Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Blessed Are The Peacemakers Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Sep 3, 2022

Continuing our look into these difficult words from Jesus to help us become more like Him.

Blessed are the Peacemakers Matthew 5:1-9 September 4, 2022 For the past 6 weeks, we’ve been looking at the beatitudes from Matthew 5. Jesus gave us some very difficult to follow rules for living life. Yet, they are so needed. Let’s look at what He’s told us so far - - - 3 Blessed are the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-9, 1 Peter 1:3-4, Galatians 3:23-26, Romans 5:1

Denomination: Baptist

Beauty For Ashes

Contributed by Val Black on Oct 4, 2022

If your church is experiencing division or has gone through a difficult split, this message offers hope and encouragement.

Sunday a.m. - January 20, 2008 “Beauty For Ashes” (NOTE: This message was the first one I gave to a church that had just gone through a split and the congregation was hurting and confused how such a thing could happen) I. Background: The church in Antioch has gathered together. A word of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3, Genesis 50:20

Denomination: Charismatic

Living Life To The Fullest From The Womb To The Tomb Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 24, 2023

Logotherapy centers on 3 things: 1) Work 2) Relationships 3) Courage during difficult times

HoHum: Billy Graham was talking to Art Linkletter when Art mentioned that after he went to heaven, the evangelist would need to find a new line of work, a new purpose. A bit taken aback, Graham asked why. Art replied, “Well, they don’t really need preachers in heaven, do they?” WBTU: This is ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:9, John 1:14, John 19:30, 1 Peter 4:1-2, 1 Peter 4:19, 2 Timothy 2:11-12, James 1:12, Philippians 3:10, Isaiah 53:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Encouraging The Servant Of God Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Apr 4, 2025

Acts 18:1-17 shows us how God encourages his servants in difficult circumstances.

Introduction “The Christian’s chief occupational hazards are depression and discouragement” (John Blanchard, The Complete Gathered Gold: A Treasury of Quotations for Christians [Webster, New York; Darlington, England: Evangelical Press, 2006], 145). So writes the Rev. Dr. John R. W. Stott, my ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

For Such A Time As This

Contributed by Rolando, Jr Pama on Sep 23, 2023

God has a plan for your life. There are times when God will ask you to do things that are difficult.

1. God determined a plan for you. Jeremiah 29:11 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 1:5 5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:14

He Made A Way Out Of No Way PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 14, 2023

To explore and understand God's power to deliver, His provision in difficult times, and His faithfulness to His promises.

Welcome, beloved family and friends, to our Sunday service. Today, we're going to take a journey back to a familiar place in scripture, Exodus 14:1-14. We'll be exploring a theme that is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago - God's Power to Deliver, His Provision in Difficult Times, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:1-14

Topics: Same

We Have Hope Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Because Jesus is alive, we can place our hope in His plans and purposes for our life, even in difficult times.

Today, we're gonna talk about hope. You know, that feeling you get when you're looking forward to something awesome? Well, we're gonna see how Jesus gives us the ultimate hope. So, let's dive in! Object Lesson: Bring in a small plant or seedling. Talk about how it starts as a tiny seed, but with ...read more

Topics: Hope In Jesus, Divine Embrace, Spiritual Discovery, Christian Hope

And Your Joy Will Be Complete

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Sep 9, 2013

In today’s passage we see Jesus encouraging his disciples by telling them that their grief will turn to joy. Not only would they have joy, but they would have complete joy. In this passage I see seven reasons why our joy is complete.

“AND YOUR JOY WILL BE COMPLETE” John 16:16-33 INTRODUCTION: In the previous verses, Jesus is explaining to his disciples that he’s going to be leaving them but it is actually a good thing because then the Holy spirit would come. In today’s passage we see Jesus encouraging ...read more

Scripture: John 16:16-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Trusting On God's Promises Series

Contributed by Rule Digal on Aug 12, 2008

That’s the wonder of constantly walking with God by faith. Difficult circumstances will turn into a time to experience God’s grace and blessings. It is so because, as we constantly walk by faith, we can trust that during our difficult times in life God sh

Theme: TRUSTING ON GOD’S PROMISES Text: Genesis 13: 14-18 Introduction A. Abraham was a man who walked by faith. This is seen in how he dealt the problem that arose between himself and Lot. We learned that he willingly placed the needs of Lot ahead of his own because of three reasons: -He gave ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:14-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Fruit Of The Spirit: Patience, Kindness

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jul 15, 2023

We look at two fruit of the spirit: patience and kindness. We need patience! People are difficult. Other Christians can be difficult. Ministry takes time to bear fruit. And we need to show kindness. We may not realise what a fundamental quality it is for a Christian.

RUCKSACK ILLUSTRATION, EARLIER IN THE SERVICE. Narrator: ‘Today, Sam, Gifty, Vanessa and Cyril are going camping. Vanessa and Cyril are very excited about it. Vanessa gets to work packing two rucksacks. She is very thoughtful; she doesn’t want Cyril’s rucksack to be too heavy for him. She ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22, 1 Timothy 1:16, Romans 8:29, Galatians 6:9, Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 3:12-17, Ephesians 4:32  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Comfort One Another With These Words

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 4, 2023

What does this well-known passage from 1 Thessalonians teach us about death and resurrection?

Comfort One Another with These Words 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 This morning’s passage is well known, especially among evangelicals. It is quoted as mentioning an event called the “Rapture.” Other than agreeing on the term, the interpretations of just what the rapture is and when it will happen ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Genesis Controversies And Contradictions Series

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Oct 26, 2000

The purpose of this study is to strengthen your faith by understanding these Genesis passages that are often accused of being contradictory.

Genesis Controversies and Contradictions Before we depart from the origin stories in Genesis, I believe it is necessary to address common questions and misunderstandings of this portion of the Bible. The book of Genesis is the most attacked book in the Old Testament if not the most attacked book ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7-20

Denomination: Baptist

God's Blueprint For Ministry

Contributed by Steven Dow on Oct 9, 2002

From this passage we will discover God’s blueprint for effective ministry modeled for us by the apostle Paul.

God’s Blueprint For Effective Ministry Paul’s Ministry Manual 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 October 13, 2002 Introduction: (v. 1) Too many churches today are doing ministry their way instead of doing it God’s way. In fact so many of us have been doing ministry our way for so long that we don’t even ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Hero Of Faith PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

Unwavering trust and obedience to God, even in difficult circumstances, leads to blessings and serves as an inspiring example for our own walk with the Lord.

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive into a story from the life of Abraham – a story that teaches us about obedience to God. As A.W. Tozer once wrote, "The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God and the Church is famishing for want of His Presence." In order to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19

Topics: Obedience

Receiving The Gift Of Worship Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 2, 2009

As changes in worship style come, many will find the changes difficult to accept, but it will be easier if we see Liturgy as primarily a divine gift.

May 4, 2009 Sacramentum Caritatis when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, "Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?" When the RSV translation talks about “the circumcision party,” we get an unintended pun in English. Literally, it refers to a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Catholic