Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Jesus' Family Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

In our passage, Jesus will use a family misunderstanding to give us greater understanding of his life and work.

Introduction Mothers, have you ever wondered what it would have been like to have Jesus for a son. At first thought, it would seem wonderful. Just think, a child – a son, no less – who doesn’t misbehave. He never lies to you; he does all of his chores; he doesn’t get ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:31-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

God's Messengers Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 25, 2013

Hosea brings an important message to the people of God through his life and his preaching. God put Hosea in a difficult position where he was living out his message while he was preaching it to God’s people. This was extremely difficult, but also showed

GOD’S MESSENGERS CHAPTER 15, “THE STORY” Hosea 1-14 INTRODUCTION… “The Story” so far by the numbers This morning as we begin to think about this chapter in the story, I want to share some numbers with you: 15 is the number of weeks we have been going through ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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

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

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

Surrendering

Contributed by Sam Peters on Mar 1, 2007

Too often when we are confronted with a difficult situation we strive to solve it ourselves instead of letting God be God.

Surrendering – Let Go, Let God Text – Daniel 6:10, 16-24 Situation: Your company has made announcements that it is cutting 100 jobs across the company in an effort to trim expenses and increase shareholder equity. The cuts will be made after upper management reviews employee performance. What do ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:10-24

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

Contamination Of A Nation

Contributed by Juan Lane on Aug 11, 2005

The passage helps us to undersatnd that we need to make a clear decision about who we will serve

Contamination of a Nation “Salt Water Intrusion” Scripture Reference: James 3:10-12 (KJV) James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my ...read more

Scripture: James 3:10-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Lessons From A Lonely Apostle Series

Contributed by Donald Mcculley on Mar 18, 2019

Paul closes out this letter with some personal remarks. From this passage we learn several truths.

LESSONS FROM A LONELY APOSTLE II TIMOTHY 4:9-18 Introduction: Someone once said, “It’s lonely at the top.” I have news for you. “It’s lonely at the bottom too!” Paul closes out this letter with some personal remarks. From this passage we learn several truths. I. There Will Always be People ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Life Of Abraham, Part 11: Sodom And Gomorrah Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 11, 2014

This passage seems to be an excursus from the life of Abraham. But it offers critical insight to our pilgrimage of fath.

The Life of Abraham, Part 11: Sodom and Gomorrah Genesis 19:1-38 Introduction In the last lesson the desire of the LORD to find reason to spare the wicked was revealed to Abraham. Abraham’s concern to the LORD’s message that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah was that the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:1-38

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Perils Of Not Being A Christian

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

1. Have you ever stopped to consider the many perils of not being a Christian? Paul did in this passage.

1. Have you ever stopped to consider the many perils of not being a Christian? Paul did in this passage. In these verses Paul writes, "Therefore, God gave them up to their uncleanness." It is a terrible thing to be given over to one’s sinful nature. The degradation of self-destructive sinful ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:21-24

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed