Sermons on Difficult Bible Passages:

Bible Characters Were Real People PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Understand the humanity of the biblical figures in Hebrews 11, and to be inspired by their faith and the extraordinary ways God used them, reminding us that God can do the same with our lives.

Good morning, brothers and sisters. Today, we're going to dive right into the heart of Hebrews 11, one of my personal favorites. It's a passage that's often referred to as "The Hall of Faith," but I like to think of it as "God's Storybook." You see, in this chapter, we're not just given names and ...read more

Topics: Obscure Characters, Obvious Characters

A Worshiper Who Draws Near To The Bible

Contributed by Barnabas Park on Aug 11, 2025

Christian worship is a thankful response to God’s mercy, giving our lives as living sacrifices. It means not following the world but being changed by filling our minds with Scripture to know God’s will.

“A worshiper who draws near to the Bible” Therefore, brothers and sisters, because God’s mercy is so great, I urge you to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 10:31

Denomination: Baptist

Shouldn’t We Put Family First?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 20, 2013

A look at the difficult passages where Jesus calls us to "hate" our families. Why would He ask something like that?

IT SOUNDS GOOD AND RIGHT: “Family first.” - “Family first” comes naturally for us because it’s so easy to love your family more than anything. - Sure, they aggravate us sometimes, but they are our deepest earthly relationships. When a family is as it should be, they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-27

Denomination: Baptist

A Victory Proclamation Series

Contributed by William Nowak on May 1, 2002

In this difficult passage, we’re told that Jesus "preached unto the spirits in prison..." To understand the passage we need to answer the basic questions...How? When? Who? Where? And Why is Peter telling us this?

I Peter 3:18-20 “A Victory Proclamation” Intro—A few years ago, I, like most people, was amazed by one of those fads that periodically sweeps the US—at the time I’m thinking of, someone had discovered that you could use a computer somehow to generate “art” that would have a picture “hidden” in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

When Trials Become Triumphs

Contributed by Michael Cariño on Sep 6, 2017

When life hits you hard, don’t let it knock you down.

When Trials Become Triumphs When Jason Lester was 12 years old, he was hit by a car and suffered a paralyzed arm. Decades later, he’d be a world-class endurance sports champion. Today, he can swim faster, ride further and run incredible distances as an Ironman and Ultraman, and he does it all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:7-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"five Things That Make Temptation More Difficult" Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 5, 2023

Joseph's encounters with Potiphar's wife provides a template of temptation that is difficult to overcome. What warnings do we get here?

Five Things That Make Temptation More Difficult: 1. When you’re experiencing God’s favor. - Genesis 39:4, 21. - When God seems to be blessing everything you’re doing, it’s easy to start to presume on that. This is one reason why we often see pastors who are in the midst of a strong ministry get ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Hearing God's Voice - Prayer & The Bible Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Apr 10, 2008

Part 4. How God speaks to us through prayer and the Bible.

If you haven’t been with us, let me catch you up to speed. We are in a sermon series looking at how we know God better and experience God working in our life. If we are not experiencing God’s abundant life right now we need to ask ourselves why? We are looking at three issues: 1) We might have a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Denomination: Methodist

Can America Be Found In Bible Prophecy? Series

Contributed by Amy Bickel on Aug 30, 2008

Part 1 in a series that looks at how spiritually connected the two nations America and Israel really are.

America and Israel: Spiritually Connected Part 1 – Can America Be Found in Bible Prophecy? This new study entitled America and Israel: Spiritually Connected is a study that has been a long time coming. I have studied this topic on and off for several years and have contemplated bringing it ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

How Should I Study The Bible?

Contributed by Steven Haguewood on Aug 1, 2008

Directions on the attitudes we ought to have when we look into the Divine Word of God given for our direction and instruction

HOW SHOULD I STUDY THE BIBLE? INTRODUCTION 1. Most dads have done it a. Children get a toy for Christmas or birthday that needs “some assembly” b. We are smart enough to figure it out so we start that light assembly without the directions c. Hours later when the toy is not finished, does not ...read more

Scripture: John 12:48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Are The Best Methods To Study The Bible?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Sep 10, 2025

When you study the Bible you are drawing closer to Jesus because He IS the Word of God and spoke the mountains and seas into existence and wove each of us together in our mother’s womb.

“Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” (Psalm 119:33-35 NIV) “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-2, Philippians 3:10, Mark 12:24, 2 Timothy 2:15, Hosea 4:6, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Psalm 119:33-35, 2 Peter 3:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Sermon I’ve Never Wanted To Preach

Contributed by John Newton on Aug 8, 2022

There are few (if any!) passages in the Bible more challenging than Hebrews 10:26-31...

Aside from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, I wonder if anyone here this morning can tell me what may have been the most famous sermon ever preached… I don’t have any statistics to back me up, but I am certain that one of the top contenders has to be a sermon delivered to a congregation in Enfield, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:26-31

Denomination: Episcopal

How To Study The Bible Like A Pro - Class #8a - Methods Of Bible Study Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Sep 13, 2022

A Class on the basic Template to Use for Bible Study (5 Parts)

VIII. METHODS OF BIBLE STUDY There are many Bible Study methods. However, there seems to be a basic template or pattern that all of them use to one degree or another. This pattern is also good because it leads us, step by step, to the important goal of Application! A. Every Passage of Scripture ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Doers Of The Word

Contributed by C Jordan on Jun 13, 2014

There are three things that James teaches us in this passage: He wants us to know that God is good, to take out the garbage, and not just hear the Word: do the Word.

JOURNEY THROUGH JAMES #3: BE DOERS OF THE WORD INTRO TO JAMES: “James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.” (James 1:1, NKJV). • Review first week: James = the half-brother of Jesus and a leader in the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-25

Denomination: *other

"Is Christianity Hard To Swallow?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 31, 2009

Will we take the easy way or the hard way?

John 6:35-37, 53-71 “Is Christianity Hard to Swallow?” By: Rev. Ken Sauer, Pastor East Ridge UMC, Chattanooga, TN In our Scripture lesson for this morning we see the first instance—as it pertains to Jesus Christ and the Christian faith—of the revolving door!!! By this time lots of people were ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35-71

Denomination: United Methodist

Strong Arm Faith Series

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Jun 22, 2015

This message was for a long standing leader of the church. He was sometimes misunderstood, but always admired for his passion for the church. It was based on his wife's favorite verse about God's sustaining power in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Message The most important thing that I can say personally about Max **** is that he has made me a better minister and a better man. Let me share two reasons for that assessment: There was more to Max than first impressions. When I visited FCC for an interview weekend, nearly 19 years ago, I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ