Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Deliverance Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Nov 1, 2019

The key idea in this passage is that God is willing to restore those who call on him, even through a variety of circumstances—wandering, self-inflicted pain, or rebellion in this case.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • What do you tend to do when things in life get difficult? Where do you run, to whom or what do you turn? • One lesson I have learned in life is who I need to turn to when I need deliverance and who to thank! • We are entering the Thanksgiving holiday season. • Today we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Life Of David: Loving Your Enemies Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Feb 6, 2006

We have been reading through the life of David and drawing from his life very important lessons for our own. This lesson is on dealing with our enemies and difficult people.

LIFE OF DAVID: LOVING YOUR ENEMIES 1 SAMUEL 24:1-22 INTRODUCTION... He Aint Much of a trucker Late one summer evening in Broken Bow, Nebraska, a weary truck driver pulled his rig into an all-night truck stop. The waitress had just served him when three tough looking, leather jacketed ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living Our Faith In Real Life Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on May 3, 2021

The God-ordained trip for Paul consists of a very difficult voyage. We see his faith in God despite the ordeal. God is sovereign, present and in control in our trials and tribulations.

How often do your plans start well but then somehow moved into chaos? You make all the arrangements but then disaster strikes. • Where do you turn to in times of crisis? When you have done all that you possibly can, what’s next? Are we going to give up or still stick with God? • Welcome to Acts ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:27-44

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fruitfulness

Contributed by Charles Holt on Mar 1, 2008

We all know the Psalm 1 and John 15 passages on fruitfulness but Jesus gives us a deeper insight on this subject from a dynamic parable in Luke.

Charles W. Holt cholt@gt.rr.com Community of Grace Vinton, LA Feb. 17, 2008 FRUITFULNESS (A definition: fruit·ful ( fr›t“f…l) adj. 1. a. Producing fruit. 2. Producing something in abundance;. 3. Producing results; profitable. See note at fertile (American Heritage Dictionary) I want us to read ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:6-9, Luke 13:6-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Taste Testers

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on Feb 21, 2013

Hebrews 6 adresses those who only taste what Jesus has to offer us.

Hebrews 6:4-8 . Intro: On Sunday, August 16,1987, Northwest Airlines flight 225 crashed just after taking off from the Detroit airport. One hundred fifty-five people were killed. One survived: a 4-year-old from Tempe, Arizona, named Cecelia. News accounts say when rescuers found Cecelia they did ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:4-8

Denomination: Baptist

A Satisfying Meal Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

Following Jesus is not easy. Sometimes what he expects of us seems too difficult; sometimes it just doesn’t seem to make sense. It is then that we need to obey.

Introduction You have heard the term Christ-figure. It is a literary term for a character in a story who is like a savior or sacred figure. Those of you who have read John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath might remember Jim Casey, a fallen preacher who helps migrant workers. It is no ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Proper Orbits Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jun 10, 2024

The passage deals with immorality that shouldn’t be named or practiced among the believers at Ephesus, I want to emphasize that the scripture should not be burdened with baggage that it is often saddled with

Background to passage: It’s been a while since we have been in Ephesians, so a quick overview. First three chapters are deeply theological about Christ’s role in our salvation and in the life of the church. Last three chapters are very practical. In fact the end of chapter four some of the “most ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Things Might Get Messy Series

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Apr 30, 2002

April 7, 2002 -- Sermon 1 in a series on the Gospel of John. We like our life nice and clean -- but life sometimes gets messy and difficult.

April 7, 2002 The Rev. Dr. W. Maynard Pittendreigh Senior Pastor Isaiah 49:1-11 Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-42

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Is That You God?"

Contributed by Dwight Davis on Oct 4, 2002

Distinguishing the voice of God from the endless ’static’ of the world around us can often be difficult. This sermon seeks to help us "clean up the static."

“Speak Lord, for Your Servant is Listening” I was driving towards the coast for a job I had to do and on the way, I saw two billboards inparticular that caught my attention. To this day, I don’t know what group or organization sponsored them but they both implied a major sponsor to say the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-20, 1 Corinthians 2:10-16

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

How To Overcome Depression

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

HOW TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION OR DISCOURAGEMENT IN YOUR DEALINGS WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE Ornery people tend to attract people who are prone to have low self-esteem.

HOW TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION OR DISCOURAGEMENT IN YOUR DEALINGS WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE Ornery people tend to attract people who are prone to have low self-esteem. The reasons for this are many and varied, but some people feel secure around a strong leader who gives them a sense of strength, courage ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

25 Pentecost A

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Nov 7, 2002

Championships are won when the stands are empty. We make daily choices that may not be glamorous but are foundational to our faith. Only in difficult times are the foundations tested.

25 Pentecost A Matthew 25:1-13 10 November 2002 Rev. Roger Haugen There is a slogan written on the walls of a football locker room somewhere that says, “Championships are won when the stands are empty”. When you think about it you know it is true. If it were not for hard work at many practices ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

A Battle Worth Waging

Contributed by Jeff Putman on Feb 18, 2005

Overcoming the everyday battle of the flesh can be difficult, but it can be done.With the empowerment of Gods Holy Spirit we can live a life of overcoming victory.

TITLE : A BATTLE WORTH WAGING TEXT: GALATIANS 5: 16-25 THEME: WAGING THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE SPIRIT AND THE FLESH Would you open your bible and turn with me to the fifth chapter of the book of Galatians? Galatians, the fifth chapter, and we will began in the sixteenth verse. Please rise in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-25

Denomination: Baptist

"Dealing With Grief"

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Sep 3, 2004

Grief is something to go through, not hold on to. God’s comfort can bring us through difficult times and he certainly will do it.

Iliff and Saltillo UM Churches September 5, 2004 “Dealing with Grief” John 14:1-6 I Thess. 4:13, 14 Introduction: This week marks the third anniversary of 9/11, that horrible day when we saw unfolding before our very eyes on TV where terrorists brought death and destruction to the lives of 3000 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Denomination: Methodist

Wilderness University Series

Contributed by Sheldon Boyd on Nov 30, 2004

In this message we learn that real spiritual growth takes place during the most difficult periods of our lives. This is part 3 in a 9 part series.

MOSES: FROM DOUBT TO DELIVERANCE WILDERNESS UNIVERSITY Sunday September 22, 2002 Scripture Reference: Exodus 2:15-25 Intro. A. Today is a special day for us at Cornerstone. We have just dedicated ____ children. As young as these children are it may seem difficult to think of the time when ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:15-25

Denomination: Holiness

He Paid The Fare

Contributed by Ron Hicks on Aug 31, 2007

In this setting, we have a runner. What caused this man to run? Was it the lack of self-confidence? Was it was sin? Its difficult to obey God when practicing sin.

HE PAID THE FARE 1 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. 3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God