Sermons on Trials And Difficulties:

Hope In The Hard Times Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 7, 2007

Do you go through difficult trials that don’t seem to have any way out? So did Naomi, but God showed his love and an alternative she hadn’t thought of, like he does with us.

Ruth was written in perhaps the 2nd half of the 12th century, making it contemporary with Jephthah and Samson of Judges 11 and following. This is important because if you didn’t know that you’d think there’s no way the events could take place concurrently with Judges. Judges is filled with ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How To Renew Your Thinking

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 12, 2003

Paul urged the early Christians to replace their old sinful natural responses to difficulties with new attitudes. The great apostle wrote, "Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires. To be made new in the attitude of your mi

Someone once said, "Attitude is everything." People with great attitude succeed. Those with negative attitudes fail. Illustration;Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: To choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s way. Viktor Frankl, concentration ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:21-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Does God Do His Work?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Amidst the clouds of doom, gloom and stubborn opposition, God sheds His light to the dark regions of menâs minds. In this passage we learn a little bit more about how the Divine work of God overshadows every difficulty, discouragement or predicament. Alth

1. Amidst the clouds of doom, gloom and stubborn opposition, God sheds His light to the dark regions of menâs minds. In this passage we learn a little bit more about how the Divine work of God overshadows every difficulty, discouragement or predicament. Although God’s purposes may not be clear ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:6-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jephthah For President

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 5, 2010

A statesman makes decisions based on what’s best for the next generation...a politician on what’s best for the next election. Jephthah-Character in the face of difficulty, and Courage in the face of danger. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerP

Jephthah for President Judges 11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Jephthah.html This 9th judge of Israel was a man of impeccable character and integrity. He stood out among his brethren because they had little or no character. And oh how people of character stand out in our society today, even in ...read more

Scripture: Judges 11:1-40

Denomination: Baptist

We Have Much To Learn From Joseph And How He Obeyed God.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Dec 18, 2016

Joseph was human, more human than we believe; he was the same as us. He had his own share of problems that we can relate to, problems relating to a tight knit community that was quick to condemn. Could we to overcome such difficulties.

This sermon was delivered at Holy Trinity, Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland on Sunday the 18th December 2016; Holy Trinity is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. The readings for today are: Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25 Please join ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Episcopal

Obedience To God

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Aug 13, 2020

Sins committed with good intentions were also punished by God. Wrong actions cannot be sanctified by good intentions. If we are careful to obey the Lord, we will have the peace and joy of the Lord in our hearts and the Lord will be with us amidst all our difficulties.

2 Samuel 6:1-8 Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the Lord of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. So they set ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:1-8, Numbers 4:15, Romans 10:1-3, Matthew 7:21-23

Sovereignty Within Mayhem Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on May 12, 2021

Life has its share of difficulty and uncertainty. At times, we all wonder where life will lead and how we will overcome the obstacles we face. Even in the worst of situations, we can take comfort knowing our sovereign Lord is in control.

Sovereignty within Mayhem Esther 6:1-9 Although their hearts are not filled with joy, Mordecai and Esther must have been encouraged somewhat by her meeting with Ahasuerus. He had extended her favor, while granting her request. The banquet with the king and Haman was scheduled, and Esther would now ...read more

Scripture: Esther 6:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be Sure Of God's Will Series

Contributed by Ritchie Guerrero on Nov 16, 2020

What does it mean, when we say will of God or God’s will? The will of God refers to His purpose, plan, and desire for our lives. But how can we be certain we are walking in His will, especially in times of difficulty, suffering, or pain?

11-15-2020 November Theme: Discovering the Will of God Title: How to Be Sure of God's Will Scripture : Psalm 40:8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.” Introduction: Connect through the past few days, Super Typhoon Ulyses… who are affected? There were lots ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:8, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:5, Jeremiah 29:11-13

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Always Go Well Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jan 2, 2022

2022 is another challenging critical year with the variant of Omicron. There may be many long-term goals pending, modified, cut short because of the difficulties, defeats, and failures we faced for the last two years due to the Pandemic turning into an endemic living with Corona

Theme: Always go well Text: Deuteronomy 12:26-32 The Lord is good and his love endures forever. Illustration: In the middle of a sermon, a man in the congregation got up and walked outside. The wife went up to the pastor after the sermon to apologize for her husband's rude behavior. The ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 12:26-32

Denomination: Methodist

Stay Vigilant

Contributed by Masimba Murisa on Aug 29, 2025

As we navigate life as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we encounter storms and difficulties. The Apostle Peter warns us to stay vigilant or careful, alert as we have an adversary the devil who does not want to see us win and triumph in life.

The devil is on assignment to take us out and derail our lives. Most believers live their Christian lives not realizing that we have an adversary who is on assignment to steal, kill and destroy their lives according to (John 10:10) -When trouble comes which it will do at some point in our lives, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8, John 10:10

Denomination: Charismatic

Are You Prepared To Fight Your Battles?

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Jan 12, 2026

What are the days of battle in our lives? Many times, we face days filled with challenges, hardship and difficulties. Some of these are internal like health issues or external like relationship, job, decision making and career decisions. Are we prepared to fight them?

Proverbs 21:31 - The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord. We can divide this verse into three parts: 1. Day of battle 2. Horse being made ready 3. Trusting the Lord for the victory 1. What is day of battle? Generally, battle refers to the specific day when ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:31, Jeremiah 29:11

Idop 2025: Faithful To The End

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Oct 28, 2025

Today is the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians. This year's theme (2025) is "Faithful to the End." How can we remain faithful followers of Jesus amidst all difficulties and temptations, even when we face persecution?

Introduction: I was in Surabaya last month when, at 3 a.m., I received the news that Charlie Kirk had been shot. It turned out he died. This news was truly shocking and left many wondering, "Why would anyone kill him?" Many reports claimed he deserved to be killed because he spread ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-25, John 15:20, John 16:1-2, Acts 7:57-58, Matthew 16:23, Revelation 2:10, Acts 8:1, John 14:6, John 1:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prayer For Hard Times

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 22, 2018

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? A year D sermon.

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s review Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3 and see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times. House of Prayer Matthew 21:13 “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-22

Denomination: Baptist

What Will Turn You Back?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Feb 23, 2019

Will you be a Demas or a John Mark? Demas never came back, but John Mark did. Don't turn back and you will not have to be either one of them.

I. The Crowd? John 6:65-69 2. If the glory stops? Luke 10:17, Acts 4:31 3. If there is no fame, only pain? Heb 11:25-39 4. When people think you are crazy? 2 Sam 12:21-23 5, When you or your situation is misunderstood? ...read more

Scripture: John 6:65-69, Luke 10:17, Acts 4:31, Hebrews 11:25-39, 2 Samuel 12:21-23, John 9:1-3, Job 1:18-19, Job 2:9, 1 Peter 4:16, Hebrews 12:4, James 1:2, 1 Timothy 3:12, Hebrews 12:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Growing Old Gracefully Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 22, 2017

Pass the tests of life when you revel in your losses, receive Christ into your heart, and take responsibility for your own sin.

Richard S. Halverson, the former U.S. Senate Chaplain, used to challenge people with the following image: You're going to meet an old man [or woman] someday down the road – ten, thirty, fifty years from now – waiting there for you. You'll be catching up with him [or her]. What kind of old man [or ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-16

Denomination: Evangelical Free