Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Waiting

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 24, 2009

Knowing when, how and how long to wait on God is often a difficult thing. Working for God makes the waiting go faster.

Psalm 130 / Waiting Intro: A farmer once took a trucking company to court seeking reimbursement for damages suffered when his vehicle was hit by an 18-wheeler injuring himself and his mule, Bessie. Under cross-examination the lawyer for the defense said, “Did you or did you not tell the highway ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 130:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Seeing Jesus

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Jul 11, 2009

Many people have difficult in sensing Jesus. This sermon helps us identify where we can sense the presence of Jesus.

In today’s Gospel reading, the resurrected Jesus appears to his disciples but they do not recognise Him. They have trouble believing what they see. Reading from verse 36 we heard 36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-49

Denomination: Lutheran

Thankful No Matter What

Contributed by Gerald Steffy on Oct 14, 2009

If we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we should be thankful no matter how difficult the circumstances in life that we face.

THANKFUL NO MATTER WHAT 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Proposition: If we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we should be thankful no matter how difficult the circumstances in life that we face. Objective: To challenge God’s people to express gratitude & be thankful no matter what. INTRODUCTION: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

A Loaf Of Bread, A Jug Of Wine, And Laughter

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 3, 2009

Dated 1989. Our faith is not joyless. God uses the simplest of things to bring us support and gladness in the midst of difficult times.

Says the poet, "A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and Thou beside me singing in the wilderness … Wilderness were paradise enow" The very picture of romantic fulfillment. All I need is a chunk of good fragrant bread, a flask full of the vintner’s art, and you whom I love, and I will be fulfilled. ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:19

Denomination: Baptist

I'm Going Over My Mountain

Contributed by Richard Roberts on Jul 3, 2008

Climbing mountains can be difficult but for the eagle its just somthing to soar over Come lets go Over our mountain!

Deuteronomy 2:3 3. Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward. Going Over The Mountain 3 Facts About this mountain #1) Exodus 3:12 12. And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 2:3

Denomination: Church Of God

Elisha Goes Solo Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 9, 2017

It can be difficult to represent God to others, but if we have a heart to serve and the empowerment of the Spirit, we can faithfully serve God.

Elisha Goes Solo (2 Kings 2) 1. Some people with important jobs end up doing a lot of things that are quite trite. 2. Take police officers, some real calls via Reader’s Digest: From the police blotter, ?or, what a beat cop deals with ?every day: • A deputy responded to a report ?of a vehicle ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Guidance In Confusing Times Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 30, 2016

If you want clear guidance in difficult and confusing times, pay attention to God's Word, pray, obey, and experience God's peace.

Two old friends met one day after many years. One attended college and became very successful. The other did not attend college. He never had much ambition, yet he still seemed to be doing very well. Curious as to why, the college graduate asked his friend, “How has everything been going ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:1-67

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Missing Link In Understanding Leadership In The Church

Contributed by Patrick Usifo on Jun 4, 2020

Many in our community find it difficult to understand that a Christian leader serves those that he leads differently from the world concept.

Today, in our world, the most important subject hardly discussed among believers is the reign and the governing rule of Christians with Christ in the present dispensation and the future to come.  In fact, a good number of believers shy away, not wanting the hot seat of talking about the role ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:22-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joseph – Momentous Decisions In Troubling Times

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Dec 4, 2016

Joseph is an example of a man facing a difficult decision in momentous times. This sermon tells us how to respond in these times in our lives

Momentous Decisions in Troubling Times Chuck Sligh December 4, 2016 TEXT: Turn to Matthew 1:18-25 INTRODUCTION Most people know about the major characters of the Christmas story. We all know about the appearance of the angel to Mary, a simple, godly young woman. We know about the shepherds in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

In Everything Give Thanks

Contributed by Lola Olanrewaju on Sep 2, 2017

Thanksgiving is easy to do when the blessings are falling around us, but it can be very difficult when we are facing trials and challenges of

  1 Thess 5:18:says: "In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” This theory sounds  beautiful,  it sounds Christian, it sounds spiritual and it sounds very cool .But to most of us  it just isn't practical! .   Thanksgiving is easy to do when the blessings are ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Message Of Mark Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Sep 11, 2015

Mark is encouraging a minority group of people to live on mission just like our Master did, no matter how difficult it becomes.

The Message of Mark Mark 1:1 Rev. Brian Bill September 12-13, 2015 Recently I shared a very interesting article that led to some great discussion during our staff team time called, “Is Your Church a Cruise Ship or Aircraft Carrier?” You can find the post on the sermon extras tab on ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Hope In The Midst Of Hardships

Contributed by Tony Cheng on Dec 13, 2013

We can understand that many people are facing a lot of hardships nowadays. But it is difficult to understand why there are hardship during the first Christmas!

HOPE IN THE MIDST OF HARDSHIPS (Luke 2:1-7; Matthew 2:13-15) Shall we bow down before our LORD to ask Him to bless our worship this morning: Dear Heavenly Father, grant us listening hearts, unity of minds, and humble hearts, for we want to worship You. May You be honored this morning. In JESUS' ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7, Matthew 2:13-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The First Will Be Last? Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Sep 27, 2011

This message is the third in a series that deals with some of the difficult sayings of Jesus. This message examines Jesus’ statement about the first being last.

Many of us have a competitive nature, a drive to do everything we can to come out on top. We have been taught that you compete to win. Our culture teaches us to climb the ladder of success, to outpace our competitors and that the one with the most toys in the end wins. So we work hard to make sure ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In Christ, I Am...a Bridge Builder Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 17, 2018

The church is more than a social club. Why is it difficult for some people to fit in, and how can we build bridges?

IN CHRIST, I AM…A BRIDGE-BUILDER—Ephesians 2:11-22 (Series on Ephesians: In Christ, I Am…) My wife and I retired in Texas a few months ago, and we found ourselves, for the first time in our marriage, looking for a church to call home. We were looking beyond the friendly greeters holding the door ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Genesis Women: Tough Choices

Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Nov 23, 2021

God introduces several women in Genesis. They did not have easy lives. They experienced difficult situations. They had to make tough choices.

Let's take a brief glimpse at some of the women in Genesis. We can learn lessons from the choices each of them made. Eve The mother of all living - Genesis 3:20 Ate of the forbidden fruit - Genesis 3:6 Consequences – sin and death entered the world Immediately – Lost her home (the Garden of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:11-12

Denomination: Baptist