Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Making Hard Choices

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 1, 2009

Today’s world is filled with energy-saving devices that make life easier, but there is something to be said for embracing life’s challenges. The apostle Paul found serving Christ hard, but he didn’t see it as a cause of discouragement. The goal was worth

Opening illustration: On September 12th, 1962, President JF Kennedy delivered a speech at Rice University in Houston, TX, about the difficult challenges facing the nation. He also shared his passion for the US to place a man on the moon. In balancing the needs of his people with the desire to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Perseverance Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 24, 2009

There is a process in our becoming all that God credated us to be. This is the human side of the divine change.

James 1:2-4, 22-25 “Perseverance” INTRODUCTION When it comes to travel, I think many of us are highway people. We want to go the fastest way possible in order to get to our destination as quickly as we can. We aren’t really interested in seeing the sights or stopping at the tourist ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Moms Who Cannot Be June Cleaver

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 13, 2013

Moms usually find themselves in less than ideal situations, but the calling to motherhood includes doing the best you can in your less-than-ideal environment.

Moms Who Cannot Be June Cleaver (topical) 1. Not everyone has a gentle mom. A police recruit was asked during the exam, 'What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?' He answered, 'Call for backup.' [myenglishpages.com] 2. Of course children perceive life quite differently from adults. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Preparing For The Present Troubles And The Joy Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Nov 4, 2021

This message focuses around the events of John 14:1-6 when Jesus was preparing his disciples for the events ahead of them that night, throughout life, and preparing for heaven.

PREPARING FOR THE PRESENT TROUBLES, AND THE JOY OF HEAVEN John 14 Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ September 20, 2021 Video Link: https://youtu.be/6YY1guN-YIs I) JESUS WAS PREPARING THEM FOR THE EVENTS AHEAD THAT NIGHT. 1) Let not your hearts be troubled (14:1a.) A) In one sense there ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, John 14:15-27, Revelation 21:16, Acts 4:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Genesis 26 - What Does Trusting In Christ In Difficult Times Look Like? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Oct 12, 2011

What does trusting in Christ look like? What difference does it make if I give my life to Christ? Isaac is a believer. His brother Esau is not. We can learn a lot from their journey in Genesis 26.

Genesis 26 - WHAT DOES TRUSTING IN CHRIST IN DIFFICULT TIMES LOOK LIKE? 1. Genesis 26:1 - MY WANTS WILL LINE UP WITH GOD’S DESIRES GOD RIDES A MOUNTAIN BIKE She has no money or likelihood of obtaining the $500 needed for its purchase, but my daughter Rachel sees a beautiful green bicycle with a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 26:1-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Face Trials? James 5:7-11

Contributed by Shine Thomas on Feb 17, 2018

Are you going through a trial? Read this sermon how to face trials and the purpose of trials and have a divine perspective on facing trials.

Follow us on: Website: https://cityharvestag.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityHarvestA... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cityharvestag/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CityHarvestAGChurch/featured A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials. ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-11, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Romans 8:18, Hebrews 11:32-37, Hebrews 12:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jeremiah's Performance Review Series

Contributed by Jim Martin on Nov 20, 2012

In Jeremiah 19 there is the climactic scene where Jeremiah is instructed to smash at the gate of the city in front of the leaders of Jerusalem. The clash of worldviews and the significant emotional cargo of this passage seemed difficult to render to a mod

Jeremiah’s Performance Review by Jim Martin The River Church Community Sunday, November 18th, 2007 The River Church Community ACT I Scene 1 The intro has to set up that the book of Jeremiah and this story arc in the OT are all about God trying to warn his people that if they ...read more

Denomination: *other

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