Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Open Doors Come With Adversaries

Contributed by John Gaston on May 29, 2024

"For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries."It seems like a contradiction, but Paul saw difficult situations as opportunities to speak about Jesus.

OPEN DOORS COME WITH ADVERSARIES 1 Cor. 16:8-9 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A man came up to the preacher after service and said, “That was an excellent sermon, but it was not original.” The preacher was taken aback, for he had written it himself. 2. The man said he had a book at home, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Getting Control Of One's Anger Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Sep 22, 2024

In difficult situations, instead of simmering in anger or resentment, we are invited to release our desire for control and trust in God’s sovereignty, allowing His peace and love to replace our anger.

Self-Talk and Anger Online Sermon: www.mckeesfamily.com/sermons/ Have you ever felt so angry that you just wanted to scream out in fury? The Israelites, wandering in the wilderness, once again complained to Moses and Aaron about their lack of water, expressing their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Pride And Prejudice Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Jul 22, 2008

When we are envious or jealous of the life someone else has, we show we are not grateful for what God has given us. Also a section that deals with the issue of Interracial marriage found in this passage.

There was once a young man decided to join a monastery that had a vow of silence. The monks were not allowed to speak with the exception of their birthday. Once a year on their birthday each monk could come before the monk in charge and speak two words. They always chose their words ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 12:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Giving Thanks At The Crossroads Of Life

Contributed by John Baggett on Nov 24, 2003

Thanksgiving sermon or anytime. Jacob gave a prayer of Thanksgiving unto God at a difficult time in his life. He remembered God’s promises, Recognized his unworthiness and Realized God’s Many Blessings

Thanksgiving "GIVING THANKS AT THE CROSSROADS OF LIFE" Genesis 32:9-10 This week our nation celebrates the holiday of Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, I’m afraid that a lot of people in America today associate Thanksgiving more with the Macy’s parade, a special meal and a football game...than the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Identity Of Faith Series

Contributed by Greg Powell on Aug 19, 2020

There is an identity crisis in our country. I believe that our racial problems are a result of an unbiblical view of our identity. This passage has long been used to rebuke a racist and bigoted view of the gospel.

INTRO: Galatians 3 has been a history lesson through the Old Testament. One of the more complicated chapters of Paul’s writings, it’s been a difficult hike, but like many hard journeys, there is a rewarding view at the end. We have climbed the mountain peaks of Abraham and Moses and have seen ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:26-29

Denomination: Baptist

Stand Firm Series

Contributed by Neil Olcott on Sep 10, 2009

The sentence structure in the Greek proves that often we place the emphasis on the wrong thing in this passage. The emphasis is not on the armor, but on standing. The armor is simply a tool that we are to use to carry out God’s command, "STAND."

Text: Ephesians 6:10-20 Title: Stand Firm INTRODUCTION: Archibald Naismith tells us that at the Battle of Waterloo, when the fight became its worst, an officer galloped up to the Commander, the Duke of Wellington and said, "my Captain says we are being destroyed, we need reinforcements quickly." ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-24

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Prepared?

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Nov 7, 2008

Jesus gives some "scary" pictures of the end of the world. We don’t need to be scared! Jesus will make sure that we are prepared for whatever He asks us to face.

-When Linda saw that there were tornadoes heading this direction on Wednesday night, we cancelled our evening plans, we moved a few valuable and sentimental items to the basement, secured a few items outside and settled down in the basement and let the storm move on through -Before 31 December ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:15-28

Denomination: Lutheran

The King And The Cross PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Understand the significance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, the importance of carrying our own crosses, and the paradox of majesty and sacrifice represented by a King on a Cross.

Good morning, church family. We're here today to delve deep into the heart of the Gospel, to examine the cross -- Jesus' cross, our own crosses, and the intersection of majesty and sacrifice. As Martin Luther once said, "Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in ...read more

Topics: Jesus' Sacrifice, Our Cross

Journeying With The Shepherd: Finding Peace And Provision In Psalm 23

Contributed by Christian Jones on Jun 3, 2023

Today, we embark on a journey through one of the most beloved and comforting passages of the Bible, Psalm 23. In this timeless psalm, King David beautifully expresses his deep trust and reliance on God as his Shepherd.

I. The Shepherd's Provision (Psalm 23:1-3): David begins this psalm by declaring, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Here, David acknowledges God's provision and care for him. Just as a shepherd takes care of his sheep, our Heavenly Father lovingly tends to our needs. We ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To (Mis)interpret The Bible

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 9, 2022

While this passage teaches about divorce, it also provides an interesting case study in how believer manipulate what the Bible says for their own benefit. We'll look at five aspects of that.

- Probably the most obvious way to preach this passage would be to preach a sermon about what the Bible says about divorce. That’s an important subject, but I’m interested in something else as I dig in. - This passage provides an interesting case study into how we interpret (or, more accurately, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Stop Making The New Birth Appear So Complicated

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 15, 2003

Why do you suppose that so many well meaning Christians overcomplicate the gospel with extraneous ideas, traditions and requirements? Millions of people have the mistaken notion that to become a Christian is so difficult that it is not really worth the e

Avoid Overcomplicating the New Birth in Christ – Rom. 10:5-13 Why do you suppose that so many well meaning Christians overcomplicate the gospel with extraneous ideas, traditions and requirements? Millions of people have the mistaken notion that to become a Christian is so difficult that it is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:4-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bonds Of Legalism Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on May 4, 2009

Instead of doing a full exposition of the passage, we’re going to focus on one aspect of it. We’re going to focus on the bonds of legalism. And make no mistake about it, legalism is bondage.

http://brushforkbanner.blogspot.com As you can tell, we are in the same passage this morning as we were last week. But this morning, rather than doing a full exposition of the passage, we’re going to focus on one aspect of it. We’re going to focus on the bonds of legalism. The fact is that true ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Touch Me Not And Touch Me

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Mar 29, 2024

Jesus told Mary Magdalene not to touch him but he told disciples to touch him in this passage. It’s interesting observations. The theological implications are great. May the blessings of believing be upon all. Amen.

Theme: Touch me not, Touch me. Text: John 20:16-30   Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever.   Introduction: I would like to share on this Easter with you three insights from this three epiphanies. There are three separate epiphanies recorded in John 20:16-30. ...read more

Scripture: John 20:16-30

Denomination: Methodist

Words Of Wisdom For Graduates

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on May 10, 2021

In this passage, Solomon is acting as a teacher instructing his students about life. He concludes with his observations about the purpose of life; and in his closing remarks we find four words of wisdom that can be applied to graduates.

Today is our Graduate Recognition, and I feel led to share from a passage in Ecclesiastes. This book is believed to have been written by Solomon, since Ecclesiastes 1:1 says that these are “the words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” To get started, I think these words can ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do When Someone Sins Against You

Contributed by David Henderson on Nov 25, 2007

This was written as a Wednesday night Bible study where I was dealing with some hot topics that I felt our church needed to address. All of us need help forgiving others and dealing with difficult people. This message speaks to that topic.

“What to Do When Someone Sins Against You” Matthew 18:15-17 David Henderson, Pastor/Teacher One Sunday morning a wife tried to wake her husband up for church. He kept his eyes closed and said, “I don’t want to go to church; they don’t like me there.” She tried again, this time pleading with him to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17

Denomination: Baptist