Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Meet Me At The River

Contributed by Jim Drake on Oct 23, 2007

I preached this sermon the Sunday prior to our annual fall revival meetings. The steps Ezra took the people through in this passage were foundational to the revival they experienced in Nehemiah 8 and 9.

1. Fasting is required for revival (8:21-23) 2. Faith is required for revival (8:24-30) 3. Follow-through is required for revival (8:31) In just a minute, we’re going to read Nehemiah 9:5-6. But that’s not our text tonight. That is the result of our text tonight. Our text is actually going to ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 8:21-31, Nehemiah 8:9

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Why Have You Forsaken Me? Series

Contributed by Brian Black on Apr 6, 2007

The fourth in a series on the seven sayings of Christ on the cross.

NOTE: After much study and reading, the line sometimes blurs between which thoughts are mine and which ones come from someone else. Having said that -- thanks to Ray Pritchard and C.H. Spurgeon. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Today we continue looking at the seven final statements Jesus made on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Leading A Christian Life

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Nov 6, 2005

Sermon discussing the first 4 "blessed" phrases in Matthew 5:1-12. Touches on the Greek background of this passage. What does the word "blessed" mean? How does God want us to be?

Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you from God our Father in Heaven, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit who keeps us steadfast in our faith. Amen. Today we celebrate All Saints Sunday with the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the mount. As we examine this message from Matthew, we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

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

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

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

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

Now It's Personal! Series

Contributed by Craig Cramblet on Mar 10, 2003

This can be a difficult text to preach if there is current conflict in your church. This treatment moves the application to the spiritual plane where our true enemy is working to discourage and destroy God’s people.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12 Please turn to the person sitting next to you this morning and tell them: "You ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-14, Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational