Sermons on Difficult Passages:

They Lost Their First Love

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 24, 2001

This is a passage of scripture that really bothers me, & yet it has a tremendous message. It is part of one of the 7 letters to the churches in the Book of Revelation.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK I'm going to read a passage of scripture that bothers me, & yet it has a tremendous message. It is part of one of the 7 letters to the churches in the Book of Revelation, & is found in chapter 2, vs's 1 5. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-5, Psalm 51:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Holiness Of God Series

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 12, 2013

One of the most difficult attributes for us to understand as humans is the holiness of God. This sermon attempts to describe it, but like all others, cannot do the subject justice!

If you want to know or learn more about God, one of the most important things you need to learn about Him is that He is Holy. His holiness is probably one of the most prominent attribute that is talked about in scripture. The word “holy” is mentioned over 600 times in the Bible. He is ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Long View - Perspective Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jun 11, 2013

Sometimes it is difficult to see what God is doing because we are too close to the situation; it is helpful to remember and place our hope in God's long-view perspective.

When I was a kid, I used to get a magazine in the mail every month, I think it was Canadian Geographic for kids or something similar, and one of my favorite parts was on the second to last page. It was about 9 pictures, super close up, and the game was to see how many of those objects you could ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Look At Yourself

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Oct 15, 2023

Taking a long honest look at ourselves is one of the hardest things for us to do. Admitting that I need help, something is wrong in my life is very difficult.

Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32, 1 John 1:8-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

David Sinned, And The Son Must Die: A Sermon For Christ The King Sunday

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 15, 2023

What should we make of such a miserable passage of Scripture? And what does this have to do with Christ the King Sunday. Read and find out.

Adam Sinned, and the Son must Die 2 Samuel 12:9-14 Sin has dire consequences. It not only affects the sinner but also everyone around him. In this case, David's newborn son with Bathsheba is struck down by the LORD, even though David is allowed to live. But an even greater Son must die, not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:9-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Funeral Service For Bob Alexander

Contributed by David Henderson on Oct 27, 2020

Today we find ourselves in the valley of death that the Psalmist talked about…..it is a difficult place to be but it is also a place where we can experience the presence of God.

Funeral Service for Bob Alexander 2nd Timothy 4:7-8 Good morning. My name is David Henderson and I am privileged to be Bob Alexander’s pastor and have had the good fortune to have known he and Vivian for nearly 20 years. On behalf of the family I want to thank you of you for your presence here ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Denomination: Baptist

Overcoming Worry Series

Contributed by John Graves on Jan 27, 2007

An expository sermon on Matthew,some try to allegorize this passage of calming the storm but in doing so they lose most of its true meaning.

The Relevance of the Text. How many of you here this morning would consider your faith as something the Lord Jesus would be pleased with? All too often our faith is not something that pleases the Lord. Every one of us here today could probably give a time in our lives when we were in a place ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Day Jesus Wept - The Day Of Visitation

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Mar 30, 2021

What a tragedy it is when God visits His people and many of them miss His visitation! Take advantage of the move of God during this difficult season. God is still speaking!

Introduction: The Christmas carol ask the question, Do you see what I see?, Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king, Do you know what I know?, In your palace wall mighty king, Do you know what I know?, A child, a child Shivers in the cold, Let us bring him silver and gold, Let us bring him silver ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:41-45, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Matthew 23:37-38

Denomination: Methodist

Are You Justified By Faith, Or By Works?

Contributed by Charles Degner on Oct 23, 2006

This difficult chapter of the Bible is not hard to understand if you ask a simple question. James says we are justified by our works, not just by faith. But justified BEFORE WHOM?

James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-26 Pentecost 17B Rev. Charles F. Degner 1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-25

Denomination: Lutheran

What Will Heaven Be Like? Series

Contributed by Erik Estep on Jan 20, 2010

Today in our passage of Scripture we’ll see Jesus’ disciple John give us a glimpse into what Heaven will be like.

Intro: A Sunday School teacher was teaching his class about heaven. He asked the children, “If I sold my house and my car, had a huge yard sale, and gave all the money to the church, would that get me into heaven?” All the children answered, “NO!” “If everyday I ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Scariest Verse In The Bible

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Feb 21, 2021

The Bible is an amazing book; the very Word of God. Within it, millions have found hope through faith in Jesus Christ. There are passages on love, hate, hope, miracles, destruction, and praise to God. There are many passages that comfort, some which alarm, and even some that can be quite scary.

The Scariest Verse in the Bible February 21, 2021 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: You can have assurance that you are saved. Focus Passage: Matthew 7:21 Supplemental Passage: And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21, 1 John 5:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

Love Is Patient Series

Contributed by Kevin Cummins on Apr 20, 2005

One of the most difficult areas to show patience in is our relationships with others. But that is exactly what God’s Word calls us to have in our relationships. Because love is patient.

“Did you hear about the teacher who was helping one of her kindergarten students put on his boots? He asked for help and she could see why? With her pulling and him pushing, the boots still didn’t want to go on. When the second boot was on, she had worked up a sweat. She almost whimpered when the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4

Denomination: Church Of God

The Best Gifts Come In Small Packages

Contributed by Jason Patrick on Jan 5, 2002

We need the joyful reminder that God is present with us not only in life’s most difficult moments but especially in the midst of life’s tragedies.

The Best Gifts Come in Small Packages / Matthew 1:18-25 Advent 4, Year A; Downsville Baptist Church; 23 Dec. 2001 A little boy and girl were singing their favorite Christmas carol in church the Sunday before Christmas. The boy concluded "Silent Night" with the words, "Sleep in heavenly beans." ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Allow Circumstances Rob Your Joy Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Feb 13, 2007

Philippians is commonly called the "Book of Joy". But Paul presents several thieves that try to rob us of our joy. The first thief: "Difficult Circumstances."

DON’T ALLOW CIRCUMSTANCES ROB YOUR JOY A. For the next few weeks we’re going to take a look at CHRISTIAN JOY and the THIEVES that try to ROB us of our JOY from the book of Philippians. 1. Now to some people the phrase “CHRISTIAN JOY” is an OXYMORON--in their mind these two words CONTRADICT ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Allow People Rob Your Joy Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Feb 13, 2007

Philippians is commonly called the "Book of Joy". But Paul presents several thieves that try to rob us of our joy. The second thief: "Difficult People."

DO NOT ALLOW PEOPLE TO ROB YOUR JOY ILLUSTRATION: A PREACHER told about his nine-year-old daughter who one day JUMPED off the SCHOOL BUS as it stopped in front of her house and SLAMMED her way through the front door. She MARCHED up the stairs into her ROOM and again SLAMMED the DOOR. All the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ