Sermons on Tough Circumstances:

Tempering Our Understanding Of Miracles

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Mar 21, 2023

Miracles do happen. However, not all the time. Faith can be shattered by the expectations of miracles occurring. Not all prayers can be answered. Tough lesson I learned early on.

Tempering our Understanding of Miracles John 11:1-45 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45

Denomination: United Methodist

Rising From Life's Difficulties

Contributed by Rusty Davidson on Aug 15, 2012

Everyone faces tough times and trials. Too many times the answers we here are trite or condescending. But in the story of Lazarus we can find the meaningful truths that will allow us to rise from the difficulties of life.

Rising From Life’s Difficulties Text: John 11:1-46 I. Introduction Illustration: Walking Dead – Hershel Greene -I can't profess to understand God's plan, Christ promised the resurrection of the dead. I just thought he had something a little different in mind. Are things not ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Glorifying God In The Grit (Palm Sunday)

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Apr 3, 2018

Jesus sought to glorify God in the grit of everyday life. When this is our focus the realities of life have purpose, even when, especially when, we're wadding through the slug of the tough stuff.

GLORIFYING GOD THROUGH THE GRIT Scripture: John 16:32-17:5 Text – John 17: 1, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” There are many people considered to be great people – people in their lifetimes who were called upon to live for other people and they rose to ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

Sermon # 15 - No Turning Back Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Apr 24, 2023

Our Christian life and journey is not always smooth and easy. When things get tough we can either give up or continue on. Let’s learn how to move on and not turn back.

We read in John 21:4, “Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus” (ESV) They failed to recognize Jesus It was indeed an unusual situation on the sea shore that day, as the resurrected Jesus stood on the shore, and his own disciples who ...read more

Scripture: John 21:4, John 21:2-3, Matthew 16:21, Matthew 27:62-63, John 16:33, Proverbs 18:21, Luke 5:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

The Contemporary Day Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jul 6, 2018

Joel 1:1-20 teaches us to pay attention to what God is saying to us through contemporary circumstances.

Scripture Today I am starting a new sermon series that I am calling, “Lessons from a Minor Prophet: Joel.” The reason I picked Joel is because it is a relatively short book so that we should finish it this summer. I also picked Joel because I believe that we will find the lessons from Joel ...read more

Scripture: Joel 1:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Power Of Praise PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 6, 2023

Encourages us to live a life of gratitude, praising God in all circumstances, seeking His guidance, and honoring Him with heartfelt homage.

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. We gather here today under God's gracious love and mercy. We are here to share, to learn, and to grow in our faith. We turn our hearts and minds today to the uplifting words of Psalm 34, verses 1 through 4. Let us read together: "I will bless ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-4

Topics: Profound, Penetrating, Heartfelt Praise

Come Out Of Lodebar Series

Contributed by Lytia Howard on May 2, 2001

A powerful message about overcoming the uncontrollable circumstances brought about by changes due to death and leadership.

1Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2And there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba. So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” He said, “At your ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13, 2 Samuel 9:1, Genesis 27:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Hosea: The Heart Of God Series

Contributed by Todd Merry on May 30, 2001

The heart of God can be seen through the book of Hosea, communicated to Hosea through prophecy and circumstances.

HOSEA The Heart of God CHAPTERS ONE THRU THREE I. Who was Hosea? A. Hosea lived during the time of the divided kingdom (Israel to the North, Judah to the South) 1. Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah (Judah) reigned between 765 BC to 685 BC (2 Chron. 26-29) 2. Hosea was a prophet to Israel, the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Anna

Contributed by Bruce Ferris on Aug 19, 2005

Why did Anna succeed under adverse circumstances and become a prominent figure in the Christmas story?

“Anna” A study of Anna, the prophetess, as recorded in Luke 2:36-38, is a wonderful way to start the New Year. Although she is part of the Christmas story, the truths she lived out are an inspiration and model for us to follow as we consider the New Year and all the opportunities it holds. I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:36-38

Denomination: Baptist

Who Do You Say That I Am?

Contributed by Matthew Atkins on May 5, 2005

The central question in life, in the church, in every circumstance is - "Who do we say that Jesus is."

According to Hegessipus, an early Christian historian - Peter, having been urged to flee by the Christians in Rome, was on his way out of that violent city, when he saw a vision of Jesus. Peter asked the Lord where He was going and the Lord told him that He was on His way to be crucified again. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-29

Denomination: Holiness

The Big Finish Series

Contributed by David Asch on Nov 21, 2005

You never know what circumstance or what person God will use to accomplish something extraordinary…

THE BIG FINISH Ruth 4:13-22 INTRO: At a young age, George Herman Ruth was left at St. Mary’s Industrial School, where he met brother Matthias. It was there that “Babe” Ruth learned about baseball. [Clip from The Babe] You never know what circumstance or what person God will use to accomplish ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:13-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Joy Of Christmas

Contributed by Derrick Thompson, Sr. on Dec 26, 2004

Regardless of your circumstances, if you have Jesus Christ who is the joy of Christmas then everything will be alright.

Sunday Morning, December 19th, 2004 Let us pray Welcome....... My family and I want to wish all of you a very blessed Christmas, and trust you all will have the joy of Christmas, and a wonderful New Year. In six more days it will be Christmas day, and by now you all should have finished ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Church Of God

A Life Of Hope Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Sep 17, 2007

The hope that God has given to us can fill us with joy even in the worst of circumstances.

The other day I watched some video of the 2004 World Series (won by my Boston Red Sox). When I watched that game live, I was very nervous (many times I had to turn the channel when Boston was in the field). The Red Sox hadn’t won the World Series in 85 years. But now I can calmly watch because I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Living By Faith?

Contributed by Joe Harding on Aug 5, 2002

As God’s people, we must not live by circumstance or sight, we must live by faith!

LIVING BY FAITH? HABAKKUK 1:1-4; 2:1-4 SUNDAY PM SERVICE AUGUST 4, 2002 INTRODUCTION: Somerset, Pa. – Rescue workers pulled nine miners from the watery, 240-foot-deep shaft where they had been trapped for three days, a jubilant reward for an effort that had been fraught with one gut-wrenching ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-4, Habakkuk 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

First Person Imperative

Contributed by Guy Caley on Nov 24, 2002

The psalmist, David, commands himself to give praise to the Lord and we should too, in every circumstance.

Today you get a linguistics lesson. Those of you who come here all the time know that I don’t stand up here and pontificate on Greek participles and Hebrew verbs every week. First I’m not smart enough, second it’s boring. But today you’re going to hear about Hebrew verbs, because it’s essential ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-22

Denomination: Assembly Of God