Sermons on Difficult Passages:

Restoring Religion Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jan 5, 2008

Who is worship supposed to be about? God. And it is His worship that He was restoring in Jerusalem in this passage. This message looks at restoring our religion.

1. Worshipped as family (3:1 – they gathered together as one man) 2. Worshipped fittingly (3:2 – in accordance with the Word of God) 3. Worshipped freely (3:3 – in spite of the fear of the nations) 4. Worshipped fully (3:4-5 – they kept all the feasts and offered all the offerings) It seems like ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus: Master Over Demons Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Jan 5, 2009

In this passage we see that Jesus is indeed Master over demons! There is the MISERY of the soul, the MASTERY of the Savior, the MYSTERY of salvation and the MINISTRY of serving.

Mark 5:1-20 (Also found in MT 8:28-34; LK 8:26-37) Jesus: Master Over Demons! Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had [his] dwelling among ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Pleasing God

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Oct 2, 2009

This passage gives us insight as to how to please God! He has done so much for us that He is worth the effort!

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • We spent our time together last week examining the issue of having an intimate relationship with God. God desires us to be close to Him. • He paid a great price through His Son Jesus in order for that relationship to be possible. • When you have a very close or intimate ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Funeral On John 14:1-6

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 21, 2017

This passage speaks of a person, a preparation, a place, and a promise (Outline taken from Eddie Lawrence of Sermon Seedbed; funeral for Catherine Thies)

Message from John 14:1-6, one of 2 Scriptures Catherine mentioned This passage speaks of a person, a preparation, a place, and a promise 1. A person Many in today’s world tell us, “Believe in yourself.” Roy T. Bennett in his book, The Light in the Heart said, “Believe in ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Meaning Of Life

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Feb 6, 2015

In this passage Paul asks the questions: 1. What is the origin of life? 2. What is the meaning of life? 3. What is the value of life?

TSL 09-02-2015 I’d like to look this morning at the passage appointed as the Epistle today from Colossians 1:1-14. In it, as Rodney Buchanan has said Paul answers three basic questions: 1. What is the origin of life? 2. What is the meaning of life? 3. What is the value of life? But let ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20

Denomination: Anglican

Seeing Clearly

Contributed by Troy Borst on Sep 6, 2014

We who are believers, have a great promise in this passage that God will give us the victory over evil and over the schemes of the Devil.

SEEING CLEARLY REVELATION 12-18; REVELATION 12:1-17 INTRODUCTION… It’s Not the End of the World (p) I’d like you to imagine that this has been your morning: You awake to discover your alarm failed to go off and so you wake up late to get ready for work. In your rush out of bed, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Salvation Is Found In No Other Name! Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Jul 20, 2014

In Acts 4:12, the Apostle Peter made a powerful declaration on the significance of Jesus Christ for our salvation. This message looks at that passage,

SALVATION IS FOUND IN NO OTHER NAME! Acts 4: 12-33 Dorn Ridge Church of Christ (Centennial Park July 20, 2014) INTRODUCTION: 1.) This morning, I want to focus on what might be one of the greatest assertions of the Christian faith. 2.) In Acts 4: 12, the apostle Peter declared: “Salvation ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:12-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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

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

Hey, Wait A Minute.

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Apr 10, 2021

Are we to sell all that we have and give all of it to the Church to administrate for everyone one. Or does this passage mean something else?

Sermon Title: Hey, wait a minute. Scripture Text: Acts 4:32-35 ILLUSTRATION by joke. There's a story of a soapbox preacher in Hyde Park. He declared: "If you had two houses, you would give one to the poor wouldn't you?' 'Yes' said a man in the audience, 'indeed I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Part Of The Bible About Alexander The Great – No, Seriously Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

This passage includes prophecy that was fulfilled in Alexander the Great's conquests, as well as a much better known prediction concerning a donkey.

- Context note: this begins a part of Zechariah that is probably written four or five decades after the previous sections. Israel has completed the Temple, but is still vulnerable to foreign powers. TWO AMAZING PROPHECIES IN CHAPTER NINE: 1. Alexander the Great destroys everyone except ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 9:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Way Of Life And The Way Of Doom

Contributed by Gregory Lilly on Jan 3, 2013

Which path are you choosing to walk, with God or according to man? Let this passage reveal to you the best way for your life.

Psalm 1 Intro: Each one of us have the opportunity to make a wise choice by choosing God's way, following God's will, and listening daily to God's word. Sadly, there is also the opportunity to make an unwise choice by choosing the way of man, to follow the flesh, and listen to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

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