Sermons on Difficult Passages:

How God Responds To Our Generosity

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 16, 2019

It's difficult to be generous with our money. Seeing how God has promised to respond to our generosity is encouraging and that's exactly what this passage provides.

SCARED TO BE GENEROUS: “I would be more generous, but I’m barely making it now.” - We all know that generosity is admirable. We know that it’s embarrassing to be identified as being stingy. - But we struggle to be generous. One of the reasons that we don’t end up being as generous as we would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

Shaken Not Stirred Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Jul 1, 2009

Don’t ask God to change the situation, ask God to give you the courage to make it through the situation AND ask for the Holy Spirit to work through you.

I have a friend who started this church in the lower 48 that was so successful that they had a difficult time finding a place to meet for Sunday services. They had so many people showing up on Sunday they were literally standing in the parking lot waiting for a seat in the next service. The church ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

2015 The Year Of Change

Contributed by Dr.w.samuel Legon on Dec 27, 2014

Things God will do in 2015 is this the year?

2015 THE YEAR OF CHANGE The number 15 in the bible pictures rest which comes after deliverance. 1st Hebrew month Nisan {Feast of unleaded bread} King Hezekiah prayed and God added 15 years to his life as he ask. 2nd Kings 20:1-6 Prophetically 15th day 7th month pictures the coming ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Responding To Disappointments: A Star And A Stable (Epiphany)

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Jan 20, 2020

Difficulties are part of life, how we respond is what makes the difference. Joseph and Mary faced the difficulty of being refugees in the land of Egypt in order to save the child Jesus from Herod. The "ah ha" moment is when we realize God is with us no matter where we find ourselves.

Stars and a Stable: Responding to Disappointments One of my closest friends loves UGA! He’s a graduate and a dedicated football loyalist. Now let’s not question his Christianity just yet. He has a saying, "When I die, make sure you chant the Eucharist at my funeral mass. And make sure the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Episcopal

Dangerous Times (2 Timothy 3)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 12, 2024

Are we in dangerous times to be a Christian? Let's discuss this in 2 Timothy 3.

Will perilous times come in the last days? Should we avoid certain people? Did Paul suffer for preaching the truth? Do some ministers today suffer because they faithfully preach truth? Would they believe that all scripture is God-breathed? Let’s find out in 2 Timothy 3. Are we in dangerous times? ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Trust In The Lord - Psalm 46:1-2 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 29, 2025

Explore a powerful truth found in Psalm 46:1-2 which speaks of God as our refuge and strength, a help in times of trouble.

Go! And Trust in the Lord - Psalm 46:1-2 Introduction Today, we are going to explore a powerful truth found in Psalm 46:1-2. This passage speaks of God as our refuge and strength, a help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1-2 (NLT) says: "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-2, Proverbs 18:10, Isaiah 40:29, Hebrews 13:5

Denomination: Pentecostal

So Near And Yet So Far (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Stephen Wright on Dec 11, 2005

7 explanations of this passage. Why I rule them out, but with important truths that we can learn along the way.

The other options As I said last time I came across 7 explanations of this passage. Having given some reasons for my choice, I want to look at the other options today. In part this is to explain why I rule them out, but there is also an important element of truth in most of them and I want us to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:4-9

Denomination: Baptist

Five Insights The ‘bride Of Christ’ Analogy Gives

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 7, 2019

The "bride of Christ" analogy is one that can be difficult. Looking at several of the New Testament passages referencing that, this sermon unpacks five ideas about the church being the "bride of Christ."

- Beautiful but opaque analogy of the church as the bride of Christ. What does that mean? - That nature and frequency of analogies in the Bible. - The Bible often uses similar analogies as word pictures of who we are. A few examples: a. The branch. - In John 15 Jesus refers to Himself as the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-2, Ephesians 5:22-32, Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:9, John 3:29, Revelation 19:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Loving Others Can Be So Difficult, That Is Why We Need God To Do It.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Sep 23, 2014

Loving others is so much under stood. The world walks over Christians, and we simply let them. Jesus didn’t, so neither should we. Read on and be blessed!

This sermon was delivered to St Oswald’s in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 5th September 2014 (a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries). Summary: Loving others is so much under stood. The world walks over Christians, and we simply let them. Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-14

Denomination: Episcopal

Nursing Home - Loving Your Neighbor Pt. 1 Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Billhimer on Jan 9, 2025

I’d like to Start with a few questions: ● Was it difficult for you to move into this care home? ● How difficult was it? A Little? Very difficult?

(These questions can be conversational if there is time. Many residents will want to share how their experience went. Listen closely and take note. Otherwise they are simply relational to inspire residents to act based on their compassion and empathy having been through the same process as new ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:7-8, 1 John 4:9-10, 1 John 4:11-12

New Beginnings; Old Themes

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Feb 26, 2013

It is difficult but essential to put the Greatest Commandment into practice when life's circumstances are difficult.

I am very pleased to report that we had a great family vacation, and I hope you will be pleased to hear that I am back at work ready to tackle a new season of ministry together. In many ways it does feel like a new season, and I want to talk about that a little more in a few moments. But first I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-39

Denomination: Baptist

What Jesus Did For You! Series

Contributed by John Hamby on May 20, 2008

The three questions that arise from this passage are, Where did Christ go? To whom did Christ go? and What does Christ proclaim to them?

A Study of the Book of 1st Peter Finding Hope In Our Lives Sermon # 10 “What Jesus Did For You” 1 Peter 3:18-22 Most of the Bible is easy to understand. But as you preach ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Sayings Of Jesus Part 6 Series

Contributed by Martin Holland on Nov 20, 2013

Jesus speaks on a very difficult subject divorce. The subject is difficult not because of God, but the hardness of man's heart.

The Sayings of Jesus Part 6 Matt. 5:31-32 Jesus speaks concerning the law expounds upon it with “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time” “But I say unto you” He expounds upon the 6th and 7th commandments “Thou shalt not kill” and “Thou shalt not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Give Up!

Contributed by Delishia Davis on May 5, 2017

Empowerment for the journey

“Day and night I’ll stick with God; I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.” Psalm 16:8 King David records his most intimate thoughts in the writings of the Psalms. He begins Psalm 16 with a declaration that the Almighty God is in control of his life, and seeks him for safety. This is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:8

Denomination: United Methodist

Bear One Another's Burden Series

Contributed by Bledar Valca on Mar 23, 2007

One another passages

Bear One Another’s Burdens Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the Law of Christ (NASB) Last week I took my dad to hospital for a check up. As we were waiting for the doctor to come and do the check up my brother-in-law came and was very worried. Working in the ER he comes ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ