Sermons on Difficult Passages:

The Verdict Is In Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Apr 26, 2001

In this passage James puts the faith only doctrine on trial and we the jury must make our verdict (real faith - For The Real World - part 4).

"The Verdict Is In - Faith Works Bridge The Gap!" TEXT: JAMES 2:14-26 Both lawyers with great skill have presented their cases and with precision eloquence concluded their closing arguments. The defense and prosecuting teams stand - the jury is escorted out and the wait for the verdict ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Serving God In Less Than Ideal Places Series

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Oct 1, 2015

Sometimes by the hand of God's guidance we are put in places that seem less than the best for us at the time but God knows best how to get glory out of a difficult place.

ELIJAH—A MAN OF LIKE PASSIONS 05 Serving God In Less Than Ideal Places TEXT: 1 Kings 18:1-16 1 Kings 18:1-16 KJV And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. [2] ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:1-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

One Dies For All Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Apr 2, 2022

This passage which we have taken for our contemplation has many life values to learn. But let me share with you three practical life lessons.

Theme: One Dies for all Text: John 11:45-57 Greetings; The Lord is Good and his love endures forever. Joke: “A frog had fallen in love with human girls. No human girl touched him. So, he went to a Prophet. Prophet said: Soon you are going to meet a beautiful young girl who wants to know all ...read more

Scripture: John 11:45-57

Denomination: Methodist

Who Do You Serve?

Contributed by Colin Thornby on Nov 6, 2010

Making a choice to serve Jesus (Luke 16:1-13)

This is one of the more difficult passages of Luke’s Gospel, and the interpretation of it divides commentators and preachers. What are we to make of it? I think the key to it is, once again, to look at it in the context of the central theme of Luke’s Gospel – what does it mean to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: *other

A Series Of Providential Events Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Apr 24, 2009

Is the hand of God with you during good times, or maybe, God has brought you to terrible times as well. Why would the hand of God leave us in difficult times?

The right place at the right time. Coincidence? Happenstance? Good fortune? The wrong place at the wrong time. Bad luck? Fate? Accidental? When an amazing and wonderful thing happens in our life we say that the hand of God was certainly with us….does that mean that when something bad happens in ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unveiling The Scriptures: Navigating Ancient Interpretations In A Modern World Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 8, 2024

With our modern expectations, sometimes we find it difficult to understand the Bible. By adjusting our expectations we can correctly understand God's Word and apply His truth to our lives.

Unveiling the Scriptures: Navigating Ancient Interpretations in a Modern World Today, we’ll explore a fascinating and often overlooked aspect of Scripture: how the authors of the Bible interpret earlier portions of the Bible, and how we, with our modern expectations, sometimes find these ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Matthew 2:15, Hosea 11:1, Revelation 13:1-2, Jeremiah 29:11, John 16:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

When God Says Go The World Says No Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Apr 28, 2006

Getting used to the idea of not being liked is difficult if you happen to be a person that cares what people think. But as you know Sometimes, “When God Says GO the World Says NO.”

Getting used to the idea of not being liked is difficult if you happen to be a person that cares what people think. But as you know Sometimes, “When God Says GO the World Says NO.” Look at Genesis 31 tonight and we’ll catch a glimpse of what Jacob went through as he began to follow God’s ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 31:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Mama's Big Helper"

Contributed by Jerry Depoy on May 12, 2005

It is difficult to Pastor a Church these days. Where are the families? It seems everyone comes from, or is a part of, a disfunctional family today. God offer’s hope to the homeless!

Introduction: It is difficult to Pastor a Church these days. Where are the families? It seems everyone comes from, or is a part of, a disfunctional family today. God offers hope for the homeless! Broken homes can happen in the best of families. It happened to Abraham and Sara. The birth of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

God Wants Us To Be Sure

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 7, 2001

In this day & age it is sometimes difficult to know what is true. But surely, there are some things we can count on, some things we can know for sure.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN, BROWNSVILLE, TX A. What do we know for sure? In this age of contemporary uncertainty it is difficult to know what is true, because what was considered true yesterday may not be considered true today. ILL. For example, for a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:15-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Then!

Contributed by Mike Hays on Oct 18, 2000

Life maybe difficult as we follow Jesus, but then one day when we least expect it, God will grant us times of great blessing and peace.

Then! Acts 9:31 Charles Haddon Spurgeon was born in 1834. Charles' father was a minister, so Charles was influenced by the Word of God from an early age. Charles was a bright boy. Even as a young boy in Essex he had been an avid reader, he read Pilgrim's Progress when he was only six years old - a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Word Of Encouragement

Contributed by Naveen Balakrishnan on May 29, 2003

God’s gives to His children a word of encouragement especially as they go through difficult circumstances when they learn to love Him and walk in accordance to His purpose.

“A Word of Encouragement” Romans 8:28 1. God WORKS. (8:28a) John 5:19; Hebrews 1:2-3; 1 Samuel 12:24; Isaiah 44:24; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Isaiah 49:5 2. God works WHOLLY (ON THE WHOLE) not in part. (8:28b) Colossians 1:16-17; Romans 4:21; Numbers 23:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Philippians 1:6; ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Baptist

Trust God And Do Not Complain

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 10, 2001

To lead the people to understand that we should not complain when God leads us along difficult paths, but to trust Him for what is the best direction for our lives.

Deliverance From Egypt Crossing the Red Sea – Exodus 13:20-15:21 1. Aim: To lead the people to understand that we should not complain when God leads us along difficult paths, but to trust Him for what is the best direction for our lives. ILlustration:In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thanksgiving: It's Not Easy

Contributed by Harold Orndorff on Sep 10, 2004

Thanksgiving, while perhaps something we most need to do, turns out to be the most difficult thing we do. A brief examination shows us why.

Thanksgiving: It’s not easy Introduction: Thanksgiving: we have celebratory day for it every year. It’s a very American holiday, and it is deeply ingrained in our culture. We devote a day just to thanksgiving - at least that is what we claim. That doesn’t sound so tough. In fact, you wouldn’t ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Pretending Everything Is Okay

Contributed by Jason Patrick on Nov 24, 2001

As part of a family of faith, Christians need to realize that we can be honest with God and with one another about just how difficult life can sometimes be.

Pretending Everything is Okay / Psalm 137 Proper 22, Year C; Downsville Baptist Church; 7 October 2001 One of the biggest grievances that I presently hold against many churchgoers is the notion that it is important that we act like everything is just fine in our lives even when it is not. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

God Measures The Heart

Contributed by Stephen Woody on Jun 10, 2005

This is a Father’s Day Sermon that points out how difficult it is to be a good father, but that thankfully, it’s not something we do without help from above

"GOD MEASURES THE HEART" Introduction: I DON’T LIKE FATHER’S DAY! Let Me Be Honest And Get That Out of The Way Right Now Father’s day, for a preacher is a royal pain in the neck. If the preacher is a male, that is. And especially if the preacher is a Father. And ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Methodist