Sermons on Difficult Passages:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Following Christ Solo Series

Contributed by Brian Atwood on May 12, 2008

Encouraging singles, widows, and Christ followers without believing spouses to successfully face the difficult task of following Christ solo.

We’re in the series "No Perfect Families Allowed" and we’re gleaning valuable real to life, hope-inspiring principles for family encouragement from the recorded biographies of Bible families. Last week we established our theme verse for this series.. Romans 5:20b (Amplified Bible) Where sin ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

When Jesus Is The Adversary

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 19, 2017

A look at a challenging passage that indicates that when we refuse Jesus as Savior He will become our Adversary at judgment.

- These verses seem out of place. Why would Jesus end what He was saying here with talk about going to court? It doesn’t really seem to have much to do with the points He’s just made. - When that happens (and it happens at multiple places in the gospels), the temptation is to either presume that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:58-59

Denomination: Baptist

A Missing Piece For An Uplifting Church Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 12, 2019

This passage models for us what encouragement looks like. How can my church become more encouraging?

WHY IT MATTERS: Encouragement is precious because it’s relatively rare. - 2 Corinthians 8:24. - There are some sermons where you have to spend the majority of the message explaining the idea. This is not one of those messages. - This is a straightforward concept. We know what encouragement is. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When More Faith Is Not The Problem

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 31, 2017

This passages initially looks like a call to greater faith, but what Jesus is actually saying points in the opposite direction.

WHY DID JESUS SAY THAT? Who wants a flying mulberry tree? - Luke 17:6. - This verse is generally taken as a generic injunction to have more faith, but let’s think about it for a moment. It’s a peculiar request when you think about it. Why exactly would anyone want to watch a mulberry tree come ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5-6, Luke 17:5-10

Denomination: Baptist

Bring Peace During Stormy Weather PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Explore and understand God's presence, peace, and promises in the midst of life's storms through various biblical passages.

Good morning, family! It's such a joy to gather together in God's house today. Our topic today is one that I believe will bless hearts and uplift spirits. We're going to delve into the word of God, exploring the theme of God's presence in the storm, finding peace in the midst of the storm, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Isaiah 43:2, Isaiah 41:10-13, John 14:27, Psalm 55:22  (view more)  (view less)

Topics: Walking, Storm

Are We A Generation Of Gripers?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Sep 22, 2023

When things got difficult and discouraging, the Israelites began to whine, murmur, and complain. Unfortunately, Christians of today act the same way.

When things get difficult and discouraging, many people will begin to whine, murmur, and complain. This is what the Israelites did throughout their journey through the wilderness. If they had only listened and obeyed God, they would not have been in the predicament that they were in. God had to ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lift Jesus Up, Lift Him Up! PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 14, 2024

This sermon explores glorifying God in our lives, trusting Him in difficult times, and understanding the transformative power of death through Jesus's sacrifice.

Good morning, beloved family of God, and welcome. We gather here today, not as strangers, but as a fellowship of believers, united by a common faith and a shared love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Isn't it wonderful to know that we are part of a community that transcends the boundaries of ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33

Topics: Glorify God

Understanding The Death And Triumph Of Christ Series

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Oct 23, 2008

This is a great passage on the salvation brought about by the death of Jesus Christ. It is also an interesting passage in that it gives us some glimpse into what Jesus Christ was doing while he was dead, that is, between His crucifixion and resurrection.

Understanding the Death and Triumph of Christ 1 Peter 3:18-22 Introduction In Mel Gibson’s Movie, “The Passion of Christ” there is an obscure detail in the crucifixion scene that probably goes unnoticed by most people, but it is a detail that says so much. When Jesus is being placed on the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Denomination: Baptist