Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Increase Our Faith

Contributed by Peter Parry on Jun 29, 2002

Increasing our faith is a gift from God that we recognize in difficult times when we question God less and trust Him more.

INCREASE OUR FAITH (Luke 17:3-6; Mt.15:21-28) Increase our faith asked the disciples after Jesus had just explained to them the need to forgive your brother even up to 7 times in one day. The disciples knew themselves well enough to admit that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5

Denomination: Congregational

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

The First Melancholy Christmas

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Dec 22, 2006

The Christmas season is a difficult time for some to celebrate when they have suffered tragedy during the year. That first Christmas also had their share of tragedies.

Matthew 2:13-23 The First Melancholy Christmas Introduction – I Heard the Bells Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was filled with sorrow at the tragic death of his wife in a fire in 1861. The Civil War broke out that same year and it seemed this was an additional punishment. Two years later, Longfellow ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

"Fixation - Looking In All The Wrong Places" Series

Contributed by Nick Panico on Apr 28, 2008

This is the 3rd message in the four part series on walking through the wilderness. This message deals with keeping our perspective during difficult seasons in life.

Wilderness– Pt.3 “Fixation – Looking In All The Wrong Places” Ex.16:1-3 – Pastor Nick S. Panico (Exo 16:1-3 NKJV) And they journeyed from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Is A Rumor

Contributed by Dave Anderson on Dec 7, 2007

This is a message encourageing believers and the Church at Large that Christ is working on our behalf in the most difficult of times. The message is based on "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe."

THERE IS A RUMOR: ASLAN IS ON THE MOVE! Song of Solomon 2: 11-12; Amos 3:15; Ps. 143:3-4;Rev. 21:1-8; 22:1-5: Isaiah 40:1-6; 35:1-2 INTRODUCTION There is a rumor going around and I thought you might like to know about it. A rumor can be a dangerous thing. Often rumors are used by one person or ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 2:11-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Trouble With Being Righteous Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Feb 26, 2008

Living under the blessing of grace we need to be reminded that a life of righteousness follows our salvation. A righteous life is difficult to live in an unrighteous society.

THE TROUBLE WITH BEING RIGHTEOUS “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…” (Isaiah 64:6). The subject of righteousness is very disturbing for a number of reasons. First of all, “righteousness” is not a word we use very much in our ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 51:1-11

Denomination: Mennonite

Jacob's Dream

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Aug 29, 2008

Jacob’s dream helps us to realize that at the most difficult time’s of our life, God desires to speak to us with positive results.

SC 8/30/2008 Jacob’s dream Genesis chapter 28:1-22 Disclaimer- This sermon is from private study and resources ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:1-22

Denomination: Nazarene

The - First Light - Factor Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 5, 2008

To some people, the world is a dark and difficult experience. But in the midst of their frustration, there is the hint of eternity that makes them hope that there is something more than they are presently experiencing.

(Twenty years ago I heard a preacher give a sermon with the same kinds of opening and closing illustrations. It left such an impression on me that I have waited all this time to preach this specific sermon.) OPEN: Nine men lay trapped more than 200 feet beneath the ground in a coal mine in ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Treasuring God's Money Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Oct 25, 2012

In this prolonged, difficult economic recession, what role does our Christian faith play? What does treasuring God's money look like?

“Treasuring God’s Money” 2 Chron. 20:1-17; Heb. 12:25-29 I treasure my family. That’s why I have pictures of Barb and our kids and grandkids in my office (and on my computer screen.) There’s little I wouldn’t do for them; there’s nothing I wouldn’t ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Just Do It

Contributed by C M Mackinnon on Sep 17, 2010

When we ask God speak to us, we must be prepared to hear Him, and to do whatever He asks, even when it is difficult.

Now as [Jesus] was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Omniscience Of God Series

Contributed by L Lee on Sep 17, 2010

Learn more about the character and attributes of God. It is difficult to please God or respond to Him appropriately if we do not know what He is like.

Omniscience of God The doctrine that God knows everything. Hebrews 4:13 (NIV) Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Psalms 139:1 4 (NIV) For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. O LORD, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:13

Denomination: Christian Church

Justice Of God Series

Contributed by L Lee on Sep 17, 2010

Learn more about the character and attributes of God. It is difficult to please God or respond to Him appropriately if we do not know what He is like.

Justice of God Our God is a just God Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV) He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Isaiah 45:21 (KJV) Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:4

Denomination: Christian Church

Justice Of God Series

Contributed by L Lee on Sep 17, 2010

Learn more about the character and attributes of God. It is difficult to please God or respond to Him appropriately if we do not know what He is like.

Justice of God Our God is a just God Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV) He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Isaiah 45:21 (KJV) Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:4

Denomination: Christian Church