Sermons on Hard Experiences:

The University Of Hard Knocks

Contributed by Robert Glass on Aug 29, 2013

The 4 years of college for the Prodigal Son.

The University of Hard Knocks Robert A. Glass Many of us have attended college, and some of us have various degrees. But there was a boy, whose collegiate journey can be a lesson for us all. The story of the Prodigal Son is well known, but if we examine through its stages we will see the four ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

That Story Is Hard To Swallow!

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Sep 8, 2013

Maybe one of the reasons we don’t pray for our enemies or witness to them (The ones who have hurt us, talked about us, lied about us, been mean to us) is, because deep down inside, we are afraid that they will repent and God will forgive them instead of punish them!!

Jonah 4:1-11-But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Need For Hard Teachings Series

Contributed by Scott Burr on Nov 19, 2012

Jesus, Himself, did not shy away from teaching hard truths. He was never worried that the crowds would quit coming if He preached truths that were hard to accept. Rather He used those teachings to qualify those who called themselves His disciples.

“On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-66

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Hard Work And Providence Series

Contributed by Christopher Lanham on Jun 18, 2011

It is funny how we think God should work. For some reason we seem to think that since God is the all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present Creator of the universe – and anything else in existence – that he should do everything on a grand scale.

Hard Work and Providence Ecclesiastes 11:1-8 Cascades Fellowship CRC, JX MI June 5, 2005 I am going to tell you one of my favorite stories this morning because it illustrates perfectly how many of us think about the relationship between what we do and what God does. Many of you have probably ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sowing In Hard Places

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Aug 6, 2012

SOWING BY ITS VERY NATURE IS ABOUT GETTING WHAT YOU WANT TO HAVE, NOT WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE. You sow into dirt because you want strawberries. Three principles that show how hard sowing can be: The principle of death; delay; and the principle of deceit.

Sowing in Hard Places How many of you have heard a preacher somewhere tell you that you want to sow your seed into good soil so that you can receive a good harvest? Makes sense that we should sow our seed into the best soil possible doesn’t it? No farmer in his right mind sows seed into bad soil. ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Integrity In Hard Times

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Aug 29, 2011

We must maintain holiness & righteousness even when the going gets rough.

Integrity in Hard Times August 28, 2011 Evening Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: We must maintain holiness & righteousness even when the going gets rough. Focus Passage: I Samuel 21:1-15 Supplemental Passage: Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 21:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Hard-Headed Followers

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Mar 8, 2011

Steadfastness is one thing; stubbornness quite another.

Hard-Headed Followers January 9, 2011 Evening Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: Steadfastness is one thing; stubbornness quite another. Focus Passage: I Samuel 8:10-22 Supplemental Passage: 1Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:10-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Value Of Hard Work

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Nov 13, 2016

Serving the Lord is a lifelong mission, although the nature of the work may change. God only holds us responsible for what we can do. Yet, if we pay attention, he will provide an opportunity to serve him every day in some way. (Great for Labor Day)

The Value of Hard Work 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Today we will focus on the cure for idleness, and here are my favorite thoughts on the subject: “Yesterday I did nothing and today I'm finishing what I did yesterday.” “If I won the award for laziness, I would send somebody to pick ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer For Hard Times

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 22, 2018

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? A year D sermon.

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s review Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3 and see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times. House of Prayer Matthew 21:13 “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-22

Denomination: Baptist

Do Hard Things Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jan 22, 2022

If you want to know God's will, do the will of God you already know.

I finally came across a national church survey filled with good news from the pews! Here’s the headline from Christianity Today: “9 in 10 Evangelicals Don’t Think Sermons are Too Long.” This study also confirmed what I know to be true among the people of Edgewood: “They’d like to see more ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Hard Work Of Trust

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Mar 16, 2021

God teaches us to trust in him and in his Son our Saviour. God tells us that anxious care and bitter sighing won’t help. Discontentment will get us nowhere, but only humble trust and steadfast faith.

Have you ever felt like complaining against the LORD? Maybe you’ve prayed and prayed, but the answer that you wanted hasn’t come. Or you don’t like what God has brought into your life: lots of disappointment, lots of frustration. Or maybe you look at all the wickedness in the world, and you fear ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:26-39, Habakkuk 2:2-4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Hard Message Of Change

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 2, 2021

Sermon for the first Sunday of 2021

“A Hard Message of Change” Luke 3:7-9 A sermon for 1/3/21 Pastor John Bright Luke 3 “7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-9, 2 Corinthians 6:2, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Methodist

Prayer For Hard Times

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 21, 2021

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times, in Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3.

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times, in Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3. House of Prayer Matthew 21:12-13 “And Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those who were selling and buying on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-22

Denomination: Baptist

Hope For Hard Times Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Here’s a helpful way to remember the word providence: PRO is “before” and VIDEO is to “to see.” He’s seeing life happen in advance. You can even hear the word “provide” in the word Providence. Even in the worst of times, God is working for His children’s good and happiness.

Our nation’s first President had a different way of looking at life and you could see it in his very first inaugural address. Had you been in the relatively small crowd to hear Washington’s Inaugural address some 230 plus years ago, you would have been surprised at how visibly nervous Washington ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Work Hard Serving Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

Christians are to display a willingness to be offended, disadvantaged, even abused without making a return, without requiring vengeance, without demanding an accounting – whether an apology, or punishment, or a repayment of some kind.

Today’s Big Idea: God Works Diligently on Our Behalf. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11, Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Baptist