Sermons on Difficult Passages:

The Doors: Releasing Your Child Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on May 3, 2008

#4 in a six week series on marriage and parenting. This message discusses the difficult task of releasing your child.

"THE DOORS: RELEASING YOUR CHILD" Home Improvement - Week 4 1 SAM. 1:10-11, 24-27, Luke 15:11-13 INTRODUCTION: You know, of all the areas that we have talked about in this child rearing portion of our home improvement series, certainly for me and I think for all of us as parents.. releasing ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:10-27

Denomination: Christian Church

The Great Contender

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jul 24, 2013

Contending for the faith is not winning arguments. It is much harder. It involves difficult things like prayer and displays of mercy.

1. Swedish Military The Swedish military has cut back from around-the-clock-operations to a 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule, Monday through Friday only. Sound crazy? It's true. Some people want to be Christians on Sunday (or Sunday morning only) and then just like all other people the rest of the ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:3-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Beg Your Pardon Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Nov 18, 2011

One of the most difficult things to do seems to be to forgive. God requires it of us because HE is forgiving.

At a convention with their wives, two businessmen who had been roommates in college crossed paths. They sat in the lobby all night talking. They knew they would be in trouble with their wives. The next day they happened to see each other. "What did your wife think?" "I walked in the door and my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Messiahs Road To The Cross Begins Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jan 6, 2012

We must be willing to travel down the road that God is leading us down even when it is difficult.

A Messiah's Road to the Cross Begins Text: Matt. 26:1-16 Introduction 1. Illustration: There was a family in our last church in Arkansas that I dreaded to go visit. Now they were really nice people, but they lived on a really difficult road. First, it was a dirt road filled with huge rocks, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-16

Denomination: Methodist

Is Jesus Divisive?

Contributed by Monty Newton on Aug 19, 2013

Deciding to follow Christ is a discerning decision, but depending on our circumstances, it may also be a difficult and divisive decision.

Title: Is Jesus Divisive? Text: Luke 12:49-56 Thesis: Deciding to follow Christ is discerning decision, but depending on our circumstances, it may also be a difficult and divisive decision. Introduction Ancient Greek Philosopher Democritus was cited for having said, “Creatures flock ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-59

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Does The Buck Stop? Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Aug 12, 2015

There are a lot of debates about the origin of evil but is it possible that God is responsible? A rather difficult subject attempted to be explained.

I want to tell you the story of Farmer Joe who had an accident. When the accident first took place, Farmer Joe decided not to sue the trucking company responsible for the accident. Later he reconsidered. In court, the trucking company’s fancy lawyer was questioning farmer Joe. "Didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:7, Isaiah 45:23

Denomination: Foursquare

"Were Can I Find The Intelligent Designer?”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Dec 21, 2020

I love Christmas. But this is a difficult, unexpected kind of Christmas.Christmas is the celebration of the entrance of the “Intelligent Designer” of the Universe.

In Jesus Holy Name December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve–Matthew 1:20b-21 Redeemer “Were Can I Find the Intelligent Designer?” I love Christmas. But this is a difficult, unexpected kind of Christmas. Families have had to make adjustments. Churches ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:4-7, Matthew 1:20-21

Denomination: Lutheran

A Faithful Defense

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Oct 6, 2019

The Big Idea: God wants us to be faithful him in our words and actions, even in difficult situations.

Of Christians put to death for their faith in the second century, perhaps no account is as striking as the story of Polycarp. Polycarp (A.D. 70-155) is bishop of Smyrna and a godly man who knows the apostle John personally. When urged by the Roman proconsul to renounce Christ, Polycarp responds ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Other

Gospel Chains

Contributed by Greg Yort on Apr 23, 2018

First, God advances the gospel through our difficult circumstances, intercessory prayers, and good news testimonies.

Sermon Idea God calls all followers of Christ to advance the gospel. Textual Idea Paul recognized his imprisonment was the will of God to advance the gospel of Christ, encouraging the Philippian ‘saints’ or ‘followers of Christ’ to stand firm side by side as partners, in prayer for one another, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-19

Denomination: Church Of God

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

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

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

Waiting Room

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 23, 2019

It is difficult to wait, especially on God. Yet, faith enables us to wait for just the right moment to move.

1. When our daughter was very young, riding in the back seat in her car seat, my wife and I were discussing names. She commented, “You should always name your child something you like because you will say the name often.” A little voice from the back said, “Then you should have named me, ‘No’ or ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:20-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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