Sermons on Hard Knocks:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Blessings Of Being Right With God Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Aug 29, 2011

Those who are right with God are at peace with Him (1-2a), find joy in the hope of seeing Him (2b), find joy in the journey (3-5a), and are filled with His love (5b).

The Blessings of Being Right with God Romans 5:1-5 1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Generosity In Giving Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 19, 2012

People who believe that the whole earth & every thing in it belongs to their Lord (Ps. 24:1) readily recognize that the resources of their own lives, which, no matter how hard they toiled and how judiciously they spent, were utterly dependent on God's gra

Proverbs 11:24–26 GENEROSITY IN GIVING [2 Kings 4:1–7] Proverbs offers practical instructions on the use of money, although sometimes it's advice we would rather not hear. It is more comfortable to continue in our habits than to learn how to use money more wisely. Money is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:24-26, Proverbs 11:24-28

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom's Price

Contributed by James May on Jul 2, 2006

The cost of freedom is not cheap. Many men have died for the freedom of our nation. But only one Man died for the freedom of our souls.

Freedom’s Price By Pastor Jim May Thank God for freedom; freedom to travel across the fruited plain; freedom to visit the purple mountain’s majesty; freedom to go from sea to shining sea without having to clear a thousand checkpoints; freedom to go to the voting booth where the destiny of our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Days Should Speak!

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 2, 2001

An exhortation to be role models for our youth.

Days Should Speak Job 32:1-22 "Experience is the best teacher, but it has the highest cost." "I got my education from the school of hard knocks." "I’ve been around the block a time or two." "What? Do you think I was born yesterday?" "Sonny, in my ...read more

Scripture: Job 32:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Avoiding Costly Mistakes At All Costs - Anger Series

Contributed by Don Jones on Aug 27, 2006

Moses allowed his anger to lead him and as a result he forfeited leading the people to the promised land.

Avoiding Costly Mistakes at All Costs - Anger Numbers 20:1-13 Pastor Don Jones West Glendale Baptist Church The past week we began a series entitled "Avoiding Costly Mistakes at All Costs". We looked at the three ways of learning: formal education, the school of hard knocks, and others ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 20:1-13

Denomination: Baptist