experience for the Disciples. We can't stay in ecstatic realms but come into reality of struggles and fight for the existence of self and others. Jesus always leads into every level of life.

Lesson 13 Mark 9:2-13 Transfiguration in Mark INTRODUCTION The Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate it as a festival on August 6. It was declared a universal feast of the Western church by Pope Callistus III in 1457. The feast was included in the English Prayer Book in 1561 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-13

Denomination: Methodist

Father’s Day 2022

Contributed by Guy Glass on Apr 21, 2023

I don't know about you, but I often struggle with messages relevant to specific days, so here is a Father's Day message i preached from 2022

FATHER’S DAY 2022 BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH INTRODUCTION: AS WE GET STARTED THIS MORNING, I HAVE TWO SMALL REMINDERS FOR OUR DADS WHO ARE HERE WITH US THIS MORNING. ONE IS A PEN WITH THE INSCRIPTION, “GODLY FATHERS ARE A BLESSING TO THEIR CHILDREN”. THE OTHER ITEM IS A COMPASS KEYCHAIN WITH THE ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:7

Denomination: Baptist

Mental Health In The Psalms: 69 Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 26, 2023

God can completely heal mental illness, but even if He does not He still is steadfast in His love and a firm saving grace to us. He gives power to us in our weaknesses and struggles.

MENTAL HEALTH IN THE PSALMS: 69 PSALM 69:1-36 #mentalhealth INTRODUCTION 1 … POOR BISHOP HOOPER PSALM 69 (EVERY PSALM) youtube.com/watch?v=BRE6-mBWkc8 [3:50] INTRODUCTION 2… Tremper Longman III, How to Read the Psalms. IVP Academic; Inter-Varsity Press, 1988, 76–85. [adapted] We are in a series ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 69:1-36, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Epic Fail - Peter's Denial

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Mar 9, 2018

Jesus gives Peter … and us … hope! Hope that failure is not final. There is hope even in the midst of our struggle that our faith would not fail and that we, as Peter, can turn once again back to the Lord.

[Here is a link to a youtube video of me preaching this sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLFppHEJ0fY ] From their very first encounter, we see a special connection between Jesus and Peter. We find this in the Gospel of John chapter 1 and verse 42 where they first meet. It says that Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Trust God

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Sep 13, 2021

Even despite trials and struggles in life, trusting God means you continue to turn to Him and away from the naysayers. You keep praying even when those prayers seem absolutely effective.

Trust In God John 14:27 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. [NIV} Introduction The fact that Jesus admonishes us, “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” indicates that certain things we go through will indeed cause us trouble (worry, fear, doubt). Challenges ...read more

Scripture: John 14:27

Denomination: Methodist

Life Is A Continual Adjustment Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Apr 24, 2024

We have all seen many adjustments take place in our lives. Some fairly easy and some not so easy. If it were not for God and His Word, we would struggle to manage through.

Think with me of some of the changes and adjustments Ann has seen and experienced in her almost 82 years of life. 1. Household duties: Washing, ironing, heating, cooking, and bathing. 2. Transportation 3. Communication: mail, phones, computers 4. Ann has experienced her final adjustment. We, this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Divine Empowerment

Contributed by Nkwor Sunday Sunny Azuka Onyekachukwu on Oct 5, 2021

Life is full of struggles without Christ. Life is not for he that willeth nor runneth but of God that showeth mercy hence by strength shall no man prevail. Anyone that must make it in life, must be connected to Jesus.

Genesis 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Then in Genesis 13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:14

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Cave, The Call, The Commission

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Jul 18, 2025

Even mighty prophets face dark valleys. Today, we discover how God meets us in our caves, whispers through our storms, and transforms our deepest struggles into divine purpose.

The Cave, The Call, The Commission Introduction In the pages of Scripture, few narratives capture the raw humanity of faith more vividly than the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19. Here we encounter one of God's most powerful prophets not in a moment of triumph, but in the depths of despair. Just ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:9, Genesis 12:2-3, Genesis 32:24-30, Exodus 3:1-12, Exodus 16:4-35, Exodus 33:11, Numbers 11:16-17, Deuteronomy 31:7-8, 1 Samuel 1:12-16, 1 Kings 17:8-16, 1 Kings 19:1-21, 1 Kings 19:3-4, 1 Kings 19:5-7, 1 Kings 19:9, 1 Kings 19:11-12, 1 Kings 19:15-16, 1 Kings 19:18, 1 Kings 19:19, Psalm 13:1, Psalm 23:1-4, Psalm 42:3, Psalm 42:5, Psalm 142:1, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Isaiah 6:1-8, Isaiah 40:11, Jeremiah 12:1, Matthew 4:1, Matthew 11:28-29, Matthew 12:20, Matthew 14:13-21, Matthew 14:17-21, Matthew 27:60, Matthew 28:1-10, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 5:16, John 5:6, John 14:12, John 20:19, Acts 20:28, Romans 8:26, 2 Corinthians 1:8, Philippians 4:19, 2 Timothy 2:2, Hebrews 2:10, Hebrews 10:24-25, James 2:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

09. Saul’s Anointing – The Rise Of Israel’s First King Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Aug 27, 2025

Saul is chosen as Israel’s first king, yet he struggles with insecurity and uncertainty. God calls him, anoints him, and empowers him—but will he trust God or his own fears?

Saul’s Anointing – the Rise of Israel’s First King April 23, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 1 Samuel 9-10 Introduction: Chosen, Yet Uncertain History is full of leaders who were thrust into power, unsure of themselves and hesitant to step into their calling. In 1940, ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

Temptations -- Jesus' And Ours Series

Contributed by Revd Dr Ruwan Palapathwala on Jan 1, 2025

Temptation is our awful struggle not to lose ourselves and our potential to lose ourselves. Temptation also highlights God’s mercy and grace in our lives in the wilderness for forty minutes, hours, days or years.

In today’s Gospel reading, we encounter the most human and common experience: temptation, which Jesus also experienced in a very profound way. The temptations of Jesus are found in all four Gospels. But we are accustomed to thinking that Jesus was tempted three times before his public ministry ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-2, Luke 4:1-13, Mark 1:12-13

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican