Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Against Open Theism

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 31, 2013

A sermon describing open theism and gives reasons why it cannot be (much taken from Matthew Henry's commentary on this passage)

HoHum: The following list of statements are not meant to be offensive to the Open Theist.  They are meant to be both humorous and illustrative.  Open Theism teaches that God does not know future events, that He can be surprised by them, that He can make mistakes, and that He learns what will happen ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:21-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unceasing Rejoicing, Prayer & Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 25, 2019

These brief but pointed admonitions in our passage hold for us the secret of a peaceful heart amid the turmoil and clamor of a hectic world.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 UNCEASING REJOICING, PRAYER & THANKSGIVING “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Our passage is a series of brief, staccato commands for Christian living. It contains ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

A Story Of Slow, Painful Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 16, 2023

The story of Joseph coming to a place of forgiveness with his brothers is a long story (four whole chapters!) but the story is a great illustration of how difficult forgiveness is.

HOW WE THINK YOU FORGIVE: Say “I forgive you” and move on. - Discuss the fact that “forgive and forget” is not in the Bible. PLOT POINTS: - This is a really long story – basically four chapters! But it’s important that we hit the various plot points because they show the back-and-forth, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Charge Your Batteries

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Jul 8, 2009

No matter how intelligent a person is, it would be very difficult for the person to switch on his torchlight in the dark and it will come on when the batteries are dead.

CHARGE YOUR BATTERIES Dr. D. K. Olukoya Father Lord, we lift up your name for you are a great God. You are the keeper of Israel who neither slumbers nor sleeps. If it was not the Lord that was with us, what would our Israel now say? Thank you heavenly Father. Accept our thanks, in Jesus’ name. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

When God Asks You To Do Something You Do Not Understand Series

Contributed by Alan Tison on Dec 5, 2006

Faith is a difficult subject for beleivers, it becames even more difficult when God asks us to do something we do not understand. We learn several practical lessons from the Joshua’s encounter at Jericho which will help us when God asks us do something we

Introduction: A man was quiet a bit overweight, he had tried several ways to lose the weight, but had no success. Finally he decided to visit his minister and ask him if he had any solutions to his weight problem. The minister said he had just the solution. The man was to go home and wait for a ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Old Testament Trinity

Contributed by William Mouser on Aug 2, 2006

Though the OT alone might not generate the doctrine of the Trinity, in the light of the NT, the Trinity is easy to see in various OT passages.

Homily for Trinity Sunday Psalm 93, Exodus 3:1-6, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-16 The Old Testament Trinity Several years ago, my wife and I were in a liberal Lutheran church on Trinity Sunday. We arrived at the end of what they billed as their traditional service, which appeared to us to be a ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

"god So Loved The World...those O So Famous Words" Series

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Feb 26, 2019

read the passage in John 3... the sermon will be preached in the first person. Nicodemus will tell his story and give his testimony.

Title: those o so famous words… John 3: 1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Purpose Of Loving Series

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Apr 14, 2009

This passage is a continuation of what we learned last week in the previous passage, on how we learned what we are not supposed to do when we’ve been mistreated by others. That is, we are not to retaliate in like kind. The Biblical principle of an "eye fo

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount Part 10 The Purpose of Loving Pm service January 4th 2008 Matthew 5:43-48 Introduction No Subject is more important than the subject of human relationships. God is creating a family of believers who are to live together eternally. Therefore, He wants that family to live ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Baptist

Making Lemonade From Lemons Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Oct 16, 2012

AS WE APPROACH THIS PASSAGE, WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS WHAT I MIGHT CALL THE FINAL LEG OF THE GREAT COMMISSION (CULTURALLY SPEAKING). BY THE TIME WE REACH THIS PASSAGE THE GOSPEL HAS PROGRESSED FROM THE JEWS TO THE SAMARITANS, TO THE GOD FEARING GREEKS, AND N

MAKING LEMONADE FROM LEMONS ACTS 11:19-30 INTRODUCTION: AS WE APPROACH THIS PASSAGE, WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS WHAT I MIGHT CALL THE FINAL LEG OF THE GREAT COMMISSION (CULTURALLY SPEAKING). BY THE TIME WE REACH THIS PASSAGE THE GOSPEL HAS PROGRESSED FROM THE JEWS TO THE SAMARITANS, TO THE GOD FEARING ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Gifts - Overview Series

Contributed by Antonio Silveira on Mar 12, 2011

The passage we are about to read can revolutionize your Spiritual life! We will talk about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word used in this passage is “charisma” wish can be translated as “gift” or “manifestation”.

The passage we are about to read can revolutionize your Spiritual life! We will talk about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word used in this passage is “charisma” wish can be translated as “gift” or “manifestation”. The word just means “a gift from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Vital Link Of Prayer And Praise Series

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Mar 1, 2010

Life is hard. Sometimes we are dealt a difficult hand. But earnest prayer leading to real praise will lift us out of life’s ruts.

Sermon Notes The Vital Link of Prayer & Praise Philippians 4:4-9 (Based in part on "The Answer to Your Problems" by Jay McPhearson) Introduction: Ever face a problem you thought would top them all? In Budapest, a Jewish man went to his rabbi and complained, "Life is unbearable for my family & ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When You Fast Do Not Advertise

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Vivek Gundimi on Mar 17, 2019

Generally speaking, Fasting is about going without food in order to spend time in prayer with God and meditate on God’s Word – this is noble but difficult.

When you Fast – Do not Advertise Introduction: Generally speaking, Fasting is about going without food in order to spend time in prayer with God and meditate on God’s Word – this is noble but difficult. (But Fasting is not hunger strike). In the passage that was read to us… we find that Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1, Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Methodist

Living In Divine Favour PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

Explore the benefits of living in divine favour and how young people can continually experience God's favour throughout their lives, even in difficult circumstances.

Good morning, family! Today, we are going to dive into an exciting topic that I believe will be a great blessing to each one of us. We’ll be exploring the benefits that come with living in divine favour and how our young people can walk in the incredible favour of God. I want to begin with a quote ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:9

Topics: Divine Favour

No One Likes An Exaggerating God Series

Contributed by Troy Luttrell on Apr 15, 2014

There are some passages that seem to suggest that God might be stretching the truth with some of His promises, but the reality is the God of the Bible does not lie.

Background: • Our difficult verse is found in Psalms 37:25 – “I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread.” Is it true that no Christians (God’s children) have ever been hungry enough ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-40

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus, Teach Us How To Pray Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Mar 7, 2025

We all want to be stronger in our prayer life. The people who have the strongest prayer life will confess that prayer is still difficult at times.

JESUS, TEACH US HOW TO PRAY!   Luke 11:1-13 Introduction Leonard Ravenhill wrote, “The disciples never said, ‘Lord, teach us to preach.’ They never said, ‘Lord, teach us to do miracles.’ They said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray.’ Because they saw that Jesus’ power was in His prayer life.” We ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ