Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Walk By Faith

Contributed by Demarquis Johnson on Mar 23, 2013

This sermon reflects on how we walk by faith, but find it difficult to take steps in life by faith

Introduction There are studies and reports about how many steps we take each day. Many men and women working to get in shape wear clickers to track their steps. All of this talk about taking steps is exciting. People who have no concept of God or having faith are exercising faith simply by ...read more

Denomination: *other

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

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

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

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

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

Change: When And How To Embrace It

Contributed by Horng Saw on Jun 27, 2013

An expository teaching on when to change and how to embrace change. The key passage is Ruth chapter 1.

Change happens all the time, be it natural or man-made. Ruth 1:1-5 details a list of changes – there was a change of climate, a change of environment when Elimelech and his family moved to Moab, a change of leadership in the family after the death of Elimelech, a change of culture when ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Perilous Times Shall Come Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 2, 2025

The Bible warns us that as we approach the last days, perilous times will come. These are times of great moral decay, spiritual deception, and increasing wickedness.

PERILOUS TIMES SHALL COME By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Timothy 3:1 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." – Supporting Texts: Matthew 24:12, 2 Peter 3:3-4, 1 Timothy 4:1, Jude 1:17-19, Ephesians 5:15-16 INTRODUCTION The Bible warns us that as we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Love Your Enemies? Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Sep 27, 2011

This message is the second in a series that deals with some of the difficult sayings of Jesus. This message deals with Jesus’ call to love your enemies.

Sometimes we hear something that sounds so unreasonable our response is, “You have got to be kidding.” I believe in our text we encounter Jesus saying something that really sounds unreasonable. In fact this statement goes against what we consider to be reasonable. This statement goes against ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Test Of Faith Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Jun 13, 2005

We will all one day face the most difficult challenge of our lives as we face the test of faith.

Heroes of Faith: Abraham The Test of Faith Genesis 12:1-14 Introduction We want to close this series of sermons on the life of Abraham with the most famous story arising from his life—that of the sacrifice of his son, Isaac. I need to remind you that Abraham had been promised a son through ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

Together With The Spirit

Contributed by Dwayne Brown, Phd on Jun 28, 2005

The prophet Ezekiel was considering a commission and a call. He was contemplating assuming the auspicious and difficult of leading God’s people.

The prophet Ezekiel saw a vision. He was considering a commission and a call. He was contemplating assuming the auspicious and difficult of leading God’s people. And as he lay there by the banks of the Chç - bar, assuming the position of total submission to God, God shared with him a vision. ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 1:4-12

Denomination: Baptist

An Arminian Interprets Romans 9

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 21, 2021

This passage is heavy in election, predestination, and foreknowledge. How does someone who is not a Calvinist interpret it?

Opening Statement of the Inherent Limitations - In beginning to interpret this chapter, it’s important to start with the obvious truth: the questions that this passage raises are vexing issues. Election, predestination, and foreknowledge are the perplexing problems that haunt Romans 9. - A quick ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-33

Denomination: Baptist