Sermons on Difficult Passages:

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

Take Up Your Cross Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 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

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

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 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

Divided In Christ Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

The sermon discusses the cost of following Christ, emphasizing that it can lead to division in earthly relationships, and encourages strength and faithfulness in the face of such challenges.

Does anyone here today enjoy being at odds with their friends, family, or neighbors? Maybe you’re the type of person that looks forward to a good argument, or maybe you’re the type of person that would rather avoid an argument at any and all costs. Whoever you are here today, I think we can all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Topics: Faithfulness, Gospel, Earthly Relationships

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

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

Moving Towaards Maturity Series

Contributed by Rule Digal on Aug 12, 2008

“Faith is like a muscle, the more you exercise it, the bigger and stronger it becomes.” That is why God leads us through difficult places and circumstances in life. By so doing, He is helping us grow in our faith.

Theme: Moving Towards Maturity Text: Genesis 16: 7-23 Introduction A. Our message last Sunday was about the word of God to Abraham concerning his fear, future, and faith. God reassured Abraham of His divine protection and comfort. God told him that he should not be anxious about what his future ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:7-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Three Simple Steps

Contributed by Don Emmitte on May 6, 2014

Parenting is one of the most difficult experiences of our lives. By understanding the early life of Timothy we can discover "Three Simple Steps" that will help lead our families toward Christ and His grace.

Three Simple Steps Acts 16:1-5 Mother’s Day Sermon, 2014 by Don Emmitte, Grace Restoration Ministries Take Your Bibles, Please… Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:1-5

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