Sermons on Difficult People:

Reconciliation: From Outsiders To Insiders

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jul 23, 2012

God is in the business of reconciing people to people and people to Himself.

Title: Reconciliation: From Outsiders to Insiders Text: Ephesians 2:11-22 Thesis: God is in the business of reconciling people to people and people to himself. Introduction It is not as though we are uninformed and unaware of the evil in our world. It is kind of like the Whack-a-Mole ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dead Dog Syndrome Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Nov 10, 2022

The Dead Dog Syndrome (a critical spirit) can infect us or the people around us and is destructive in whatever direction it is focused.

[the title for this sermon comes from another contributor, but the content is my own] THE VERY RELATABLE LIFE OF KING DAVID DEAD DOG SYNDROME 2 SAMUEL 16:5-14, 19:15-23, PSALM 3:1-8 #kingdavid INTRODUCTION... A Little Quiz (p) I would like to begin this morning with a little quiz. I need you to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:5-14, 2 Samuel 19:15-23, Psalm 3:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Moral Leadership: Becoming A Change Agent In Times Of Global Crisis

Contributed by Joel Tejedo on Apr 27, 2020

Change agent is the one that acts or exerts power to change and transform a difficult situation. A change agent is someone that produces or is capable of producing an effect, an active, or effecient cause.

So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the Spirit of God." One of my favorite Bible characters that describes a change agent is Joseph the dreamer, the second youngest son of Jacob. Because of his dream, he was subject to the jealousy if his siblings ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:38

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Team Sport Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on May 13, 2020

Holiness is often misunderstood. It has been abused to try to enforce rules. So, what is Holiness? Is it possible? Why is it so difficult? Why does it seem to be such a mess?

Pt. 2 - A Team Sport I. Introduction Last week we talked about the Hall of Fames that over 200,000 people visit annually to catch a glimpse of a glove or a helmet. Have you ever watched one of the induction ceremonies? Individuals stand on a stage receiving the honor of a lifetime and they spend ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Standard? Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on May 13, 2020

Holiness is often misunderstood. It has been abused to try to enforce rules. So, what is Holiness? Is it possible? Why is it so difficult? Why does it seem to be such a mess?

Pt. 1 - What Standard? I. Introduction You can just say the name of the city and most people instantly, without any additional information, recognize what you are talking about. Canton, OH, Springfield, MA, Cooperstown, NY. Hall of Fame for football, basketball and baseball. These special places ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 11:44

Denomination: Pentecostal

Eat Flesh? Drink Blood? Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Sep 27, 2011

This message is the fourth in a series that deals with some of the difficult sayings of Jesus. This message examines the meaning behind Jesus saying to eat His flesh and drink His blood.

The majority of us are grossed out by what this statement suggests. These are the actions that are usually confined to a horror movie. Cannibals eat flesh and vampires drink blood. These are not things that normal people do. If Jesus is meaning this literally, we would all say, “That’s a little bit ...read more

Scripture: John 6:53-56

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Grace For Frogiveness

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Jun 1, 2017

Forgiveness is difficult to practice especially when one is greatly hurt or disappointed. We cannot forgive by our power, but must trust God for the grace to do so.

THE GRACE FOR FORGIVENESS Study Text: Matthew 18:21-22 Introduction: - After listening to Jesus’ teaching on reconciliation, unity, restoration and forgiveness, Peter asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” - Peter thought seven times ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

The Holiness Of God Series

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 12, 2013

One of the most difficult attributes for us to understand as humans is the holiness of God. This sermon attempts to describe it, but like all others, cannot do the subject justice!

If you want to know or learn more about God, one of the most important things you need to learn about Him is that He is Holy. His holiness is probably one of the most prominent attribute that is talked about in scripture. The word “holy” is mentioned over 600 times in the Bible. He is ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Interlude With Evil PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

Explore the providence, power, and hope of God in difficult times, as demonstrated in Esther Chapter 5, emphasizing that God often calls us in our weaknesses, not our strengths.

Good morning, brothers and sisters! Today, we are going to delve into the book of Esther, specifically Chapter 5, where we encounter the providence of God in the face of pain and misery, His power in the midst of evil, and the hope He provides in difficult times. In the words of Jerry Bridges, "He ...read more

Topics: Providence, God

Show Me The Money? Series

Contributed by Ryan Akers on Jan 19, 2009

Part 11 of our James study goes off the text somewhat and Pastor Ryan insteads focuses on how to have faith during difficult economic times.

Fracture Part 11- Show Me The Money? James 5:1-6 was the inspiration this morning for where I am going but I will not be spending much time there today as I felt like Wednesday morning I needed to change up my message from what it was originally going to be about. I want to talk about what is ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

Where Shall We Buy Bread, That These May Eat?

Contributed by Pastor Sam Georgis on Jan 15, 2023

Throughout His three years of ministry JESUS was pushing the disciples to grow and learn the lessons of the Kingdom. Now, he asks them to sort out this difficult situation.

John 6:5 Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” 6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. Throughout His three years of ministry JESUS was pushing the disciples to ...read more

Scripture: John 6:5-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Paying The Price Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 9, 2003

This passage is perhaps one of the greatest texts on giving known to preachers... but it is also one of the most difficult, raising questions many of us would just as soon avoid.

OPEN: Back in 1995 (“Bits & Pieces” pamphlet) I read the following story: Every February on George Washington’s birthday, the late newspaper columnist, Frederick C. Othman, used to visit the West Wing of the Smithsonian Institution, look at a certain statue there among the antique printing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 24:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Call To Prayer

Contributed by Frank Lay on Jan 8, 2005

What can we do in difficult times. God invites us to call on Him. Like Jeremiah, we can respond to God’s invitation to prayer

GOD’S CALL TO PRAYER Jeremiah 33:3 The Setting: Jeremiah was living in desperate times. The people of Jerusalem had been taken captive. Jeremiah had faithfully preached but his message had been totally rejected. Moreover, Jeremiah was imprisoned. Yet God gave this man, an invitation to ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3

Denomination: Baptist

Gardening Trust

Contributed by Ryan Ferwerda on Jun 9, 2021

Through Scripture we find that gardening has a lot to teach us about trust. Specifically trusting in God to see us through the difficult times of life.

“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.” [i] This quote from world renown horticulturist from the early 20th Century, Gertrude Jekyll, really speaks to the impact a garden can make on a person’s ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 17:22-24, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Lutheran