Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Lesson 1

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 17, 2011

Gaining a better understanding of verses that are unclear.

A. INTRODUCTION: WHY SOME VERSES ARE HARD 1. Because God is truthful, He wrote a Bible that is truthful. Truth is consistent with its self, and correlates with reality (the laws of nature). 2. What appears to be a contradiction, has an explanation. 3. We won’t understand everything. Peter ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 17, 2011

Why we don't understand.

A. INTRODUCTION: WHY WE DON’T UNDERSTAND 1. Because we are mentally limited. We don’t understand all things. “He that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth” (John 12:35, KJV). 2. Because we are spiritually blinded. “The god of this world hath blinded ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:4

Denomination: Baptist

When You're Facing A Difficult Decision Series

Contributed by Bob Hostetler on Jul 11, 2001

7 principles for sound decision-making drawn from the life of Moses

The Prince of Egypt: When You’re Facing a Difficult Decision Text: Numbers 11, Exodus 18 It was the hardest decision of my life. Robin and I had served for twelve years as officers—ministers— in The Salvation Army, and for not quite a year we had been pastoring a Salvation Army church in ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 11:10-30, Exodus 18:14-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Message In Jude – The Enoch Passage – Jude 1 V 13-16 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 24, 2022

This message today will be in 4 sections and they will be - The “wandering stars” or “comets”; “The Book of Enoch”; “The Second Coming”; “the ungodly”. The ground covered will be most interesting though it is so diverse. This account so relevant to us right now.

MESSAGE IN JUDE – THE ENOCH PASSAGE – Jude 1 v 13-16 We are steadily working through the book of Jude who was the half brother of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is defending the faith being destroyed by false teachers. Much of his letter is spent exposing these reprobate men who preach false doctrine ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:13-16, Revelation 6:1, Matthew 24:27-31, Matthew 24:37-39, Revelation 19:11-21, 2 Timothy 3:1-4, 2 Peter 3:7, Colossians 4:6, Titus 2:12-14, Romans 5:6, 2 Timothy 3:12-13, Revelation 22:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finding Safety In Faith SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

We are living in challenging and dangerous times. Ignoring this reality is as unwise as trying to confront a Tsunami or a tornado. However, under God's protection, we are invincible. This sermon explores the power of faith and God's protection in our lives.

In these perilous times, it is crucial to pay attention to a message that is often neglected. Just as it would be foolish to stand against a tsunami or a tornado, ignoring this message is equally unwise. The blood of Jesus is the key to victory and protection. "The priest is to take some of the ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 14:14-18

Topics: God's Protection, Faith In Difficult Times

A Simple, Difficult And Necessary Question; A Christmas Reflection

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on Dec 26, 2012

It’s Spiritually necessary for us to contemplate our journey with God and ask one simple question with huge implications. “Have I sold out my life for Jesus?”

I enjoy a Christmas Eve service. I find it ironic though that most of us perceive this service as being a quiet and reflective time. Of course Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birthday, so it’s great we have candles, but, don’t you find it kind of odd that we celebrate his ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ruth - Life Lessons During Difficult Times Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Apr 5, 2013

We all face difficult times in life. It is helpful to know what to expect when we face difficult times so we can prepare to respond in a way that will glorify the Lord and be beneficial to us. What can we learn from the story of Ruth so that we can face

Ruth – Life Lessons during difficult times Ruth 1:1 – 4:21 Running from God does not prove beneficial (Ruth 1:1-5) Following God will lead to… Times of Sacrifice Provision of Needs The Hope of Redemption Intro Slide Good Evening/Morning, We are so glad you are here today. ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living In His Presence During Difficult Times

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 19, 2018

Life is crushingly hard and so often it presents burdens our hearts are unable to bear in our own strength. The key truth is that God is with us through it all. We are not alone even as we walk through the darkest valley.

Living in His Presence during Difficult Times Psalm 23:1-4 Philippians 4:13 As our summer break began a young family suffered the sudden and unexpected death of their infant daughter. Such loss is unimaginable to comprehend. All of our hearts were broken by this news and we are at a loss to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-4, John 14:15-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Deal With Difficult People, Pt. 2

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 14, 2012

This is so contrary to our nature, that not many practice it. Just make sure you do!

How to Deal with Difficult People, pt. 2 Romans 12:14-21 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/120815pm.mp3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html vv. 1-2 Relationship w/ God vv. 3-13 Relationship w/ believers vv. 14-21 Relationship w/ unbelievers in general, and difficult people in particular...when they’re ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Why God Places Us In Difficult Relationships Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Feb 24, 2025

God's ways are often mysterious, and His plans may involve placing us in challenging relationships, including those with narcissistic individuals.

God's ways are often mysterious, and His plans may involve placing us in challenging relationships, including those with narcissistic individuals. Here are few examples of why God might do so: To refine our character: Difficult relationships can help us develop patience, empathy, and ...read more

Paul's Difficult Journey To Rome Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 14, 2024

And Paul took his mission seriously. For two full years it looks like the entire Praetorian guard rotated through his house, one legion member at a time.

Saturday of the 7th Week of Easter 2024 If you have been following the readings from the Acts of the Apostles every day in our service, it looks like Paul appealed to Caesar yesterday and magically he is entering Rome today. That’s because we left off on chapter 25 yesterday and opened up to the ...read more

Scripture: John 21:20-25, Acts 28:16-31

Denomination: Catholic

How To Help Resolve Conflicts With Difficult People

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Conflict resolution is exemplified in Acts 15 by James and the apostles.

ILlustration: Many people find themselves stuck in ruts unable to find a way out of their conflicts. Millions in North America suffer from depression because they are unable to properly channel their feelings of anger, resentment and frustration.Unconsciously, people take out their exasperation ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faithfulness: Following God During Difficult Times PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Explore God's unwavering faithfulness, encourage believers to embody this faithfulness in their own lives, and discuss the blessings that come from living a faithful life.

Good morning, church family! It's wonderful to see all your shining faces today. We're going to dive into a topic that’s near and dear to my heart – God's faithfulness to us, the characteristics of a faithful believer, and the benefits of being faithful. We're going to be hanging out in Hebrews 1 ...read more

Topics: Characteristics, Faithful Believer

Creator Of Clouds Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jan 24, 2026

Everyone loves to look at the beauty of the clouds. The creation of “H2O”. There are many poems have given life to the clouds. As the clouds kiss the peaks of the high mountains. We also call it as fog, mist, and dew.

Theme:  Creator of Clouds Text: Job 36:27-33 Greetings: The Lord is good and His Love endures forever! Introduction: Illustration: I had my first flight from Chennai to Port Blair in Andaman Islands. I as so excited to see the clouds as sponges spread across the ocean. Everyone loves to ...read more

Scripture: Job 36:27-33

Denomination: Methodist

Bible Passages We Would Have Understood If We Were Jewish

Contributed by Richard Goble on Mar 19, 2008

Many today are obsessed with making the Bible fit our cultural perspective, even when it means abandoning sound principles of interpretation. Today we will find how important the historical/cultural context really is to sound biblical exegesis.

BIBLE PASSAGES WE WOULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD IF WE WERE JEWISH Interpreting New Testament passages through Jewish eyes. Various Texts Introduction Illustration: What Children Say About The Bible · In the first book of the Bible, Guinness’s, God got tired of creating the world, so He took the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:20-21

Denomination: Baptist