Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Wisdom Brings True Success Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Dec 8, 2011

Wisdom endows its seekers and their life with true wealth (CIT). In this passage the beauty and grace of wisdom are set forth with the understanding that it can never be achieved without the fear of the Lord.

PROVERBS 8: 12-21 WISDOM BRINGS TRUE SUCCESS [Isaiah 55] Having just stated that the worth of wisdom's instruction and knowledge is more valuable than all monetary achievements (8:10-11), Solomon now develops the proof. Wisdom endows its seekers and their life with true wealth (CIT). In ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 8:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

Compassion And Grace

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 8, 2014

With difficult, unrelated scripture, can we see the influence of the Holy Spirit at work, and hear what he has to say. His message in this these verses are clearly ones of compassion and grace; a message we need to be aware.

Title: Compassion and Grace Word Count: 1748 Summary: With difficult, unrelated scripture, can we see the influence of the Holy Spirit at work, and hear what he has to say. His message in this these verses are clearly ones of compassion and grace; a message we need to be aware. This sermon ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Episcopal

Why Does God Allow These Struggles?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 28, 2017

A look at the Christmas passage - specifically, the struggle of Mary and Joseph having the baby in Bethlehem far from home. A look at four ways God uses our struggles in our lives.

Mary And Joseph’s Road Trip: “Why does God allow these struggles in my life?” - Luke 2:3-6. - The trip to Bethlehem under such difficult circumstances had to be a struggle. Did they have questions? I know I would have. “God, why are You allowing this?” “God, have You forgotten us?” “God, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Handling Adversity

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Oct 29, 2010

Today from this passage of scripture I want us to see how Daniel handled adversity, so that when adversity comes into our lives, we will be able to handle it as well.

Handling Adversity Am October 11th 2009 Daniel 2: 12-28 Introduction We began a six part series titled “Faith under Fire” last week we will be studying this topic from the book of Daniel, last week in part one we learned what four tests of our faith are: Isolation, Indoctrination, ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:12-28

Denomination: Baptist

Seeking The Praise Of God Or Men

Contributed by Paul George on Jun 9, 2006

The subject matter in these verses focuses on giving, praying and fasting. The initial reading of the passage will show that the basic teaching of Jesus will be to avoid the seeking the praise of men and to seek to please God.

Seeking the Praise of God or Men Matthew 6:1-18 The subject matter in these verses focuses on giving, praying and fasting. The initial reading of the passage will show that the basic teaching of Jesus will be to avoid the seeking the praise of men and to seek to please God. The first four verses ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18, Matthew 6:6-18

Denomination: Holiness

Winning The War Series

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Aug 29, 2003

We are in a battle. The church is an army, not a hospital, and we signed up for a battle-ship not a cruise liner. But how can we win in the battle of life and faith? This passage shows how.

Winning the war Mk5:1-20 WBC 31/08/03pm I think we forget what a battle the Christian faith is! - join up for this luxury cruiser that will take us to heaven - find it’s a sleek battleship and - God isn’t particularly sympathetic when we say we don’t like the ‘heat of the day’… battle To ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Wealth Is A Gift From God

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Aug 10, 2013

It would appear that the Bible condemns the accumulation of wealth. Many passages of Scripture seem to suggest that the accumulation of wealth is evil while being poor is virtuous but only the love of money is condemned

Wealth is a gift from God It would appear that the Bible condemns the accumulation of wealth. Many passages of Scripture seem to suggest that the accumulation of wealth is evil while being poor is virtuous. It would appear that the Bible condemns the accumulation of wealth. The Biblical ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 35:27

Denomination: Charismatic

The Discipline Of Fasting

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Feb 23, 2020

Ezra the scribe knew his people needed to prepare their hearts for the difficult and dangerous journey ahead. In this sermon we look at why we as the church are called to fast and pray together, especially during the season of Lent.

A FAMILY ON THE MOVE For our family, there is rarely any experience more stressful than preparing for a trip back to Iowa to visit our parents. The kids are always excited about the prospect of staying in motels, of visiting with Grandma and Grandpa, of going out to eat at restaurants, and of ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 8:21-23, Nehemiah 1:1-6, Jonah 3:5-10, Joel 2:12-13, Psalm 35:11-14, Psalm 69:9-12, Matthew 6:16-18, Acts 13:2-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Funeral For A Stillborn Baby

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Dec 8, 2021

Some of the most difficult funerals I have ever officiated were over stillborn babies. I trust something I share here will assist in your preparation for this challenging task. – Dr. Vorce

Baby’s Name: _________________________________ Mother’s Name: _____________________________________ Father’s Name: ______________________________________ Date of Death: _______________________________________ Gender: _____________ Weight and Size: ________ lbs. ________ ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:26, Romans 8:18, Philippians 4:13, Philippians 4:6-7, Isaiah 40:28-31, Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 139:13-16, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 51:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

Forgivable & Unforgivable Sin? Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Aug 13, 2018

Jesus talked about a sin that was unforgivable, or unpardonable. What is the unpardonable sin? Is it possible that a believer can commit it? Let's do some hard thinking about what Jesus said in Matthew 12:30-32 and what the book of Hebrews says.

The Paradoxical Sayings of Jesus: Forgivable & Unforgivable Sin? Matthew 12:30-32 This morning we consider another of Jesus' paradoxical statements: "Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:30-32, Hebrews 6:1-7, Hebrews 3:12-15

Denomination: Bible Church

Hearing And Obeying The Voice Of God Series

Contributed by Rich Dunbar on Mar 8, 2005

If you want to hear God’s voice and know what He would have you to do then you will want to notice the four things Peter did in this passage and do them yourself.

If you want to hear God’s voice and know what He would have you to do then you will want to notice the four things Peter did in this passage and do them yourself. You should… 1. REFLECT on God’s word – v.17 Peter was meditating on what God had communicated to him in the vision. God has ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:17-23

Denomination: Baptist

Herod's Story

Contributed by Ken Carlson on Dec 30, 2018

In Matthew 2:13-23, we see the Christmas story through the lens of Herod the Great. In this passage we learn that when Jesus was born, hope entered our world!

MATTHEW 2:13-23 INTRODUCTION I hope you all had a very merry Christmas. And I’m sure most if you did. • But maybe some of you didn’t. • Maybe the much-sung words of "have a Holly jolly Christmas" wouldn't describe this time of year for you. • Maybe you wouldn’t describe this season ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23, Matthew 2:13, Matthew 2:14, Matthew 2:15, Matthew 2:16, Matthew 2:17, Matthew 2:18, Matthew 2:19, Matthew 2:20, Matthew 2:21, Matthew 2:22, Matthew 2:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Listen To God: The Good Soil - Mark 4:20-25 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 16, 2023

Why is Scripture hard and why so many different conclusions about Jesus? Because he hid the truth in hard sayings. Why make it so hard? This passage explains.

Mark 4:14 The sower sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. Immediately Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:20-25, Matthew 13:12, Luke 8:16-18

Be Anxious For Nothing

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 1, 2022

Paul was writing from within prison walls; however, he knew the secret to remaining calm in the midst of difficult life circumstances, and even imprisonment. This message covers four principles to help in overcoming anxiety.

This morning we are going to look at the Bible’s prescription for overcoming a terrible illness called anxiety. “Anxiety,” is defined as a “concern . . . respecting some event, future or uncertain, which disturbs the mind, and keeps it in a state of painful uneasiness.”(1) Anxiety is much like a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-8

Denomination: Baptist

Has The World Learnt From Sodom And Gomorrah? A Great Evil Is On Us - Jude 1 V 7 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 11, 2022

This message touches on a very difficult area - the consideration of Sodom and Gomorrah and the conflict between Christians and homosexuality. Placed in context, Jude raises the matter of Sodom because he is concentrating on destruction coming on these false teachers.

HAS THE WORLD LEARNT FROM SODOM AND GOMORRAH? A GREAT EVIL IS ON US - Jude 1 v 7 [A]. REVISION: Jude was in the process of writing about the Christian’s common salvation when it became urgent for him to side-track his letter to address the problem of false teachers moving into church ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:7, Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 2:22-24, Matthew 19:4-6, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:24-28, Leviticus 18:22, Genesis 19:24-29, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 1 Timothy 1:10, 2 Peter 2:6, 2 Peter 2:7-10, Genesis 19:9, Isaiah 5:20-21, Jude 1:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational