Sermons on Difficult Passages:

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

Our Directions Determines Our Destination (1 Of 2)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jun 19, 2025

In this scripture passage, I want to show you a family that lived among God’s people, and then due to some hard times, they packed up and moved.

You might be saying, “So what!” People move from one city to another all the time because of HARD TIMES! That is correct, but anytime we find something in the Word of God, it is there for a reason. WHAT IS THE REASON GOD PUT THIS FAMILY IN THE SCRIPTURES FOR MOVING? Because it was a ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Why The Storm Doesn't Go Away

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 15, 2005

This message explores the words and ideas that show up multiple times in this passage and give us indication of the different ways we can react to the storms of life that we face.

- Last week, in previous passage, there was a literal storm; in this passage, the man is dealing with a “storm” caused by a huge problem in his life: demon-possession. - Sometimes we find that the storm stays for longer than we thought it would. There are a lot of reasons this can happen - this ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Overcoming The Problem Of Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Dan Proctor on Jun 20, 2013

Maybe you have unforgiveness against someone in your heart. Forgiveness is a problem in the Christian life because it is so hard to do. It is one of the most difficult things to do, yet one of the most needed.

Overcoming The Problem Of Forgiveness Genesis 50:15-21; 2 Corinthians 2:6-11 www.crbible.com/sermons Introduction: 1. Forgiveness is a problem in the Christian life because it is so hard to do. It is one of the most difficult things to do, yet one of the most needed. 2. In this lesson, we will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:6-11

Denomination: Bible Church

Truth Or Consequences Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 3, 2021

Acknowledgement of sin is perhaps one of the most difficult things for Christians. Yet, it is paramount for experiencing the abundant life. Honest confession opens the door for having a close relationship with Jesus and other believers.

Travel about 150 miles south of Albuquerque and you will enter Truth or Consequences. For the tenth anniversary of the popular show Truth or Consequences, in 1950, Ralph Edwards, offered any town in America the opportunity to be the site of the show’s April Fool’s Day birthday broadcast bash. On ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cost Of Being A Servant

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Nov 13, 2023

Did you learn something new in God’s word today? Did you see a familiar passage with new eyes? I hope you did! Last week we examined what sacrifice looks like, and one of the aspects of sacrifice is service. Today we will look at 3 key passages about servanthood.

Let’s begin in John 13:1 (Tell who John was) • Was the son of Zebedee, brother of James and one of the “sons of Thunder” • Audience was new Christians and searching non-Christians • Last surviving of the original 12 disciples • Wrote 5 books in the NT (read v.1-5) NLT Service is about action: v.4 ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45

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

The Story Of The Mistaken Mother Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jun 3, 2005

Paul’s teaching against salvation by works is brought to a climax here in Galatians 4:21-31. Paul breaks his discussion into three sections. First, Paul gives historical facts. Second, he gives spiritual truths. And third, he gives us some practical appli

Scripture When my children, Lauren and Jon, were little they had a book titled Are You My Mother? Here is how that story begins: A mother bird sat on her egg. The egg jumped. “Oh, oh!” said the mother bird. “My baby will soon be here! He will want to eat. “I must get something for my baby bird ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:21-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Permanence Of Marriage Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 18, 2009

Is divorce ever an option? We will look at that in this sermon titled, "The Permanence of Marriage."

Sometimes we get to look at easy passages. Sometimes we have to look at difficult passages. This is a difficult passage. But when we think about it, most of Jesus’ teachings are difficult. They are difficult because they force us to confront things in our life that we don’t want to. They force ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Encouragement Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Feb 2, 2008

John 3:16 is known to all. Other 3:16 passages in the New Testament teach us important things about Jesus as well. This is Colossians 3:16

(based on a sermon series by Tom Ellsworth) SERIES: “THE OTHER 3:16’S” TEXT: COLOSSIANS 3:15-17 TITLE: “THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF JESUS” OPEN: A. Dr. Joe Harding used to tell a wonderful story about a man who decided to ask his boss for a raise. He had worried and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Infant Memorial Funeral

Contributed by Chris Surber on Dec 1, 2010

I prepared this sermon for use in the case of a late term still birth. It can be modified slightly to fit any infant memorial service. These are difficult situations. Much prayer and compassion and humility are advised.

Parker’s Memorial Message I wonder if perhaps… In fact, this thought has brought a great deal of comfort to me this week… I wonder if recently an angel in heaven opened the book of life and seeing Parker’s name printed within, said “This one is too beautiful to see ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Christian Church

Lazy Listening Leads To Being Lost

Contributed by Greg Nance on Dec 28, 2002

Hebrews 5:11-6:12 form the third warning section of this masterful message. Hear and heed and hold on! You don’t even want to think about turning away.

Lazy Listening Leads to Lostness Hebrews 5:11-6:9 Hebrews emphasizes hearing the word over and over. First he tells us that God has spoken his final word through Jesus his Son. Then he tells us that we must pay more careful attention to what we have heard. Next he says, today if you hear his ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:11-14, Hebrews 6:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sacrifice And Mystery In The Body Of Christ

Contributed by Jeremiah Jangad on Oct 23, 2006

The believers need to understand that no one is exempted from sacrificing for the sake of the Body of Christ

I. Introduction: A. Our Submission to the Word of God 1. One of the differences between genuine Christianity and counterfeit Christianity is in the area of authority. Genuine Christianity believes that the Word of God, as contained in the 66 books of the Bible, is the final authority in ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:24-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Is Lord Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jun 7, 2024

When we talk about being a Disiple of Jesus - a student of His ways - we turn to some passages that have bold and challenging teachings. 

Journey With Jesus: Jesus Is Lord Introduction This Summer we are focused on the Journey with Jesus: The Daily Trek of Discipleship. Last week we talked about the Beatitudes and how they form the foundation of the daily walk with the Lord. They require a different mindset than is natural ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:27-30, Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Your World Is Turned Upside Down: Dare To Be A Daniel

Contributed by James Wallace on Dec 28, 2020

How will you respond when living the Christian life becomes especially difficult--when compromise is clearly required in order to just get by in life? Take some cues from Daniel!

Once again, what a year 2020 has turned out to be. Evidence of that is obvious this morning. Who among us could have possibly predicted that a Sunday morning service at Risen King Community Church in 2020 would look like this? If we had taken a photo of today’s service in the future, I suspect ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Bible Church