Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Divorce & Remarriage

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Jun 25, 2007

Everyone agrees that divorce is one of the worst tragedies plaguing families today. Sadly, many pastors and church leaders have sometimes made things worst. What does the Bible really teach about this difficult issue?

Divorce & Remarriage by Scott R. Bayles Church of Christ Everyone agrees that divorce is one of the worst tragedies plaguing American families today. Some studies are now showing that for the first time in American history, single parent families now out number families with two parents living in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:3-9

Denomination: Christian Church

Who Am I?

Contributed by Don Emmitte on May 12, 2014

The question "Who am I?" represents an inner need that many of us develop through the discouraging and difficult experiences of life. The traumatic experiences of all of our lives take their toll on our confidence and self-esteem.

“Who Am I?” Exodus 3:11-12 Sermon by Don Emmitte While we have been looking at the Ten Commandments the last few weeks today I want us to go back a bit and see the beginning of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Leadership Series

Contributed by Bruce B. Miller on Jun 7, 2012

Some groups put The Pastor on a pedestal as God’s annointed, a spiritual super-star to be admired and honored. In our passage today Paul sarcastically shreds this un-Christlike view of leadership.

Spiritual Leadership 1 Corinthians 4 Most American Christians are soft. Our crosses are pretty jewelry, not instruments of brutal death. They warmly decorate our houses rather than warning of suffering. Particularly in the suburban Bible Belt, our versions of Christianity depict sanitized pictures ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Don't Join Murderous Gangs (Proverbs 1:8-19) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Apr 6, 2022

Gangs can make you quite the offer: power, wealth, and community. But join, and you'll end up dead. The passage turns into a broader appeal to avoid ill-gotten gains.

Introduction Although my wife Heidi and I have been married for less than 5 years, we’ve moved a lot in that time period. We’ve lived in three states, 3 apartments, and two houses, and we feel a bit like gypsies without a real home. Heidi and I met up in Manitoba at Providence Bible College. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:9-19

Jesus Changes Lives, That We Know, But To What Extent?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Oct 17, 2019

Summary: Lives are completely changed when Jesus comes on the scene. They are changed to a far greater extent than as this passage proves; a miracle easily performed by Jesus but a dramatic change in destiny for many.

This sermon was delivered Gordon McCulloch to the congregation at Holy Trinity in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 13th October 2019; Holy Trinity is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c Psalm 111 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Luke 17:11-19 “Please join me ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Episcopal

Three Reasons To Thanks God Series

Contributed by Steve Meenho Kang on Nov 13, 2022

The passage that we read today tells us about three changes that God brings into our lives. It says that we should thank God for these changes that He brings to our lives.

Three Reasons to Thank God Give Thanks Part 2 John 3:1-15 Today, we are continuing our message series, Give Thanks. As we approach Thanksgiving, we want to prepare our hearts for gratitude toward God. God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God is always holy, just, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Progressing Through The Storm 

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Have you ever wondered why some people are afraid to progress when conditions appear difficult? Most of us are hesitant to try something new unless we are given guarantees

Illustration:When Pablo Casals reached 95, a young reported threw him a question: "Mr. Casals, you are 95 and the greatest cellist that ever lived. Why do you still practice six hours a day?" And Mr. Casals answered, "Because I think I’m making progress." Your goal is to make progress every day of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:10-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Learning To Trust God

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Aug 19, 2002

There are two times when it’s difficult to trust God: when things are going badly, and when things are going well. Here’s how to develop a strong trust in God.

(Note: The title of this message comes from Rick Warren; however, the content is original) There are two times when it’s difficult to trust God. One is when things are going badly. And the other is when things are going well. The author of Proverbs understood this fact of human nature, and he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:6

Denomination: Baptist

Grace!

Contributed by Jaco Bester on Mar 30, 2004

Grace is a terribly misunderstood word and defining it sufficiently is notoriously difficult. E. Stanley Jones once said: “Grace is free, but when once you take it you are bound forever to the Giver.”

GRACE! SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 2:4 – 9 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-9

Denomination: Methodist

Perilous Times Are Upon Us Even Now!

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Jul 18, 2003

The Greek word “chalepoi” can, with equal accuracy, be translated perilous, dangerous, terrible, grievous, stressful, distressing or difficult. There can be no doubt but what such days referred to here are already upon us.

PERILOUS TIMES ARE UPON US EVEN NOW! "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come." "But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." II Timothy 3:1, 13. I. PERILOUS TIMES WILL COME! The Greek word “chalepoi” can, with equal accuracy, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1, 2 Timothy 3:13

Denomination: Baptist

Liberty Or Legalism?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 31, 2003

How free should you be as a Christian - especially when dealing with younger, less mature believers. Paul addresses a difficult subject as freedom and legalism are compared. The answers may surprise you.

For an audio copy of this message, go to: www.LivingWatersWeb.com. I love steak. I really do. Whenever we go out it’s what I feel like most of the time. For a time I became a little reluctant to eat my favorite meat after doing a series of stories as a reporter on ecoli. You remember that, don’t ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Liberty Or Legalism?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 10, 2003

How free should you be as a Christian - especially when dealing with younger, less mature believers. Paul addresses a difficult subject as freedom and legalism are compared. The answers may surprise you.

I love steak. I really do. Whenever we go out it’s what I feel like most of the time. For a time I became a little reluctant to eat my favorite meat after doing a series of stories as a reporter on ecoli. You remember that, don’t you? The little bacteria killed several people in Oregon and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

A Mans Man Series

Contributed by Terry Stivers on Jun 25, 2003

It is sometimes difficult to really describe what a mans man really is. John the Baptist helps us to understand what a man truly is. Series on Mark (Fathers Day Message)

A MAN’S MAN Mark 1:1-8 INTRO: Men do not know who they are as men. Rather, they define themselves by what they do, who they know, or by what they own. – Alexander Mitserlisch, counselor Who are men today? What comprises manhood? The Average Male Is… • Is 5’ 9” tall and 173 pounds. • Is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Power Of Persistent Prayer

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 12, 2002

Jesus taught that we should "always pray and not give up." But why? Is God hard of hearing? Is it difficult to get His attention? Or is there something else we don’t understand?

OPEN: The organ in a large church broke down one Sunday morning just before services were to begin. A member of the congregation happened to be a organ repairman and he immediately went to work on the instrument – finding it was a simple electrical problem. When he finally got it fixed it ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 10:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Wilderniss Into Oasis Series

Contributed by Paul Kallan on Mar 5, 2003

When we experience wilderness in life, it is difficult to uphold our moral standards. Rooted in God and with the power Jesus gives us, we can try to overcome the attractions and promises of evil.

Mark 1.12-15 describes the Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness. After the baptism in the Jordan, the Spirit leads him to the wilderness to spend fourty days of fasting and prayer. There he is tempted to give up the call of God and yield to the temptation to react to situations in the normal ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:12-15

Denomination: Catholic