Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Location. Location. Location.

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Apr 28, 2015

Each of us is either “in Adam” or “in Christ.” That is why I have called my sermon Location. Location. Location. Where you are – what your location is – makes all the difference in the world, and, more than that, it makes all the difference in eternity.

James Montgomery Boice says that this is “possibly the most difficult [passage] in the Bible.” Great! Right? One thing’s for sure: Paul’s argument in these verses is dense and tight. One commentator begins by defining some of the terms in the text in hopes that that will ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Preaching From Philippians #11

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 28, 2021

Many consider this passage of scripture to be one of the most important passages in the Bible. Once we get into these verses, it is easy to see why it is ranked so high by so many.

The reason it is ranked so high is because this passage deals with the example we set before our FAMILY and FRIENDS. Every one of us has influence for GOOD or BAD! Illus: Even Jesse James had a gang that followed him around, and so do we. We have people under our influence. When we speak about ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

Man's Depravity--Illegitimate Birth

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Apr 18, 2012

This passage shatters man’s concept of himself, but it’s a passage that has to be studied very carefully because it is one of the shocking truths revealed by Jesus.

READ passage. This passage shatters man’s concept of himself, but it’s a passage that has to be studied very carefully because it is one of the shocking truths revealed by Jesus. To outline tonight’s study. I. Man is a sinner and short of God’s glory. II. Man sins because ...read more

Scripture: John 8:41-47

Denomination: Baptist

The Twelve Men Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 9, 2017

This nineteenth chapter, and the first seven verses, are one of the most familiar passages in the whole book, but unfortunately it is also one of the most constantly misinterpreted passages. It needs careful consideration.

June 14, 2015 By: Tom Lowe Lesson: IV.D.3.a: The Twelve Men (1-7) Acts 19:1-7 (KJV) 1 And it came to pass, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Rerdeeming The Time

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 13, 2021

The Book of Colossians covers some very important topics. None are more important than what we are going to cover in this passage of scripture. This passage of scripture has a great deal to say about PRAYER.

Many of the things we hear today about PRAYER, have to do with the fact that prayer is a No! No! For example, Carolyn Copeland gives us this story in the Christian Reader. - The daughter of our pastor was asked to give the closing prayer at her high school graduation. A Jewish student was asked to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Denomination: Baptist

Lord, Increase Our Faith

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Oct 18, 2001

how the lord asks us to watch ourselves and each other - a difficult task that needs faith!

October 21, 2001 Luke 17:1-10 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. 2 It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Oh Boy! It's That Sermon Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Feb 4, 2016

The key word today is “submission.” There, I said it. I started my sermon out by using a dirty word. Some of you might think it is a dirty word anyway. Let’s read the passage from Scripture that also uses the dirty word of the day.

OH BOY, IT’S THAT SERMON 1 PETER 3:1-7 INTRODUCTION… Sermoncentral.com illustration contributed by Rob Morton There were three guys talking in the pub. Two of them are talking about the amount of control they have over their wives, while the third remained quiet. After a while one of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Relational Health: Getting Along With People Series

Contributed by Shannon Lewis on Apr 11, 2007

Relationships are very difficult to manage. Add in the stress from outside sources and it’s even more difficult. How do we nurture relationships to health? While certainly not exhaustive, this sermon touches on the issue!

Relational Health: Getting Along With People By Shannon Lewis Wednesday, April 11, 2007 Living Springs Assembly of God Bandera, Texas www.lsagbandera.com Philippians 2: 1-5 1So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-5

The Office Of The Teacher

Contributed by Ed Warfield on Feb 29, 2008

God has set teachers in the body of Christ to purge spiritual ignorance and to ground believers in the Word. Intellectuals often make simple truths difficult to understand. Teachers make even difficult or complex issues understandable.

The Office of the Teacher Intro.: Educators tell us that a 3rd grade reading level is the benchmark educational level for success in our society. This means that anyone with a 3rd grade education can function adequately in life. They should be able to deal with the bank, the IRS, the government, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Charismatic

Finding Meaning In Life

Contributed by Howard Parnell on Oct 3, 2002

Many are desperately searching for true meaning in this life. The answer is found in this passage of Scripture.

FINDING THE MEANING IN LIFE TEXT: ECCLESIASTES. 1:1,2 INTRO: One of the funniest catchphrases of recent years is from an old Wendy’s commercial. An elderly woman and her friends open their hamburger buns and found them virtually bare. The perceptive old lady, who was able to see beyond the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

The Wise Foundation Series

Contributed by Keith Andrews on May 31, 2008

We are looking at a somewhat familiar passage from Matthew 7:21-27. This passage tells the story of the man who built his house on a rock and the man who built his house on the sand. This passage helps us to rethink what foundation we are building our li

The Wise Foundation: June 1, 2008 Keith J. Andrews All Scriptures marked ESV: The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 Wheaton: Standard Bible Society. Ordinary Time/Third Sunday after Pentecost (Green) Matthew 7:21-29 In St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana Sheriff Jack Stephens has a home on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Sons Of God And The Daughters Of Men

Contributed by Thomas Baird on Feb 2, 2004

Dealing with the controversial passage in Geneses chapter 6 referring to the Sons of God and Daughters of men

The Sons of God and the Daughters of Men 1/30/04 Introduction… Tonight’s message is going to be a little different… It is probably going to be like a mix between a Wednesday night Bible study and a Sunday night message.. This evening we are going to visit a very controversial passage of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing Interruptions As Divine Appointments

Contributed by John Selert on Feb 22, 2019

Look at the passage through the lens of a Wounded Healer/ Agent of Reconciliation.

Kairos Community Church Message Notes: Seeing Interruptions As Divine Appointments February 17, 2019 John H. Selert “No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.” – C.S. Lewis 18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:18-25

When We Make A Mess Of Our Lives…

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 17, 2022

An extraordinary thing has happened in this passage of Scripture concerning Jacob.

Sometimes when we get together with others and they tell us of some unusual thing that has happened to them, we feel almost compelled to share some unusual thing that has happened to us. Illus: For example, little Johnny was talking to a couple of boys in the school yard. Each was bragging about ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is The Lord God Of Elijah (1 Of 2)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 4, 2022

As I read through this passage, it appears that Elijah is testing Elisha.

Look at verse 2. He said to Elisha, “...Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Beth-el...” But notice Elisha’s response in that same verse, “...As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee...” Then look at verse 4. Elijah seems to test Elisha again. He ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-15

Denomination: Baptist