Sermons on Difficult Passages:

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

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

The Rewards Of Motherhood

Contributed by Greg Addison on May 12, 2009

Motherhood is important and valuable. But it can also be difficult and at times discouraging. God has blessed mothers with the promise of rewards for faithfully loving and serving your family. These promises will inspire and encourage you as a mother.

THE REWARDS OF MOTHERHOOD TEXT: Proverbs 31: 27-31 INTRODUCTION Motherhood continues to get a bad rap in our culture. Feminists and liberals look down on “stay at home” moms and treat them as if they have settled for less. Society has all but destroyed any notion of a one income family in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:27-31

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Extravagant Love

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Jul 9, 2014

When the unbelieving world looks at the Christian, they have a difficult time figuring us out. In terms of their own world view, the way we Christians live doesn't make a lot of sense.

Extravagant Love Mark 14:1-9 1. Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him; 2. for they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise there might be a riot of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-9

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

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

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

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

I Want Treasures In Heaven!

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 14, 2025

Jesus tells us in Luke 12:22-34 to stop being so anxious about life's ups and downs. God takes care of us even when it is difficult to see.

I Want Treasures in Heaven! Luke 12:22-34 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Luke 12:22 And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, as to what you are to eat; nor for your body, as to what you are to wear. 23 “For life is more than food, and the body is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:22-34

Denomination: United Methodist

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