Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Why Do We Need To Give Thanks

Contributed by Naveen Balakrishnan on Jun 1, 2005

Paul gives us the reason for thanksgiving in this marvelous passage in Ephesians.

“WHY DO WE NEED TO GIVE THANKS?” EPHESIANS 5:20 We need to give thanks because God has commanded us… 1. To give thanks ALWAYS. (v. 20a) Giving thanks always 1 Chronicles 16:8, 34-35, 41; Psalm 18:49; 30:4, 12; 75:1; 79:13; 92:1; 97:12; 105:1; 106:1, 47; 107:1; 118:1, 29; 119:62; 122:4; ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:20

Denomination: Baptist

Description Of The Christian Worker

Contributed by Tom Walker on Oct 18, 2000

Psalm 126:1-6 is a very interesting and captivating passage.

Psalm 126:1-6 is a very interesting and captivating passage. People interpret it from three different angles. First, some folks view it as prophetic of Israel’s history. No one has known more sorrow than the Jews through the years, but one day that will change. Secondly, others interpret it as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-6

The Healing Of The Lame Man

Contributed by Gino Cascieri on Mar 28, 2001

In this passage the healing of the lame man pictures the conversion of a lost sinner.

"Healing of the Lame Man" Text: Acts 3:1-10 Intro: -In the passage account of the healing of the lame man. -We are going to look at this passage not doctrinally but devotionally. -I believe in the passage that the healing of the lame man pictures the conversion of a lost sinner. I. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Water, Wine And Other Changes

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jan 15, 2007

This passage is not the legitimizer of alcoholic beverages. In fact, it is not about wine at all.

John 2:1-11 January 14, 2007 Second Sunday after the Epiphany - C On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Here Comes The Judge! Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Aug 7, 2009

Let’s look at one of the best known passages in the Bible!

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Can you tell me the one verse in the bible everyone seems to have memorized? • How many times have we just taken a look at another person and made a judgment about them. We take one look at them and we think that we know everything about them? • Have you ever felt the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Secret To Contentment Series

Contributed by Darrin Hunt on Jun 4, 2007

In this passage, we discover how to be truly content, no matter what.

The Secret to Contentment Phil. 4:10-13 Illus. Don’t you just love hearing/telling secrets? •Recently, I spoke at a local Christian school. Afterward, I sat down with a 5 y.o. red-headed girl who proceeded to tell me all about her life. Suddenly, out of the blue, she said, "My Mommy has brown ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus’ Word To Those At The Top And The Bottom

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 15, 2014

This passage is a "sandwich," which leads to some significant parallels and contrasts.

THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THIS PASSAGE: This story is a sandwich. - What does that mean? This is one of the multiple places in the Bible where a story is begun, then interrupted by another story, and then the first story is revisited and concluded. When that happens, there is always a great ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:18-26

Denomination: Baptist

Pride Vs. Politics Vs. Persitence

Contributed by Allan Kircher on Sep 16, 2013

This passage allows us a glimpse both sides of human character.

1Pastor Allan Kircher September 14th, 2013 Judges 8:1-21 PRIDE, POLITICS, AND PERSISTENCE **Please note that sermon is condensed. You need to add in between the /. Intro: some time/looking at the lives/Judges of Israel. • Background of/Ehud/Shamgar/Deborah/Barak • Gideon/fearful ...read more

Scripture: Judges 8:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

God Knows Series

Contributed by Phil Anderson on Dec 27, 2018

Be reminded of three things this passage tells us God knows...

1. God the Father knows all HEARTS (vs 27) Romans 8:27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. ? God knows the hearts of all men and women. So that means that He is very much aware of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus Prayed For His Disciples

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Mar 28, 2012

This passage continues Jesus' prayer as He prays for His disciples.

Last week we listened as Jesus prayed for Himself. He asked that God would glorify Him so that He might glorify the Father. And He also asked that He be restored to His former glory. Tonight’s passage continues that prayer as Jesus prays for His disciples. READ verses 9-10. Jesus says ...read more

Scripture: John 17:9-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord Is My Helper

Contributed by Jerry Stepp on Sep 24, 2011

A wonderful passage to find Help from th eLord

THE LORD IS MY HELPER Psalm 54:1-7 1. THE LORD IS WITH US V4 A. He Never Leaves Hebrews 13:5 says… Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. B. He Is Always Close Proverbs ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 54:1-7

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

Spiritual Blindness

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 25, 2022

This passage of Scripture tells the story of how Elisha captures an army.

Verses 8-23 tell the story of how Elisha captures an army. But what I want us to look at are verses 15-17. Elisha's servant had woken up early and saw the Syrian army encompassed about them. We can sense the fear in his voice as he goes to tell Elisha what he has seen. The devil does the same ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:8-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Watering And Working Series

Contributed by Peter Kelly on Aug 25, 2021

Series #9. The danger of placing a man on a pedestal is the focus of this passage.

This morning we continue to look at Paul’s admonition to the church at Corinth. He tells them that they ought to have matured in their Christian faith during the five years the church in this city has been in existence. Instead they are carnal. By using this term Paul is telling the readers that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:3-9

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