Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Moving From Good To Great

Contributed by David Henderson on Jun 8, 2015

We come to this passage immediately following the conversation in chapter 3 between Jesus and Nicodemus. You remember Jesus told Nicodemus that he needed to be born again.

“Moving from Good to Great” John 3:22-30 Several years ago Jim Collins wrote a book titled “Good to Great.” It is the story of how effective leaders can take a business that is already ...read more

Scripture: John 3:22-30

Denomination: Baptist

"Finding Balance"

Contributed by David Henderson on Jul 30, 2013

This is what this passage tells us.  Spiritual growth was not only a priority in the life of Jesus, it was everything.  Jesus taught us how to live a balanced life.

“Finding Balance” Luke 2:41-52 When we look at the life of Jesus and what the Bible tells us about Him we quickly notice that the majority of what we know is from his adult life…those 3.5 years He spent in ministry. There is of course the story of his birth. Also in the gospel ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Baptist

Come Holy Spirit

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Nov 9, 2015

On a missionary journey, Paul encountered disciples in Ephesus who know only John's baptism, not the baptism in the name of Jesus with the infilling of the Holy Spirit. This message explores this passage.

November 8, 2015 - Come Holy Spirit Our guest speaker last week spoke about Paul’s conversation in Athens with philosophers regarding the “unknown god” statue of the Romans. He thought it curious that among all the statues of the Greeks and Romans, there was this one created for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Study Of Romans 5:12-21 Series

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 14, 2013

Romans 5 is a very misunderstood text in the Bible. Verses within it are used to teach many doctrines that are not being taught if you examine the passage within its context.

Romans 5 is a very misunderstood text in the Bible. Verses within it are used to teach many doctrines that are not being taught if you examine the passage within its context. We need to remember the argument that Paul has been making up to this point in the book. Chapters 1-3a: All men have sinned ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Caged Spirit Series

Contributed by Freedom Obanijesu on May 31, 2020

What are these “spirits in prison”? Many people reading the word “spirits” in this passage translate it in their minds to dead people who supposedly live now (as spirits) in a prison.

1 Peter 3:19 : The spirits in prison Some time ago, I got a question from a friend of mine concerning the passage of I Peter 3:19. Let’s read this passage together with verses 18 and 20: I Peter 3:18-20 “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-20, Hebrews 1:13-14

Denomination: Bible Church

Colossians: Household Rules Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jun 21, 2025

This passage contains the dreaded "S" word, submit. But what did that mean 2000 years ago in Colossa and what does it mean for us today.

It was a struggle; I was thinking that this week I would preach from Colossians 4:5–6 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. I thought that I would ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:18-25, Colossians 4:1

Denomination: Wesleyan

Christ Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Sep 14, 2021

As we reflect on Jesus in Mark 8, we come to one of the most basic truths about Jesus, the Essential King Jesus in this passage is: Jesus is the Christ.

ESSENTIAL KING JESUS: CHRIST MARK 8:27-30 #kingjesus USE AUDIO BIBLE: Mark Chapter 8:1-38 [5:37] https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/esv/Mark.8 INTRODUCTION… Funny Job Titles, blog.ongig.com/job-titles/funny-job-titles/ A job title tells much about the job that a person does. It shares ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Preparing The Way: The Dawn Of God's Tender Mercy Luke 1:76-78 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 2, 2024

Luke 1:76-78 is a prophecy given by Zechariah about his son, John the Baptist. This passage is rich with promises and truths that can transform our lives.

Preparing the Way: The Dawn of God's Tender Mercy Luke 1:76-78 Luke 1:76-78 (NLT): “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:76-78, Isaiah 40:3, Acts 13:38, Lamentations 3:22-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Talk The Talk And Walk The Walk

Contributed by Ian Whitmore on Jul 31, 2024

Faith and works. This is the duo that is inseparable for James. James lays that out pretty plainly in this passage. Faith and works must go together. Belief and action, words and deeds.

Text: James 2:14-26 DT: James is telling us that we need to not only talk HIS talk, but walk HIS walk. When I was a kid I had a favorite duo. Two things that went together that one without the other just didn’t happen or it just didn't make sense that was Woody and Buzz lightyear. I love the ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Kill Sin Or Die - Matthew 5:29-30 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 14, 2024

The threat Jesus warns of here is being thrown into hell. For a lustful look? How do we reconcile that with passages that assure us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ?

Matthew 5:27-30 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:29-30

Stewardship (3 Of 4)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 11, 2022

Again we would like to turn our attention to those passages in the Bible that deal with our being stewards of the money God has blessed us with.

I would like to remind you that stewardship is taught in both the OLD and the NEW TESTAMENTS. In Matthew 23, Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for what they were NOT DOING, while recognizing what THEY WERE DOING. He noted that they were careful to tithe of every plant that produced ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:2

Denomination: Baptist

The Book Of Ruth (1 Of 4)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 14, 2022

In this scripture passage, I want to show you a family that lived among God’s people, and then due to some hard times, they packed up and moved to Moab.

You might be saying, “So what!” people move from one city to another all the time! That is correct, but anytime we find something in the Word of God, it is there for a reason. WHAT IS THE REASON GOD PUT THIS FAMILY IN THE SCRIPTURES? God placed them in the holy scriptures that we might learn ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Deals With Criticism

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jun 5, 2021

Having read the Gospel passage I found myself asking the question How do we deal with criticism? And Should we complain as much as we do?

Having read the Gospel passage I found myself asking the question How do we deal with criticism? How do we deal with complaints Should we complain as much as we do? Story This reminds me of the story about a Trappist monk. Trappist monks take a vow of silence and in this particular monastery ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Anglican

Ask, Seek, Knock: The Pathway To Divine Encounter" Series

Contributed by Dr. John D. Wentworth on Apr 3, 2024

In our text, Jesus imparts several profound lessons that are referred to as the "Ask, Seek, Knock" passage, encapsulate fundamental principles that transcend time and culture.

Title: “Ask, Seek, Knock: The Pathway to Divine Encounter" Text: (Matthew 7:7-12) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

An Outline For Acts 18:24-28

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 9, 2023

This passage, though brief, mentions three believers: Aquila, his wife Priscilla, and Apollos. Aquila and Priscilla heard Apollos and helped him to better understand the Scriptures

Introduction: This section gives highlights about the ministries of Apollos and Aquila and Priscilla. None of them are mentioned very often after this passage but their faithfulness speaks volumes even to us today. Text: Acts 18:24-28, KJV: 24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:24-28

Denomination: Baptist