Sermons on Difficult Passages:

The Lord Is My Shepherd - An In-Depth Look At Psalm 23

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on May 6, 2024

Psalm 23 is more than a passage of scripture that is read at funerals when someone passes but is in fact a profound testament to God's loving care, guidance, and provision for each and every one of us.

The Lord is my Shepherd. An in-depth look at Psalm 23 By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - Today I want to look at what is most likely the most memorized chapter in the Bible Psalm 23. This particular Psalm is a favorite passage of scripture at funerals; however, it’s not a Psalm of death ...read more

Denomination: Apostolic

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

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

The Faces Of The Stranger Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Sep 21, 2001

Let’s talk about what makes it difficult for us to form community, and in so doing, we will also find an explanation for the turmoil our world is seeing and has always seen.

The Faces of the Stranger Pastor Jim Luthy I’ve really wrestled this week whether to return to our series on community or to talk about the recent attacks on our nation. On one hand, we are being asked to return to normal, whatever that means, and these messages on community are meant to equip us ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-8, Matthew 23:2-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wrong Conclusions About God

Contributed by David Swensen on Oct 17, 2001

Since September 11, many feel that God’s love and protection have left them,they feel vulnerable and alone. Come and learn the truth about God at this difficult time.

WRONG CONCLUSIONS ABOUT GOD Hebrews 1:1-9 INTRODUCTION When Joey Barrow was a teenager, his classmates labeled him a sissy. His mother made him take violin lessons, hoping he would “make something of himself.” While his classmates were engaged in rough, tough masculine activities, Joey was ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-9

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

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

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

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

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

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

Year Of Recovery Series

Contributed by Howard Langford on Jan 21, 2012

Life is full of struggle. Many people are either lost in transition or have a difficult time recovering from it.We will look at the life and struggle of Job and find the redemptive value of struggle

Imagine this, you lose your home, your job, your family, and your wife goes nuts. Now, imagine it all falls apart in one day. If matters were not already horrid, you develop a skin disease that both itches and burns. While sitting alone, void of friendship and Godly counsel, Job has an ...read more

Scripture: Job 12:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational