Sermons on Difficult Childhood:

Context And The Message Bible

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Jun 28, 2017

Sometimes we come across a verse of scripture that is difficult to understand. We need to know and understand the context of that verse and sometimes the meaning is found by using different versions of the Bible - in this case the Message Bible.

A former archbishop of Canterbury arrived in New York. A journalist asked him, “Will you be visiting any of our nightclubs whilst you are here?” The archbishop mischievously replied, “Are there any night clubs here?” Next day a newspaper headline read: “Archbishop’s first question on arriving ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:14

Transforming Evil With The Power Of Love

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on Feb 24, 2014

What do we do with the difficult people in our lives? Our natural reaction is to take revenge and to fight back. In our message for today, we will learn that LOVE can overcome everything.

Matthew 5:38-42New International Version (NIV) Eye for Eye38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Nazarene

Diagnosing The Check Engine Light Series

Contributed by John Sears on Feb 4, 2014

Mutual accountability is important to the life and health of the individual and to the life and health of the church. How do we handle the difficult task of mutual accountability? And how can it help us grow as followers of Jesus?

Diagnosing the Check Engine Light Introduction It is probably the most annoying sight in my car. No, I’m not talking about trash on the floorboard or the rust on the wheel wells. I’m talking about a check engine light. And I am talking about a check engine light that stays lit. The ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-3

Denomination: Christian Church

Father, Son, & Disciple

Contributed by Martin Ellgar on Dec 19, 2014

A perspective on John 15: 1-8. What fruit will the true vine and its branches produce? The fruit that Jesus, the true vine produces is distinctive like no other and is difficult to find in our world.

John 15: 1-8 Father, Son, & Disciple. The wild grape vine with its trailing branches is one of the lowest bushes and yet its fruit is highly prized, and was the favoured fruit of kings for thousand of years. The wild unattended vine is easily damaged producing very little and poor quality fruit. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

The Christian And Judgment Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Dec 2, 2019

We need to take a biblical approach to this difficult subject of judging. The world says, "Don't judge." What does God say? We need to be very careful.

The Christian and Judgment Matthew 7:1-6 This is perhaps one of the most important exhortations, found anywhere in the Bible, given to a Christian. This does not do away with judgment nor condemn it entirely. It merely says that if we judge honestly and according to God’s word, we are safe, but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Cross Of Pain, Cross Of Life

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 24, 2018

Sometimes its difficult to really realise the pain and the suffering that Jesus went through on the cross for US! There is art in the form of paintings and sculpture that depicts the crucifixion in some theological aspect rather than reality.

CROSS OF PAIN, CR0SS OF LIFE During these 2 weeks leading up to Easter called passion tide we focus our thoughts and minds to Jesus’s life and in particular His Sufferings. All too often we do not realise the dreadful suffering that Jesus went through on our behalf. The film the Passion of ...read more

Scripture: John 19:23-30, Matthew 27:33-54, Mark 15:25-39, Luke 23:33-47

Encouraged To Endure Sermon I: Encouraged By A Hope That Is Sure Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 7, 2020

Going through difficult times causes anxiety and uncertainty, even among devoted Christians, but God our Father has provided for our survival and encourages us to endure by the certainty of a hope that is sure.

Encouraged to Endure by a Hope That Is Sure “Encouraged to Endure by a Hope That Is Sure” is a fitting motto for those of you who, like me, have joined the Four Score Overtime Club. It is also a motto apropos to the 1st ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Reflection B.17 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? / Isaiah 65:17-25. Heaven, Or The Millennium? Either Way, It’s Good.

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

The description of 'End Times', and prophecies of judgement may seem gloomy and depressing. No doubt these will be difficult times. But having gone through that, we will come into a very, very good situation.

In today’s Reflection I’m looking at why we can be encouraged, even as we think about ‘End Times’ and God’s judgement. We don’t know if we are in such a time, but suppose we are? Jesus described the various signs that will accompany ‘End Times’ as ‘the beginning of birth pains.’ Painful, but the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-25

Denomination: Baptist

Core 52 Week 27 - Really Good News Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Jul 7, 2020

We could all use some good news in these difficult times. What's the best news you could hear right now? Let's find out.

If you'd like to hear the audio of the sermon, please visit my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/4459412 Intro: • SGN - John Krasinski (The Office, Jack Ryan) o Why no news show dedicated to good news? o Invited Twitter followers to share good news stories with him. Started YT ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 2:2, 1 Corinthians 9:16, Romans 6:22-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Attitude Of Gratitude Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 15, 2020

In these difficult days before Jesus comes, to encourage your church family to excel, appreciate your leaders, one another, God’s plan, and God’s Spirit at work in each other.

A loaded [SUV] pulled into the only remaining campsite. Four teenagers leaped from the vehicle and began feverishly unloading gear and setting up a tent. The boys then rushed off to gather firewood, while the girls and their mother set up the camp stove and cooking utensils. A nearby camper watched ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11-24, Romans 12:21, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Zechariah's Song Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Dec 19, 2020

Zechariah’s Song challenges us to expect God to work even in the middle of our present difficult circumstances. We do this by looking back at the actions of God, and then looking forward to the promises of God.

Message Zechariah’s Song Luke 1:57-80 We are working our way through a series which looks at the Advent Songs. Today we are going to have a look at Zechariah’s Song. So that we can be reminded of the context of the song let’s start by reading Luke 1:57-66 (read just verse 57) Hopefully you are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:57-80

Denomination: Baptist

A Legacy Through Mentoring

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Feb 27, 2022

It is difficult to cross generational lines; and yet, we are supposed to share the love of Christ with the next generation (Psalm 71:17-18). One way to minister to the succeeding generation effectively is through mentoring.

When we become older we start pondering our spiritual heritage and faith in Jesus Christ, and we begin to wonder whether or not the succeeding generations will carry on what we have learned. So, we try to provide young people with exposure to our worship services, hoping that our values and ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 1:37-38, 2 Timothy 2:2

Denomination: Baptist

Tough Questions For Churches Today. Series

Contributed by David Rinkes on Nov 8, 2022

Tough questions for Churches “Is it working?” and “How do we know?”. We want to help disciples grow, but it’s difficult to know if we are helping through the growth of the church these days.

Job 19:23-27 19:23 "O that my words were written down! O that they were inscribed in a book! 19:24 O that with an iron pen and with lead they were engraved on a rock forever! 19:25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; 19:26 and after my skin ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:45-46

Denomination: Methodist

Training Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jun 28, 2022

The focus of this sermon is to help the congregants get sold on the idea that training is a regular part of the Christian life. It is difficult to engage in any sort of intensive training activity unless you are convinced that there is a need for that.

Debbie and I were blessed to be able to end our vacation on a seven-day cruise through the western Caribbean. Here is a picture of us enjoying dinner in the ship. It was a very enjoyable time. We actually got to swim with stingrays. But, you know what, all that food and sun and swimming is a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-8, 1 John 3:1-2

Denomination: Christian Church

Jerusalem Council Sermons Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jan 24, 2022

We need to live by the wisdom of the Jerusalem council. Never make if difficult for anyone turning to the Lord. The death burial and resurrection of Jesus is available as a free gift to all who put their faith in Christ.

The background to the sermons preached at the Jerusalem council. We read in acts chapter 6 verse 7 that the word of God was spreading and the number of disciples increased rapidly and that a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. So we realize as we move on through the book of Acts ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-35, Ephesians 2:8-9

Denomination: Baptist