Sermons on hard challenges:

The Hard Stuff

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on Mar 13, 2014

Jesus tells us that much is required if we are to be true followers.

The Hard Stuff Luke 14: 25-27 Intro: The Bridger National Wilderness is located in the Teton National Forest in Wyoming. This 428,000 plus wilderness area has everything for hardened outdoors people. Over 600 miles of hiking trails going from lower elevations to higher where you can find glaciers. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Hard Way Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 27, 2020

Choose love and so choose life!

The Hard Way (Matthew 7:12-14) Lee Strobel asks us to imagine a daughter and her boyfriend going out for a Coke on a school night. The father says to her, “You must be home before eleven.” It gets to be 10:45 p.m. and the two of them are still having a great time. They don't want the evening ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12-13

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Work Hard

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Jun 9, 2019

This is the 22nd sermon in the "Accounting" series from the Book of Ephesians.

Series: Accounting [#22] WORK HARD Ephesians 6:5-9 Introduction: Over the last several weeks, we have looked at several types of relationships. We have looked at the wife, the husband, the parents, and the children. Today, we are going to look at the employee and employer relationship. As I ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:5-9

Denomination: Baptist

A Hard Heart

Contributed by Julia Cramer on Nov 21, 2021

The story of deliverance from Pharaoh's point of view. The Egyptian perspective opens our eyes to a deeper meaning as to why Ramses II had a hard heart and God had a purpose for every plague.

(Brief Introduction is given by Moses dressed up): We’ve all heard the story of how God delivered His people through my hand, Moses. He used me and my brother Aaron to bring ten plagues upon Egypt. But what would the story sound like from Pharaoh’s point of view? This morning, Pharaoh is here to ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Hard Of Hearing

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 9, 2023

How much of what God wants us to hear have we actually heard? And does it matter how much we hear if we don’t do what we’re told?

Have any of you visited the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City? That’s what I kept thinking of as I meditated on this parable. Because just as I was leaving Presbytery last Tuesday evening, I ran into Bob Higgs, who is Executive Director of the Atlantic City Mission Council. He was carrying several ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hard Hearts Series

Contributed by Aneel Aranha on Feb 15, 2021

A hard heart prevents us from understanding spiritual truths. What causes it, and what’s the antidote? [Watch video: https://youtu.be/xfdCdhRhS3I]

Scripture Reading: Mark 8:14-21 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Hard Question

Contributed by Grant Adams on Feb 19, 2024

Have you ever asked a hard question? Have you ever been asked a hard question? Hard questions have to be answered sometimes. The question I ask today must be answered.

I have often said, “Questions are healthy.” Usually when we ask a question it is out of concern. We desire to know. We desire to be informed. We desire to learn. At times, we question in the midst of confusion. In the midst of trials and misunderstandings we cry out to God for answers, for help. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:3, Mark 8:36, Romans 5:12, Acts 4:12

Denomination: Baptist

Hard Times PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 6, 2024

This sermon explores how trials shape us, teaching us to persevere, find promises in problems, and progress through pain, deepening our dependence on Christ.

Good morning, dear friends. I am so glad to see each one of you here today. We are gathered together in the presence of our Lord, standing on the common ground of grace. We are a family, bound not by blood, but by the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. You know, life has a way of throwing curve ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5

Topics: Hard Times

The Challenge Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Feb 18, 2008

John 3:16 is known to all. Other 3:16 passages in the New Testament teach us important things about Jesus as well. This is Revelation 3:16

(adapted from a sermon series by Tom Ellsworth) SERIES: “DISCOVERING JESUS: The Other 3:16’s” TEXT: REVELATION 3:14-22 TITLE: “THE CHALLENGE OF JESUS” OPEN: A. I’m a fan of the “Rocky” movies 1. As a former Golden Gloves boxer, I can tell you that the fight scenes are ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Prayer Challenge Series

Contributed by Carl Willis on Jun 27, 2003

A challenge to 30 days of prayer based upon the Prayer of Jabez.

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Challenge To Persevere

Contributed by Cecil Richards on Jan 20, 2005

An encouragement to all believers to keep the faith in the midst of the most difficult of circumstances

INTRODUCTION I. PERSERVERE IN OUR ATTITUDE a. Demonstrate humility (phil 2:12) b. Radiate with joy (James 1:2) c. Exhibit trust (Ps. 91: 1-7) d. Develop resilency (Rom. 8:31 -39) II. PERSEVERE IN OUR RESPONSIBILITIES a. Worship God at all time (1 Thess. 5:16-18) b. Do not become weary ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Religious Challenge

Contributed by John Knight on Apr 14, 2003

Overcoming religiosity and legalism. (a piecing together of three sermons from sermoncentral)

The Religious Challenge Mark 7:1-13 Introduction: Christmas phonies My experience with religious phonies Christian legalists made them that way I. Pharisees As Imitations Respected religious leaders Keepers (guardians) of the Law Became a members only club Jesus defines them by 7 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13, Mark 7:8-13

Denomination: Holiness

The Greatest Challenge

Contributed by Clinton Nobles on Nov 26, 2002

In the life of a Christian there are many things that we do that we can often refer to as "stumbling blocks." These are barriers in our personal walk with Christ Jesus our LORD.

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance . . . and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 6:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Challenge Of Worship Series

Contributed by Robert Massey on Oct 5, 2002

Worship will always challenge us. We can not stand in the holy presence of God and not feel His challenge. This text shares three ways in which we are challenged when we worship.

THE CHALLENGE OF WORSHIP Genesis 22:1-19 Famous researcher, George Barna recently conducted a survey on worship in American churches. He had some very interesting things to say, so let me share just a couple of them with you. “Worship is a non-negotiable obligation and privilege of every ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19

Denomination: Church Of God

The Challenge Of The Cults

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Mar 10, 2002

We are called to earnestly stand against false doctrines.

THE CHALLENGE OF THE CULTS The world of apologetics and the confrontation with the false teachers of our times is not a popular theme in the church today. It was just as unpopular in the early days of the church. The twisting around of God’s Word by man has been going on about as long as man ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:3

Denomination: Baptist