Sermons on Difficult Passages:

What Have We Spoken Against You? Series

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Nov 19, 2015

In this passage God is addressing disappointed and disillusioned people who accuse Him of being unfair. Problem: People speak against God.

Introduction: What speech is spoken against God? 1) vain speech (uselessness or false) Exo 20:7 "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. 2) deceptive or smooth speech (lying) Rom 16:18 For such men are ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Purpose Of Worship

Contributed by Michael Mays on Aug 27, 2021

Many have preached on Isaiah 6; this is a music minister's take on the passage, and its implications on godly, righteous living.

I. Introduction A. After attending church one Sunday morning, a little boy knelt at his bedside that night and prayed, "Dear God, we had a good time at church today--but I wish you had been there!" B. In what ways do we evaluate our worship? How do we determine if “God ...read more

What Do I Want More Than Jesus? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 24, 2022

This is a passage that clearly indicates what Pilate prized more than anything else. What can we learn from him?

- Paint a picture of all the conflicting priorities we try to hold onto simultaneously: money, family, relationships, morality, power, religion, etc. THE BIG QUESTION FOR THIS MORNING: What’s the last thing in your hands? - When we think of all those things, there are situations where we have to ...read more

Scripture: John 19:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Living Hope Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jan 6, 2022

As we unpack this passage we will see several things that we can expect as Jesus followers that give us a living hope.

Living Hope OKAY – let’s do this… SO HERE - is the ‘Powerful Passage’ (1 Peter 1:1-12) that we are going to unpack this morning, in a conversation that I am calling, “Living Hope.” NOW – I want to encourage you to ‘really’ lean in and follow along in your Bibles/App or on the screen, as we read ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Preaching From Philippians #6

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 31, 2022

In this passage of scripture, Paul talks to the Philippian Christians about salvation. That may seem strange because these people said they were Believers.

A good pastor deals with the subject of salvation for two reasons: (1) He knows it is a possibility that many are deceived about their salvation. The Lord Himself dealt with this deception in Matthew 7:22-23, we read, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Connections Of Father, Son, And The Disciples Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 13, 2022

This passage is flooded with information about the connections between the Father, the Son, and the disciples. What specifically can we learn from it?

- [Probably best to do on a Wednesday evening – lots of points.] - This passage is dense. Lots going on. It’s deep and complex. - One of the things worth pulling from this passage: there is an almost overwhelming about of information on the connections between Father, Son, and the disciples. - ...read more

Scripture: John 17:6-26

Denomination: Baptist

Maundy Thursday - Full Love Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Apr 14, 2022

Three lessons we could arrive at from this passage: Greater love of Christ, greater humility of Jesus, and a greater commitment to God.

Maundy Thursday Theme: Full Extent of Love Text: John 13:1-17 Introduction: Maundy means commandment. Today is Commandment Thursday, Holy Thursday or Sheer Thursday, green Thursday in Germany, because of cleaning the penance of a new beginning (ref: Britannica). The following texts remind the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

Strategy Of The Treasure Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Mar 14, 2021

This is part two of a four part series on this passage. It looks at how we deal with the treasure God has entrusted us with.

Last week we started with tales of treasure and tales of pirates. Which reminds me, do you know why pirates are called pirates? Because they arrgg. That was free. So here we are. Week two of Money Month! In case you weren't here last week or if you are new to Cornerstone, I made a decision ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Wesleyan

The People In The Pews

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 3, 2022

Ezekiel is a interesting prophet. We can see from this passage of Scripture that he preached sermons that dealt with people where they lived.

I am sure that when Ezekiel got through preaching this sermon, there were not many standing at the back door telling him how much they enjoyed the sermon. This is why many will seek for a church where the Word of God is occasionally MENTIONED, but not PREACHED! For example, today it is not ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:30-33

Denomination: Baptist

What Jesus Said The Holy Spirit’s Job Was Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 23, 2022

In this passage Jesus teaches us several key truths about what the Holy Spirit will do for us after Jesus leaves.

- While this is not an exhaustive study of the role of the Holy Spirit, this is a key moment. Jesus will soon be leaving, as He reminds His disciples within the passage. In this larger passage, He has several big subjects He wants to cover with His disciples before He leaves. One of those is who He ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The People In The Pews

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 24, 2022

Ezekiel is a interesting prophet. We can see from this passage of Scripture that he preached sermons that dealt with people where they lived.

I am sure that when Ezekiel got through preaching this sermon, there were not many standing at the back door telling him how much they enjoyed the sermon. This is why many will seek for a church where the Word of God is occasionally MENTIONED, but not PREACHED! For example, today it is not ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:30-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Son’s Connection To The Father Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 30, 2020

This deep, dense, and challenging passage details the connections between the Son and the Father. What specifics can we learn from it?

EQUAL WITH GOD: The Jews thought Jesus was claiming to be equal with God the Father. - John 5:18. - What exactly is going on in this interaction that the Jews thought Jesus was claiming to be equal with God the Father? a. In v. 16 the Jews persecute Jesus because He violated their rules for the ...read more

Scripture: John 5:15-30

Denomination: Baptist

Preaching From Philippians #6

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 28, 2021

In this passage of scripture, Paul talks to the Philippian Christians about salvation. That may seem strange because these people said they were Believers.

A good pastor deals with the subject of salvation for two reasons: (1) He knows it is a possibility that many are deceived about their salvation. The Lord Himself dealt with this deception in Matthew 7:22-23, we read, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is He, And What Is He To You? Series

Contributed by Delwyn Campbell on Sep 7, 2020

One weakness of Lectionary preaching is actually not a weakness of the lectionary, but of the preaching: When we forget that the passage for today is not an isolated piece of text...

Who is He, and What is He to You? Rev. Delwyn Campbell / General / Joining Christ on His Mission / Matthew 16:13–20 My Favorite Illustrations A Child’s Only Knowledge of Jesus A Child’s Only Knowledge of Jesus In Vacation Bible School, A teacher asked a little boy who had little church ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Lutheran

An Ode To The Messed-Up Church Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 11, 2020

This passage details the numerous efforts the Paul made to get the Corinthians back on track and the harsh reality that some churches are just a mess.

- Maybe start with the story of Pastor Mark and church “J.” THE SITUATION FOR THIS MESSED-UP CHURCH: 1. Paul handled his ministry there with integrity. - 2 Corinthians 12:11-12, 17-19. 2. Paul sacrificed for them. - 2 Corinthians 12:13, 14b, 15-16. 3. This was not the first time he’d tried ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Denomination: Baptist