Sermons on Trials And Difficulties:

Lessons From A Suffering Church Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 14, 2014

The Church at Smyrna was a suffering church. They had experienced past afflictions and were going to encounter sever trials so they are encouraged to endure. A suffering church needs to look to their Lord and look to their future.

Lessons from a Suffering Church Revelation 2:8-11 8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty-- yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Gideon's Fearful Faith? - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Thomas Fortini on Oct 26, 2020

Fear is often our first reaction to the tests and trials of life, but God has called us to live by faith! A study of Gideon shows us how God transforms fear to faith!

Intro: Jesus told his disciples…John 16:33b In this world you will have trouble… Paul remined his Thessalonian readership… 1Thssalonians 3:3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. POINT? WE ARE DESTINED FOR TROULBE AND TRAILS,– ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32

The God Who Gives Peace In Chaos Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 10, 2025

The storms of life are inevitable, but panic is optional when we have the Prince of Peace in our boat. God’s peace is not a temporary escape from trouble—it is a divine atmosphere that sustains us in every trial.

THE GOD WHO GIVES PEACE IN CHAOS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Mark 4:35-41 Supporting Texts: Psalm 46:1-3, John 14:27, Philippians 4:6-7, Isaiah 26:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:16 INTRODUCTION: Life is not free from storms. There are times when the winds of trouble blow fiercely, and the waves of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Man, There's Hope!" Series

Contributed by Allen Hern on Aug 22, 2002

While many place their hope in those things which will ultimately disappoint, Peter shares a hope that will transform your life, assure your future, and keep you going through every trial.

200231.ser “MAN, THERE’S HOPE’ BREBC August 11, 2002 a.m. Subject: Salvation Theme: The Glory of our Salvation Passage: 1 Peter 1: 1 - 9 Is there any hope for a fellow who always has his foot in his mouth? For a fellow who blows hot and cold? For a fellow who can say things that bring high ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Walking Through The Valley Of Death With The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Revd Dr Ruwan Palapathwala on Dec 14, 2024

The Valley of Death is a real place and also metaphoric for describing life's trials and daring challenges. Fearlessly, we can walk through any Valley of Death with Jesus, the Good Shephard

The readings you/we have just read are among my most loved passages from God's Word. I know that you love them the most, too. Psalm 23, which we love so much, is, without any doubt, the song of our souls as we live this life as Christians. Even if only we were made to recite and memorise ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:19-25

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Healing To Wholeness

Contributed by Victor Nazareth on Apr 29, 2002

God allows difficulties in our lives to cause us to turn to Him. He is always there to meet our needs for healing, deliverance and success. However, He desires beyond these felt needs that our greater need for wholeness be met.

Introduction: God allows difficulties in our lives to cause us to turn to Him. He is always there to meet our needs for healing, deliverance and success. However, He desires beyond these felt needs that our greater need for wholeness be met. This story traces the path from healing to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Charismatic

The Debt Of Love

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 22, 2006

If you can write out your love for the Lord in a nice, neat little paragraph, you probably don’t understand your love for the Lord. The difficulty with love is the inability to express adequately in words how you feel.

If you had to describe your love for the Lord, how would you do it? Could you find in the proper words to express your passion and appreciation for the Lord? If you can write out your love for the Lord in a nice, neat little paragraph, you probably don’t understand your love for the Lord. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Washing Off The Grime Of Guilt Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Oct 8, 2005

3nd in 5 part series on overcoming the obstacles and difficulties of life using 5 different Psalms. We used a "journey" or "road" metaphor, i.e.,bumps of success, fear, guilt, the religious rut and grief, etc.

WASHING OFF THE GRIME OF GUILT Navigating the Bumps of Life - Week 3 PSALM 32 INTRODUCTION: The story is told that Noel Coward, the well known playwright, as a prank, once sent an identical anonymous letter to 10 notable men in London. The note said, "We know what you have done. If you don’t ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:1-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Jesus Christ - Yesterday, Today And Forever

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on May 20, 2007

Jesus Christ - Yesterday, Today and Forever. What does this mean when we face difficulties, when loss and change happen to us? Our congregation just learned of the resignation of its Senior Pastor. This sermon was written for that Sunday.

"God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" 7Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Good Are You? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 3, 2011

Sometimes we feel like God has to completely change us in order to use us. Paul shows us that God takes the background, weaknesses, and even difficulties and uses them for His kingdom, if we let Him.

Who are you as a person? Who are you as a Christian? Do those two questions get two different responses from you? I think often times we think that when we come to Christ, Jesus basically considers us to be a blank slate that needs to be redrawn into the character of Jesus and that everything about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

A Vision Of Purpose

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jan 15, 2017

The church faces many difficulties and obstacles while serving the Lord. While these are unavoidable, we do not have to allow them to defeat us. We must maintain our focus on the Lord and follow the vision He has provided.

A Vision of Purpose Ephesians 3: 20-21 The church at Ephesus was dear to Paul. His ministry among them spanned three years. The church there began with just twelve believers (Acts 19:7), but through faithful effort they experienced amazing growth. Knowing the success in Ephesus, Paul desired them ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Right Time For Love Series

Contributed by Dennise Ogalesco on Apr 22, 2015

There is a big difference between love and lust and infatuation which most of our young people today has difficulty in dealing with this issues in their generation. Some of them have wandered from their school, lost their dreams and erred from faith.

THE RIGHT TIME FOR LOVE? When is the right time for Love. The following verse gave us an idea that we should be wise to control our emotions at the right time. Song of Solomon 2:7 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the wild deer of the field, that you not stir up or awaken ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Creator's Plan Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 2, 2012

Our passage for tonight continues the review of God's sovereign activity by presenting another difficulty. If God is acting unilaterally, fashioning each & all according to His own will & purpose, would He not remove the reason & basis for judging man's

ROMANS 9: 19-26-29 THE CREATOR'S PLAN Before we get started let me state that this is a difficult and controversial passage. If Romans 9 has raised more questions than answers for you, you're not alone. Because of these difficulties many interpretations have been offered. As the Apostle ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:19-29

Denomination: Baptist

You Are Mine

Contributed by Larry Grant on May 19, 2024

Going through waters of hardship, rivers of difficulty, or the fires of adversity will either cause you to live in fear or force you to grow stronger. If you invite the Lord to go with you, He will because He said that You are Mine!

Isaiah 43:1-7 (NKJV) You Are Mine May 19, 2024 Before the kingdom was overthrown by Assyria, then by Babylon and then by Persia the children of God had stopped calling upon the LORD. The Israelites had grown weary of Him (verse 22). Their worship may have been lavish but was often only outward and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiving

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 6, 2020

How often should we forgive? Let’s explore the difficulty and necessity of forgiving from the heart. Let’s look at what Jesus taught about forgiving in Matthew 18:21-35 and Hosea 1-3.

How often should we forgive? Let’s explore the difficulty and necessity of compassion and mercy, forgiveness from the heart. Let’s look at what Jesus taught about forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-35. How Often Forgive Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist