Sermons on Hard Knocks:

We Need New Eyes

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 20, 2014

There are times the soil around us becomes hard and difficult, it is no time to quit... APPLY MORE EFFORT, try again. Many times all a crying baby needs is a diaper change or to be fed.

WE NEED NEW EYES... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I. INTRODUCTION: MANY TIMES ALL A CRYING BABY NEEDS---- IS A CHANGE... A. Root bound: I was in Springfield, Illinois visiting my in-laws. Red my father-in-law said: Come on lets go to a friend of mine's orchard. There were 5,000 red ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Blaspheming The Holy Spirit

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jun 9, 2012

This act reveals a heart so hard that repentance is impossible (Hebrews 3:7--19). Ultimately, as Augustine says, "It is un-repentance that is a blasphemy against the Spirit" Updated June 2018.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service; there are four Scripture Readings before the Sermon. The Scripture Readings for this day were: 1 Samuel 8:4 - 20; Psalm 138 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 and Mark 3:20-35. A Little Boy desperately wanted $100.00 ...to buy some toys ...and prayed to God ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Anglican

Facing A New Year In A Shaky World

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jan 1, 2024

We are facing a New Year, and while that can mean hope for a better future, the past and its troubles casts a shadow over that hope that is hard to ignore. We are living in a shaky world.

Alba 12-31-2023 FACING A NEW YEAR IN A SHAKY WORLD I Thessalonians 3:1-5 Have you ever gone to a scary movie? When I was twelve years old some friends and I walked to a movie theater that was about two miles from our home. The movie was called “Them”. It was not the kind of movie our family ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Assured Of God's Plan For Us

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 24, 2022

God will always remember His people, even when trouble feels overwhelming. We may face hard times, troubles, and tribulation, but we don’t face them alone.

Have you ever been in a store and see a child that has gotten separated from his parents? The fear is very evident on the child's face as well as the parents’ face. It's a horrible feeling when the child turns around and can't find his parents. They frantically look through every ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

Let God Do His Thing

Contributed by J Bernard Taylor on Mar 10, 2020

The work ethic is the theory that hard work is virtuous and worthy of reward. We need to replace that thinking by letting God do his thing. How would that look in our relationship with God?

Let God Do His Thing  INTRODUCTION: The work ethic is the theory that hard work is virtuous and worthy of reward. That work ethic has crept into the Christian viewpoint by thinking that we must do God's work before we can merit his approval and acceptance. We need to replace that ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Panic-Stricken: A World In Turmoil Series

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Mar 20, 2020

The COVID-19 has resulted in worldwide turmoil and panic. It is hard to imagine that a microscopic virus has turned the world upside down. The Coronavirus is spreading rapidly, and the severity of this virus is still uncertain.

The COVID-19 has resulted in worldwide turmoil and panic. It is hard to imagine that a microscopic virus has turned the world upside down. The Coronavirus is spreading rapidly, and the severity of this virus is still uncertain. To be sure, there have been other pandemics and natural disasters ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:26, 1 Peter 5:7, 2 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Death, The Passing Of A Loved One Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Mar 30, 2020

When we experience death of someone close it can affect us not only physically, but spiritually. It is good to know that God's word is a comfort to us in those hard times.

I. At Death, Our Feelings are Affected Like no Other Time. 1. A time when our feelings turn to our memories. a. Memories as husband/wife b. Memories as a father/mother c. Memories as a friend 2. A time when our feelings will find a void or an empty place. a. Take your feelings to Christ b. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Taking Jesus Seriously

Contributed by J Bernard Taylor on May 1, 2020

Many times when people say things to us that are hard to believe, we may reply. "are you serious?" However, Jesus was serious in everything he said.

TAKING JESUS SERIOUSLY Introduction: Many times when people say things to us that are hard to believe, we may reply, "are you serious?" However, Jesus was serious in everything he said. I HE WAS SERIOUS IN HIS PREACHING. People in the time of Jesus would often say that he ...read more

Scripture: John 20:28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

People > Money - Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 18, 2025

The more your affections reflect the relative value of things, the more you will make the right call on hard decisions. This message will help you find the relative importance of money, relationships, and comfort.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to a man’s jealousy of his friend. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. 5 The fool folds his arms and consumes his own flesh. 6 Better one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind. 7 Again, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:4-16

Fragile Faith: Why Can’t I Stay Strong? - 2 Peter 1:6b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 14, 2025

You work hard to develop self-control or some other virtue, then one day, poof, it’s gone. Why does that happen? And what can be done about it?

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 1:6

There Are No Advantages To Sin

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 27, 2021

The Scriptures are filled with illustrations of people who learned the hard way and oftentimes too late that sinful actions carry a high price and prove to be of no advantage to anyone. What, then, is your excuse?

The Bible has never been shy or unapologetic when it comes to exposing the sins, deceit, and wickedness of fallen humanity and our war against the righteousness and holiness of God. The Bible is open and blunt about the penalty for sin, but has also shown that the Lord God is not willing that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 53:3, Proverbs 20:9, Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah 64:6, Romans 1:18-32, Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

18th Sunday After Pentecost

Contributed by Michael Tkachuk on Oct 12, 2020

After worked hard all night and catching no fish, Simon Peter was ready to quit. But, when he followed Jesus' instructions, he made the catch of his life!

Work is something most living creatures understand. For those who are still in the work force, have you ever asked yourself whether you work to live or live to work? There is a big difference between working to live and living to work. Working to live gives you the money you need to put a roof over ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Denomination: Catholic

The Pleasure Of Passion Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 5, 2021

Christians have used the word so often for evil that it is hard to accept the reality that you can also be passionate for good. It is Biblical and Christlike to lust for the pleasure of those things that are pleasing to God.

Jesus said in Luke 22:15, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." Jesus used the same word used all through the New Testament for lust to describe His passionate desire to eat the final Passover with His disciples. He had a passion for the Passover. Paul ...read more

James Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 9, 2022

Even after more than two years of miracles, James is a skeptic. It would, after all, be rather hard to swallow the idea that the brother you had grown up with was the Son of God.

Jesus came from a big family. Matthew 13:55-56 names Jesus' brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas and mentions sisters (plural), so He had at least six siblings. James is consistently named first when Jesus' brothers are listed, which in his day likely meant that he was the eldest of ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Zephania: Seek The Lord Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Jan 12, 2023

Zephaniah's message hits hard the ruling class of Judah for their part in leading the people down a path of immorality, corruption, and idolatry. (This sermon was preached during the Fourth of July)

ILLUSTRATION: French writer Alexis de Tocqueville (TOKEVILLE), after visiting America in 1831, said, “I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests—and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ