Sermons on Hard Experiences:

Propagating A Family Like An Olive Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 26, 2014

Raising a family is like building an olive orchard, and it is hard work.

Feast of the Holy Family (Sunday after Christmas) Thirteen Days of Christmas Since the family is the basic unit of society, the Church, and her Scripture, has much to say about it. Our psalm today uses agricultural metaphors for the family: the husband will eat the fruit of his hands, the wife ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 128:1-5

Denomination: Catholic

Grumble Or Grow Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 24, 2024

When life gets hard, don’t grumble; grow!

Several years ago (2009), Louis C.K. was on Conan O’Brien’s late-night talk show, where he described today’s entitlement culture. He said in our culture, “Everything's Amazing and Nobody's Happy.” Take a look (show Louis CK video). Louis talks about how he was on a plane that offered ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:22-27, Exodus 16:1-30, Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 8:28-29, James 1:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Word Of Life Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 13, 2016

If you want to experience the true joy of Christmas, experience Christ personally and share Him with others.

In the classic movie, A Christmas Story, young Ralphie wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, but his mom’s only response is, “You'll shoot your eye out!” In fact, all the adults in Ralphie’s life have the same response, including his teacher and even Santa Clause. Take a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Out In The Wilderness

Contributed by Gregory Thomas on Oct 1, 2002

A SERMON THAT EXEMPLIFIES THE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE THAT THERE WAS IN THE PAST AND THE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE THERE IS HERE IN THE FUTURE.

OUT IN THE WILDERNESS THERE WAS TWO WAYS FRROM EGYPT TO CANAAN. ONE WAY WAS ONLY A FEW DAYS JOURNEY; THE OTHER WAS MUCH FURTHER. THE WAY THAT GOD CHOSE WAS THROUGH THE WILDERNESS AND THAT WAS THE WAY GOD CHOSE TO LEAD US. GOD KNOWS WHO’S SPIRITUALLY FIT FOR BLESSINGS AND WHO’S NOT. SOME HAD TO DIE ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 13:17-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seeking God's Blessings God's Way Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Aug 30, 2021

God desires to bless us. The problem is that we often don't cooperate with His plan.

A number of years ago I was in a barber shop and a highway patrolman was also there. He told an amusing story. It was about a highway patrolman in another state who had stopped a drunk driver. But while he was preparing to cite the drunk driver, a car accident occurred within walking distance. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:18, Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Bible Church

God Uses Our Pain Points Series

Contributed by Neal Nybo on Mar 21, 2022

Nehemiah’s experience is really intense and few people are ever called to be leaders like Nehemiah but his experience speaks to our experiences and our desire to make our mark.

Feb 22, 23, 2020 Sermon God uses our pain points. Nehemiah 1:1-10 What does surfing champion Bethany Hamilton have in common with Nehemiah who rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem 2500 years ago? Both of them have left their mark on the world. We are going to work our way through the book of Nehemiah ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Leave The Old Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 6, 2020

The worldly life is 1) Intellectually futile (Ephesians 4:17), 2) Ignorant of God’s truth (Ephesians 4:18), 3) Spiritually and morally callused (Ephesians 4:19a), and 4) Depraved in mind (Ephesians 4:19b).

Ephesians 4:17-19 [17] Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. [18] They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-19

Denomination: Other

Thank You, In Spite Of Sufferings Series

Contributed by Gabriel Luigi Bautista on Nov 14, 2020

THE LIFE OF A PASTOR IN THE FAMILY THAT'S VERY HARD

FACTUAL DATA: SINULAT ITO NI PABLO KUNG SAAN SIYA AY NASA PANGIT NA SITWASYON. SIYA AY NASA ISANG SITWASYON NA KUNG SAAN PANGHIHINAAN KA TALAGA NG PANANAMPALATAYA AT PAGDUDUDAHAN MO ANG DIYOS DAHIL SA KANYANG PAGSUNOD SA DIYOS. SIYA AY IPINAKULONG NG MGA JUDIO SA HINDI MAKATARUNGANG DAHILAN. SI ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-14

Fear And Worry

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Mar 25, 2022

This morning lets take a hard look at what scares us.

Fear and Worry Good morning everyone, welcome to online service- Let’s pray- Prayer- Father, thank you for Jesus- Thank you Father for your willingness to meet us where we are at and take us where we need to be. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that desires to guide and lead through life’s trials ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-8

Denomination: Nazarene

That Special Week: Sunday And Monday Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 19, 2007

Sometimes it is hard to distinguish failure from ultimate success.

That Special Week: Sunday and Monday (Matthew 21:1-22, 23:37-39) 1. Hundreds of sages or rabbis in the first century had disciples who would follow them and receive instruction in the Torah, the written Law of Moses and the oral interpretations of that Law by the famous rabbis. 2. It was not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Christian Race

Contributed by Dr.w.samuel Legon on Sep 9, 2011

We need to run as hard as we can for the Lord

THE CHRISTIAN RACE Hebrews 12 1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

The Nativity Set:: Joseph And Mary Series

Contributed by Scott Nichols on Dec 5, 2011

Is has always been hard to get to Bethlehem for Christmas.

A Charlie Brown Christmas opens with Charlie Brown talking to his best friend Linus. "I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy. I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel. I just don't understand Christmas. I guess I like getting presents, sending ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Break Through

Contributed by Matthew Davaughn Cox on Oct 21, 2018

Going through a hard time just get ready.

Get ready for your break through... 1. Many times we go through our roughest time right before our break through. 2. Our rough times will grant us a great testimony to tell when we reach our break through. 3. Our break through will show those around you the greatness and awesomeness of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10

Denomination: *other

Get Smart - 2 Peter 1:5 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 9, 2025

Is the Christian life supposed to be hard work? Or should it be easy?

2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, having made every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5

Does God Make Good All Bad Life Experiences? A Deep Exegesis Of Romans 8:28.

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Nov 19, 2019

It seems very clear from both the Bible and life itself that everything does not work together for good just because a person loves God. Many evil things happen to those who love God.

I am a cancer survivor and struggled with the threat of it returning for years. My late wife was diagnosed with a terminal illness just before our marriage and given seven years to live. Her numerous health challenges permeated every minute detail of our lives and finances for over three decades. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3, Matthew 11:21-24, John 14:26, Luke 12:12, Hebrews 12:7-11, Revelation 21:9, James 1:17, 1 Timothy 2:4, 1 Corinthians 1:24, John 6:44, Romans 8:21-30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational