Sermons on Toil And Hardship:

Once Upon A Time On A Lake Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Aug 30, 2023

Once upon a time on a lake, we see the power of the divine command.

JUST JESUS: CHAPTER BY CHAPTER THRU LUKE Once Upon a Time on a Lake Luke 8:22-25 #JustJesus INTRODUCTION… Luke 8 (p) There are some passages or chapters in the Bible that are epically long. For example, Psalm 119 is 176 verses long and has about 2445 words. If I wanted to preach one sermon on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Purpose Of Pain And Suffering. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Mar 22, 2024

As we navigate the trials and tribulations of this life, we often find ourselves asking, "Why does God allow pain and suffering?"

While the answer may not always be clear, the Bible offers insight into the purpose of pain. we will inevitably encounter suffering and hardship. However, as Christians, we can find comfort in the knowledge that God has a purpose for our pain. In Romans 8:28, Paul writes, "And we know that in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:10, James 1:2-4, Romans 8:28

Go Out In Joy And Peace

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jun 30, 2025

Isaiah 55 is a poem that starts like a commercial. God appears as a street vender in the marketplace near a river, eager to sell his goods, but with a big difference. What He’s offering is free.

Isaiah 55 is a poem that starts like a commercial. God appears as a street vender in the marketplace near a river, eager to sell his goods, but with a big difference. What He’s offering is free. His merchandise--wine and milk--represent life’s blessings. Milk is a symbol of nourishment, wine a ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

02 Joy In Adversity Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 17, 2025

Bottom Line: Joy flourishes when Christ is exalted, even in the face of hardship.

Last week, we began a new series through Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi. The Book of Philippians shows what it means to live with defiant joy. And here’s what I mean by that: “defiant joy” is a joy that stands firm regardless of what life throws our way. Even in his imprisonment, Paul ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Finding God's Goodness Amidst Difficulties SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

James in his first chapter warns us not to be deceived, providing reasons to believe in God's goodness regardless of our circumstances.

In the late 90s, there was a popular saying in the church: "God is good, all the time; all the time, God is good." It's easy to proclaim God's goodness when things are going well, but what about when we face difficult circumstances? How can we know that God is truly good? In James 1:16-18, we find ...read more

Scripture: James 1:16-18

Topics: God's Goodness, Overcoming Hardships

The Refiner's Fire

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Sep 1, 2013

God uses hardships to refine us and to make us more like Jesus. Will we let Him?

Malachi 3:1-5; Luke 22: 24-34 Very soon, on Tuesday in fact, millions of students are heading back to school. It’s a new start, a new year of learning and growing. What did you enjoy the most about school, either junior or high school, or even college or university? If I was a betting man, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Healing The "Father Absence” Wound

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Jun 17, 2002

Today we take time to acknowledge and to thank those men in our lives that have served us as fathers. They may have been fathers, our grandfathers, our uncles, our older brothers, our coaches, our teachers, our counselors, our pastors, or that neighbor do

INTRODUCTION Sermonic Theme: Today we take time to acknowledge and to thank those men in our lives that have served us as fathers. They may have been fathers, our grandfathers, our uncles, our older brothers, our coaches, our teachers, our counselors, our pastors, or that neighbor down the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12

Labor Day 2018

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Aug 31, 2018

A look at our call to work for the Lord in all we do.

Labor Day 2018 September 2, 2018 Colossians 3:23-34 I have a theological dilemma on my hands and frankly I don’t know how to solve it. It all arises from an amazingly popular song. Experts are torn about what the words really, really are. Now, I’m going to play a snippet of the song for you and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23-24, Genesis 2:1-3, Genesis 3:15-19, Ephesians 6:6

Denomination: Baptist

Standing In The Storm Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Jan 5, 2004

God disciplines his Children and we must be prepared for times of hardship.

Hebrews 12:12-17 INTRODUCTION The book of Hebrews is an encouraging word to Christians that contains strong warnings against falling from God’s grace. In the first part of Hebrews 12 the writer encourages them to put off everything from their life that would hinder them in their Christian ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:12-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Faith Of One In Distress

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jun 18, 2001

Overcoming hardships and distress in life by putting our trust in an unchanging God.

This psalm was written by a Jew who lived during the time of exile. Those were difficult times for the people of Israel - they were scattered away from their homeland. And as he looked at his nation, the psalmist could not see any hope of an end to the hardship his people was going through. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 77:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Secret Of Thanksgiving

Contributed by Dan Cale on Nov 24, 2003

Paul’s ability to live a life of thankfulness dispite his hardships.

The Secret of Thanksgiving I Thessalonians 5:16-18 In all things give thanks ¡V that¡¦s what Paul said. If you read through Paul¡¦s writings in the New Testament you will find that Paul had a lot to be thankful for. Here are just a few things that he gave thanks for. Victory in Christ ¡V Romans ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Romans 8:28

Denomination: *other

Why God Allows Suffering, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Greg Laurie on Feb 21, 2014

To be a holy person means that you will have trials, hardship, and suffering in life.

“Have a nice day!” That’s a classic Americanism and statement one hears a lot in my home state of California. Usually, people do not mean it when they say it. After you complete a purchase, you hear, “Thank you, and have a nice day. Buh-bye.” Or even worse, when you ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Every New Year

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 5, 2021

Opportunities will come but with them will come adversaries and hardships. Do not give up!

1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. Every year is a great and open door for ministry, The sky is the limit. There are many needs so there is one or two somewhere you can meet whether you are 8 or 88. God is on your side for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:9

Denomination: Baptist

A Father's Concern Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Feb 7, 2005

Paul wants his readers to move towards perfection. We learn to love one another, to agree with one another, to live in peace with one another

You can almost feel Paul’s frustration as he comes to the end of this letter. He’s done all he could to bring these people to maturity in Christ. He’s begged them, cajoled them, even threatened them and none of it seems to have made any difference. In fact in the end he’s had to resort to utter ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

A Real Man

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jun 7, 2008

Fathers Day - A "real man" is able to express love, works for others, lives a real life, and makes a real difference

A Real Man CHCC: June 15, 2008 (Father’s Day) INTRODUCTION: Happy Father’s Day. This seems like a good day to talk about men. Do any of you miss the days when men were men and women were women and we all appreciated the difference? People have all kinds of ideas about what a “real man” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:7-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ