Sermons on Difficult Passages:

David's Growing Confidence In The Lord Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Aug 23, 2019

First Samuel 22:1-23 shows us how to trust in the Lord in difficult circumstances.

Scripture David was now a fugitive on the run from King Saul. Initially, David’s faith in the Lord was superseded by his fear of Saul. As a result of his fear, he made a number of mistakes. He went to Ahimelech, the priest at Nob, and lied to him. Then he left Ahimelech and fled to Achish, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 22:1-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Faithful Through The Challenges

Contributed by John Dobbs on Nov 1, 2020

Our text introduces us to a man who is no stranger to difficult circumstances and challenges - but remains faithful.

Faithful Through the Challenges 1 Kings 17 Introduction We are living in one of the most challenging times. The pandemic, the election, the weather, personal challenges. We try to face these challenges from the perspective of faith. Our text introduces us to a man who is no stranger to ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon On Trust And Freedom

Contributed by William Meakin on Mar 20, 2022

Trust could be said to have a symbiotic relationship with freedom, without one the other is difficult to find.

Robert C. Solomon, an American-born philosopher and author once remarked: “Trust is not bound up with knowledge so much as it is with freedom, the openness to the unknown.” Proverbs 3:5 states: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Galatians 5:1 ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 12:2, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 2:16, Psalm 37:5

In The Spirit

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Sep 24, 2020

When life is difficult, we must cling to our faith in God and find hope and joy.

In The Spirit Philippians 1: 21 - 30 Intro: I read a story of a young man we will call Bob. He decided to go on his first deep-sea fishing trip. After about an hour, he decided that it was the dumbest decision he ever made. With every pitch and roll of the boat, he doubted he could survive the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sowing And Reaping

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 8, 2021

One of the problems with growing old, is that we soon have a difficult time remembering important things.

Illus: It seems the older we get, many of us find ourselves at the bottom of the staircase trying to remember, DO I WANT TO GO UP, OR DID I JUST COME DOWN? When we get like this, we have to be able to come up with something quickly, to get out of the situations we find ourselves in. Illus: For ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7

Denomination: Baptist

The Joy Of The Lord Is Your Strength

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 20, 2014

What is the lesson to be learned from the passage which includes "The Joy of the LORD is Your Strength?

The Joy of the LORD is Your Strength Nehemiah 8:5-12 Introduction Most of us have probably heard the words “The joy of the LORD is your strength”, even though you may not know it comes from the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament. But just what does this mean? Is it simply a call to ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:5-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When A Long Time Seems Like A Long Time

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Feb 21, 2003

This sermon looks at Psalm 13 and what we should try to learn in the difficult and discouraging moments of our lives.

When A Long Time Seems Like A Long Time NLF 2/9/03 1 Samuel 24:1-22 Hebrews 11:32-40 Text Psalms 13:1-6 The title of today’s message is “When a Long Time, Seems Like A Long Time.” There are times in our lives, when we can’t believe how quickly the time has flown by, yet there are other ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

2 Corinthians Series: Sinner Stuff Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Aug 5, 2025

Church discipline is difficult but necessary in the life of a church. We just don't talk about it.

2 CORINTHIANS SERIES Sinner Stuff 2 CORINTHIANS 2:1-17 #2corandmore PERSON FROM CONGREGATION READS 2 CORINTHIANS 2:1-17 READ 2 CORINTHIANS 2:1-17 (ESV) “For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:1-17, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Courage And Faith

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 28, 2024

It explores the themes of courage, faith, and trust in God during difficult times, particularly when faced with ethical dilemmas.

Introduction Hi everyone, let's imagine this situation: I work at the VA, right? And I stumble upon something upsetting. I discovered that some of the bosses in our Community Living Centers, where we promise to look after our veterans, aren't doing the right thing. Now, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Keys To Effective Evangelism Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Sep 15, 2006

There are three things Pauls gives to us in the passage that will help us to be more effective soul-winners.

INTRODUCTION • I want you to take a look in your bulletin for a moment. • I would like for you to look on the inside cover if you would. • On the inside cover you will find a purpose statement. This statement summarizes why we are here as a church. • When you look at the statement, it really ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Love One Another

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

There are fifteen characteristics of love in this passage that the Holy Spirit enables us to express with power if we will let Him

How the Holy Spirit Helps Us Love One Another Illustration:In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, "Do not waste your time bothering whether you ’love’ your neighbor act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Can I Help My Church? Series

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Nov 24, 2008

Today from this passage in the book of 1 Peter we want to take this passage and apply it to a larger theme of servant-hood, and answer the question “How can I help my Church?” this is a message on serving.

How can I help My Church? 1 Peter 5:1-4 Introduction What do you call a chicken crossing the road? Poultry in motion. What do you call a boomerang that doesn’t work? A stick. Where do you find a dog with no legs? Right where you left him. What do you call cheese that isn’t yours? Nacho ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Being Submissive In Days Of Rebellion Series

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Oct 23, 2008

In the passage we will be covering this morning, Peter talks about submission to government, submission to employers, submission in marriage, and submission to other Christians. The thing that we must remember as Peter writes this passage, he is writing

Being Submissive in Days of Rebellion 1 Peter 2:13-3:12 Introduction The word “submit” is the key to this section. This word is very closely related to the word “humility.” To submit requires humility. Today we are living in days of pride and rebellion. In his book “Strong willed Child” Dr. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Book Of Mark #13

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 30, 2022

This is a very interesting passage of scripture. I have asked the Lord to help me make it as clear as possible.

Illus: I do not want to be like the woman who had a cat that she truly loved, named “Pumpkin”. She cherished this cat more than anything in her life. She had to go on a business trip and she had to leave Pumpkin home for her husband to take care of while she was gone. She left Pumpkin reluctantly; ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

To Whom Shall We Go Series

Contributed by Dewayne Bolton on Jun 25, 2012

In the midst of the journey of life there comes times we are distressed and don't know how to handle the difficult situations of life. But thanks be to God there is one we can go too and know He knows the way through life's difficult times.

John 6:66-71 TO WHOM SHALL WE GO Jesus began his ministry in Judea. His success there seemed to be all that could be desired. However it soon became apparent that the crowds that followed Him misunderstood or willfully ignored His purpose. It seemed they followed Him chiefly for material things. ...read more

Scripture: John 6:66-71

Denomination: Holiness