Sermons on Difficult Passages:

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

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

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

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

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

Sermon On The Pothole Experience

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 28, 2025

The metaphorical "pothole experience” is considered as the unforeseen obstacles, setbacks, and difficult challenges that may jolt or derail a person's journey in life, similar to how actual potholes disrupt a smooth road.

Drew Barrymore, an American actress once remarked: “Oh, I would love to be a motivational speaker. I have pulled myself out of a million potholes, and I can see the potholes ahead of me. That doesn't mean that I could always do that so perfectly for my own life. I totally fall in potholes.” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:6, 1 Peter 4:12-13, James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:1-2

Israel's Exit From Egypt Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 28, 2022

As long as Joseph exercised imperial influence in the land of Egypt, the Hebrew people thrived. However, when a new king arose, who "knew not Joseph," the lives of the Israelites became "unpleasant and difficult"

Israel's Exodus from Egypt Israel's Exodus from Egypt As long as Joseph exercised imperial influence in the land of Egypt, the Hebrew people thrived. However, when a new king arose, who "knew not Joseph," the lives of the Israelites became "unpleasant and difficult" ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 5:1

Denomination: Baptist

Why Do Christians Suffer?

Contributed by Spencer Miller on May 3, 2003

There are many people in the world today who have suffered greatly for no other reason than that they were followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Text: "But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye..." Introduction. For the Christian believer no suffering is meaningless. Paul said that,"in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). But yet there is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:14

Denomination: Baptist

God's Keeping Of His People Series

Contributed by David Baeder on Nov 8, 2008

This is the fourth of a series of sermons based on scriptures where a rhetorical question beginning with the phrase "Do you not know. . ." is asked. This sermon deals with the rhetorical question asked in Romans 11:2. "Do you not know what the Scripture

Series: Do You Not Know? Sermon: God’s Keeping of His People Text: Romans 11:1-5. Introduction: Romans 9-11 is one of the most difficult passages in the Bible. I am not quite sure I’ve got it all figured out. God’s foreknowledge, His election, I mean it’s all so confusing. I think even the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When What God Asks Seems To Be Too Much Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 22, 2024

This passage challenges the self-centered "gospel of self-fulfillment" that is too often proclaimed today. What does it mean that God wants us to focus on the "gospel of kingdom fulfillment"?

A HARSH STORY: God gives Ezekiel a task that overwhelms him. - Ezekiel 3:14-15. - 2 Corinthians 1:8-11; 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 16-18. - This is a tough story and it’s going to lead us in this sermon to some difficult points. - We’ve been talking for the first two sermons in this series about the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 3:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Walks On Water: The Deliverance From Fear Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 6, 2023

Tonight’s passage is just a short episode of Jesus walking on the water. But in this episode Jesus shows us that He is Someone that we can count on when fear grips our lives.

If we know Jesus Christ in a personal way, we know that He will deliver us from many things. How many testimonies have we heard from people who have been delivered from something? Illness, death, financial situations, relationships, etc. Tonight, we see Jesus’ deliverance from yet another peril, ...read more

Scripture: John 6:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Nicodemus At Night

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 24, 2023

We all need to grow & deepen our understanding of the great passages of scripture. The 3rd chapter of John is one of the greatest. It tells us of a man named Nicodemus.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK NICODEMUS AT NIGHT TEXT: John 3:1-17; Rev. 22:5; John 1:4-5; Romans 6:4-6; Acts 2:37-41 (This ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17, Revelation 22:5, John 1:4-5, Romans 6:4-6, Acts 2:37-41  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Blessings Of Hardships

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Aug 26, 2019

Jesus said he came to, "send fire on the earth." This sermon takes a unique approach on this idea and uses the fire metaphor as a purging of the things inside us that hinder us from becoming who we can be through God.

The Blessing of Hardships Since this Gospel reading is intense, I thought I’d begin by admitting something kind of funny about it. When I read it this week, I pictured Jesus at a Charlie Daniels concert singing, “Fire on the mountain run boys run.” It also made me wonder, “… how am I supposed ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Episcopal