Sermons on Difficult Passages:

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

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

"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

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

Don't Let Your Heart Be Troubled

Contributed by Jose R. Hernandez on Jul 10, 2007

We are living in difficult times; we are living in prophetic times. All we have to do is examine the word of God and realize the signs are being given.

The truth is that nowadays we can’t watch television or listen to the radio without hearing mention of distant wars and disasters. We are living in difficult times; we are living in prophetic times. All we have to do is examine the word of God and realize the signs are being given. As I said, we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:3-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Leadership Crisis! Series

Contributed by Dr. Baby Ruth Hablo on Dec 26, 2004

(Devotional Series 5/50) Almost immediately Moses finds himself in a difficult position! 1. THE PEOPLE BLAME MOSES! 2. MOSES BLAME GOD!

LEADERSHIP CRISIS! Exodus 5:10-23 (Devotional Series 5) Almost immediately Moses finds himself in a difficult position! He’s hardly been accepted by the people as their chief when he faces a major crisis. His whole leadership hangs in the balance. I. THE PEOPLE BLAME MOSES! That’s how it often ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 5:10-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Not Enough! Series

Contributed by Dr. Baby Ruth Hablo on Dec 8, 2004

(Devotional Series 4/50) These verses seem difficult, don’t they? But they are important, because they tell us the differences between the real Christians and a sham.

NOT ENOUGH John 6:52-71 (Devotional Series 4) What is Chritian? These verses seem difficult, don’t they? But they are important, because they tell us the differences between the real Christians and a sham. You see, to be a Christian-- I. IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO HEAR CHRIST’S TEACHING. Think about ...read more

Scripture: John 6:52-71

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Is A Living Sacrifice?

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Jun 24, 2014

The word “sacrifice” in our text presents a problem to the minds of many devout Christians. They look upon a sacrifice as something that is painful, difficult, and unpleasant.

Disclaimer Please note that all my sermons come from the Lord. But I get my info from many sources from my library and other sources. I do not claim all material as my originality. I don’t quote all sources but I give credit to the Lord who is the author of all sermons. “All originality ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: Baptist

Easter - At The Tomb

Contributed by Melvin Newland on May 6, 2015

I want us to put ourselves in the sandals of the disciples. For some that will be easy because despair is not foreign to you. Bur for others, that may be more difficult because . . .

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2017) TEXT: Matthew 27:57-66 The disciples must have been devastated. They had been inspired by His teachings. And they had decided to follow Him. It had not been an easy road, but they had willingly left families, homes, & ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:57-66

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Abused And Used But Not Used Up

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 3, 2010

We must determine that the children with whom we are surrounded are God’s gift and God’s assignment for us, no matter how difficult or inconvenient they are.

I received a letter the other day from someone very close to me. His letter was written hurriedly, because I had written him asking some questions. He felt he needed to answer those right away. He had a conviction he wanted me to hear immediately. I had asked him if he was going to leave his ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:17-22

Denomination: Baptist

Accept One Another Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jul 1, 2021

This is an uncomfortable, difficult, and counter-culture teaching that is based solely on the love of Christ. They had a hard time with it - it was a shock to their system to hear it - but it was God’s way forward.

-Building Up One Another- ACCEPT ONE ANOTHER Romans 15:7 Introduction Romans 15:7 “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” In his letter of 16 chapters, he raises this in chap 15! This is an uncomfortable, difficult, and counter-culture teaching ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ