5 Best Sermon Themes for Difficult Times
Let’s face it: these times are trying for everyone. With such uncertainty going on in the world, how can you as a pastor continue to lead your church in faith and love? You may be wondering where or how to find inspiration for your teachings at this time. Fortunately, the Bible offers plenty in the way of sermons for difficult times.
Here are a few topics that will apply to the current situation and strengthen your church members spiritually. As you study or research each one, think of how the themes relates to your church specifically, and if there are any personal stories you can share to boost each sermon.
1. Trust in God with Sermons in Difficult Times
It is hardest to trust God during times of conflict, uncertainty, and anxiety. And especially, in times of sickness, plague, even death. This is the question on many people’s minds: If God does indeed love us so much, why does he still allow hardships and suffering?
Sermons in difficult times should try to answer this question. Use this theme to remind your church members that God’s love is the same as always, and He will not forsake them in a desperate time. Here are two relevant Scriptures on the topic:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8
“And he said: ‘The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in Him I will trust, My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised. So shall I be saved from my enemies.’”
2 Samuel 22: 2-4
2. Community and Unity in Times of Crisis
One upside of any kind of crisis is that it brings out the best in people; in communities—if they truly care for one another. Strengthen those bonds of unity with your chruch members by reminding them that you are all one body under Christ.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is.”
Psalm 133:1
“For brothers to dwell together in unity!
I was glad when they said to me,
‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’.”
Psalm 122:1
3. Praise and Thanksgiving
When faced with difficulties, and especially death, the last thing our souls feel like doing is giving thanks. But now, more than ever, pastors need to be a beacon of light—a lighthouse in the stormy seas, guiding their flock and donors towards safe havens of hope. Try to encourage your church to stay peaceful, positive, and read them uplifting passages like the following verse:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
4. Seeing the “Bigger Picture”
One thing that sets Christians apart from others in the world is our belief in things that “are unseen”. To help your church members keep the faith and not lose heart, teach an online class or sermon about looking at the bigger perspective, seeing our “momentary light afflictions” as just one side of the picture.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
5. Sermons for Difficult Times, New Beginnings
Encourage your members to keep looking forward; to not get so discouraged with the state of the world, but to see that there is still hope for the future. Sermons for difficult times that center around these realities are often effective. Perhaps in this sermon, you could focus on new outreach projects that you are fundraising for, and get people thinking about how they can help be the change and solution.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19
Follow Up Sermons for Difficult Times with Digital Tools
Lastly, remember the importance of having digital platforms to connect and communicate with your church members. You will need to do steady follow up, feeding them spiritually and combining old-school storytelling and new technology. This is the most efficient way to present the most effective sermons. You could consider compiling clips of your sermon into podcasts, social media videos, or expounding on each topic with a blog post. There are endless ways to do this digitally.
As you go about fundraising and asking donors for help, keep the faith. Know that if you are doing a good work for the Lord, you will find those who are willing to support you and your missions. Here are some more Psalms for Comfort to share during your devotional readings:
“He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.”
Psalms 62: 6-7
“Be my strong habitation, To which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress.” Psalms 92: 15 “To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”
Psalms 71: 3
To know more about software for online giving, Donorwerx resources and the services we provide to thriving churches, contact us today or schedule an introductory call. Sermons for difficult times can lead to healing, but using other tools can help your ministry excel even further.
