Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Four Things That Get In The Way Of The Church Being A Family Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 26, 2015

The passage commands us to treat our church family like family. What are some of the things that get in the way of us doing that well?

WHY TREAT EACH OTHER LIKE FAMILY? We are God’s eternal family. - 1 Timothy 5:1-2. - Because we are family! - Why is this so needed today? a. The prevalence of loneliness in our society. b. The joy of being “where everybody knows your name.” c. How hard life is and how much ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Where Do You Swim? Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Sep 16, 2019

This passage in James encourages us away from negative words and towards positive speech which is obviously the fresh water.

MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK SERIES WHERE DO YOU SWIM? JAMES 3:1-12 #JAMESatCCC INTRODUCTION You know, I really hate preaching on things that I need sermons on. It makes me feel more like a hypocrite than I already feel most of the time. As Christians, we have a high bar set by Jesus Christ as the ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When God Gives Up On Human Sinfulness Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Mar 7, 2024

Three times in this passage it is stated that God gave up evil humanity to its own devices. A serious warning to our generation.

1:24 “Therefore God also gave them up …” Therefore. The wrath is coming. We deserve the wrath that is coming. Why? Well, men knew the truth of God and suppressed it. They could see His attributes, but they ignored Him. They did not glorify Him. They were not thankful to Him. They thought they ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:24-28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Walking With The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Nov 22, 2006

Psalm 23 is one of the best known passages in the scripture. We can find hope and comfort by knowing that the Good Shepherd walks with us.

Walking With The Good Shepherd For centuries the Twenty-third Psalm has been one of the most treasured passages in all the Bible. It has become so familiar that people of many religions recognize these words. The words are comforting and are often read at times such as this. Who does not know ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6, Psalm 23:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grounded In Provision Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Aug 5, 2004

The passage that we will look at this morning is a passage that gives us a wonderful picture about God’s provision in our lives. 1 Kings 17 describes for us several events in the life of a man named Elijah. Elijah is a prophet of God and some might even

Grounded in Provision 1 Kings 17:1-24 INTRODUCTION... The Clock that had a Nervous Breakdown, C. Swindoll This new clock was ticking away on the shelf two ticks to the second as any good, self-respecting clock should tick when it began to think about how many times it was going to have to tick. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Finding Balance"

Contributed by David Henderson on Sep 9, 2013

What does this passage say to us as his disciples now living 2000 years later? This is what this passage tells us.  Spiritual growth was not only a priority in the life of Jesus, it was everything.  Jesus taught us how to live a balanced life

“Finding Balance” Luke 2:41-52 When we look at the life of Jesus and what the Bible tells us about Him we quickly notice that the majority of what we know is from his adult life…those 3.5 years He spent in ministry. There is of course the story of his birth. Also in the gospel ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Baptist

Listen…and…obey! James 1:22-24

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 1, 2021

This passage says something that seems obvious—don’t just listen the Word; do what it says. We all know we should do that, but how? This passage teaches the keys to getting what you hear into regular practice in your life.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But the one ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-24

Can These Bones Live? Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jan 25, 2023

In this passage in Ezekiel we see the powerful and life-giving truth that God can bring hope to any hopeless situation.

Can These Bones Live? Good morning Maple Grove and welcome to week 13 of our series, ‘Such Things Were Written’ ‘Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises. – Romans 15:4 MAN – this has been an ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 15:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Rules And Relationship Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jan 12, 2009

A couple of passages from "The Shack" have sparked the question, "How do rules and relationship interact in our relationship with God?"

Galatians 3:1-14 January 11, 2009 Rules and Relationship How many of you have read “The Shack?” The Shack is a novel about a man who had suffered great tragedy in his life, and is invited to spend a weekend with God. I read it this summer, on holiday. For the most part, I liked it, I’m not ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-14

Denomination: *other

Life Is For Living (Not Dying)

Contributed by Don Hawks on Nov 6, 2007

The issue of life after death touches all of us -- sometimes with enormous intensity. What are some Biblical passages that might address this issue?

SERMON OUTLINE AND NOTES Life Is for Living (Not Dying) Luke 20:27-38 V. 36 -- Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. If we humans die, will we live again? That’s my question. All through these difficult days I keep ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-38

Denomination: Methodist

Our Gift

Contributed by David Lansdown on Jul 9, 2002

We will be looking at 2 themes mentioned in this passage:- 1. Our Sinfulness & what that means, and 2. The Gift that God offers us.

OUR GIFT Rom 3:21-31 • INTRODUCTION I would like you to listen carefully as I read to you Rom 3:21-31 READ If you really tried to grasp what Paul is saying there you probably worked up a bit of a sweat on the old grey matter. I know I find some of that pretty hard to understand! Nevertheless, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-31

Denomination: Baptist

Food That Really Satisfies Series

Contributed by Allen Hern on Feb 6, 2004

When Jesus spoke about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, what is the real spiritual meaning he is trying to convey?

200406.ser “Food That Really Satisfies” CLBC Feb. 1/04 a.m. Subject: Salvation: Theme: The Provision of Salvation Passage: John 6: 28 - 65 Segment 1. We have come today to the ...read more

Scripture: John 6:28-65

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