Sermons on Difficult Passages:

My Heart Is Troubled

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Mar 31, 2006

Following the example of Christ Jesus, our prayer in the difficult places of our lives should be for God’s name to be glorified.

John 12: 20 – 33 My Soul Is Troubled Intro: We’ve all heard the old spiritual, “Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen.” --- We earnestly believe that nobody else in the world has had the same troubles we have or to the degree that we have. What we are forgetting is the second line of that song, ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Does Jesus Tell His Disciples Not To Tell People That He Is The Christ Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 1, 2025

This passage provides an interesting insight into why Jesus told His disciples not to tell anyone He was the Christ.

KEEP QUIET: Proclaiming that Jesus was the Christ would create a lot of wrong expectations. - Luke 9:18-21. - It’s an odd thing to hear Jesus telling His disciples to not tell people that He is the Christ. You would generally think that He would want it proclaimed often and loudly from every ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-26

Denomination: Baptist

It's Time To Get The Ashes Off The Altar

Contributed by Bishop William Bryant Wilmore, Jr. on Jul 19, 2007

Often our lives are cluttered by the residue of past experiences, making it difficult for us to receive the full blessings of God.

Text: Numbers 4:13 "And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon..." My brothers and sisters, biblically, the origin of the altar goes clear back to Genesis when Noah built an altar to offer sacrifices after the flood. Genesis 8 & 20 says: "And Noah ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 4:13, Ezra 4:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

John Series Sermon 23 The Evidence Of Faith John 4:43–45 Series

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Mar 27, 2022

This passage is very simple, yet it pictures one of the great lessons of the gospel—the evidence of faith.

John Series Sermon 23 The Evidence of Faith John 4:43–45 (4:43–45) Introduction: this passage is very simple, yet it pictures one of the great lessons of the gospel—the evidence of faith. 1. The setting: Jesus entered Galilee (v.43). 2. The first evidence of faith: honoring Jesus (v.44). 3. The ...read more

Scripture: John 4:43-45

Denomination: Baptist

The Reinstatement & Restoration Of Peter

Contributed by Diana Ball on Jan 4, 2011

We look at the reinstatement of Peter, using the passage in John 21 as our reference.

After Jesus finished dealing with the physical needs of the Disciples, He then turned to dealing with their spiritual needs. In these verses, we see that Jesus is examining Peter, internally. Peter had repented and been restored to fellowship with the Lord since he had publicly denied Him. ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Denomination: Nazarene

Intro To The Psalms #1 Series

Contributed by Rob Hall on Nov 20, 2012

just a brief intro to Israel's hymnbook as we begin a look at selected passages

#1 INTRO TO THE PSALMS Intro: 1. Sometimes when I pray I can't think of the words, I can't utter what is in my heart 2. For some reason I think I might offend God if I'm honest, or angry or guilty 3. The Psalms corrects me in this and anchors me in my soul 4. I want to begin a brief look at the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Instructions For Ministers Series

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Nov 19, 2015

In this passage God is going to pinpoint His complaint against His chosen ministers.

Scripture Introduction: Please turn to Malachi 2:1-9. Do you think God has specific expectations from His ministers? In this passage God is going to pinpoint His complaint against His chosen ministers. FCF: People need to know God’s expectations for ministers. What instructions does God ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

True Wisdom

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Mar 26, 2012

In today's passage James highlights the difference between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom.

TRUE WISDOM James 3:13-18 INTRODUCTION: Four people who were the only people on board one of those small planes. There was the pilot, a pastor, a Boy Scout, and the smartest man in the world. All of a sudden, the pilot came back to the cabin and informed everybody that the plane was going down. ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Subject Of Worship

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Apr 17, 2012

Man’s whole concept and approach to worship is changed by Jesus in this passage.

We’re still in John 4 in the story of the Samaritan woman and Jesus at the well. Jesus has offered her the Living Water that only He can offer but there are some matters that need to be cleared up before she can truly receive this living water. Last week she was confronted with the matter ...read more

Scripture: John 4:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2: The Darkness Terminated. Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 7, 2018

This passage provides additional information about the work God did on the first day.

May 3, 2013 Book of Genesis By: Tom Lowe PART: I GENERAL HISTORY FROM ADAM TO ABRAHAM—Gen. 1:1-11:9. Topic #A: An Account of Creation. Gen. 1:1-2:7. LESSON I.A.2: THE DARKNESS TERMINATED. Scripture: Gen. 1:3-5. GEN. 1:3-5. (KJV) 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Empowered Detectives Series

Contributed by Rick Macdonald on Aug 8, 2001

In our passage today, we are told that Jesus spoke the wisdom of God in a mystery.

The Baptism with the Holy Spirit - part 2 THE GREAT EMPOWERED DETECTIVES 1Corinthians 2:7-16 August 6, 2000 By Pastor Rick MacDonald Introduction I have always loved a great mystery. As a child, I used to watch Sherlock Holmes with Basil Rathbone on Sunday afternoons. What makes a mystery so ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:7-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Christian Response To A Church Fight Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 15, 2019

This challenging passage gives us insight into Paul's handling of contention.

- Let me acknowledge up front that this can be a challenging passage. It’s not easily clear how all the pieces go together. As we wander through these six verses, hopefully we can bring them together in a meaningful way. THE STARTING POINT OF THE CHURCH FIGHT: Paul didn’t measure up to their ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Misunderstanding True Wisdom Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Nov 12, 2019

This passage is a detailed instruction about wisdom—what it is and how we are to use it.

Tonight’s passage is a detailed instruction about wisdom—what it is and how we are to use it. Many are guilty of twisting and adjusting wisdom to mean what they want. One of the greatest temptations that ever confronts us is the temptation to twist true wisdom. This is what this passage ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Source Of Peace, Joy, And Security Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jul 30, 2024

God's peace, joy, and security are all displayed in this one passage

Jesus begins tonight’s passage where we began a few weeks ago by saying, READ. Let’s look tonight at the source of our peace, our joy, and our security. Let’s start by talking a little about this peace that Jesus mentions. Peace means to bind together, to join, to weave together. It means that ...read more

Scripture: John 14:27-31

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Reflect On The Cross Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 24, 2025

Matthew 27:25 is a passage that carries both profound weight and incredible significance.

Go! And Reflect on the Cross Introduction Today, as we continue our journey through the Word of God, we approach a passage that carries both profound weight and incredible significance. Our key text is Matthew 27:25 (NLT): "And all the people yelled back, 'We will take responsibility for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:25, Romans 3:23, Isaiah 53:5, 2 Corinthians 5:21, John 3:16, Romans 5:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal