Sermons on Trials And Difficulties:

Running To Win!

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Aug 1, 2012

The Christian as an Olympic Athlete. Powerpoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info) Listen to audio of this sermon at: www.gcurley.info

SERMON OUTLINE: (a). Look around at the winners (vs 1a). (b). Look at yourself! (vs 1b). (c). A Look at Jesus Christ (vs 2-4). SERMON BODY: If the Apostle Paul were alive today and picked up a newspaper: • I think like many of us he would start reading it at the back page. • Taking in the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-4

Denomination: Brethren

Fear Not Christmas

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 15, 2007

1- Fear not the birth 2- Fear not the angel 3- Fear not the announcement

INTRO. - ILL.- Charles Sawyer, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce (under Harry Truman), told about the planeload of people flying across the Atlantic. A voice came on the intercom: “We are now flying at 35,000 feet. If you will notice, out the right window, the two engines on that side are on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Wholehearted Servanthood Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Nov 14, 2009

In today’s lesson we see five important motivations for wholehearted servanthood.

Scripture Two weeks ago I began a four-week series of messages titled, Wholehearted Generosity. Wholehearted generosity refers to a person who is completely and sincerely and authentically generous. Wholehearted generosity begins with wholehearted commitment, which was the topic of the first ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:4-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It Costs To Be A Disciple Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Feb 6, 2015

The analysis of following Jesus in Luke 14:25-35 shows us what is involved in following Jesus.

Scripture On his journey to Jerusalem from Galilee, Jesus often engaged in controversy with the Jewish leadership, most often the Pharisees (cf. Luke 11:37-54; 13:31-14:24). But now in Luke 14:25, Jesus returns to address the crowds. In doing so, he clarified what is involved in following him. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Birth Of John The Baptist Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 15, 2023

The birth of John the Baptist in Luke 1:57-66 shows us how God fulfills his promise.

Introduction There is usually great excitement when a couple conceives a child. This is very true if the couple has had difficulty conceiving. Then, after the conception, there are the months of preparation and excitement as the couple waits for the arrival of the child. Finally, the child is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:57-66

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Footprints Of Hope Series

Contributed by Todd Stiles on Dec 13, 2006

Discover the meaning of true, biblical hope in this message about the Magi and their journey to see the Christ child.

“Footprints of Hope” Matthew 2:1-12 Let’s take our Bibles and locate Matthew 2…today we journey in the footprints of the Magi – “we three kings of Orient are” – the three wise men (by the way, none of those actual titles are true. There weren’t technically three and they weren’t kings. But more ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

God's Greatness

Contributed by Brien Sims on Jun 20, 2008

Let’s focus on just how BIG our God is and what He can do. There is joy in knowing He is bigger than us.

Each month at the men’s fellowship a topic has been assigned for the speaker to address. We have received what has to be the most absurdly large topic known to man. This subject has infinite boundaries which mankind has been trying to wrap its finite mind around for all time. No one has ever ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stand Firm

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Aug 29, 2015

A message from I Corinthians 16:13 (Ephesians 6:13) to an immoral and discouraged people to stand Ready, Stand Firm, and Stand Strong

Stand Firm Introduction: Decadence and despair haunt many of America's youth. Perhaps fourteen-year-old Rod Matthews represents the most horrible extreme. Uninterested in baseball or books, Rod found one thing that did stimulate him: Death. His curiosity was intensely aroused by a rental video, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Build Upon The Rock

Contributed by Dwight Davis on Aug 3, 2003

In a life filled with trials and storms, we must be certain we build upon the Rock. How can we be sure of our foundation?

“Build Upon the Rock” As you may know, hurricane season is fast approaching, in fact it officially begins for us on June 1st. And I’m sure that because of names like Hazel, Fran, and Floyd, none of us here need be reminded that hurricanes are one of nature’s most destructive and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:47-49, Matthew 7:21

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

A Practical Faith For Real Life Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 6, 2002

Jesus was out to prepare His disciples for their greatest trial, His crucifixion. But He was also giving us direction to prepare for the realities of life.

A Practical Faith for Real Life (Matt. 26:31-35, John 13:33-38, Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:31-38) 1. Students at Bible College/seminaries…lose track of the real world…There used to be an old saying, "It takes 10 years to get over seminary…" 2. In our church, we try to encourage an "honest ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:35-38, Matthew 26:31-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Random Acts Of Kindness Series

Contributed by Richard White on Mar 19, 2003

Kindness and gentleness are fruits of the Spirit. If there were a trial today and being kind and gentle were a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict us?

Random Acts of Kindness Galatians 5:22-23, Luke 10:30-37 Illustration: The Courtroom drama. We all know the story, it’s the story of the good Samaritan and even those in the world who don’t know that Jesus originally told the story know what a good Samaritan is. Jesus used this story ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:30-37, Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rocks Worth Remembering

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Mar 2, 2006

We need to understand the value of remembering the goodness of God once we’ve come through a trial. Joshua is instructed to take rocks...

I would say that one of the things that I have a hard time with is throwing away things from the past. As Donna and I have just moved and sorted through all of the things we have accumulated we came across some treasures from our past. It seems that no matter how small or seemingly worthless each ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 4:1-7

(Part 1) How To Avoid Sinking In Rough Seas Series

Contributed by W F on Feb 6, 2005

James shows us how to emerge from trials having mastered the art of living and becoming all we were intended to be.

LIVING THE HIGH LIFE Part 1. How to Avoid Sinking in Rough Seas James 1:1-12 INTRODUCTION All true followers of Jesus are surrounded by a variety of endless trials and tests. How do we deal with them without sinking under the pressure? James reveals a secret: Instead of caving in under the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: *other

God Is In Control

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Feb 10, 2009

Many people seem to think that God is randomly confronted with different trials and than randomly transforms them into something good in our lives.

Matthew 4 God is in Control (4:1) 1. Jesus “was led up by the Spirit…” - God is in control here. - This was all apart of God’s plan. - God doesn’t transform trials into good. - Many people seem to think that God is randomly confronted with different trials and than randomly transforms them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jul 22, 2002

This sermon addresses how God loves us beyond our comprehension even when we feel alone in our trials and sufferings.

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM GOD’S LOVE Text: Romans 8:18-28, 34-37 "I heard about a frustrated mother whose two sons where driving her crazy. She had tried everything to keep them in line, when one day she had an over-the-fence discussion with a neighbor. "I took my son to our ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-28, Romans 8:34-37

Denomination: United Methodist