Sermons on Difficult Passages:

How God Chooses A Servant-Leader Series

Contributed by Joel Santos on Oct 9, 2007

Let’s notice in this passage as we think about How God Chooses his Servant-Leader: I. GOD’S CHOICES ARE SOVEREIGN II. GOD’S CHOICES ARE SURPRISING III. GOD’S CHOICES ARE SPECIFIC

HOW GOD CHOOSES A SERVANT-LEADER 1 Samuel 16:1-13 This chapter opens with God reminding Samuel of the fact that He has rejected Saul as king of Israel. Saul was chosen as king because the people wanted to be like the other nations around them, 1 Sam. 8:1-5. Up to that point, God had ruled the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Something To Hold On To Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Sep 5, 2025

In the storms of life, when things look really bad, can we trust that God will keep his promises? In this series of lessons we will be looking in the Scriptures for some of the promises of God that will see us through the difficult days - and we all have them

The Shelter of God’s Promises #1 Something To Hold On To For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. - 2 Corinthians 1:20 Introduction Sheila Walsh begins her book The Shelter of God’s Promises by telling of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Evidence Of Faith

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 28, 2012

This passage pictures one of the great lessons of the gospel and that is the evidence of faith. Jesus has just challenged us to open our eyes and look because the fields are white for harvest. Of course, He was talking about witnessing, about sharing th

Tonight’s passage is a fairly short passage and is really a very simply passage, but it pictures one of the great lessons of the gospel and that is the evidence of faith. We are still in chapter 4 of John verses 43-45. Jesus has just challenged us to open our eyes and look because the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:43-45

Denomination: Baptist

The Christian In Modern Times – The Last Days, And How To Live In Them – Practical Issues - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 2, 2024

Looking at the wrath of God and the discipline of God. We will shed some light on our times so we can understand them better; and how to live in them; practical issues. Days become difficult and more confusing. We need to understand our times.

THE CHRISTIAN IN MODERN TIMES – THE LAST DAYS, AND HOW TO LIVE IN THEM – PRACTICAL ISSUES - PART 2 This next message continues on from Part 1 from a series given in England. I am trying to shed some light on our times so we can understand them better; and how to live in them. [7]. THE LAST ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, Romans 5:9, Isaiah 53:5-6, 2 Corinthians 5:21, John 19:30, 2 Timothy 3:12, John 3:36, Hebrews 12:5-11, Psalm 119:67-68, Psalm 119:71, Psalm 25:18, Psalm 22:24, Romans 5:2-5, 2 Timothy 2:3-5, Matthew 5:10-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Jesus Welcome Among Us? Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Aug 16, 2017

As Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth for the second time, His reception was any better than the first visit. He was not welcomed among His own people. This passage begs the question - is Jesus really wanted and welcome in the average church?

Is Jesus Welcome among Us? Mark 6: 1-6 I trust we have met tonight to worship the Lord. He is our Savior, the Master of our lives, and the Rock upon which the church is built. Ours isn’t a civic organization conducting community business, but a living organism concerned with heavenly business. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

A Secret Weapon For Getting People To Want Jesus Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 19, 2018

In this passage Paul speaks of throwing his "heart wide open" to the Corinthians. Could it be that the deep relationships that will come from doing that might be the church's secret weapon for attracting people to Jesus in a culture overwhelmed by loneliness?

DANGER SIGNS ON CHURCH FRIENDSHIPS: Shallow conversation, safe prayer requests, and busy pastors. - Sometimes church members can be mean to each other, but even in good times many church friendships are characterized by their lack of depth. What are some of the signs? a. Shallow conversation. - ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

"Death And The Dance: David, Uzzah, And The Ark”

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 7, 2002

God is holy, and not to be trifled with. We wisely enter His presence with the awareness that He is a consuming fire.

“Death and the Dance: David, Uzzah, and the Ark”, II Samuel 6 This chapter qualifies as one of the difficult passages of Scripture. We are taken aback at the harsh action of God, in what we might regard as a merciless act of justice. On the surface, we see Uzzah doing what appears as a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:1-23, 2 Samuel 6:17-22

Denomination: Congregational

Eat For The Journey Is Far PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 2, 2024

This sermon explores how to endure life's trials by relying on God's Word, growing spiritually, and listening to His guidance amidst our fears and despair. Key

Good morning, dear family of God. It is indeed a joy to stand before you today, in the house of our Lord, to share His divine Word. We gather here, not as strangers, but as brothers and sisters united in the love of Christ. We are here to learn, to grow, to be molded in the image of our Savior, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-20

Topics: Adversity, Adversaries

First And Last Things Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Aug 7, 2008

We live in a world that is often difficult to understand, where sometimes we just have to trust that God is in control, even if it seems that things are upside down, even if we find we can’t straighten out the things that are crooked in this world. But we

How did a book like Ecclesiastes get in the Bible? Did someone make a mistake, do you think? I don’t know about you but I find the beginning of the book a bit depressing. Some people find it quite disturbing as it reinforces the doubts that they may have already about God’s place in the scheme of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

Blessed In Christ Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Jul 10, 2014

Life is hard, even for Christians. In those difficult times we can sometimes forget the blessings we have in Christ. But when we start to see the bigger picture and understand how we are blessed in Christ, we can truly live in the joy of those blessings.

Ok, I want to start with a question. Do you know where you are? That is kind of a funny question, isn’t it? Because of course you know where you are. But the reality is, that sometimes, we may not fully understand where we are until we see the bigger picture of our location and the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Hope Of Glory Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jan 9, 2012

This concept of future glory in relation to present suffering becomes the theme of our present passage. The afflictions which we are call on to endure are not only consistent to being a child of God but may come because we are a child of God. But they co

ROMANS 8: 18-25-27 THE HOPE OF GLORY [2 Corinthians 4:15-18] The preceding verse introduced the thought of participating in the suffering of Christ so that we may participate in the glory of Christ (8:17). This concept of future glory in relation to present suffering becomes the theme of our ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest Promise Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jul 11, 2016

God is righteous and perfect and keeps all promises made. This morning as we read in 1 John 2, we are going to find a passage that is full of different ideas, but at the center of it is the greatest promise you and I have from God.

THE GREATEST PROMISE 1 JOHN 2:18-29 #promise INTRODUCTION… http://list25.com/25-craziest-political-promises-ever/1/ Everyone knows that when it comes to promises, politicians make a whole lot of them. They do not have a monopoly on making promises or breaking promises, but they are ones ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Afterlife, Sex And Resurrection Series

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Oct 19, 2016

In this passage Jesus reveals to us some insight about the Resurrected Life and Heaven - 1. Resurrected Life is not like our earthly life 2. Angels so exist 3. Resurrection is real and therefore there will be a time of reward or punishment

Scripture: Luke 20:27-38; Psalms 98; Haggai 1:15 - 2:9 Title: Afterlife, Sex and Resurrection Theme: Resurrection Life Proposition: Jesus reveals to us some insight about the Resurrected Life and Heaven - 1. Resurrected Life is not like our earthly life 2. Angels exist 3. Resurrection ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-38, Luke 21:5-19

Denomination: Nazarene

A Longing To Be With God

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jun 3, 2025

The Psalms are filled with Praise. This is so helpful when we consider our own need to praise God in prayer. This reminds us that we should be willing to praise even when times are difficult and we struggle. What a wonderful sourcebook of songs and prayers.

Introduction What we should remember when studying the Psalms: The Psalms are filled with Praise. This is so helpful when we consider our own need to praise God in prayer. This reminds us that we should be willing to praise even when times are difficult and we struggle. What a wonderful ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Matthew 5 – Part 17 – What Is So Wrong With Swearing? Everyone Does It! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 7, 2010

Why is the F*** word and and the Sh** word used so freely today? Jesus doesn’t directly include this in what He says about oaths in Matthew 5 but it is there by way of application and other passages enlarge on this area of sin, so I am taking a detour.

Matthew 5 – Part 17 – WHAT IS SO WRONG WITH SWEARING? EVERYONE DOES IT! Why is the F*** word and and the Sh** word used so freely today? Jesus doesn’t directly include this in what He says about oaths in Matthew 5 but it is there by way of application and other passages enlarge on this. Is it a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational