Sermons on Difficult Passages:

I Charge Thee

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 17, 2022

These are difficult times for Christian service, full of sinfulness. So how can Christians live and work in such a volatile society?

I Charge Thee: What does it mean to be charged? I am not referring to a person using their credit card to make a purchase, nor am I referring to an assertion of blame or guilt. Paul made a charge to Timothy to do something. What Paul is referring to here is that Timothy was charged (entrusted) with ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Walking By Faith, Not By Sight Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on May 28, 2025

Walking by faith means living with confidence in God’s promises, even when the path ahead is unclear or difficult.

WALKING BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Corinthians 5:7 Supporting Texts: Hebrews 11:1, Romans 8:24-25, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 40:31 INTRODUCTION: Faith is the foundation of the Christian walk. It is what enables believers to trust God beyond what the eyes can see or ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 11:1, Romans 8:24-25, Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Peace That Passes Understanding

Contributed by Terence D. Engler on Dec 3, 2021

I prepared this message as part of a Series for Advent, and this one really ministered to me the peace of God for these difficult days in which we live.

“PEACE THAT PASSES UNDERSTANDING” PT. 2 “ADVENT 2021” Phil. 4.6-7 One of the lasting, profound emotions that Christmas evokes in my life is that of peace; I’m not sure whether it’s the stillness of a late-night recounting of the Christmas story, the stillness of a cold, wintry night, or the peace ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 24:6-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Towards Faith Promise 2016: Money, God, And You Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 6, 2003

The passage we will look at today is one in which the desire for money did indeed lead to a trap, foolish desires, and piercing griefs which ruined an entire nation for awhile and eventually an entire family permanently. The passage is about a man named

TOWARDS FAITH PROMISE 2016: MONEY, GOD, AND YOU JOSHUA 7:1-5 INTRODUCTION… Dumb Crooks (geocities.com/Heartland/Cottage/1955/text/copdumbcrim.html) * It seems this guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he’d just throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Devotion - The Seed Of Growth Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Oct 15, 2010

Believers get really excited about the passages in Acts where a great number of people came to Christ and the church grew in miraculous leaps and bounds, however, what many beleivers miss in these passages are the previous verses that reveal what the chur

Sermon Brief Date Written: October 13, 2010 Date Preached: October 17, 2010 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: Reaching Our Community Sermon Title: Devotion – The Seed of Growth! Sermon Text: Acts 2:44-47 [ESV] 42 And they devoted themselves to the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Baptist

"Hope” In Haggai And Zechariah: True, False, Postponed And Perilous Series

Contributed by Wm Darius Myers on Apr 24, 2007

Theme Paper in Haggai-Zechariah, tracing the appropriate applications of hope, despite the difficult realities of our circumstances. An excellent theme for redevelopment pastors to consider.

“Hope” in Haggai and Zechariah: True, False, Postponed and Perilous The Shawshank Redemption: Morgan Freeman tells fellow-inmate Tim Robbins, “Hope is a dangerous thing. Drive a man insane. It’s got no place here.” In a place like Yehud, with the Jews seeking to rebuild the temple amidst ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Storms Of Life

Contributed by Monte Brown on Oct 10, 2012

Perhaps the most difficult thing to do in life is to thank God in difficult times, when the Storms of Life comes pounding down, however Ephesians 5:20 says we are to be "giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord J

Introduction Perhaps the most difficult thing to do in life is to thank God in difficult times, when the Storms of Life comes pounding down, however Ephesians 5:20 says we are to be "giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Scripture 17 ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

If Jesus Came To Your House Series

Contributed by Sue Richard on Mar 22, 2003

Through this passage in Leviticus we discover how the leprosy of sin attacks our homes and what God requires.

IF JESUS CAME TO YOUR HOUSE I hope many of you, like myself are discovering that the book of Leviticus is anything but a dull book of law. Today we continue our series of sermons from the book of Leviticus. The text comes from the third section chapters 11-16. This section ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 14:34-57

Denomination: Brethren

Who Are You Becoming

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 4, 2007

A new years sermon encouraging reflection and intentionality in our development. not really one passage of Scripture, but many examples.

Who are you becoming? Amidst the roar of preparations to celebrate the new year, century, and millennium, have you had the chance to stop and reflect on who you are becoming? The celebrations are finished. The last of the crowds at Time Square have gone home and now the street cleaners are ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Trusting The God Who Will Provide Series

Contributed by Clinton Smith on Feb 24, 2009

God will meet your needs in the midst of the most difficult circumstances of life when you make Him a priority in your life.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones offers an insightful perspective on how we use God’s name: What unworthy ideas and notions this world has of God! If you test your ideas of God by the teaching of the Scriptures you will see at a glance what I mean. We lack even a due sense of the greatness and the might and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Politics Of Prayer: Interceding For Those In Power

Contributed by Margaret Olubiyi on Oct 18, 2025

The Apostle Paul, in this passage, emphasizes the importance of approaching our leaders and the challenges we face through a lens of faith and supplication.

In moments of political tension and societal unrest, we are called not to retreat into division or despair, but to rise with purpose and unity. 1 Timothy 2:1–7 urges us to lead with prayer, an act of strength, not passivity. It reminds us that our greatest influence begins not in the halls of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Generation Of Gripers

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 15, 2022

When things get difficult and discouraging, many will begin to whine, murmur, and complain. This is what the Israelites did throughout their journey through the wilderness.

When things get difficult and discouraging, many 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

What Saves You Or What Can You Count On? Series

Contributed by Bill Lyle on Apr 5, 2007

A study in 1st Peter

Introduction Marshall pg. 117 I. The ministry of Jesus: death and life vs. 18 A. “This verse gives on of the Bible’s shortest, simplest, and richest summaries of the meaning of the cross of Jesus Christ.” David Walls B. Mark these four points: 1. Suffering 2. Justice 3. Entrance 4. Death and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Four Truths To Deflate Self-Centeredness Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 16, 2013

A look at four passages in Luke that help us to puncture the self-centered tendencies that come so naturally in our culture.

WHAT JESUS EXPECTS: He told us to be servants, but it’s hard to know how to move in that direction in such a self-centered culture. - Luke 22:24-27. - It is a little difficult for us to understand how to be servants when we’re so used to being the center of attention: a. Stores cater ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Funeral Service For Unbeliever

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 12, 2012

Funerals for the unbelieving is a difficult task for preachers. It is, however, an opportunity to be an encouragement to the family as we honor the good aspects of the deceased person's life.

Song – No Tears in Heaven – Seating Guests Song – Home of the Soul – Family Enters and is Seated Congregational Song – Sing Hallelujah The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ