Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Prayer Is For Weak People Series

Contributed by Dan Jackson on Jul 3, 2006

Life’s difficulties are often the Father’s appointed paths to spiritual maturity. The positive way forward in difficult and painful circumstances is the way of prayer.

An airliner was bound for New York City. The flight was routine until the pilot began the descent. Then he realizes that the landing gear would not engage. Working the controls back and forth, he tried again and again to lock the gear into place. No success. He circled the landing field, getting ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-20

Christ Deied In Our Place And Christians Should Sacrifice For Others! Series

Contributed by John Wright on Feb 10, 2010

Isaiah 53:5&6 and other passages teach that Christ proved His love for man by dying for the possibilty of their salvation and other passages teach that Christians should sacrifice to show their love for others and try to motivate them to become faithful f

INTRODUCTION 1. Open your bibles to Isaiah 53:5&6. 2. Again, this being Valentine’s Day and the fact that many cards, candies, meals and gifts have been shared to express love to different ones, we want to for the evening lesson remind ourselves of the love that Christ has shown to us. 3. Isaiah ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:5-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Spiritual Blessings Series

Contributed by Thomas H on Oct 4, 2010

This is an amazing passage which describes the spiritual blessings God has given us. Paul is so excited about these spiritual blessings that in the Greek original, this whole passage is one sentence - like a little kid whose just been to an amusement par

Ephesians 1:3-10 Have you ever met a young child who has just been to Dreamworld for the first time? Can you imagine what he might say if you asked him how was his time there. He might be so excited that he might answer something like: Well, guess what, we went to Dreamworld and first we went ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Obscurity Of The Familiar Series

Contributed by Wm Darius Myers on Apr 24, 2007

Exegetical Paper on Malachi 3:6-12 - Encouraging a careful examination at scripture itself, especially in "well-known" passages where "everybody knows what that says." The context and connections of the passage only reinforce the content...but do we list

The Obscurity of the Familiar: Content, Context and Connection in Malachi 3:6-12 Section One: Introduction Most North American Christians coming to Malachi 3:6-12 encounter the obscurity of the familiar. The panacea of Malachi 3:10 has been prescribed by ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Fractured Fairy Tale

Contributed by John Sears on Jul 9, 2015

If there one passage that defines this culture, it is Matthew 7:1-5. Since the Supreme Court legalized same sex marriage, this passage has been pushed to the forefront. This message examines what Jesus meant when he said, "Do not judge."

A Fractured Fairy Tale Introduction When I was growing up, there was an older cartoon show that I enjoyed watching. It was the Rocky and Bullwinkle show. And while I thought the conflict between the heroes and the villains (Boris and Natasha) was funny what I found really clever was the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

Denomination: Christian Church

Old School Discipleship

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 6, 2017

The passage we are going to look at today is from Deuteronomy 6 and has much to share with us about the topic of “discipleship” especially because this passage is quoted by Jesus in Matthew (22:37), Mark (12:29-30), and Luke (10:27).

OLD SCHOOL DISCIPLESHIP DEUTERONOMY 6:1-12 #discipleship INTRODUCTION… “Old School” (p) If you use the phrase “Old School,” you are using a slang phrase that means “anything from an earlier era that is looked upon with respect.” (urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=old%20school). It is very ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Old School Discipleship

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 6, 2017

The passage we are going to look at today is from Deuteronomy 6 and has much to share with us about the topic of “discipleship” especially because this passage is quoted by Jesus in Matthew (22:37), Mark (12:29-30), and Luke (10:27).

OLD SCHOOL DISCIPLESHIP DEUTERONOMY 6:1-12 #discipleship INTRODUCTION… “Old School” (p) If you use the phrase “Old School,” you are using a slang phrase that means “anything from an earlier era that is looked upon with respect.” (urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=old%20school). It is very ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Prosperity Gospel Preachers Don’t Want You To Know Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 22, 2019

This passage includes the words "you will be made rich." Does that mean the prosperity gospel is true? Or is this passage actually pointing us toward using God's blessings in a way that doesn't further the American Dream?

A SWEET SOUND TO A PROSPERITY GOSPEL PREACHER: “You will be made rich.” - 2 Corinthians 9:11a – “You will be made rich.” - As most of you know, there is a heretical teaching that God’s purpose in your life is to shower you with material and financial blessings. Under this teaching, signs of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

Death In The Pot

Contributed by Troy Borst on Feb 24, 2021

So, what does this passage in 2 Kings 4 have to do with us? I told you at the beginning that this was an odd passage in the life of the prophet Elisha and it has an important message for us today. That message is all about the action word “faith.”

DEATH IN THE POT 2 KINGS 4:38-44 #faith #deathinthepot INTRODUCTION… Bad Meal Last Week (p) I do the majority of the dinner preparation in our home. I think I am a fantastic cook. My family would probably say I am an average cook because when I decide to throw together things in my own way that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:38-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Exercising And Exorcising

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 8, 2025

In this passage, we see two blind men who had to "exercise" their faith to receive their sight. However, we see another kind of exercise in this passage; or rather, “exorcise,” as Jesus exorcised a demon from a man who was mute.

You have probably heard someone say before that we need to “exercise” our faith. In Hebrews chapter 12, we read, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a). Jesus is both the author and finisher. He is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:27-34

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Teaching

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Oct 12, 2004

In our passage today we look at three parables of Jesus, and each parable contains a paradox about God’s Kingdom.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: Jack Wyrtzen used lots of stories in his preaching. One day someone was talking with one of the Word of Life staff members and said, “I heard Jack preach one of his “skyscraper messages” the other night.” The staff member asked what he meant by a “skyscraper message” ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:21-29

Denomination: Baptist

Three Questions About Our Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 24, 2021

There is a lot in this passage. This message tries to boil it down to the big truths by asking three questions about our "good shepherd."

- At one level, this is a simple passage: Jesus is the Good Shepherd. - At another level, this passage is not simply understood. There is conflicting imagery (how is Jesus the shepherd and the gate?). It is difficult to get all the pieces to fit cleanly. - I echo a little the sentiment of v. 6 ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

T’was The Night Before Christmas Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on Feb 21, 2024

In this passage we are reminded of what God provided for us through Jesus. What did God provide for us through Jesus?

There’s probably no one here who is not familiar with Clement Moore’s famous poem … “T’was the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.” It’s ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

James 1 - Faith In Trials

Contributed by Hannah Pinkstone on Dec 11, 2002

When we go through trials our joy comes from standing firm on the promises that God has given us. It’s through difficult times that faith has the biggest part to play. We show the reality of God’s love for us because we have joy when life is difficult.

I want to explain to those who don’t know, what its like to be a Cardiff city fan. Each season begins with promise, and I feel a sense of expectation and excitement. For the first half of the season, I hope, and dream and see a bit of just what can be achieved with great people such as Andy Legg ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-8, James 5:7-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When The Walls Are Broken Down, Pray! Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 14, 2014

Nehemiah's reaction to the bad news he hears is a great example for us about what to do when we face difficult circumstances.

Introduction: A. Have you ever had someone deliver you some news saying, “I’ve got some good news and some bad news, which do you want first?” B. Here are a few “Good news/bad news” items for preachers. 1. Good News: You baptized seven people today in the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ