Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Do You Have Staying Power?

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 2, 2022

This is a message on patience. James provides some valuable insight into why believers sometimes fail at being patient, and he explains how to stay the course even when difficult life circumstances seem to go by at a snail’s pace.

If we are willing to be patient until the grace of God is made manifest, whether it takes nine years or ninety, it will be worth the wait. - Rebecca Pippert(1) This morning’s message will addresses the need to develop our staying power. As you might have guessed, this is a sermon on patience. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Christian In Modern Times – The Last Days, And How To Live In Them – Part 1 - Impending Wrath Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 30, 2023

Living in these last days is difficult. We look at the wrath of God that is coming and the display of sin in the world. When we understand this current world, then we appreciate what God delivered us from. Seeking the lost should result.

THE CHRISTIAN IN MODERN TIMES – THE LAST DAYS, AND HOW TO LIVE IN THEM – PART 1 - IMPENDING WRATH [A]. INTRODUCTION TO THE TOPICS Thanks for taking the time to study God’s word with us. Thanks to God for those He blesses. The purpose of these talks is to strengthen one another in days that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-2, 2 Timothy 3:3-5, Isaiah 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Revelation 6:16-17, Revelation 9:20-21, Romans 1:18-20, Romans 1:21-25, Romans 1:26-32, Luke 13:2-5, Romans 2:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Blessing Of Work Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Aug 30, 2021

Labor Day: Work was ordained by God in the beginning and was intended to give us a level of satisfaction and purpose. This topical message looks at some prominent Bible passages on work to see how work is a blessing.

I wish to begin with an illustration: “On one occasion, Thomas Edison came home very exhausted from an extended season of work. His wife insisted that he needed some rest, so she suggested a vacation. Edison mulled it over but wasn’t sure where he should go. His wife said, ‘Just decide where you ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:1-3, Ecclesiastes 9:9-10, 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

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

I Can Relate Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on Dec 15, 2001

Peter gives guidelines for relationships with Saints, Sinners & the Savior.

I Can Relate Text: 1 Peter 3:8-22 Introduction I have different kinds of relationships with different people in my life--and that’s appropriate. Proposition: In the same way as Christians we should relate diferently to different people. Interrogative: This morning as we look at the last ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Facing Yourself

Contributed by Dewayne Gamez on Mar 20, 2017

We typically use this passage to inform the unsaved of God's love regardless of how deeply they have sunken into sin. That truth lives here in this Scripture, and it is indeed beautiful! But there is yet another truth that we will add to this first truth.

Facing Yourself Luke 15:11-32 According to a news report, a certain private school in Victoria recently was faced with a unique problem. A number of 12-year-old girls were beginning to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That was fine, but after they put an their lipstick they would ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

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

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

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

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

Miracles Of Jesus: Healing A Hindrance Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jul 1, 2006

Today, we are going to look at a passage that involves Jesus healing a man from a hindrance. It was of course much more than just removing a restraint, but a miracle by the Master Healer.

MIRACLES OF JESUS: HEALING A HINDRANCE MARK 3:1-6 INTRODUCTION… Survivorman TV Show I started watching a show the other day that I found a little fascinating and a little bizarre at the same time. I think it comes on the Discovery Science Channel. I asked Kelly if she remembered what the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

The Power Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Jan 21, 2008

John 3:16 is known to all. Other 3:16 passages in the New Testament teach us important things about Jesus as well. This is Luke 3:16

(based on a sermon series by Tom Ellsworth) SERIES: “DISCOVER JESUS: The Other 3:16’s” TEXT: LUKE 3:15-18 TITLE: “THE POWER OF JESUS” OPEN: A Last week we began a new series: “Discovering Jesus: The Other 3:16’s” 1. We said that most of us know John 3:16 quite well ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:15-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Name Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Jan 27, 2008

John 3:16 is known to all. Other 3:16 passages in the New Testament teach us important things about Jesus as well. This is Acts 3:16

(adapted from a series by Tom Ellsworth) SERIES: “DISCOVER JESUS: The Other 3:16’s” TEXT: ACTS 3:11-20 TITLE: “THE NAME OF JESUS” OPEN: A. What is so important about a name? 1. How would feel if nobody knew your name? a. When my youngest son ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:11-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Make Your Bible Come Alive Series

Contributed by Greg Addison on Feb 7, 2008

Here is a simple bible study method that anyone can use to understand any passage of scripture. This seromn will teach you step by step how to study your Bible.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR BIBLE COME ALIVE The Bible is the most wonderful and most important book ever written. It contains the most important message ever written – the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, it is also the most taken for granted and ignored book of history. Even those ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-15

Denomination: Baptist