Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Can We Live "upright In Heart"?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 4, 2026

To better understand the passage given us from the first letter of the apostle John, let’s consider and picture the most critical day of John’s life.

Friday after Epiphany 2026 Our prayer today began with a verse from Psalm 112: “a light has risen in the darkness for the upright of heart; the Lord is generous, merciful and just.” By the grace of God, entering our hearts through the gift of faith, it is possible to live uprightly in our world. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-16, Psalm 147:12-19, 1 John 5:5-13, John 19:26-27, Mark 15:39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

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

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

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

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 26, 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

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

The Miracle Of Christmas

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Dec 22, 2008

Joseph & Mary believed God’s Word and trusted Him. God’s plan for their lives was not an easy one. Though things were difficult, God blessed them. Through their obedience, the world has been blessed.

A miracle happened on Christmas Day. God stepped into this world. • Jesus Christ, who is God, was born. He was born with a purpose - to save you and me from our sin and give us the hope of eternal life. • This great plan of God was fulfilled because two persons were willing to trust and obey God. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

My Deliverer Against Any Enemy Or Disease

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Mar 16, 2020

If you are feeling like the wall of life has taken away your hope and joy, then keep reading for the key to scaling life’s most difficult walls is to be found and secured in faith in our Lord Jesus Christ

My Deliverer Psalms 18:29, 2 Chronicles 32 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 “With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall” What our minds know as sweet doctrine our hearts have yet to be fully experienced. Even though we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:29

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing Our Heart And Mind (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Dec 28, 2016

The struggles we face as we journey with the Lord are varied and many. None are more difficult that the battles that rage within our minds. If we are to overcome spiritually, we must learn to win this battle from a biblical approach.

Preparing our Heart and Mind (Part 1) Philippians 4: 4-9 As we walk this Christian journey, we face many challenges that we must overcome in order to obtain spiritual victory. While these challenges are many, coming from a variety of sources, none are greater than the battles we fight within our ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Baptist

Love Lifted Me Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 24, 2016

Love is an essential character trait for the believer. The Lord loved us, so we are expected to love one another. This is easy preaching, but often a difficult practice. John reveals great truth regarding the love we should possess.

Love Lifted Me 1 John 4: 11-16 John 13:34-35 – A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. [35] By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. There can be no doubt that Jesus loved ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:11-16

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

The Gray Areas Of Faith

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Apr 19, 2017

It's not difficult at times living in a world of absolutes, that something is either right or wrong. The challenge comes in the so-called Gray areas, or the subjective areas of our faith. How do we decide what is right or wrong in these areas?

THE GRAY AREAS OF FAITH ROMANS 14:1 – 14:23 THE PASSAGE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT TODAY, IS ONE THAT MANY PEOPLE FIND CONFUSING. IT’S EASY TO LIVE IN A WORLD OF ABSOLUTES, TO BE ABLE TO SAY THIE IS RIGHT AND THAT IS WRONG. WHY, BECAUSE THE BIBLE SAYS SO. BUT HERE PAUL MAKES US ASK THE QUESTION IS ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Call To A Life Of Commitment Series

Contributed by Rule Digal on Aug 11, 2008

We are on a journey that began the day we received Jesus into our hearts and that will continue until the day we arrive in Heaven. This pilgrimage is, at times, a wonderful thing. At other times, it is difficult. Yet all the time, it is a pilgrimage that

Theme: The Commitment to a Life of Faith Text: Genesis 12: 4-9 Introduction A. Last week we have learned that out of Abram’s miserable spiritual condition God called him to live his life in faith. This gives us the truth that indeed, no one is beyond the touch of God. He is able to come where we ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:4-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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