In Preaching Articles: "Difficult Passages"

How To Speak To A Hardened Heart With Truth And Grace

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Jun 10, 2021

Preaching to a hardened heart is one of the hardest tasks in ministry. Scripture shows that prayer, humility, and faithful exposition are the most powerful tools God uses to soften hearts.

Scripture: John 16:8, 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Hebrews 4:12, John 17:20, 1 Corinthians 3:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, difficult, audience, spiritual growth, preaching, Spiritual Growth  (view more)  (view less)

4 Deadly Dangers In Shortcutting Quality Exegesis

By Peter Mead on Dec 17, 2024

Shortcuts in exegesis result in a passage idea that does not carry the true content--nor the character--of the passage on which we claim to be preaching.

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Powerful Preaching Flows From Good Questions

By David J. Lose on Sep 3, 2021

It's often the really challenging passages that yield the most interesting sermons.

Scripture: Romans 8:2-4

Tags: Faith, Preaching, Powerful, good questions, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Disappointed With God -- At Christmastime!

By David J. Lose on Dec 25, 2022

Why is there an Advent passage about John and his doubts? Turns out there are plenty of good reasons.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Five Steps To Respond To A Hurtful And Hateful Email

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 6, 2022

“You have no business being the pastor of our church. All you are interested in is getting your own way and changing all the good things we have going. People are saying you should be fired. I agree with them.”

Scripture: Proverbs 15:1

Tags: Perseverance, leadership, conflict, Criticism, loving people, pastoral leadership, church ministry, Difficult People, Facing Controversy, criticism, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Those Frustrating Times With Church Members

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 13, 2023

"Any pastor can tell you about it. Even when you do your best to serve God by ministering to His people, some church members are not going to forgive you. You didn’t do it their way, weren’t there when they called, didn’t jump at their bark." So how do you handle these kinds of situations?

Tags: conflict, pastoral leadership, church membership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, ministry struggles, Difficult People, Love like Christ  (view more)  (view less)

7 Things Forgiveness Is

By Ron Edmondson on Jun 10, 2022

As difficult as forgiveness may be to extend, it is often a most important ingredient in healthy relationships and in being a completely healthy person.

Scripture: Romans 12:19, Hebrews 12:1, Colossians 3:13, Romans 12:18

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness, relationships, Loving Others, grace  (view more)  (view less)

Why Pastors Should Preach More From The Psalms

By Peter Mead on Jun 1, 2025

The book of Psalms offers rich opportunities for preaching that introduce overlooked passages, connect with diverse listeners, and encourage honest, heartfelt faith.

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-8, Psalm 73:25-28, Psalm 118:22-24, Luke 24:44, Colossians 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Psalms, Worship, Gift, Preaching, teach, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How Pastors Can Preach On Money Without Losing Their Congregation

By Joe Mckeever on Nov 29, 2020

Preaching on money can be difficult for pastors. Learn practical principles for teaching biblical stewardship with wisdom, integrity, and spiritual sensitivity.

Scripture: Matthew 6:21, Mark 12:41-44, 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2 Corinthians 9:7, Malachi 3:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Money, Budget, Preaching, finances, Learning, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching That Makes Disciples: Three Texts You Must Preach

By Ray Hollenbach on Sep 13, 2022

For anyone who longs to preach about something more than a fire-insurance relationship with Jesus, these three passages will help you make disciples.

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-15

Tags: Preaching, yoke, Make Disciples, conformed, his image, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Tips For Preaching To A Hard Audience

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Aug 22, 2024

Preaching to hardened hearts is difficult, but Scripture, humility, communication skill, and dependence on God can break through where human effort cannot.

Scripture: Romans 7:24, John 16:8, John 17:20, 2 Timothy 2:25, Ephesians 4:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: spiritual leadership, Spiritual Leadership

Piper's Authority For Preaching

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 22, 2026

In this video John Piper answers the question, "What Bible passages do you use to base your claims about how we should preach?"

Tags: Bible, Lesson, Joshua, Preaching, Learning, Doctrine, Relevant, bible truth, Authority, Bible Truth, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching From The Overflow Requires Structure

By Joe Mckeever on May 18, 2021

Preaching from passion and spiritual overflow can energize a sermon, but without structure it often becomes difficult for listeners to follow and impossible for the preacher to reproduce.

Scripture: Psalm 23:5, Luke 6:27-35, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:13, Ecclesiastes 12:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, audience, overflow, problem, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

6 Messy Truths About Your Church—and 3 Helpful Realities

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 5, 2025

"I was taught never to wrestle with difficult truths in front of the congregation. Give them simple three-point, alliterated answers to life’s problems."

Tags: Bible, Preaching, messy truth, efficient, confusing, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Looking At The "Insignificant” Parts Of The Text

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Sep 24, 2020

Familiar passages can still preach with power when you slow down, notice “insignificant” details, and unearth what the text actually emphasizes without forcing novelty.

Scripture: John 3:1-21, John 1:4-5, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Preaching, storytelling, preaching, Storytelling