Sermons on Tough Times:

A Tough Act To Follow Series

Contributed by David Mcclain on Jul 22, 2018

A husband needs to follow the model of Jesus by providing selfless, loving servant- leadership with his wife.

OPENING SENTENCE: A rather common but not recommended comment you might hear from a frustrated parent is, “Why can’t you be more like your older brother?” INTRODUCTION: Needless to say, it is intended to motivate the child to try harder and give him/her a model of what proper behavior should look ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Tough And Tender Love

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jul 18, 2021

God’s love is tender, but it’s also tough. God is a God of justice as well as a God of mercy, and it’s from both that God deals with His people. In Zephaniah’s prophecy, we see both sides of God’s love, the toughness in judgment, and tenderness in His mercy.

Tough and Tender Love Book of Zephaniah Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvl8jnGnUyY Bill Johnson was a young man from California whose sole thrill was stealing cars. Eventually he was caught and at his sentencing, the judge did something very unusual. The judge didn’t send Bill to jail, ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:2, Zephaniah 3:3-4, Zephaniah 2:1-3

Denomination: Foursquare

Be Joyful Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 26, 2021

James wrote to believers facing tough times. Their troubles ranged from personal trials to disabling doubts, from persecution for following Christ to the lure of respectability in their community and the dangers of spiritual pride.

I. There are certain realities of life common to all believers – 1:2-1:18. A. Trials and testing will come and can be overcome -- 1:2-8. 1.A.2. Lesson Title: Be joyful LESSON 1.A.2. – BE JOYFUL TEXT – James 1:2 (KJV) My brethren count it all joy when ye fall into divers ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2

Denomination: Baptist

Tough Love In The Church

Contributed by Tim Huie on May 7, 2009

What does the Bible REALLY teach about church discipline?

TOUGH LOVE IN THE CHURCH Matthew 18:15-17 1 Corinthians 5:1-11 1 Timothy 1:18-20 Titus 3:10-11 1. Illus. of teenager gone wild • Young man of about 18 went wild. • Would drink, do drugs, come home raging and tear up the place. • Would come to blows with mom and dad. • Finally, parents had to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Tough Love In The Church

Contributed by Tim Huie on Apr 23, 2008

What is church discipline? When is it appropriate? How long does it last?

Matthew 18:15-17 1 Corinthians 5:1-11 1 Timothy 1:18-20 Titus 3:10-11 1. Illus. of teenager gone wild • Young man of about 18 went wild. • Would drink, do drugs, come home raging and tear up the place. • Would come to blows with mom and dad. • Finally, parents had to administer “tough love.” They ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

Life Can Be Tough Series

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Mar 18, 2014

life will be challenging but the Holy Spirit will guide you

Here's something you don't hear often in evangelistic invitations: God loves you and has a difficult plan for your life! That's exactly what Jesus says. John 15:18-19 - If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As ...read more

Scripture: John 15:20-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Tough Love Series

Contributed by Steve Hanchett on Jan 22, 2001

Deals with the tension between the love and judgment of God.

“God’s Tough Love” Hosea 1:3-9 Steve Hanchett, pastor Berry Road Baptist Church January 21, 2001 So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. Then the Lord said to him: “call his name Jezreel, for in a little while I will avenge the bloodshed of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-26, Hosea 1:3-9

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Talking Tough

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 1, 2016

Let’s examine Luke 14:25-33 and the cost of being a disciple.

Intro If church size is more important than faithfulness to Jesus, then here are 5 ways to build a mega church. 1) Promise that obedience to Jesus will improve your worldly stature. 2) Promise that people will not have to carry their own cross, because Jesus did. 3) Tell them not to use their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Baptist

God's Tough Love

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jun 25, 2012

Often God has to spank as part of His loving discipline. Heb. 12:6 “…whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." There are at least 3 purposes to God’s tough love or chastening - instruction, correction, and prevention.

God’s Tough Love Job 5:17-18 “Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole. Have you ever thought that God was upset or angry with you? When we go through some ...read more

Scripture: Job 5:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

It Can Be Tough To Communicate Series

Contributed by Dan Carroll on Jul 28, 2011

This sermon helps couples learn to communicate in this "sound bite" generation.

INTRODUCTION • We are a sound bite generation. • So when it comes to really communicating our feelings we are not very good. I. COMMUNICATION BEGINS IN THE HEART • Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Persevere Under Hardship Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 30, 2005

Are you going through tough times? It could be that God is making you into a wonderul tool - to use in furthering His kingdom. Find out how Paul encouraged Timothy to stay with it under pressure.

Paul has just gotten finished telling Timothy that despite the fact that he was abandoned in Rome – that there were a few – like Onesiphorus, who were a great comfort during hard times. Now he takes it one step further – be strong yourself, and look for people you can trust – then pass on good ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-26

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Looking Up, When Life Has Got You Down

Contributed by Robert Parker on Jun 30, 2003

No matter what hardships, mistakes or mishaps that can occur in life God allows us to Look up when Life has got us down. A message of encouragement during tough times...

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4: 7 – 10, 14 (4:7) “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the Excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (4:8) “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.” (4:9) “Persecuted, but not forsaken; ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-18, 1 Peter 4:12-13

Denomination: Christian Church

A Worry Free Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 9, 2009

During tough times worry can sometimes mar our thanksgiving celebrations. Jesus reminds his followers that they can always rest in his care and give God thanks for his grace.

Matthew 6:25-33 “A Worry Free Thanksgiving” INTRODUCTION It’s been a tough year for just about everyone. The economic recovery has started, and even though we’ve been told it won’t end overnight, it can’t come fast enough for us. Most of us have had to downsize our spending and pay off some ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33

Denomination: Lutheran

Rejoicing, Even In The Pressure

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 27, 2016

When the tough times come, our prayers must increase. Then, when the prayer increases – our faithfulness will also increase because we will rely more on God than ourselves.

Rejoicing even in the Pressure 2 Corinthians 1:1–11 INTRODUCTION - Today’s world is full of pressure. Everyday life … - Paul wrote 2 Corinthians in response to the pressures he faced -- Yet, while he detailed his stress points in 2 Corinthians -- He also sounded a note ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Pain To Promise

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 15, 2024

we're exploring a story from the Bible about Hannah. This story is more than just an ancient tale; it's about facing tough times and finding hope.

"Good morning! Today, we're exploring a story from the Bible about Hannah. This story is more than just an ancient tale; it's about facing tough times and finding hope. Like a gardener seeing potential in a bare plot, Hannah's story reminds us that in our empty moments, something ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:10-18

Denomination: Baptist