Sermons on Hard Experiences:

Praying In Hard Times Series

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Dec 10, 2003

Learning to pray during the hard dry times of life.

Nov. 17 Praying in Hard Times Is God’s primary goal to make me comfortable or make me strong (comfort = make strong) - To mend my body or my spirit To whisk me out of every trial and danger or to walk by my side so I can discover how strong and good He is. Jeremiah in prison, David in the cave. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:8-10, James 1:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The University Of Hard Knocks

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 26, 2007

Paul sat at the feet of Gamaliel and other great teachers of that day. But he learned far more from the UNIVERSITY OF HARD KNOCKS, for there he sat under God’s great teaching.

THE UNIVERSITY OF HARD KNOCKS 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 INTRO: There are many great universities in our land. Everyone knows about Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. In England there is Oxford University. But I want to tell you about another school. It has had more students and more graduates than any ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

The School Of Hard Knocks Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Oct 15, 2024

Life only makes sense when we live it for the Lord.

The School of Hard Knocks Ecclesiastes 7:14-29 Rev. Brian Bill October 12-13, 2024 Several years ago, I came across some of my old report cards. My lowest grades in Junior High were in Band and Spanish – I haven’t made much improvement in language or the arts over the years. In High School, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:14-29

Denomination: Baptist

Hard And Bitter Truths

Contributed by Wilson Oshorakpor on Jan 16, 2025

The church as an agent of moral and spiritual transformation is becoming lukewarm. Hard and bitter truths are no longer preached in many churches. The church must wake up and once again shake the world like the days of the Apostles.

TEXT: 2 Cor 7:8-10 (NLT) "I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:8-10, 1 Corinthians 5:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Resting Is Hard Work PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 4, 2024

Explores the concept of spiritual rest in God, its relevance in our lives, and our responsibility to embrace and live in this rest.

Good morning, cherished family of God. As we gather in this sacred space, let's take a moment to pause, to breathe, to be still and know that He is God. In the hustle and bustle of life, it's so easy to lose sight of the peace and rest that our Father so generously offers us. We are often caught up ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:6

Topics: Rest, Self-Care

Lord It Is Hard To Be Humble

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Nov 25, 2007

Revival only comes when someone is ready, a person, a church a community.

O Lord It’s Hard to be Humble 2 Chronicles 7:14-7:14 We are picking up with last Sunday’s topic and talking about revival this morning. As we said last week, Revival does not come by design. God can not be manipulated to send revival. A revival is not about saving souls or converting ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: Congregational

Growing Up Is Hard Series

Contributed by Stephen Wright on Jul 9, 2005

Are we progressing in the faith or are we, like many of those Hebrew Christians: • dull of hearing • still need to be taught elementary truth • babies wanting milk, not solid food?

In the earlier chapters we have studied some wonderful passages about the Saviour’s divinity and humanity and His wonderful fitness to be our merciful and faithful High-priest. Now we are going to move on to some rather difficult or unpalatable passages. It is tempting to skip these, but they are ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Rock And A Hard Place

Contributed by J. Curtis Goforth, O.s.l. on Sep 30, 2006

This sermon is for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost and addresses the need we all have to cut off from our lives the things which keep us from a deeper relationship with Christ.

“A Rock and a Hard Place” Sermon on Mark 9:38-50 Pentecost +17-B October 1, 2006 Rev. J. Curtis Goforth, O.S.L. 43If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45And if your foot ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-50

Denomination: United Methodist

Why Is This So Hard? Series

Contributed by Jake Kircher on Dec 28, 2005

Why is following Gopd so difficult sometimes?

***Tug-o’-war illustration*** • Start off with big kid and a small kid and tell them to pull the rope as far as he can • Slowly, continue to add people to oppose the big kid until he gives up As we continue to look at God’s call in our lives to go and change the world around us, I think this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"It's Hard To Be Humble" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 5, 2002

A. Humility (vs 1); B. Contentment (vs 2); C. Trust (vs 3)

“It’s hard to be humble” -Psalm 131, Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Outline: A. Humility (vs 1); B. Contentment (vs 2); C. Trust (vs 3) Introduction…some Country/Western theology I want to share a story I heard last week in our adult Sunday School ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 131:1-8, Psalm 131:1

Denomination: Congregational

A Lesson Hard Learned Series

Contributed by Mark Perryman on May 31, 2007

Let’s learn from the life of Jonah

INTRO: A minister, boy scout, computer expert were the only passengers on a small plane. Pilot came back to the cabin and said the plane was going down and there were only three parachutes and four people. Pilot: “I should take one because I have a wife and three small children” (took & jumped). ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Hatred Hit Hard Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 26, 2021

There is only one way out of the darkness of hate says John. We must hit hate hard with the only weapon that can snap its heavy chains, and that weapon is obedience to the supreme commandment of love

One of the most exciting books you can read is The Count Of Monte Cristo. The hero of the book, Edmund Dantes, had been unjustly cast into a dungeon. Fortunately, by means of a tunnel he met an old man in another nearby dungeon. The old man told him of a great treasure that was hidden on the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:7

When Belief Is Hard Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Apr 16, 2015

Sometimes belief is just plain hard - just ask Thomas (a 1st person sermon)

“Getting Into Shape: When Belief Is Hard” John 20:19-31 I’m grateful you’re here today. Some of you are here because you want to hear what I have to say – you’re curious; some of you are here to check out what I have to say – you’re suspicious. ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Hard Side Of Christmas

Contributed by Michael Luke on May 29, 2016

Every instance of our lives is part of a greater spiritual conflict. The first Christmas was no exception.

Open There is the beautiful side of Christmas. It’s found in Luke's gospel. Luke’s account of the first Christmas is a love story set to music. There are angels coming and going. They’re singing and lighting up the sky. There are shepherds coming to visit. There is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:9-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Seeds On The Hard Path Series

Contributed by Eric Lenhart on Aug 13, 2010

Being hardened by life, or free in Christ.

Seeds on the Hard Path (Matthew 13:1-23) 1st in a series on: “The Parable of the Soils” Introduction: An old farmer who was about to die called his two sons to his bedside and said, "My boys, my farm and the fields are yours in equal shares. I leave you a little ready money but the bulk of my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Church Of God