Sermons on Difficult Passages:

A Lesson In The Leftovers

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 31, 2022

Undoubtedly many have heard this passage of Scripture before and hopefully, many have read this story. This is the story of where Jesus feeds the multitude, the five thousand.

What a miracle to perform. I cannot imagine trying to feed that many people. No doubt there are quite a few mothers out there that would find that a daunting task. Can you see five thousand people coming through your door, walking to the dining room, either trying to find a place to sit or going ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Are We To Do If There Is A Tater Family In Our Church?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 8, 2023

Although the title to this message mentions a Tater Family, the passage of Scripture speaks about the servants working with the pounds. Do Christians of today resemble the servants in the Scripture?

This is the story about the pounds. This story tells of a certain nobleman who received a kingdom, and it showed the followers of Jesus what they were to do during the time between when Jesus would leave and his Second Coming. The followers were to be unwavering and fruitful while he was gone. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Salvation Of The Lord

Contributed by Darren Felarise on Nov 19, 2020

Has there ever been a time in your life that everywhere you turned there was a wall of trouble? That's just what Moses is facing in this passage.

Ex 14:10-14 10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord. 11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:10-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Finding Strength In God: A Transformed Life Isaiah 12:2 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 22, 2024

Isaiah 12:2, reminds us of the source of our strength and salvation. Let us delve into this passage to uncover the profound truths it holds for our lives.

Finding Strength in God: A Transformed Life Introduction: As we gather together today, let us turn our hearts and minds to the Word of God, seeking the transformation and strength that only He can provide. Our focus scripture, Isaiah 12:2, reminds us of the source of our strength and salvation. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 12:2, Exodus 15:2, Psalm 28:7, Romans 8:37

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Blasphemy Of The Holy Spirit - Mark 3:20-30 (Matthew 12:22-37) Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 4, 2023

People often say the unforgivable sin is attributing demonic work to Jesus. But several other passages speak of an unforgivable sin, and none of them identify it that way.

Mark 3:20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." 22 And the teachers of the law who came down from ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-30, Matthew 12:22-37

Knowledge, Love And Example

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jun 16, 2025

So the church was split. In our society, eating meat sacrificed to idols is no longer an issue. But at least three principles Paul teaches in this passage are as relevant as ever.

Alba 6-15-2025 KNOWLEDGE, LOVE AND EXAMPLE I Corinthians 8:1-13 Rob Kenney’s YouTube channel, “Dad, how do I?” went viral five years ago (2020). Kenney released his first video shortly after the coronavirus pandemic reared its ugly head. He wanted to provide practical advice and emotional ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Not Your Name; My Name - Mark 9:36-41 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 31, 2023

Do you long for a greater experience of the presence of God? In this passage Jesus teaches how to attain that while bringing honor to Jesus and accruing eternal reward.

Mark 9:33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:36-41, Matthew 1:5, Luke 9:48-50

Was The Early Church The "Golden Age"? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 31, 2018

Christians today tend to romanticize the early church as a Golden Age when passages like this one present a picture of a church with plenty of struggles. What does that mean for how we should view the church today?

- Read 2 Corinthians 1:12-17 and 2:1-10. An Early Church Story: - What we are looking at today is just one story from the early church. 1. There was serious sin in the church. - 2 Corinthians 2:6; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13. - We know this from 1 Corinthians 5 and Paul’s extensive instructions to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:12-17, 2 Corinthians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Contributed by Dan Borchert on Aug 29, 2002

John gives us two different characters in this passage. One is good, one is bad. The ugly part comes in when John tells us what he is going to do to the bad

3 John 9-12 The Good, The Bad, The Ugly. Introduction A. Guess what we are going to finish up 3 John today. Wow that was quick B. The Good The Bad The Ugly C. It is common to hear those words together D. John Fedko sometimes uses then to show sports highlights/lowlights E. Various other news ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:9-12

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Transfiguration, A Mountain Top Experience For Us All.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Feb 11, 2018

Mountain top experiences are there for a reason. They are not just moments of Epiphany or pleasure; they can be needed prior to a painful time. Also notice how many coincidences in this short passage and what that means for us.

This sermon was delivered to Holy Trinity in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 11th February 2018 (a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries). 2 Kings 2:1-12 Psalm 50:1-6 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9 Psalm 19:14: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of our ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-9, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

Denomination: Episcopal

Two Steps To Trouble Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 4, 2024

An interesting "two step" phrase is repeated three times in this passage. It gives us insight into how what we believe in our heart creates hurdles in real life.

TWO STEPS TO TROUBLE: 1. AN IDOL IS A SUBSTITUTE FOR GOD THAT WE PUT ON OUR HEART'S THRONE. - Ezekiel 14:3, 4, 7. - The triple repeat is interesting and significant. - An idol is the start of the problem. It’s a substitute God. - Let’s look at three examples. We’ll start with this step ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 14:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

How To Take A Stand When Others Want You To Sit Down - Philippians 1: 27-30 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Feb 11, 2022

in this passage Paul is going to share with us four things, four ideas that can help us to be able to take a stand when others want us to sit down.

This week my assistant who works for me… Tracy, who's worked with me for five years…she's great. I love her very much. But she has decided to move on and is leaving us with a hole in our ministry. So in a desire to replace her quickly, I put an announcement out. You probably saw this. So ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Are You Set "Under Authority"?

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Mar 19, 2016

Most Christians truly want to live the kind of life that Jesus requires but often find it difficult to do so. Why? They don't understand what it means to be in submission? This is something Jesus understood and we need to also.

Are You “Set Under Authority”? We know that Jesus operated in faith. He had complete trust in who he was as God’s Son and he knew that all of the resources of Heaven were available to him. If we have the same life in us that Jesus has in him, then why do we not have complete ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be God's Super-Hero Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Oct 8, 2016

Since God is our power, or strength, our fortress, our high tower, we can stand-and that is our role in the fight. God takes care of the rest. For us, standing is sometimes difficult. But standing is enough.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-13

Denomination: *other

When God Has His Hand On You

Contributed by Herman E. Wesley Iii on Nov 29, 2008

It is difficult, from time to time, to understand that as Christians we will find ourselves in some “interesting” storms.  What is even more important is to understand that the storms that come in our lives are allowed by the permissive decree of God. 

Evangelist Herman E. Wesley III When God Has His Hand on You Hebrews 12:4-11 PRELIMINARIES To my good friend and minister of this congregation of saints, Brother David M. Tillman, Jr., brother Arlester Johnson and others who are numbered among the leadership. Members of the Narrow Lane Church ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:4-11, Hebrews 12:4-12