Sermons on Toil And Hardship:

Despair

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Mar 17, 2020

Sometimes, even faithful people can experience heartache to the point of losing hope. God knows what we're going through and He has a plan for us all.

Opening and Introduction In our text today, Paul has a summary of one of his travels, and how it affected him. There was a time when things were so bad, that he lost all hope, and despaired of life itself. Despair is one of those words we don’t use every day. We talk about feeling down, sad, or ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Denomination: Lutheran

What To Do During Difficult Times Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jul 25, 2021

Trials teach us spiritual toughness in order to hang in there when there are no answers.

Ravi was born in 1953 in India into a family of wealth as they were in the second-highest caste, lower only than the priests. Destined for comfort and great opportunities, he was a devout Hindu. The village rejoiced with the family at his birth, especially since male children were seen as a ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Thessalonians # 5

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 6, 2022

Introduction: A minister was making a wooden trellis to support a climbing vine.

As he was pounding away, he noticed that a little boy was watching him. The youngster did not say a word so the preacher kept on working, thinking the boy would leave. But he did not. Pleased at the thought that his work was being admired, the preacher finally said, “Well son, trying to pick up ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:6-12

Denomination: Baptist

Power To Break Out Of The Cage

Contributed by Babatunmishe Oke on Jun 3, 2010

This is a prayer sermon for those with symptoms of spiritual bondage

POWER TO BREAK OUT OF THE CAGE Micah 2:13 New Living Translation Your leader will break out and lead you out of exile, out through the gates of the enemy cities, back to your own land. Your king will lead you; the LORD himself will guide you." Miche 2:13 (Haitian Creole Version) 13Bondye ap ...read more

Scripture: Micah 2:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Memory And Endurance

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Nov 9, 2021

Sin holds people in the prison of guilt. Although they might be physically, spiritually they are prisoners to what John Wesley once referred to as “the power and guilt of sin”.

MEMORY AND ENDURANCE (October 13, 2019) Text: II Timothy 2:8 -15 2Ti 2:8-15  Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel,  (9)  for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:8-15

Denomination: United Methodist

Where Your Treasures Are There Will Your Heart Be Also

Contributed by John Johnson on Jan 19, 2002

Consider the Lillies, they neither toil nor labor, but God provides for them. He will provide for those he love and are called according to his purpose. Don’t worry, be happy.

Where Your Treasure is, There will your heart be also. MATTHEW 6:28-30 We are a nation of worry. We worry about how fat we are, or how skinny we are. How dark we are, how light we are. People with jobs worry about their work. People without jobs worry about not working. A song writer wrote a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

Part 1 -- Some Thoughts On God's Control And Why Things Happen As They Do. Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Nov 2, 2009

Why do things happen the way they do? The book of Habakkuk tells us that this is because God is God and is in conplete control. This is the first of a series of messages looking at how Habakkuk attitude and character changes regarding God’s activity in

The Book of Habakkuk Some Thoughts On God’s Control And Why Things Happen As They Do. Part 1 Habakkuk 1:1-11 INTRODUCTION: We live in a world of more questions than answers. In fact, for every answer we find, it seems as if it brings with it two questions. We live in a world today in which ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Christian Duty

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Mar 21, 2017

Through the devotion of three different professions, the apostle Paul teaches us the duty of a Christian is to endure hardship

The Christian Duty Introduction: One of the most tragic events during the Reagan Presidency was the Sunday morning terrorist bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, in which hundreds of Americans were killed or wounded as they slept. Many of us can still recall the terrible scenes as the dazed ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:2-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Characteristics Of A Godly Man Series

Contributed by Doug Warren on Sep 24, 2003

Suitable for funeral for elderly Godly man who endured hardships in his life.

Mr.________ would fully identify with the Psalmist in that in his lifetime he was tested, and he would agree that he walked through the "fire and water" but he would also testify that God has now brought him to a place of abundance (Heaven). What characteristics did Mr._________have that would ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 66:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Smyrna, The Suffering Church Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 6, 2002

The faithful of Smyrna suffered hardship, but they were spiritually prosperous and steadfast in their devotion to Christ.

"Smyrna-the Suffering Church" -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts. Sermon series on the Letters to the 7 Churches of Rev 2-3 When school report cards are issued, it’s can be a stressful time. Any assessment we receive is supposed to help us see our ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-12

Denomination: Congregational

Looking At Adversity

Contributed by C.j. Moffett on Aug 12, 2003

No one in their right mind enjoys pain and hardship, but do they hold a redeptive purpose?

--Nietzche said, "Whatever doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger." --Illus: Kia Jurgenson was a student at a Christian University. A gifted high school basketball player (she was all state), she received a full-ride scholarship and started as a freshmen on the University team. During those ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:3-12, Romans 8:28-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Staying True All The Way Through

Contributed by Ben Bannister on Jul 4, 2003

In this sermon, we learn how to stay true to our faith during hardship.

Text: James 1:9-27 ETS: James gives us qualities to hold to when we are going through trials. ESS: This passage teaches us what we need in order to remain true to Christ in trials. OSS: The youth of MVBC will have these qualities. PQ: What qualities do I need in trials? UW: Qualities Title: ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-27

Denomination: Baptist

Standing Strong

Contributed by Jeff Hatos on Aug 19, 2018

During times of hardship we need to remain strong and stand in the face of the opposition.

Standing Strong 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faithful Parents Mary & Joseph Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Aug 8, 2011

In spite of the hardships Mary and Joseph had to deal with, they were faithful to God!

We continue to study the Gospel of Luke. Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem because His earth parents Joseph and Mary had to go there to register for the Roman Empire. In our passage today we will read that the family went to Jerusalem. Here’s a question: As Mary and Joseph dealt with Baby Jesus or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sermon On Stoicism Versus Christianity

Contributed by William Meakin on Nov 9, 2022

Stoicism is defined as the endurance of pain or hardship without the display of feeling and without complaint.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, a former Roman emperor and a Stoic philosopher once remarked: “If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” Romans 8:1-5 confirms: “There is therefore ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:9, Hebrews 13:8, Ephesians 1:3, Galatians 5:22-23