Sermons on Difficult Passages:

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

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

God's Plan For A Healthy Church

Contributed by J. Yeargin on Sep 2, 2004

This is a passage that is going to help us all to understand why our involvement in a local church is so important to our spiritual life.

God has designed His church to function like a loving family that you can invite people into. Church is 1. not a place to make rules and demands on people 2. a place to nurture growth. 3. a place for shepherds, not generals 4. a place that exists for the purpose of helping people grow and mature ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Convinced And Convicted In Worship Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 25, 2012

Learning to live with one another in harmony while distinguishing between what is detrimental and what is neutral is one of the most difficult aspects of Christian life.

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

When Desperate Men Discover Divine Provision Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 17, 2025

This powerful passage teaches us that God often uses the least likely people and unexpected situations to fulfil His purpose and bring breakthrough.

WHEN DESPERATE MEN DISCOVER DIVINE PROVISION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Kings 7:3-11 Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 1:27; Psalm 34:8-10; Romans 8:28; Isaiah 55:8-9; Luke 15:17-20 INTRODUCTION: Samaria was under siege, and famine had ravaged the land so severely that people resorted to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 7:3-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Are You Doing Here Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Dec 13, 2014

One of the most difficult things to do is answer God's Questions - Just ask Elijah! Yet, in this powerful question we are brought to the reality of our life!

What Are You Doing Here? 1 Kings 19:9-13 • Questions. Important Questions. Life-Changing questions. In our first message of this series, we heard Elijah ask, “How long will you limp between two opinions?” To confront this question is to recall that ‘no one can serve two ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

What Standard? Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on May 13, 2020

Holiness is often misunderstood. It has been abused to try to enforce rules. So, what is Holiness? Is it possible? Why is it so difficult? Why does it seem to be such a mess?

Pt. 1 - What Standard? I. Introduction You can just say the name of the city and most people instantly, without any additional information, recognize what you are talking about. Canton, OH, Springfield, MA, Cooperstown, NY. Hall of Fame for football, basketball and baseball. These special places ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 11:44

Denomination: Pentecostal

Everyone Has An Opinion About Jesus Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 22, 2020

This passage gives us the (questionable) opinions of three groups about Jesus. How did Jesus stay focused amid disparate viewpoints?

DISINFORMATION, AGENDAS, FEARS, AND UNCERTAINTY: Everyone has an opinion about Jesus, but most of them are wrong. - John 7:1-14. - We live in a time when people often talk as though all opinions are equally valid. You have your opinion and I have mine and we can both be right. (This is often ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Would I Lie To You? (Abraham On Honesty And Lying)

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 3, 2006

This passage uses Abraham’s deception as a chance to look at why we fudge the truth so often and what the consequences of our lies are.

- Lies are a common part of our everyday lives. In fact, some of us believe that we can’t function in society without telling our share of “little white lies.” - Abraham here demonstrates aptly for us both the reasons we lie and the consequences of our untruths. WHY WE LIE: 1. We get stuck in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 20:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Nothing Back There

Contributed by Victoria Oladipupo on Oct 24, 2005

This sermon is to encourage those going through difficult time at this moment and thinking of doing what they used to do, you cann’t just go back.

NOTHING BACK THERE OCT: 23RD 2005 SCR READNG: HEB 10: 38 - 39 [38] Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. [39] But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. As I continue to grow ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:38-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Stephen: A Heart Of Commitment"

Contributed by David Henderson on Nov 24, 2013

It is always right to do the right thing, even if it is difficult. Jesus never said the Christian life would be easy. Remember, the symbol of the Christian life is a cross.

HEARTBEATS “Stephen: A heart of Commitment” Acts 6:8-15 and 8:54-60 One of the things that are clear as you look at the gospels is that popularity can be costly. Most of us if we would admit it, certainly desire to have it. But we sometimes don’t realize what it can cost us. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

Redeemed From The Curse Of The Law

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Jun 24, 2003

This passage of Scripture brings together the spiritual principles involved in our salvation from sin-Christ, by being made a curse for us, has redeemed us from the curse of the law. This passage also sets forth our spiritual and moral state before we wer

REDEEMED FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW SCRIPTURE: Galatians 3:13, 14 INTRODUCTION This passage of Scripture brings together the spiritual principles involved in our salvation from sin-Christ, by being made a curse for us, has redeemed us from the curse of the law. This passage also sets forth our ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:13-14

Denomination: Pentecostal