Sermons on Difficult Passages:

The Hard Way - Why God Uses Diffictul People In Our Lives Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Feb 2, 2013

Today we want to remember that GOD uses difficult people to build our character, to make us stronger. Such people reveal hidden faults and deepen our trust in God

Charles R. Swindoll provides the following story which he calls “Tension in the Tank.” "In the northeastern United States, codfish are not only delectable, they are a big commercial business. There's a market for eastern cod all over, especially in sections farthest removed from the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Would You React?

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Jul 9, 2014

When things get difficult, how do you react? Keeping a cool head is relatively easy whenever things are going smoothly. But what happens when the unexpected occurs?

How would you react? Mark 14:10-11, 27-31, 43-47, 66-72 10. Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. 11. They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:10-72

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Conviction Of Love Series

Contributed by James Bohrer on Sep 6, 2017

REAL LOVE GOES BEYOND MERE SENTIMENT. LOVE MUST BE BASED UPON THE WILL TO LOVE EVEN WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES MAKE IT DIFFICULT. LOVE ACTS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE OTHER PERSON.

RUTH 1 The Conviction of Love Love is a choice. God loved us when we behaved in unlovable ways. Romans 5:8 “ CHAPTER 1:3-10; 14-19 3 Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons. 4 They took for themselves Moabite women as wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:3-13

Denomination: Baptist

Pursue Your Purpose Series

Contributed by Shine Thomas on Mar 18, 2020

Ezra and Nehemiah provide a biblical background for us. They led a people facing far more difficult circumstances to a point of great success in their work, in their national identity, and in their new understanding of faith.

Follow us on: Website: https://cityharvestag.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityHarvestA... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cityharvestag/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CityHarvestAGChurch/featured What is your purpose? How do you pursue your purpose? People around the world ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-11, Nehemiah 1:1-11, Nehemiah 2:1-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

His Eyes Are On Us!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Mar 30, 2020

I like the idea of a father who would allow his son to tackle something difficult on his own, but who at the same would make sure to be there if he were needed.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: 1 Peter 3:12; Psalm 139:1-14 ILL. A little boy living up north was looking forward eagerly to the birthday party of his friend who lived only ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:12, Psalm 139:1-14, 2 Thessalonians 1:11, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Isaiah 46:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Love Neighbor: The Greatest Commandment Part 2 Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 5, 2018

Equally as difficult in loving God is learning what it means to love our neighbor as a disciple of Jesus Christ. This sermon reflects on both the greatest commandment as well as the parable of the Good Samaritan

All You Need is Love: Loving Others: The Greatest Commandment, Part 2 Mark 12: 28 – 34 We spent last week looking at what it means to love God. Hopefully, we discovered that we love what we’re passionate about, and that to love God is to desire Him, to devote ourselves to Him, and to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:29-37

Denomination: Methodist

The Great Challenge Of Dealing With Conflict: 5 Styles Of Conflict Resolution

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 23, 2021

Conflict in relationships, conflict in family, and conflict in churches are terribly difficult things to deal with. I myself have struggled a great deal in responding to conflicts and disagreements in a healthy manner.

Conflict in relationships, conflict in family, and conflict in churches are terribly difficult things to deal with. I myself have struggled a great deal in responding to conflicts and disagreements in a healthy manner. This is a tough challenge for my generation. We tend to want to flee, and run ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

I Am What I Think Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Sep 15, 2024

By aligning our minds with Christ, and through prayer, Scripture, and community support, we can overcome negative thought patterns and experience peace, joy, and hope, even in difficult circumstances.

I am What I Think John 3:30 Online Sermon: https://www.mckeesfamily.com/sermons/ “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls” Proverbs 25:28 Though self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit granted to every believer (Galatians ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 25:28, Philippians 4:8, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Colossians 1:16, Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Better Is The End Of A Matter Series

Contributed by Nkwor Sunday Sunny Azuka Onyekachukwu on Dec 7, 2023

It is always so easy to begin but holding on to the end is always difficult but therein lies the joy of the beginning. Holding on to the finishing line and reaping the reward of a beginning is all that matters in Christ Jesus!

BETTER IS THE END OF A MATTER Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. The word of God makes it clear that the life of a child of God is always going towards a perfect directing. By this, I mean ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:8, Proverbs 4:18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Bound To God Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Nov 20, 2025

As we know, the era of the Judges was a difficult time in Israel due to the never-ending spin cycle of disobedience – defeat – crying – deliverance. The book of Ruth is a glimmer of hope in such a dreary landscape.

November 22, 2025 A short history of Moab: • Moab was the son of Lot and his oldest daughter (see Genesis 19:36-38). • The Moabites were not among the nations God told Israel to destroy (see Deuteronomy 2:9). • The king of Moab tried to have Israel cursed (see Numbers 22-24). • The ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 56:6-7

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Anger Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Sep 19, 2025

This sermon confronts the difficult reality of God's righteous anger against sin and the resulting devastation that leads to a raw, desperate plea for Him to see the suffering of His people.

Introduction In the first chapter of this somber book, we saw the city of Jerusalem sitting solitary, like a weeping widow abandoned by all her friends. The prophet described her pain from the outside, looking in. But here, in chapter two, the focus shifts dramatically. The lens zooms past the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Connecting To God Through Prayer And Fasting

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 24, 2025

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to see and talk to the President of the United States? This would be a great honor but could prove to be a very difficult assignment, if not impossible!’

• You would have to first get through some of the tightest security in the U.S. • Even if you did get past them you would have to get past a professional staff that is trained to keep people like you and I from invading the White House • If you made it to the White House you would have to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:21

Denomination: Baptist

Take Up Your Cross Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

Jesus calls us to take up our cross, which means embracing the pain, loneliness, and partnership that comes with following Him. The journey may be difficult, but the reward is worth it.

Today, we're gonna talk about something taking up our crosses, and I've got a cool object lesson to help us understand it better. But first, let's dive into the message. You know, life can be pretty hard sometimes, right? Jesus actually told us that we'd face some tough times. Check out what He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24, John 16:33

Topics: Discipleship, Spiritual Sacrifice, Divine Love, Redemption

Training Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jun 28, 2022

The focus of this sermon is to help the congregants get sold on the idea that training is a regular part of the Christian life. It is difficult to engage in any sort of intensive training activity unless you are convinced that there is a need for that.

Debbie and I were blessed to be able to end our vacation on a seven-day cruise through the western Caribbean. Here is a picture of us enjoying dinner in the ship. It was a very enjoyable time. We actually got to swim with stingrays. But, you know what, all that food and sun and swimming is a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-8, 1 John 3:1-2

Denomination: Christian Church

Our Final Flight Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 17, 2022

Funeral Sermon: This message was written for the death of a pilot. It shows how aviation is a metaphor for life, with its highs and lows. It was written primarily for the survivors, to help them lean on God during the difficult days ahead.

We are gathered here today to remember and celebrate the life of George Royalty; and I want to hone in on a brief chapter of his life – one of the most memorable – which was his pursuit of aviation; a pursuit he undertook with his son. I got to meet George and talk with him a couple of times, such ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:27-31

Denomination: Baptist