Sermons on Difficult Passages:

How To Be ‘great In The Sight Of The Lord’

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 12, 2014

A look at the prpphecy that John will be "great in the sight of the Lord" and the other gospel passages where we're told how we can be great in the sight of the Lord.

A PROPHECY: John will be “great in the sight of the Lord.” - Luke 1:15. - This is part of the prophecy given to Zechariah about the child they would have. - What an incredible thought: he will be “great in the sight of the Lord”! Of all the things you could hope for your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

Practically Living An Authentic Christian Life

Contributed by Ned Bartlebaugh on Jun 25, 2013

Living the Christian life is not easy. This passage illustrates 4 key principles required to practically live an authentic Christian life: Perspective, Persistence, Practice and Praise.

Introduction Illustration The Queen Mary was the largest ship to cross the oceans when it was launched in 1936. Through four decades and a World War she served until she was retired, anchored as a floating hotel and museum in Long Beach, California. During the conversion, her three massive ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Live Victoriously By Faith

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Jul 6, 2013

Life will always contain two aspects: good times and bad times. Through the passage of our life on earth, we will go through various seasons.

Live victoriously by faith Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Life will always contain two aspects: good times and bad times. Through the passage of our life ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6

Denomination: Charismatic

#1 A Voice For God Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Nov 3, 2019

A short intro to the Gospel of Mark, followed by an examination of Mark's story of John the Baptizer and his role, and applications from this passage for our lives.

A Voice for God Series: Mark, Sermon 1 Chuck Sligh November 3, 2019 TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Mark 1:1-8 – "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Characteristics Of A Converted Christian

Contributed by John White on Feb 4, 2020

Paul makes it clear in this passage that true conversion means real change. He outlines the qualities and characteristics that defined us before we were saved.

Characteristics Of A Converted Christian TITUS 3:3-8 "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:3-8, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Baptist

A Motivation To Give For Small Givers Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 26, 2019

We are called by Paul to be cheerful givers. That seems ridiculous to many! This passage, though, gives us a great starting point for making that generous attitude happen.

IT JUST SEEMS RIDICULOUS: How can anyone be a cheerful giver? - 2 Corinthians 9:7. - Paul tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. That’s all well and good, many of you are thinking, but who exactly is joyful about giving to the offering plate? It’s hard for many to believe that there are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Transformed By Truth: Living In The Light Of God's Grace Luke 1:68-75 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 14, 2024

A journey through a profound and transformative passage from Luke 1:68-75 - in these verses, we find rich themes of redemption, promise, covenant, and hope.

Transformed by Truth: Living in the Light of God's Grace Luke 1:68-75 It is a blessing and a joy to gather together in the presence of the Lord, to worship, to fellowship, and to grow deeper in our understanding of His Word. Today, we are going to embark on a journey through a profound and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:68-75, Luke 1:68, John 3:16, Luke 1:69-70, Isaiah 9:6, Luke 1:72-73, Deuteronomy 7:9, Luke 1:74-75, Romans 12:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Hangry

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Aug 13, 2024

Intro Did ya? Read something new in God’s Word today? See a familiar passage with new eyes? I hope you did!

Today’s word is sort of centered around those questions. Do you ever have those days that you have your complete agenda lined out, and then “poof” it was gone? Nothing went as planned? Monday as I was leaving work, I had planned everything I was going to accomplish when I got home. As I pulled into ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6, John 13:34

Growing Pains

Contributed by Paul Robinson on Oct 4, 2022

Growing in the Christian life is not always easy. In fact, there are growing pains, but these are necessary if you want to mature. This passage gives three specific areas in which to grow.

Main theme of this passage: growing in your walk with God. Verses 1-2. You’ve received the truth of how to grow in your walk with God. It begins with faith. But there are other areas in which we can grow. This passage gives us three ways to grow in our walk with God. 1. Grow in your Abstinence (v. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Immortality Through Good Deeds

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Feb 7, 2023

Jesus tells us in this passage that we need to do good works and that will enable us to be remembered through time. That is one of the reasons we remember Him.

Immortality through Good Deeds John 8:48-59 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz John 8:48 The Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not ahave a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 “But I do not seek My ...read more

Scripture: John 8:48-59

Denomination: United Methodist

How Is Jesus’ Way Different From The Law? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 8, 2021

This passage highlights how different what Jesus is bringing is from what the religious teachers were offering. How exactly is Jesus' way different?

THE JEWS' PLAN: 1. THEIR SYSTEM WAS THE LAW. - John 7:21-24. - The miracle that is referred to in v. 21 is almost certainly the healing at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15). John records miracles after that, but that was the miracle that brought out the issue of healing on the Sabbath. ...read more

Scripture: John 7:14-24

Denomination: Baptist

Secrets Of Spiritual Victory

Contributed by Sumeet Mj on Jun 2, 2021

The confrontation of David and Goliath is one of the most discussed and referred event in History. There are powerful spiritual keys in this passage that we can borrow for a victorious spiritual life.

Secrets of Victory!! 1 Samuel 17:45 Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:45-47, Genesis 3:1-4, Mark 16:17, James 5:14, Proverbs 18:21, Matthew 17:20, Romans 8:37  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"tel Us Plainly Who You Are" Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Oct 8, 2021

This passage of Scripture deals with the people demanding Jesus tell them who he is. By means of teachings and miracles he reveals that once more to them.

“Tell Us Plainly Who You Are” John 10:23-42 Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ July 11, 2021 Video Link: https://youtu.be/4XueEHVVQ08 INTRODUCTION: 1) The opening verse of our text tells us this account was at the Feast of Dedication. A) The Feast of Dedication also called the ...read more

Scripture: John 10:23-42, Zechariah 2:10, Zechariah 3:8, John 6:41, John 8:12, John 10:7-9, John 10:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Five Challenges With Finding The Truth Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 9, 2022

Pilate's iconic "What is truth?" question is the centerpiece of a passage that highlights several of the ways that we struggle with truth in our lives.

PILATE ASKS A GREAT QUESTION: “What is truth?” - John 18:38a. - Many ways to take it: sincere, sneering, lost, confused. - But at the end of the day, it is an essential question. - It’s not enough to be sincere in our beliefs, we need to sincerely believe something that’s true. - What about ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-40

Denomination: Baptist

Repentance Of The Gentiles Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Feb 8, 2021

It is the beginning of the expansion of the Church and the Kingdom of God. God has elected nations have been confirmed by this passage. Read further for a better understanding of the Gospel work.

Acts 10:23-48 Repentance of the Gentiles 10:23-34 Peter and Cornelius meet each other 10:35-43 Peter Preaches the Gospel 10:36-48 Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit Acts 10:23-34 Peter and Cornelius meet each other It is the beginning of the expansion of the Church and the Kingdom of God. God has ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:23-48

Denomination: Methodist