Sermons on Difficult Passages:

The Gifts Are Available Today Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 29, 2024

Session 2: This second study looks at three more passages on spiritual gifts. It also discusses "the view of cessation" and "the difference between talents and spiritual gifts."

Last week, we began our study on spiritual gifts by discussing the work of the Holy Spirit. We learned that an individual is filled with the Spirit at the very moment of salvation, when he or she confesses Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We discovered that the phrase “being filled with the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Curse Of Adam Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Mar 1, 2016

The cure for those who are in Jesus by faith is much more powerful than the curse for those who are in Adam by nature

It seems that in our world, doctrine has gotten a bad rap. Perhaps you’ve seen or heard people use a slogan like “Love unites, doctrine divides” or one of its relatives like “Service unites, doctrine divides” or “Justice divides, doctrine divides”. While ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

Part 1: The Quest For Authentic Transformation Series

Contributed by Tim Harrison on Apr 9, 2002

In this passage, The Apostle Peter gives us seven Character Traits that we are to add to our faith, which God wants to use to progressively transform us into the likeness of Christ.

A Portrait of Christ: The Quest for Authentic Transformation Did I tell you I have a son and daughter? It’s amazing how rapidly they are changing – as they move along the continuum from infancy to adulthood Physical, emotional, and intellectual growth is natural – It’s to be expected in every ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-11

Denomination: *other

A Prayer For Atonement Series

Contributed by Michael Reeves on Sep 6, 2002

This passage of scripture deals with what should be done in ancient Israel when a person was slain and no one was brought to justice. The prayer God instructs for such a case is instructive for us today

Introduction: This PM’s study is one which our society needs to have a taste of. The truths we will examine in regard to prayer swirl around the murder of a person by person(s) unknown. Then, as now, murder was a serious offense against the person and the society where it took place. ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 21:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Perils Of Misusing Privilege

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Why do some people misuse their privileges? In this passage, Paul gives a historical survey of how Israel misused, abused and failed to take advantage of their God given privileges.

Illustration:Complacency is a blight that saps energy, dulls attitudes, and causes a drain on the brain. The first symptom is satisfaction with things as they are. The second is rejection of things as they might be. "Good enough" becomes today’s watchword and tomorrow’s standard. Complacency ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:16-41

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is God Looking For?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Dec 19, 2000

To begin this sermon, I’m going to read 3 brief passages of Scripture. And as I do, see how quickly you can discover the connection between them.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2020) TEXT: 1 Samuel 9:2; 16:7; Luke 19:1 10 A. To begin this sermon, I'm going to read 3 brief passages of Scripture. And as I do, see how quickly you can discover ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10, 1 Samuel 16:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Letter Of Recommendation

Contributed by Mark Adams on Oct 21, 2006

This sermon relies heavily on a visual illustration. It is based on the passage in 2 Cor. 3 which says we are letters from God. It calls for serious dedication to living for Christ.

______________________________________________________ NOTE: This sermon relies heavily upon a visual illustration. It’s based on Paul’s statement that we are a ’letter from Christ’. Here is a description of the visual I made for this lesson: Before the sermon, I prepared a manilla envelope, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Scariest Verses Of The Sermon On The Mount

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Mar 26, 2007

Much of the Sermon of the Mount contains beautiful and encouraging lessons. However, it also contains some of the scariest teachings Christ ever delivered. This short study looks at the scariest passages.

The Sermon on the Mount - that body of teaching found in Mathew 5 thru 7 - is generally viewed as the hallmark of the teachings of Jesus. The Sermon on the Mount is considered to be one of the most beautiful sections of the Bible. This is quite true. Who does not appreciate the beauty of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Most Important Journey

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 3, 2005

This passage reveals the character and attitude of Paul in at least two ways that, if we will follow his example, will allow us to be the kind of people who run the race well.

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-14

Denomination: United Methodist

God's Way For The Woman - Mother's Day

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 6, 2004

God uses many terms from cosmotology today in this passage--HER MANDATE, MOTIVE, MANNER OF LIFE, AND MESSAGE. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation.

GOD’S WAY FOR THE WOMAN TITUS 2:1-5 ----- Formatted text and Powerpoint for this sermon are at: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/God’sWayForWoman.html ----- Powerpoint for hundreds more free sermons at our website: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html ----- God’s Way for the Woman Titus ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-5, Titus 2:4

Denomination: Baptist

An Invitation To Prayer - Part 1 Of 2

Contributed by Naveen Balakrishnan on May 18, 2004

In this passage Jeremiah reveals the heart of God when He calls His children to prayer and the promises that He bestows to those who are obedient - Message Part 1 of 2

“An Invitation To Prayer” – Part 1 of 2 Jeremiah 33:1-3 A. The Word of the LORD is not RESTRAINED. (v. 1) 2 Timothy 2:9; Acts 28:31; Philippians 1:7; Colossians 4:3; Jeremiah 39:15; 43:8 1. The Word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a SECOND time. (v. 1a) Genesis 22:15; 1 Kings 9:2; 19:7; ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

An Invitation To Prayer - Part 2 Of 2

Contributed by Naveen Balakrishnan on May 18, 2004

In this passage Jeremiah reveals the heart of God when He calls His children to prayer and the promises that He bestows to those who are obedient - Message Part 2 of 2

“An Invitation To Prayer” – Part 2 of 2 Jeremiah 33:1-3 A. The Word of the LORD is not RESTRAINED. (v. 1) B. The REVELATION of the LORD. (v. 2) C. The LORD’s REASON for prayer. (v. 3) Psalm 50:15; 1 Timothy 2:1-2 1. God REQUIRES Jeremiah to pray. (v. 3a) Romans 5:2; Hebrews 4:15-16; ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel Message Of Freedom

Contributed by Mark Price on Jul 1, 2007

This is the message I shared with the church in the evening worship service on July 1, 2007. The passage lends to an easy lesson on the benefits of the blood of Jesus Christ, utilizing the colors of the flag.

Introduction According to the book "Our Flag," published by the House of Representatives, "The colors red, white, and blue did not have meanings for The Stars and Stripes when it was adopted in 1777." It goes on to say, that the colors of the Great Seal of the United States, when it was adopted ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-28

Denomination: *other

Living In A Broken World Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 17, 2009

The calamities that Jesus prophesizes will be a prelude to the end times are here. They always have been. This passage gives us a glimpse of how we are to live in a broken and sin filled world.

Mark 13:1-8 “Living in a Broken World” INTRODUCTION I’m not a big advocate of “The good ol’ days,” but there are times. There are times when I long for the days where we always left our doors unlocked, rather than locked, bolted and secured with an alarm system. I long for the days when we ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-8, Mark 13:1-13, Mark 13:1

Denomination: Lutheran

Whose House Is It?

Contributed by Herman E. Wesley Iii on Nov 29, 2008

Surely there can be no dispute that the "house" referred to in this passage belongs to the Lord. I thought, with myself, what a royal waste of everyone’s time to be given a subject like this.

Evangelist Herman E. Wesley III WHOSE HOUSE IS IT? Hebrews 3:2-5 PRELIMINARIES In the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus, it’s good to be here. We’ve been having a good time here in Kansas City, all the lectures have been encouraging and many have been enlightening, and the fellowship that we are ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:2-5