Sermons on Difficult Teachings:

If You Remain Silent Series

Contributed by Charles Salmon on Nov 7, 2006

Sometimes God’s people are put in a difficult situation and God expects committment. He will stand by those who take a stand for the right.

“If you remain silent” Esther 4:14 INTRO.: Summarize the story of Esther 1-4. Events occurred during the last period of Old Testament history. In the middle of the 100 year period Israel was returning from Babylonian exile. The dominant world empire is Persia. Mordecai and Esther, Jews of the ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Shady Character Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 10, 2013

In our desert journey we need shade from time to time. The Broom Tree is an interesting symbol for the shade of God in the difficult journey.

1. Making the most of a difficult situation Maxwell tells a story that illustrates the importance of a positive attitude. A newly married woman insisted on going to the California desert so she could be near her military husband. The only place the couple could find to live was a rundown shack near ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:15-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Funeral Service For Unbeliever

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 12, 2012

Funerals for the unbelieving is a difficult task for preachers. It is, however, an opportunity to be an encouragement to the family as we honor the good aspects of the deceased person's life.

Song – No Tears in Heaven – Seating Guests Song – Home of the Soul – Family Enters and is Seated Congregational Song – Sing Hallelujah The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living In This Present World

Contributed by Martin Holland on May 24, 2012

Everyday it gets more difficult to live a godly life in this present world. Paul instructs Titus as he lived in a similar society for a while.

Why? Understanding Life Events (II) 2 Kings 5 6-7 -09 Intro Isa 55:8-9 ¡§¡¥For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,¡¦ says the LORD. ¡¥For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.¡¦¡¨ Last Sunday ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Even If

Contributed by Bright Adeyeye on Nov 20, 2019

Sometimes when circumstances are difficult, it can be tough to keep the faith. But God desires that we trust in Him—even if our prayers are not answered.

EVEN IF "16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Generation Of Gripers

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 15, 2022

When things get difficult and discouraging, many will begin to whine, murmur, and complain. This is what the Israelites did throughout their journey through the wilderness.

When things get difficult and discouraging, many will begin to whine, murmur, and complain. This is what the Israelites did throughout their journey through the wilderness. If they had only listened and obeyed God, they would not have been in the predicament that they were in. God had to ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Working Faith Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 11, 2024

in these difficult days before Jesus comes again, depend on the Lord and be diligent in your work, because Jesus could come at any moment.

Two young boys were spending the night at grandma’s house the week before Christmas. At bedtime, the two boys knelt beside their beds to say their prayers. The younger one began praying in a loud voice: “I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE... I PRAY FOR A NEW NINTENDO...” His older brother leaned over, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Author Of Liberty

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Feb 7, 2025

Why do you suppose it is that people find it so difficult to understand that real freedom only comes when we obey God?

It’s a risky thing to mix politics and religion. It’s too easy to confuse the two. And if I remember correctly, one of the major bones of contention during my predecessor’s tenure was over that very thing: whether or not it was proper to have the American flag in the sanctuary. Many people do ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:11-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Peace That Passes Understanding

Contributed by Terence D. Engler on Dec 3, 2021

I prepared this message as part of a Series for Advent, and this one really ministered to me the peace of God for these difficult days in which we live.

“PEACE THAT PASSES UNDERSTANDING” PT. 2 “ADVENT 2021” Phil. 4.6-7 One of the lasting, profound emotions that Christmas evokes in my life is that of peace; I’m not sure whether it’s the stillness of a late-night recounting of the Christmas story, the stillness of a cold, wintry night, or the peace ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 24:6-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lift Jesus Up, Lift Him Up! PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 13, 2024

This sermon explores glorifying God in our lives, trusting Him in difficult times, and understanding the transformative power of death through Jesus's sacrifice.

Good morning, beloved family of God, and welcome. We gather here today, not as strangers, but as a fellowship of believers, united by a common faith and a shared love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Isn't it wonderful to know that we are part of a community that transcends the boundaries of ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33

Topics: Glorify God

Haman's Plot PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

Explore God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and the power of prayer during difficult times, using the story of Mordecai and Haman in Esther chapter 3 as an example.

Good morning, brothers and sisters! Today, we're going to dive into the book of Esther, specifically chapter 3, and explore some deep truths about our God. We're going to examine His sovereignty over human plans, His faithfulness during difficult times, and the power of prayer when adversity comes ...read more

Topics: Providence, God

Why Did God Create Hell? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

Explore the difficult topics of God's righteousness, the reality of Hell, and its purpose in God's plan, emphasizing that ignoring these truths does not change their reality.

Good morning, Church Family! Today, we are going to delve deep into a topic that can be uncomfortable, but is absolutely critical to our understanding of the Gospel. We're going to talk about God's righteousness, the reality of Hell, and its purpose in God's plan. Our key verse today is Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:33

Topics: Purpose Of Hell

Servant Of The Lord PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 18, 2023

The sermon's main point is to inspire faithfulness in serving God, like Obadiah, even in hostile environments, trusting in God's power in difficult circumstances.

Good morning, Church family. We've got a rich and challenging message today, drawn from the life of a relatively unsung hero in the Old Testament. We're going to be diving into 1 Kings chapter 18, verse 3. This Scripture focuses on a man named Obadiah, who served God faithfully in one of the most ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:3

Topics: Hostile Environments

But, Is It Murder?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 24, 2007

Consideration of the biblical teaching of societal responsibility to hold the murderer accountable.

Genesis 9:1-7 But, is it Murder? “God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Stages Of Your Spiritual Walk (Part 1)

Contributed by A.c. Morgan on Nov 30, 2004

This teaching gives the Christian understanding of his spiritual walk in Christ Jesus.

The Stages of Your Spiritual Walk (Part 1) Reflections from the book “The Stages of Your Spiritual Walk” There are three stages to our Christian walk in Christ Jesus. There is the first stage in which we decided to turn our lives over to the Lord; I refer to this as the infant stage. Then there ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15

Denomination: Apostolic