Sermons on Trouble Valley:

What Does It Mean To "make Every Effort" To Enter The Kingdom? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 10, 2025

This passage has two troubling phrases: "make every effort" and "try . . . and not be able." What are we to do with those? And do they mean that God is setting up difficult barriers to get into the Kingdom?

WHAT DOES "MAKE EVERY EFFORT" MEAN? It doesn’t mean that it’s nearly impossible but that you should focus your attention. - Luke 13:22-24a. - Jesus is asked an important question: “[A]re only a few people going to be saved?” (v. 23). - That's a great question. What is the nature of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: Baptist

Part 7: Prayer When Life Is Unfair Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Oct 29, 2024

What should we do when life is unfair? 1. Beware of the bitterness trap (vs. 1-10). 2. Take our troubles to the Lord (vs. 10-18). 3. Give our best to God (vs. 11). 4. Rely on God to remember us (vs. 17-20).

Great Prayers of the Old Testament Part 7: Prayer when Life Is Unfair 1 Samuel 1:1-20 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared October 29, 2024) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to 1 Samuel 1 to see a great prayer when life was unfair. Chuck Swindoll tells us that the events "in 1 Samuel took ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Tribulation Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 1, 2022

This will be a day like there has never been before. This time of intense trouble will go on longer than we want and it will be more intense than we want. Jesus seems to tell us that this time of mega affliction or Great Tribulation will be just before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

When the book of Daniel opened, we met a young man, no more than a middle-school-aged student. Now, as Daniel closes, we see a man who is advanced in years and probably around his mid-80s. Daniel has dared to stand alone for God in a hostile environment. He has clearly shown us that a powerful ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 12:1-4, Revelation 7:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Shepherd Psalm (Complete)

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 11, 2017

Following the leading of the ever-present LORD God.

THE SHEPHERD PSALM. Psalm 23:1-6. I. The LORD is my Shepherd. Psalm 23:1-3. When King David was a boy, he used to look after his father’s sheep - so he knew what he was talking about when he spoke of the LORD as his shepherd. As we all know, a “shepherd” looks after sheep. David led the sheep, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Jesus Measures Success

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Jesus knew that human success is often a temptation that leads to greater worries, riches and troubles in this life. The Lord Jesus said, "Still, others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth

How Jesus Measures Success Illustration: One thing I do, . . . I press toward the goal. --Philippians 3:13-14 In Daniel Schaeffer’s book on Esther, Dancing With A Shadow, he summarizes with a single sentence the lives of each of the main characters in that wonderful Old Testament book. For ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Cope With Pain Using Godly Distractions

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

The Holy Spirit gives us supernatural empowerment to cope with our suffering. Paul wrote, "Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in ha

1. The Holy Spirit helps us to set our minds on things above rather than on things that bother us. Paul wrote, "Since, then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:4-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Christian's Panic Room

Contributed by Tony Searles on Jun 22, 2002

When you are faced with trials and troubles, know that there is a place to run...to your Prayer Closet! That is where you can find refuge in God, and He will keep you. This also helps us to possess an eternal perspective on things.

STAND & READ - Psalm 91:1-2 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!" "The Christian?s PANIC Room!" PRAYER... Recently there has been a movie released by Hollywood ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16, Matthew 6:6

Denomination: Other

Ready To Be Different Series

Contributed by Scotty Killingsworth on Sep 25, 2003

The church is still the best hope for the world, but the church is in trouble. I could list the problems, but the list would exceed the time allotted for this teaching time. I’m not sure listing the challenges are necessary because you know the problems

This sermon was preached by Scotty L Killingsworth to the Evergreen Congregation on September 28, 2003. This sermon is the last installment in the series – Ready The sermon title is, Ready to be different Biblical Text 1 Thessalonians 5:1-24 The church is still the best hope for the world, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Down Is Not Your Destiny

Contributed by Robbie Bankens on May 10, 2006

The enemy may have barraged you with trouble, he may have even tripped you up and you may have stumbled, but being down is not where God has destined you to be. You shall arise!

MICAH 7:8 NIV “Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I WILL arise! Though I sit in darkness, the Lord WILL be my light!” Folks, I won’t be long this afternoon, but I am here to preach to somebody today that “Down Is Not Your Destiny”. There are some, who have been under ...read more

Scripture: Micah 7:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Longing For The Lord

Contributed by Ray Searan on Feb 13, 2006

David was piled with problems. He was on the run. He was alone and discouraged. This was his personal “ground zero.” He’s been where some of you are today. Let’s listen in as he longs for the Lord in the midst of his troubles.

Longing for the Lord Text: Psalm 42:1-11; 1AS THE hart pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God.2My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? 3My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Apolitic Nature Of The Revelations.pt 2. Series

Contributed by Anthony Smith on Aug 26, 2005

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

The Apolitic Nature of The Revelations pt 2. Lets look a Rev. 1:1 a little closer. There are four diferent things being said in this one verse. ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Some Of Life's Difficulties

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jul 24, 2008

Preaching the truth seems to always cause trouble because some people don’t want to listen to it or believe it. Paul experienced two difficulties in this text. 1- The difficulty of being misunderstood 2- The difficulty of being hassled

INTRO.- Job 14:1 "Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble." Eccl. 2:22-23 "What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless." WHAT ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:17-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Soldier On!

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Oct 14, 2007

We got through trials sometimes. Jesus said that we will have troubles in this life but that we should take heart because he has overcome the world. This was preached at a military chapel but it could easily be preached in a civilian church.

-We’re in a war! -I know that the people in the military get that – they’ve deployed to fight in it -Their families know it – because they’ve missed their loved ones while they’ve been fighting -If you are a retiree you know it – because you’ve been there before -But I don’t think the American ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

The Sign For A Desperate People

Contributed by Dan Waite on Dec 20, 2005

King Ahaz and Judah were in serious trouble. Isaiah is sent to confirm God’s covenant with Judah with the message to “stand firm.” [7:4] God offered King Ahaz a sign which included four impossible things.

Other sermons can be found at http://lastsermon.blogspot.com/ Isaiah 7:14 – 17 “The sign for a desperate people” Situation: King Ahaz and Judah were in serious trouble. They were at war with not prospect of even competing let alone winning [7:2]. Isaiah is sent to confirm God’s covenant with ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14-17

Denomination: Free Methodist

Doing A Good Work For Christ

Contributed by William Baeta on Jun 19, 2003

“But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me. She has done what she could’” Mark 14:6, 8a.

Theme: Doing a good work for Christ Text: 1 Chron. 29:10-18; Romans 12:1-8; Mark 14:3-9 Thanksgiving is a very important aspect of our lives and always results in blessing. Every one of us has a reason to be thankful because every one of us has been blessed. Today we want to remember our many ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-9, Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed