Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Stressed Out By Stress

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Aug 27, 2020

One of the greatest truths of Christianity is God's promise to always be with the Born-Again Christian in every situation and circumstance of life. This is one truth that is known, yet somehow is hard to truly believe!

"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." (Isa 12:2 NIV) In a Harris Poll taken for the American Psychiatric Association (Stress in America Survey 1/2012), it was discovered that 81% of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 12:2, James 1:19-20, Ephesians 4:26, Matthew 5:43-45, Lamentations 3:22-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discovering Hope In A World Of Despair

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Feb 3, 2022

Hope in Christ stands as doorway to peace and as the answer of the need of the human spirit. Hope is what people need right now, and hope is so hard to find apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Sermon – Discovering Hope In A World of Despair Scripture Lesson -Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace[a] with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5, Romans 15:13, John 14:6, John 16:33

Denomination: Methodist

Divine Transformation

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Mar 3, 2021

Like turning water into wine, Jesus came to us to transform our hard, selfish hearts into something extraordinary, lives worthy of God’s power and glory, stamped with the likeness of his Son.

Divine Transformation John 2: 1-11 The classic novel, “Gone With the Wind,” was based on real people who lived pretty much the lives described in the book--although Rhett Butler's actual surname was Turnipseed, and Scarlett O’Hara was really Emelyn Louise Hannon. But Rhett did, in fact, walk ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Lover Of Knowledge Or Plain Stupid. Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Nov 18, 2021

Wisdom seems hard to obtain. Wisdom is different than having knowledge. Knowledge is defined as having information through experience, reasoning or acquaintance. Whereas wisdom is the ability to discern or judge what is true.

Lover of knowledge or plain stupid. Prov. 12:1-10 The topic of wisdom comes up over and over again throughout the pages of Scripture. In fact one whole book (Proverbs) is devoted to the topic . Wisdom seems hard to obtain. Wisdom is different than having knowledge. Knowledge is defined as ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Finding God In The Wilderness

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jul 4, 2021

When we are going through hard times is not the time to start looking for the Lord. It is before so that He can help us through the tough times and walk us through with His Presence.

Finding God in the wilderness Exodus chapter 3 Welcome to Rosedale! Good Morning! Almost two years to the day as I began to preach, there was a medical emergency and one of our people was taken by ambulance and almost died. We had to stop the service for her to get the care she needed. She was ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-12

Denomination: Nazarene

The Upper Class Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 26, 2021

It is hard for modern American Christians to get their minds open to the mind of Christ on this issue because it goes against the grain of our culture. The New Testament, however, is loaded with teachings about being servants.

When soldiers for the 6th Massachusetts Militia were attacked, and many were wounded at the start of the Civil War, they were brought to Washington, D. C. Clara Barton had been a teacher in Massachusetts, and she recognized some of the wounded soldiers as her former students. She went to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-30

The Rebel Returns Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 30, 2021

We want to look at the story Jesus told about a youth who learned the hard way. It is often called the parable of the Prodigal Son, but it could just as rightly be called the parable of the Faithful Father.

The main social event of the year in many Sunday Schools is the summer picnic. William Porkess was in an English Sunday School that was granted permission by an Earl to have a picnic on his large estate. How excited they all were as they were being carried to the estate by horse and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Greatness In Serving Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on May 6, 2021

The disciples had to learn, often the hard way, that following Jesus does not mean favoritism from Him. They had to learn that service towards God and others is to be done with a loving, gracious attitude and not with an ego.

You have to admit that James and John thought a lot about their ability to serve the Lord Jesus. They wanted places of honor in the Kingdom of God without coming to grips with the hardship that follows everyone who gives their lives to Him. The disciples and all who would surrender their lives ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Baptist

Dancing With Wolves

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 17, 2023

The false prophets dance around the cost of discipleship, but dancing slippers don’t suit the hard road that leads to the narrow gate, and the wolves never warn their people that they need hiking boots instead

I am trying to navigate the theological tsunami that is threatening to permanently alter the face of our denomination. The amendments to the constitution regarding ordination standards, diversity, inclusiveness, interpretation of Scripture, and so on, are incredibly important to our identity as a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-19, Revelation 22:18-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God's Favor Does Not Mean A Straight Line Lesson 5 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 24, 2023

Hard times and trials do not mean loss of God’s favor. God’s favor means His presence, His guidance, His work through you, and your inner strength.

A. INTRODUCTION: WHAT GOD’S FAVOR IS NOT 1. Even in prison. “The Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy and gave him favor” (Genesis 39:21). 2. Joseph’s road down: a. Joseph’s favored status with his father. “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children” (Genesis 37:3). Favoritism ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:21, Genesis 39:21

Denomination: Baptist

Your Money Or Your Life?

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 25, 2023

Jesus asks us to hold ALL of God’s gifts lightly, to be ready to give them up, if necessary, to follow him. But it’s hard. And the more you have, the harder it is.

Do any of you remember the story of the poor fisherman and his wife, who caught a magic fish, who granted them 3 wishes? Or Aladdin and his wonderful lamp (not the Disney version)? Or all the other fairy tales involving magic and wishes and unexpected consequences? When I was young I used to spend ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Mission Impossible?

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Oct 3, 2019

This story looks at and applies Jesus' teachings in Luke 17:1-6 alongside the experience of Corrie Ten Boom.

There were many things that were once thought to be impossible, but are now considered to be quite common and ordinary. The idea of man landing on the moon or going to space was once thought to be impossible, but that notion was shattered in the 1960s. The idea of people surviving heart ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Favoritism In High Places Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 18, 2021

God is at least fair with everyone, but has the prerogative to be especially gracious with those He has chosen.

Favoritism in High Places? (Romans 9:14-21) 1.Penicillin was invented by Alexander Fleming in 1928. What Happened: Halfway through an experiment with bacteria, Alexander Fleming up and went on vacation. Slob that he was, he left a dirty petri dish in the lab sink. Big Discovery: When he got ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:14-21, Exodus 19:16, Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sermon # 14 - Seeking God Sincerely Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Apr 17, 2023

There are always two categories of people anywhere – those who seek God for personal gain and the ones who seek God for who He really is. Which group do we belong to?

We remind ourselves that this series of messages are based on Act 11:21“And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” (KJV) The Lord’s hand is a powerful hand, a hand that helps, a hand that exalts us, and His hand is at work in all areas of our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:12, Mark 3:1, Matthew 18:20, 3 John 1:2, Psalm 53:2, Genesis 28:11, Genesis 28:13, Judges 16:28, Luke 23:42, Luke 23:39, Mark 3:2, Mark 3:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

To Mom And Dad With Love Series

Contributed by Wes Humble on Nov 11, 2006

Sermon on the Fifth Commandment

“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God will give you.” Exodus 20:12 A mother that had scrimped and saved to put her son through college sat in her son’s graduation. She watched as he walked across the platform and received his degree with ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12

Denomination: *other