Sermons on Difficult Passages:

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

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

Diagnosing The Reason For God’s Wrath Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Oct 6, 2014

This passage answers three important questions about God's wrath: 1) What is it? 2) How is it revealed? 3) Why do we deserve it?

A week ago Friday, a man went to the emergency room at a Dallas hospital with flu like symptoms. Even though he told a nurse that he had recently returned from Liberia, the hospital sent him home. Two days later, after his symptoms continued to worsen, that same man was finally admitted to the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

Perverse People Spread Strife Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 13, 2011

The emphasis of the passage is on the dangers of perversity and the disastrous fate of its perpetrator. We here have a description of a person who deceives and stirs up strife & how to spot the scoundrel.

PROVERBS 6: 12-15 PERVERSE PEOPLE SPREAD STRIFE [Genesis 37:29-35] What and how we communicate is important to God. There are those who are skilled in the methods of communication but deceitfully use their skills to spread slander and strife. This description is not a picture of a real friend ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

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

No One Left Behind.

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Sep 12, 2020

We should do all that we can to offer Christ to all people.

Today I’m going to quote from the “Message” written by Eugene Peterson. The Message is a personal paraphrase of the Bible in English by Pastor Peterson from the original languages. There were 20 Translation Consultants. Pastor Peterson said this is what he did all the time he was a Pastor and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Scattering And Gathering Series

Contributed by Andrew Hart on Apr 1, 2020

What happens when we hit a dead end? What happens when God hits a dead end?

Scattering and Gathering On this third Sunday of a virtual service, I come to you with a new sense of hope. I come to you with a new sense of determination. And, I come to you with a new sense of urgency. These feelings come from Ezekiel 37, a difficult passage, but one that is critical in ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Do We Still Need Baptism?

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Dec 27, 2016

In this passage Jesus teaches us: 1. The Importance of Baptism 2. The Transformational Nature of Baptism 3. Our Baptismal Identity. This is a message that speaks of the sacredness of Christian baptism.

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17 Theme: Baptism Title: Do we still need baptism? Proposition: In this passage Jesus teaches us: 1. The Importance of Baptism 2. The Transformational Nature of Baptism 3. Our Baptismal Identity Grace and peace from God our Father and from Jesus Christ who came ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Nazarene

Family Relatioships

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 13, 2021

This passage of scripture follows the one that spoke of what we should PUT ON and PUT OFF in our Christian lives. There are some things that are in our spiritual wardrobe, that are unbecoming to us to wear as Christians.

Illus: It is unbecoming for any man to wear a pair of orange pants with green stripes, and a purple shirt with polka dots. If a man insists on wearing such an outfit, people are going to laugh at him behind his back. Today a lot of folks are laughing behind the backs of some Christians. Paul ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

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

Women Of Faith

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on May 13, 2003

Women are called to lives of faith, just like Jesus was. Their calling includes this difficult command to submit to their husbands, even ones who are not believers. What is required is the same thing required of Jesus; an obedient faith.

May 11, 2003 "Women of Faith" 1 Peter 3:1-7 Pastor Jon MacKinney ______________________________________________________________________________________ Christianity, our faith, is most challenging when we read passages of Scripture like the one we read last week. From the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Pre-Tribulation Rapture

Contributed by Jedidiah Jedidiah on Aug 8, 2025

The concept of the Rapture being ahead of the seven years Tribulation is based from a well grounded biblical facts, and Scripture supports this teaching with various verses and passages.

The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Details presented in this article are biblically supported. They are well-grounded, based on scriptural evidences and reasoning. In this article, I will be laying out Bible verses and passages related to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. From a biblical perspective, this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:9

How To Be The Parent God Wants Me To Be

Contributed by Ken Kersten on Nov 12, 2002

Parenting is probably the most rewarding and yet most difficult responsibility that God has given us. The sermon explores ways that God has modeled effective parenting for us.

How to be the parent God wants me to be. Luke 15:11-32 9/15/02 Remember the story of the little boy that went into the store and told the grocer that he needed a box of tide. What do you need a box of tide for, and the little boy said I’m gonna wash my cat. Son, he said, I think tide ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Do You Like To Be Treated?

Contributed by Carl Kelleher on Feb 15, 2002

If we want the world to see Jesus in our Lives then we must learn to Live the Golden Rule. We are to Love not just the Lovable but also the person that is difficult to Love.

Title: “How Do You Like To Be Treated” Text: Matthew 7:12 “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law & the Prophets.” I’ve entitled my message, “How do you like to be treated?” Some of you are saying to yourself about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Face Of An Angel Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Apr 11, 2002

This sermon illustrates how we can have peace even in the midst of difficult circumstances when when we let go of everything else and simply seek God.

The Face of an Angel Acts 6:8-15 April 14, 2002 Intro: A. [Change, 1000 Windows, Robert C. Shannon, Standard Publish Company, Cincinnati, OH, 1997, p. 20] Gaston Bachelard wrote, "If one were to give an account of all the doors one has closed and opened, of all the doors he would like to reopen, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational