Sermons on Difficult Teachings:

Joseph - Big Faith In A Big God - Week 1 Series

Contributed by Steve Greene on Mar 25, 2019

Joseph had unwavering faith in the midst of some of life's most difficult circumstances.

We have been talking about what it would look like for our faith roots to go deeper. Now it is time to get really practical. What does BIG faith look like in real life? For the next three weeks, we are going to focus on an amazing story of faith. It is the true story of a guy who lived almost ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Strength In Numbers

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Jan 24, 2019

The church must realize how much we need one another if it will survive difficult times.

January 27, 2019 Morning Worship Text: Psalm 103:1-5 Subject: Trusting the Lord's Promises Title: Strength in Numbers In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he didn't. "What makes you think you can walk right in here and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Sermon On Trust And Freedom

Contributed by William Meakin on Mar 20, 2022

Trust could be said to have a symbiotic relationship with freedom, without one the other is difficult to find.

Robert C. Solomon, an American-born philosopher and author once remarked: “Trust is not bound up with knowledge so much as it is with freedom, the openness to the unknown.” Proverbs 3:5 states: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Galatians 5:1 ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 12:2, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 2:16, Psalm 37:5

Mah-Na! What Is This Stuff?

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Sep 21, 2023

How do we deal with difficult times? Do we complain or do we complain?

Mah-Na! What is this Stuff? Exodus 16:2-15 We often condemn the complaining of the Children of Israel in the Wilderness. In many ways they were a spectacular failure. It seems that we use them as examples of what we should not do. But this is somewhat unfair. We forget that God had chosen Israel as ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:2-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Do You Do With The Transfiguration Narrative?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Mar 18, 2025

One the most difficult events in the Gospels to explain! However, there is a light shining through the cloud to us.

What do you do with the Transfiguration narrative? Luke 9:28-36 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Luke 9:28 About eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter, John, and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

Denomination: United Methodist

Rock Solid Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Dec 16, 2018

The foundational principles of discipleship are discussed by Jesus with the present day attenders of the Synagogue, The Pharisees and His new Disciples. Much can be learned from these teachings of Jesus about how to conduct ourselves in hostile environments.

Lead In Scripture: Luke 6:27-49 Introduction: Re-cap last week. Share a story of God sustaining you. I. Love Your Enemies - Jesus knew that the road the disciples would travel was going to produce several enemies. Therefore, He began to teach them how to respond under attack. • Luke 6:27 MSG - ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-49, Philippians 4:8, Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 4:24, Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Corinthians 3:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

If You're Thankful And You Know It...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 8, 2022

A message delivered on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. This is a study of the impact of a thankful heart on the follower of the Christ.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

Why Aren't More Of Us Dying?

Contributed by Terry Frazier on Mar 10, 2012

The Church needs to learn to die to self more collectively but it begins on an individual basis first. Like Jesus said, "Not My Will But Your Will Be Done!

Why Aren’t More Of Us Dying? When you read the Title in the Bulletin this morning, did it make you think “what is the preacher going to preach about today”? I hope that he doesn’t want us to die! I want to tell you today that yes; I really do want all of you to die today. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Promise Of The Spirit Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 5, 2009

This promise of the Paraclete brings further clarity to the role of the Spirit, since now He is described specifically as the “Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is the interpreter of God to us & the One who brings God’s peace to us.

JOHN 14: 25-31 THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT [Philippians 4: 6-7] This section continues to prepare Jesus’ disciples for His departure and its consequences for them. The consequences of Jesus’ departure are not to be sorrowful but a release of blessings. For unless Jesus leaves the Spirit of God ...read more

Scripture: John 14:25-31

Denomination: Baptist

A Supper For Sinners Series

Contributed by David Moore on Mar 26, 2010

To show the Lord's love for sinners.

A Supper for Sinners Text: Mark 2:13-17. Introduction: Have you ever been to some social function, perhaps a wedding reception or anniversary meal or something of that nature where all the guests don’t quite click? Many years ago I was officiating alongside another Pastor at a wedding in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Parables Of Jesus: The Lost Sheep & The Lost Coin Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 15, 2022

Time and again in the New Testament we see Jesus sharing parables and stories related to shepherds and sheep. It’s very very common. From psalm 23, talking about the rod and staff of the shepherd, to Jesus calling himself “the gate for the sheep” it’s throughout the scriptures.

“Dr. Andrew Bonar told me how, in the Highlands of Scotland, a sheep would often wander off into the rocks and get into places that they couldn't get out of. The grass on these mountains is very sweet and the sheep like it, and they will jump down ten or twelve feet, and then they can't ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Salvation Army

Servant Evangelism Pt1 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 30, 2010

We as the Body of Christ need to follow Jesus example to serve others so as to make an eternal difference in a person’s life. We need to go the extra mile like Jesus did!

Servant Evangelism Opening Illustration: A 12 Dollar Lesson A cab driver taught me a million dollar lesson in customer satisfaction and expectation. Motivational speakers charge thousands of dollars to impart his kind of training to corporate executives and staff. It cost me a $12 taxi ride. I ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Deep Secrets, Deep Deliverance

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Jun 23, 2005

...where a person cannot connect to heaven; there is no vision, no dream, no prophesy; he sees nothing, he hears nothing from God. Every thing in the spirit realm is dark, deaf and dumb there is a need for deliverance.

Daniel 2:22 “He revealeth the deep and secret things: He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him”. There are some things that are deep and others are on the surface. When you want to get something that is deep, you have to dig deep to find out. Gold, oil, are treasures ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:22, Daniel 2:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

In Times Like These

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 27, 2004

In difficult times we must: 1- Count the blessings 2- Consider the source 3- Continue the life

INTRO.- ILL.- 22 year-old pop singer Britney Spears got married again for the second time in nine months. The first marriage lasted only about 55 hours. Someone calculated that if she kept up this pace by the time she is 50 she will be married some 39 times. SHE GOT MARRIED AGAIN. I say, so ...read more

Scripture: Job 14:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Corrupt Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 23, 2009

Thyatira is a corrupt church. They do many great works, but God does not even address them as His children. It’s still here today and is key to the end of the world. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Thyatira: The Corrupt Church Rev. 2:18-29 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Corrupt.html [map] In the 1700’s there lived a mighty evangelist that was greatly used of God to shake this country…his name was George Whitfield. Years before, at the age of 16, he came under ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist