Sermons on Struggling:

Wrestling With God

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Aug 3, 2005

We struggle or we don’t grow. Jacob gives us the keys for how to struggle (and how NOT to struggle).

THE PASTOR’S POINTS (The view from my garden) Wrestling with God Genesis 32:1-27 Of all the mysteries I would like solved before I die, it is the one that says you must struggle if you are going to grow. Growth always means struggle in one form or another. I struggled when I was a youth, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:1-27

Denomination: United Methodist

Struggling Even When The Good Times Roll Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 21, 2009

July 1989: When we are prospering, we are tempted into the idolatry of me-ism and self-congratulation. This is an opportunity to do more for others and for the Kingdom, for God is the source of our bounty.

About a year ago, toward the end of July, I placed one of these up here on the pulpit as the visible sermon for the day. Remember? Do you recall what we called that Sunday? Right: we called it "catch-up Sunday" …catch-up Sunday … and the idea was that if we were behind in our giving, if we as a ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 14:4-8

Denomination: Baptist

Grace We Struggle To Accept: The Embrace Of Grace

Contributed by David Flowers on Nov 21, 2010

In this re-working of a message originally preached in 2005, Dave elaborates on last week's message about receiving love.

Grace We Struggle to Accept: The Embrace of Grace Grace, prt. 2 Wildwind Community Church David K. Flowers 3/20/05 Revised and repreached 7/18/2010 I want to start today’s message on an uncharacteristically heavy note. I have a few questions for you, and they’re the kind of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Free Methodist

Why Do We Still Struggle With Sin Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Mar 13, 2013

Death, Sin, Rescue, Victory

WHY DO WE STILL STRUGGLE WITH SIN? Romans 7: 14-25 (p786) March 10, 2013 INTRODUCTION: I think I’ve been fairly clear on the point that when you give your life to Christ and ask for Salvation…it’s a commitment to follow him…you’re not getting your ticket punched to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How God Grows Us Through Struggles Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 7, 2018

This difficult passage points us toward who we are in Christ and how He grows us.

HOW GOD GROWS US THROUGH STRUGGLES: 1. AN EASY LIFE? God does not take away our struggles, though He does ensure they don’t overwhelm us. - 2 Corinthians 4:8-9. - In verses 8-9, Paul shares four statements that we’d rather not hear. They speak clearly to an uncomfortable truth: God’s goal is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Peter’s Struggle: Overcoming The Wall Of Prejudice

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on May 19, 2022

It was essential for Peter to admit (And us), when prejudice is in operation. Our prejudices and biases always collide with God's grace. God has no favorites; we are all equal in his sight. He welcomes whosoever!

Sermon Peter’s Struggle: Overcoming The Wall of Prejudice Scripture Reading: Acts 10: 1-23 “1 In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-23, John 3:16, Revelation 5:9

Denomination: Methodist

The Struggle Of Being Married To A Non-Believing Spouse

Contributed by Nikki Shipley on Oct 18, 2000

I. Although King Xerxes did not worship God, God is still in control of his life and his actions.

I. Although King Xerxes did not worship God, God is still in control of his life and his actions. (Prov 21:1 NRSV) The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. 1. Esther approached the king fearful of what the king could do but aware of what God can ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:1

If You Struggle With Depression And Suicidal Thoughts There Is Hope

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 2, 2021

Depression, suicide, discouragement... Are you disturbed, wrought with depression, and teetering on the brink of self harm? Hopelessness, well, I've known it well.

Depression, suicide, discouragement... Are you disturbed, wrought with depression, and teetering on the brink of self harm? Hopelessness, well, I've known it well. Depression, yes, it's been a constant companion on my life journey. So if you struggle with these very real problems, ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Denomination: Salvation Army

Mighty Is The God Of The One Who Struggles With God. Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jun 16, 2024

Jacob and Esau had been at odds their whole lives. Jacob was living in fear of the brother he had deceived out of his inheritance. He didn't have a deep relationship with the God of is father and grandfather. That was all to change.

Mighty is the God of the one who struggles with God. Last week we looked at Jacob and an encounter that he had with God where he wrestled all night, he received a blessing, a new name and an injured hip. He realised that he had been wrestling with God, had survived and as such named the place ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:14-15, Genesis 32:9-12, Matthew 3:11-12, Genesis 28:14-15, Hebrews 11:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

I Have A Friend Who Struggles With Anger Series

Contributed by Marty Baker on Nov 26, 2001

This message seeks to provide practical insights concerning anger in a person’s life.

I Have a Friend Who Struggles With Anger Dr. Marty Baker Stevens Creek Community Church Augusta, GA. email: stevenscreek@aol.com www.stevenscreek.net October 28, 2001 When was the last time you were overcome with anger? What made you mad? Did someone try to trick you? Cheat you? Did ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-27

Denomination: Church Of God

Grace We Struggle To Accept: The Embrace Of Grace Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Apr 27, 2005

Grace is not only hard to understand, it is difficult to accept. While every human being has a deep need for acceptance, security, and significance, we tend to seek the meeting of those needs in other human beings, who can never really meet those needs.

Grace We Struggle to Accept: The Embrace of Grace Grace, prt. 2 Wildwind Community Church David K. Flowers 3/20/05 I want to start today’s message on an uncharacteristically heavy note. I have a few questions for you, and they’re the kind of questions that may not be easy for you to answer. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Free Methodist

Count My Trials And Struggles All Joy?

Contributed by Robert Coats on May 29, 2006

The Apostle James dropped a bombshell in his letter to Christians

Count my trials and struggles all joy? James 1:2-4 Are you going through any trials, temptations, tribulations, testings, or struggles? Then my brothers and sisters…count it all joy. Pastor what are you saying? How can I find joy in my struggles? You do not know what I am going through? Well ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Church Of God

Even Great Faith Struggles With Hard Truths

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 6, 2009

Job illustrates the answer to, "what is reality".

Even Great Faith Struggles with Hard Truths! Job 14 Scripture Introduction: Please turn with me to Job 14. Have you ever experienced a run in with reality? The reality that life is tough and no matter what you do it remains tough… Have you noticed that your body is decaying and you can’t stop ...read more

Scripture: Job 14:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Year Of Recovery Series

Contributed by Howard Langford on Jan 21, 2012

Life is full of struggle. Many people are either lost in transition or have a difficult time recovering from it.We will look at the life and struggle of Job and find the redemptive value of struggle

Imagine this, you lose your home, your job, your family, and your wife goes nuts. Now, imagine it all falls apart in one day. If matters were not already horrid, you develop a skin disease that both itches and burns. While sitting alone, void of friendship and Godly counsel, Job has an ...read more

Scripture: Job 12:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If I’m Following God’s Voice, Why Do I Keep Running Into These Obstacles? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 27, 2010

Facing the struggles that so often following our step of faith.

THE WAY IT SHOULD BE: Following God’s voice leads to feelings of peace. - Judges 6:23-24. - In both v. 23 and v. 24, we see peace emphasized. When we follow God, this is what we expect: that our hearts would be filled with peace. - We may be expect a warm fuzzy glow from our conversation with ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:24-27

Denomination: Baptist