Sermons on Unseen Struggle:

Right Side Up In An Upside Down World Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Oct 1, 2015

Rather than giving a list of ideals to strive for, Jesus was showing the people how widely available God’s kingdom was – even for ordinary, poor, ignorant, imperfect, despised people. The beatitudes describe their struggle & grace to thrive in adversity.

Right Side Up in an Upside Down World Intro: The more I study the Sermon on the Mount, esp. the Beatitudes, the less prescriptive and the more descriptive they become to me. Here is what I mean by that. Last week as I shared them, I introduced the first one (poor in spirit) as a requirement for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Twelve Steps To A New Life Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Aug 31, 2019

The truth is that everyone needs hope because everyone struggles. Everyone is in recovery from the mistakes, troubles, problems, and mess-ups of their own lives. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

TWELVE STEPS TO A NEW LIFE Introduction On July 1st of this year Los Angeles Angels player Tyler Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room. In his system were the opioids fentanyl and oxycodone along with alcohol. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid similar to morphine but 50 to 100 times more ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23, Galatians 6:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do Everything Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Feb 24, 2020

We all struggle with a "dual nature." We sort of like Bannon/The Hulk from the movies and comic books. It doesn't take much to move us away from Christ-likeness to self-interest and rebellion.

You can listen to this sermon on my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/2134049 Do Everything  Intro: • Jekyll & Hyde, The Hulk o Book cover o Jekyll/Hyde illustration o Bannon/Hulk o Bannon/Hulk meld • Stories like these illuminate the struggle in all of us. Good vs. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Remedy For Wretchedness

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jun 28, 2015

Paul desperately wants to be delivered from the influence of indwelling sin. He struggles, as do we all, with his corrupt nature. Through Christ we overcome and make progress...yet the more we grow, the more in touch we are with our faults.

Do you ever feel like a hopeless mess? The Apostle Paul sure did. In Romans 7 he berates himself for his shortcomings: “What a wretched man I am!” Paul's problem was a serious condition. Sin enslaves; it takes over. Jeremiah writes that the human heart is “desperately ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Congregational

Expanding Your Prayer Life Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 4, 2021

Sermon expounds exhortation in Eph. 6:18 to "pray with ALL KINDS of prayer." A key to expanding our prayer capacity is developing in a variety of modes of prayer. Many struggle with prayer because their prayer life is one-dimensional (primarily petition).

Our text today is found in Ephesians 6. A couple of weeks ago we ministered on the armor of God presented in verses 10-17.i Paul begins by saying, “Finally, my brethren, [much of what Paul has said previously in this epistle is leading up to this exhortation.] be strong in the Lord and in the power ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 7:7, Jonah 2:2, James 4:2, Luke 12:32, Philippians 4:6, Psalm 99:9, Numbers 6:22-27, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 62:1, Matthew 18:18-20, 1 Corinthians 14:1-18, Romans 8:26-27, Ephesians 6:10-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Wake Up, Church! Awaken Our Commitment Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Aug 20, 2021

We struggle with commitment in our world today. Marriages, for example, last as long as life is convenient. Commitment to God has dwindled as well. If we are going to make a difference in the world, and set our country right, we need a solid commitment to God.

Lack of commitment is something that runs rampant in our world today. People do not truly stand for anything or are even truly committed to anything. They are blown around like fall leaves in a windstorm, swirling around, going this way and that. (Chameleon Commitment By Neal Gracey Copied from ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11, Romans 13:14, Psalm 37:1-6, Luke 9:57-62, Acts 2:42  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Anger Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 11, 2015

God knows our tendency to struggle in the area of anger. His Word gives us some instruction in this matter. Let’s pay close attention so that we might honor God in all things – even in our anger.

Series: There’s an App for That “Anger” Matthew 5:21-26, 39, 43-48 Open In Lille, France, a woman became fed up with neighbors parking outside of her home blocking her gate. For weeks, she asked and pleaded with them to not do it. She woke up before dawn one morning to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Worry Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 11, 2015

We all struggle with worry. It seems than any humanly devised plan only seems to cause us more worry. Jesus had some things to say about this subject. Let’s talk about what He said.

Series: There’s an App for That “Worry” Matthew 6:25-34 Open A man went to see a psychologist because he was anxious and stressed out all of the time. At the end of their first session, the psychologist gave the man some instructions for the time leading up to the next ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Life With God In The Wilderness Series

Contributed by Bob Marcaurelle on Mar 11, 2016

Message 11 Following 1 Corinthians 10 and Revelation 12 this message shows how Israel's forty years in the wilderness is comparable to our lives with God today. There are struggles but in them God is with us and uses them to make us trust and obey Him

Moses 11 LIFE WITH GOD IN THE WILDERNESS Exodus 15:22 - 19:1 1 Cor. 10:5-6 / 11 “God was not pleased with most of them because they were overthrown in the wilderness. These things are warnings to us, not to crave evil things like they did / These things happened to them as warnings to us ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Balanced Life Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 20, 2022

God has plans for each of us and specific work that He has called us to do. This should be good news to us, but often we can feel overwhelmed when we are struggling to manage everything, we think we need to do.

A Balanced Life We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer. People may be pure in their own eyes but the LORD examines their motives. Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:1-3 NLT) God has plans for each of us and specific work that He has ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:1-3, Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 10:24-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Promises For Every Need: A Dirty Mind Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Nov 10, 2020

Thread: Aim for the Heart We find the Apostle Paul describing the push and pull and tension and struggle between good and evil and righteousness and unrighteousness that happens inside the mind of each person. Every person who has ever lived deals with the sinful nature.

GOD’S PROMISES FOR EVERY NEED: A DIRTY MIND 2 Timothy 3:1-17 #EveryNeed INTRODUCTION… The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (p) I don’t know what kind of movies you all like, but one of my favorite types of movies are westerns. I like “Sons of Katie Elder.” I like the original “True Grit” and the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Clothed In Humility - 1 Peter 5:5b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 16, 2025

Pride has a thousand faces. It's possible to think you do not struggle with pride because you don't have the kind someone else has. But you may have a different kind that flies under the radar.

1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5

"From Genesis To Glory: The Legacy Of African American Labor” Honoring The Past And Inspiring The Future

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Feb 21, 2025

The inspiring theme "African American Labor," a reflection not only on historical events but also on the resilience and ingenuity of our people. Just like Joseph, our journey has spanned from bondage to blessing, shaped by faith, struggle, and an indomitable spirit.

"Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am Joseph! Is my father still living?' But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'Come close to me. When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:3-15

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus Knows

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 13, 2025

One of the most comforting truths in the Bible is that Jesus knows everything about us. He knows our struggles, our pains, our needs, and our deepest desires. Unlike people who may misunderstand or judge us, Jesus understands perfectly.

JESUS KNOWS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." – Hebrews 4:15 Supporting Texts: Psalm 139:1-4, Job 23:10, John 2:24-25, John ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Being Overcomers Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Jul 29, 2024

The struggles and hardships of life, and our sinful failures, can bring us to a point where we don't feel like overcomers. John calls us not to trust our feelings, but to trust Jesus who truly calls us overcomers.

You can listen to this sermon at https://www.npbc.org.au/podcasts/media 1 John 5:1-12 “Being Overcomers” Through his Epistle John has gone to great lengths to ensure the readers understand who Jesus is … and the eternal security we can have when we put our faith in Jesus. John continues to have ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist