In Preaching Articles: "Difficult Passages"

The Most Difficult Aspect Of Praying

By Joe Mckeever on Jun 7, 2024

"If we cannot walk by faith and believe by faith–a redundancy, of course–we will stop praying."

Scripture: Psalm 23:3, Luke 18:1, 2 Corinthians 5:7

Tags: Faith, Prayer, God's Will, Confidence, Trust God, God in control, God hears prayer  (view more)  (view less)

The Most Difficult Texts In The Bible To Preach

By Joe Mckeever on May 21, 2023

The problem, of course, is not with Scripture. The problem is with us.

Scripture: John 2:3-5, Luke 4:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35, Hebrews 6:4-20

Tags: difficult text, preaching, Study, Preaching, prepare, Assistance  (view more)  (view less)

Three Passages That Define Discipleship

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 16, 2025

Discipleship is not a cafeteria option added onto the gospel. These three foundational passages reveal it as the mission, the destination, and the daily rhythm of life with Jesus.

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 8:29, Matthew 11:28-30, John 15:8

Tags: Growth, Discipleship, Disciples, gospel, Jesus, Gospel  (view more)  (view less)

The Most Difficult Person You Will Ever Lead

By Lance Witt on Apr 22, 2026

Who is the most difficult person you have ever had to lead? Did somebody’s face and name just pop into your mind?

Tags: donald morrow

Last-Minute Messages: How To Craft A Short Devotional With No Notice

By Rob O'lynn on Sep 6, 2021

"Hey, Pastor, could you say a few words..." Use this strategy to deliver short, meaningful talks with little or no prep time.

Scripture: Luke 19:1-19

Tags: point, Preaching, picture, passage

Ten Passages For Preachers To Memorize Cold

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 23, 2021

What passages do you have at your fingertips, word-for-word? What passages would you add to this list?

Scripture: Matthew 11:28

Tags: Scripture, pastor, memory, memorization, memorize, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

How To Powerfully Preach A Narrative Passage

By Brandon Kelley on Feb 16, 2021

People love stories, and that is what narrative is. When we can powerfully preach a narrative passage, we’ll see people not only respond to the message, but they’ll become more in awe at God’s word!

Tags: Preaching, preach, Narrative Passage, preaching

8 Tools To Explain A Biblical Passage Clearly

By Peter Mead on Dec 8, 2024

Why not simply read a bit of Bible and then say what you want to say, making the odd vague connection? This passes for preaching in many places.

Scripture: Genesis 49:10

Tags: Preaching, preaching

4 Tips For Understanding Any Passage Of The Bible

By Brandon Smith on Nov 30, 2022

Whatever you do, just read the Bible.

Tags: Study, Prayer, BIBLE STUDY, godly character, Bible Study, Reading God's Word, Christian community, personal holiness, Personal Devotions, bible study  (view more)  (view less)

How Can I Better Study A Bible Passage?

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 26, 2022

“Think over what I say,” commands the Lord. How can a faithful student of the Bible do this without leaning on commentaries and scholars?

Scripture: Romans 1:15-17, 2 Timothy 2:7

Tags: Bible, Scripture, BIBLE STUDY, Bible Study, sermon prep, Study Scripture, Study Techniques, Feast on the Word, Sermon Prep, bible study, bible  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach A Stressful Sermon

By David J. Lose on Jun 28, 2021

Some passages of the Gospels unsettle us because they confront our assumptions about peace and discipleship. Faithful preaching must wrestle honestly with these difficult words.

Scripture: Luke 18:31-34, Proverbs 17:1-5, Luke 12:49-53, Luke 9:23

Tags: Preaching, Stress, Kingdom of God, kingdom of God, preaching, Kingdom Of God, stress  (view more)  (view less)

Is There A Word From God? Preaching Messages That Come From Heaven

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 22, 2021

Anyone can assemble a sermon from Scripture, but faithful preaching seeks more than a well-structured outline. Pastors must seek the message God wants delivered to their people.

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:1-15, Jeremiah 37:17, Jeremiah 23:22, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 15:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discernment, Preaching, difficult, hard, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Balance Exegesis And Application

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 12, 2026

D. A. Carson, Tim Keller, and John Piper discuss the importance of preaching in a way that connects to listeners, draws them into the Word, and brings them back to the present day to live out what they've learned.

Tags: Hope, Preaching, difficult, preaching, love, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Pastoring Shouldn't Be This Hard (With 4 Steps To Make It Easier)

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 7, 2021

Our obsession with numerical growth may be the unseen culprit behind a lot of burnt out pastors and unhealthy churches. Here's a short list to help you make the task of pastoring less burdensome and far more joyful.

Tags: shepherding, Shepherding, preaching, Preaching, difficult, Pastoring  (view more)  (view less)

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