Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Blessings In Hard Times

Contributed by O. K. Neal on Feb 11, 2010

Can we survive the hard times?

Blessings in Hard Times Phil 4:6-7 STORY about Chinese farmer and horse, son’s leg, army “Good luck, bad luck, Who knows?’ It is a hard thing to determine What works for our good and what works for our detriment? Many things happen that we cannot know will help us I did not ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Making Hard Choices

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 1, 2009

Today’s world is filled with energy-saving devices that make life easier, but there is something to be said for embracing life’s challenges. The apostle Paul found serving Christ hard, but he didn’t see it as a cause of discouragement. The goal was worth

Opening illustration: On September 12th, 1962, President JF Kennedy delivered a speech at Rice University in Houston, TX, about the difficult challenges facing the nation. He also shared his passion for the US to place a man on the moon. In balancing the needs of his people with the desire to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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 To Believe, But True!

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 29, 2014

The resurrection of Jesus is hard to believe, but it is true. And being true, it makes a real difference in our lives.

A. One day an associate minister was teaching a class of second-graders about the resurrection when one student asked, “What was the first thing that Jesus said right after He came out of the grave?” 1. Well, this was a question of great theological importance, and the associate ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unity Is Hard To Come By Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Sep 6, 2014

A sermon on barriers to unity (adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, chapter 10 Graciously United, pages 308-314)

HoHum: Daniel Overdorf- A few years ago I visited a couple in their home. Both husband and wife had lived most of their lives apart from Christ and His church. Their marriage- a second marriage for both- had grown rocky. The 50 year old husband faced a frightening battle with cancer, and neither ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Cracking The Hard Seedcoat Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 24, 2013

The hard surface of our hearts must be scarified or we cannot grow and we cannot bear fruit.

Wednesday of Holy Week 2013 Seeds 3 [Preacher: You should have a bluebonnet seed or other seed and either sandpaper or vinegar.] We come to what we might call the last day of the triduum before the Great Triduum, and to the moment Church tradition calls “Spy Wednesday.” This is the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-9

Denomination: Catholic

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

It’s Not Hard

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Apr 11, 2010

Often, people say, “If God would only speak audibly telling me what He wants me to do life would be so much easier.” God wants us to do His will, nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else. But realize that knowing and doing God’s isn’t that hard.

It’s Not Hard Deuteronomy 30:11-20 Introduction: As the golfer approached the first tee, a hazardous hole with a green surrounded by water, he debated if he should use his new golf ball. Deciding that the hole was too treacherous, he pulled out an old ball and placed it on the tee. Just then he ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:11-20, Deuteronomy 30:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

Joy In Hard Times

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Feb 10, 2009

“Christians are like teabags. You don’t know how strong they are until you put them in hot water.”

Joy in Hard Times (James 1:2-8) (v2) “Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials…” - James is telling us to CONSIDER it joy when we encounter various trials. - CONSIDER is different then BE. - We are not going to be joyful when we are struggling in the midst of a ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

Change Comes Hard

Contributed by Richard White on Oct 10, 2008

Gleaned from several sermons on sermoncentral, we see change as necessary but we are slow to do so.

Outline to Learning to Change Acts 10:1-48 It has been said that only wet babies like to be changed, even then they are not that excited about it. Illustration: Henry Ford and William Knudsen Conclusion: Even though he was considered a genius, he did not like change. Sometimes change is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:9-43

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

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

Asked For A Hard Thing!

Contributed by Bala Samson on May 29, 2015

Great things don’t come easy, we’ve got to strive hard to attain them! Are you hearing please?Come on, be feisty, gutsy, dig in hard, and don’t give up!

Hard thing! 2 King 2:10” And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so." Hey friend, Great things don’t come easy, we’ve got to strive hard to attain them! Are you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Facing Hard Times Series

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Oct 28, 2015

When it comes to disasters and accidents there are 2 ways to look at it: Mans way or Gods way. Whatever the problem God has a solution. He is the Master fixer upper. But you must learn to cooperate with God so He can bring the total restoration.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD” Isaiah 55:8. I. Reevaluating-Getting man’s perspective “He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him” Proverbs 18:13. A. Premature judgments B. Overreactions C. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational