Sermons on Difficult Passages:

God's Critic (Job 40)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 4, 2026

Are we tempted to be God's critic?

Have we learned to trust God’s decisions throughout history, or are we critics, evaluating God by worldly standards? Let’s look at Job 40. As we try to understand some of the more difficult passages in the Bible, are we too quick to become God’s critic? Then the Lord said to Job, “Do you still ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

A Child Is Born Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Oct 29, 2022

Isaiah tells us of the greatness of this child, with the best that can be done given the restraint of human understanding. This passage is the theme for Handel’s Messiah.

My friend wrote about the birth of Jesus and put it in a way to look like a birth announcement for Jesus. It was designed to look like it was clipped from a newspaper. Birth Announcement The Nazareth Daily News in the year 1 A.D. Joseph and Mary from Nazareth are pleased to announce the birth ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Renunciation By An Apostle Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 18, 2020

Reading this passage brings to mind four words which may reveal the objective of the Apostle: SELF-DENIAL—ZEAL—MINISTER—EVIL

January 27, 2013 Commentary on First Corinthians By: Tom Lowe Lesson 7.5: Renunciation By an Apostle Scripture: 1 Corinthians ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:15-23

Denomination: Baptist

You Rich People Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Oct 23, 2019

In the passage we will read, addressed to “you rich people,” James frames wealth in its proper place in our Christian life.

MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK SERIES "You Rich People" JAMES 5:1-8 #JAMESatCCC INTRODUCTION…elitedaily.com/life/make-rich-other-money/991468 I was doing some reading and came across an interesting article about wealth and feeling rich. The author’s name is Paul Hudson. I couldn’t nail ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-8, Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Timothy 6:9-10, Lamentations 3:21-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don¨ˆt Forget Who You Are Series

Contributed by Juan Lane on Dec 27, 2002

This passage reminds us that we must keep our christian bearing while dealing with life¨ˆs issues.

Don¡¯t Forget Who You Are Stop lying to God Sermon Scripture Ephesians 5:22-33 Ephesians 5:22-33 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-33

Denomination: Pentecostal

Hope For The Backslider

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on May 1, 2003

Some important truths for our Christian life can be gleaned from the vision Zechariah had as recorded in this passage.

HOPE FOR THE BACKSLIDER “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

How God Can Use Innovators

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 19, 2001

In this passage we learn a lot about innovation from the courage of Cornelius, the founder of the first Gentile house church.

How God Uses Innovators (Acts 10:1-8) 1. Today we hear a lot about innovators who start up their own dot-com businesses. Even though many of these innovators may not enjoy success, they are learning from their efforts. Many innovators are not afraid to fail because they believe in the importance ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Message Of God's Love Found In Hosea

Contributed by Robert Kerr on Jul 9, 2001

Love costs something, sometimes it hurts to love, Jesus taught us that, Hosea discovered it, in this passage.

THE MESSAGE OF GOD’S LOVE FOUND IN HOSEA INTRODUCTION: Hosea was a contemporary of Amos in Israel, and of Isaiah and Micah in Judah. Hosea’s message is that Israel is Jehovah’s adulterous wife, repudiated, but ultimately to be purified and restored. But Hosea learned about God’s love ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus: Savior Of Choice

Contributed by Oris Hubbard on Jan 17, 2001

Message preached on Sunday before national election, but good for anytime of year. Skeleton outline with supporting Scripture passages.

Introduction: This week and for the last couple of months, we have heard probably more that we wish to hear about the candidates for public office. We have heard names like Bush, Gore, Buchanan, Nader, Vinroot, Easley, McNairy, Jones, and many others. What about Jesus? Would you vote for Him to ...read more

Scripture: John 1:26-27

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Have Inexpressible Joy In Trials! Series

Contributed by Joseph Mcculley on Nov 24, 2005

This passage helps one have the right perspective about trials when they come so that they may have joy.

1 Peter 1:6-12 How to have Inexpressible Joy in Trials Introduction: Last Week we saw that Christians should bless (Eulogetos, “to speak well of”, “to praise” God because: He has saved us (v.3). He gives us a living Hope (v.3b). He give us an inheritance (v.4). He guards us ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You Can Learn A Lot From A Donkey

Contributed by Thomas Monroe on Apr 1, 2002

Of all the figures in this passage, we tend to overlook what we can learn from the donkey’s presence.

You Can Learn A Lot From A Donkey - Matthew 21:1-11 The automakers and those who test their vehicles use dummies to simulate what happens to human beings like you and I during an automobile accident. They put these dummies through a battery of tests that determine what injuries a real person ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Why We Do Need To Serve In The Local Church

Contributed by Naveen Balakrishnan on May 17, 2004

This Scripture passage gives us the reason why we need to serve in the local church with the gift that is given to us.

“Why Do We Need To Serve?” 1 Peter 4:10 Because The Gift is… A. SUPPLIED to you. (v. 10a) As every man has received the gift Matthew 25:14-15; Romans 8:32; 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 4:7; 7:17; 12:4-7; John 3:27; Ephesians 4:7; 2 Timothy 1:6; Psalm 84:11; 2 Peter 1:3; 1 Timothy 6:17 B. Given to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10

Denomination: Baptist

High In Salt Content Part 2

Contributed by Pat Cook on Aug 31, 2004

Part 2 of being salty - more Biblical cause-and-effect passages of how others will find God.

Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34 – High in Salt Content – Part 2 A five-year-old lad was watching his mother change the baby. When she overlooked sprinkling the tot’s backside with talcum powder and hurried him into his diaper, the five-year-old reproved her sharply, "Hey, Mom, you forgot to salt him!" Salt ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:34

Denomination: Baptist

Why Is God So Willing To Answer Our Prayers?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 10, 2004

This message focuses on the 4 passages that specifically point us to God’s motives and reasons for answering our prayers.

Jesus On Prayer: 1. Most passages deal with the conditions of answered prayer: a. You’ve got to have faith. - Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:21-22; Mark 9:23; Mark 11:22-24; John 14:12. b. You’ve got to be obedient. - John 14:15; John 15:7, 16. - also, James 5:16; 1 John 3:22. c. You’ve got to be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-8

Denomination: Baptist