Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Jesus Speaks To Skeptics Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Mar 9, 2015

Jesus continues to speak to the skeptical Nicodemus concerning the ONLY WAY to enter or see the Kingdom of God: Sinners are born with skepticism but self dies hard unless the Spirit gives life.

Jesus Speaks to Skeptics: John 3:9-15 Almost everyone knows the difference between a believer and a skeptic, but not everyone knows the difference between an honest skeptic and a dishonest skeptic. An honest skeptic may have doubts about certain truths but who will face up to them when he is ...read more

Scripture: John 3:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

Grumble Or Grow! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 10, 2012

When life gets hard, don’t grumble; grow! Don’t test the Tester; trust Him to bring you through the test a better person.

A lawyer, a doctor, and a preacher went deer hunting together when along came a big buck. The three of them all shot at the same time, and immediately the buck dropped to the ground. They all rushed up to examine the deer, but couldn't determine whose shot had actually killed it. They were in ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What's Fair About That? (2 Kings 20-22) Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Aug 7, 2023

Why did God still punish Judah after Josiah worked so hard to turn the nation back to God? A sermon preached the week I lost a nephew to addiction.

August 6, 2023, Glynwood Baptist Church, Prattville, AL. James Jackson, Lead Pastor Context: Earlier in the week, my nephew died at age 34. Good morning. Please open your Bibles to 2 Kings 22. I want to thank all of you for your prayers for my family and me in the death of my nephew Aaron this ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Learning To Lean On Jesus

Contributed by Esther Collins on Feb 8, 2023

Why do we find it so easy to trust in men, but find it so hard to trust in God? Read on to know what happens when we decide to trust in God.

Our world functions on trust, and without this aspect of trust we as a society will most probably come to a stand-still. Think about it… we trust the transport system, the medical community, the food industry, the educational institutions, and so many more all of which are run and are maintained by ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:8, Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 4:21-22, Romans 10:11

Are You Getting Your Steps Today? Series

Contributed by Calvin R. Davis Sr. on Oct 16, 2021

So, what is going on today? Why are so many Christians leading a defeated life? If you talk to the average Christian today, they will tell you it is hard out here for a saint.

Are you getting your steps todays? Amplified Bible But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. So, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16

Denomination: Methodist

Help! Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 24, 2023

We serve a God who loves us, why do we have such a hard time asking for help? Consider these thoughts from our Family Minister Scott Jewell.

I have to begin this morning with a confession. When it comes to matters of technology, I’m a stereotypical male. I’ll figure it out, just leave me alone, don’t hand me the instruction book, I’ve got this. It shows up as I’m driving somewhere using the GPS. It used to really bug me when Terri ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Voice Of Love Is Calling Part Iii: Weaving The Future--‘spirited-Two’ Be The Church (Pentecost) Series

Contributed by K. Heath Mcdougal-Deans on May 23, 2021

Spiritual Awakenings, visions, and Superheroes on the horizon. Spring can be hard... just remember we can do anything through the 'Good Shepherd who Strengthens us!"

The Voice of Love is Calling: Weaving the Future--‘Spirited-Two’ Be the Church Pentecost Many moons had passed since God found that ‘one sheep’ and reunited the sheep with the flock. What an Amazing Grace That White Wolf is. The sheep continued to grow older, and older, as the years passed. As the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:10-12, Acts 2:14-21, John 15:26-27, John 16:4-15

Denomination: Other

Frustration Series

Contributed by Suresh Murugesan on Mar 20, 2020

Frustrated when Goals are blocked. Application: 1.Frustrated because hard work resulted in failure. 2. Frustrated could not see any ways to reach Goals, it is been blocked.

Frustrated when Goals are blocked. Application: 1.Frustrated because hard work resulted in failure. 2. Frustrated could not see any ways to reach Goals, it is been blocked. Illustration: My friends father is a former, after a long effort, in a village found a land , He is a hard worker , ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:9

Denomination: Other

Part 2: Fear Not Series

Contributed by Pastor Randall Timblin on Nov 1, 2019

What are you afraid of? Is it the dark? Is it strangers? How about the fear of heights or closed spaces? Many of us have these fears and have a hard time getting over them.

I guess it wouldn’t help if I told you that they are a mere figment of your imagination? There is a story about a tight-rope walker. He was performing in the local circus in the big-tent. He was more than 50 feet in the air and had no net. As he moved about there were oohs and ahhhs. After his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:6

Denomination: *other

The Power That Sets The Captives Free

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 18, 2025

This story in Luke 8 reminds us that there is no case too hard for God. Jesus crossed the sea for one man, showing us the lengths God is willing to go to rescue the bound.

THE POWER THAT SETS THE CAPTIVES FREE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Luke 8:26-39 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 61:1, John 8:36, Colossians 2:15, Acts 10:38, Mark 5:1–20 INTRODUCTION: The story in Luke 8:26–39 reveals the mighty power of Jesus to break the hold of satan over any life. A man ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Fragility And Brokenness

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jan 12, 2015

Life batters and breaks us in a variety of ways, but then God makes us stronger and more beautiful in that very fragility and brokenness.

Title: Fragility and Brokenness Text: II Corinthians 4:6-10; 12:7-10 Thesis: Life batters and breaks us in a variety of ways, but then God makes us stronger and more beautiful in our fragility and brokenness. In that this is the 1st Sunday after Epiphany we are once again reminded of how Christ ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don’t Settle For Less When More Is Available

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Oct 4, 2022

Without desire few if any accomplishments will be seen in our life. It is one of those indefinable items of life that’s hard to define but easy to recognize. Caleb was hungry for more! God has so much more for us.

Sermon: Don’t Settle for Less When More is Available Scripture: Joshua 15:13-19 “The Lord commanded Joshua to assign some of Judah’s territory to Caleb son of Jephunneh. So Caleb was given the town of Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), which had been named after Anak’s ancestor. 14 Caleb drove out the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 15:13-19, Mark 10:46-52, Philippians 4:13

Denomination: Methodist

Crash And Burn

Contributed by Pat Cook on Jun 28, 2003

I looked at the Feb 2003 S.S.Columbia disaster for 2 thoughts: 1) where do we go when hard times hit and 2) what happens when Christians wipe out and give up in their faith?

Psalm 46:1-3 – Crash and Burn Yesterday was a sad day for the world. It was not a tragedy to the same scale as September 11, 2001. In fact, even normal plane crashes take more lives than the disaster yesterday. Yet there is something very sad of the explosion of the Space Shuttle Columbia ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-3, 1 Timothy 1:19

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be Spirit-Filled

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Mar 1, 2002

Canada’s Olympic glory gives a picture of God’s will - the fullness of His Spirit, the Joy of God , so how can we get in on it.

How to be Spirit-filled Team Canada’s gold medal win in Salt Lake City Olympics has spread a spirit of patriotism. Waves of red and white all over the country, coast to coast. Spontaneous singing, outburst of shouts of triumph, joy and celebration! Some say declare a holiday in Feb. to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Honor Your Father And Your Mother Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Sep 30, 2009

The fifth commandment not only commands that honor should be given to parents, But I believe it also tells parents how to put themselves into a position that they deserve that honor as well

Honor Your Father and Your Mother Exodus 20:12 Introduction 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 honors. As he walked down the isle, instead of turning into the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12

Denomination: Baptist