Sermons on Hard Knocks:

The Freedom We Have In Christ Jesus Series

Contributed by Bill Walker on Jul 10, 2017

The Apostle Paul cherished the fact that his spiritual liberty in Christ. For Christian unity it is necessary that Christian believers be united through their relationship to Christ. The Christian life is not about working as hard as we can.

THE FREEDOM WE HAVE IN CHRIST JESUS Galatians 2 Freedom is a word that Americans cherish. Slogans like this abound: “This will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave ." The Apostle Paul cherished the fact that his spiritual liberty in Christ was worth far more ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Filled With The Holy Spirit

Contributed by John Ong on Jan 15, 2018

Is it really hard to let ourselves soak in the presence of the Lord? Or are we just blinded by unnecessary things we put first in our lives? And what does being filled with Holy Ghost means?

In accordance with what the Bible said, we Christians are called not to be drunk with the sinful wine but to be filled with the Holy Ghost. We are very fond of idolizing and praising actors and politicians. We’re giving them our full support because they give us worldly entertainment, but when it ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Perceptive Art Of A Receptive Heart Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 24, 2018

What's the main difference between the people who have hard hearts, shallow hearts, crowded hearts, and the one who has an open heart? The person with the open heart hears it and does it.

INTRODUCTION Here’s Bob and here’s Jerry. They’re both in Celebration Worship at Green Acres listening to the Pastor. They’ve both been Christians for over twenty years. But there’s a big difference between Bob and Jerry. During the message, Bob has his Bible open and he’s taking notes. He ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Going Up Or Down?

Contributed by Craig Condon on Mar 19, 2015

The rich man's sin was not his wealth, but his hard heart. Those who are rich have an obligation to help the poor. How we use what we have leads to God's judgment.

The Pope, Billy Graham and Oral Roberts all died on the same day and arrived at the Pearly Gates at the same time. St. Peter said to them, "I have some bad news and some good news. The bad news is that we are full right now and I am going to have to send the three of you down to the devil. The good ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Anglican

Live With Contentment Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Aug 18, 2015

So often we cry over what we don't have - never realizing that we might cry just as hard if we had it. It's important to learn to be content.

“Living A Joy-full Life: Live with Contentment” Phil. 4:10-13 Two little teardrops were floating down the river of life. One teardrop asked the other, “Who are you?” “I am a teardrop from a girl who loved a man and lost him. But who are you?” The first teardrop ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Who Has Got Your Tongue? Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Oct 7, 2015

Controlling the tongue. Why is it so hard? Is the control of the tongue a valid indicator of our spiritual condition? James give us some illustrations that are very useful in defining the ravages of an out of control tongue.

Let’s ponder on this for a moment before we plunge into today’s Scripture. 1 Samuel 2:2 “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides You; there is no Rock like our God.” If you are a son or daughter of God you are one of the most privileged souls in the ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Nazarene

If You Have Run With Footmen...

Contributed by Christian Curby on Mar 10, 2013

God has called us to do hard things! Do we walk away from our relationships including our relationship with God because it gets to challenging? Jeremiah 12:5

Good afternoon, it is so good to be back with you. I am thankful for all that God is doing in my life and in the life of our church. And so it is great to be with you today. Today I want to share a word with you that I believe God has been stirring in my heart for a while but I think that in the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:5-6

Denomination: Foursquare

Learning To Trust

Contributed by C Jordan on Jul 22, 2012

Scripture tells us to trust in the Lord with all of our hearts, but many people have a hard time doing that. This message explores how we can learn to trust God more

LEARNING TO TRUST WISDOM FROM CHILDREN: Patrick, age 10, said, “Never trust a dog to watch your food.” Michael, 14, said, “When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don’t answer him.” Josh, age 9, said, “Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: *other

No Tiptoeing Through The Tulips Here

Contributed by Craig Benner on Sep 15, 2012

Anyone can draw a crowd if they try hard enough, but it is something quite different to build a church (body) and have the Lord to call is successful. Surely God is calling more Titus's to follow this calling

Church Stewardship Titus 1 IL.: The old man had a habit of stepping out on his porch each morning and yelling "Praise the Lord". An athiest moved in next door and quickly became agitated. He would yell back, "there is no God'. One day the believer cried out, "Lord, help me. I have no money, ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Do Little Lights Matter?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 18, 2020

All a mighty oak tree is--- a nut that stood it's ground through dry times, storms and hard times. If your presence matters? Does your absence matter?

DO LITTLE LIGHTS MATTER?… By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. IF YOUR PRESENCE MATTERS, THINK ABOUT: DOES YOUR ABSENCES MATTER? Text: Luke 13:18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:18-19, Matthew 25:23, Matthew 11:25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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." (Isaiah 12:2 NIV) A Harris Poll taken for the American Psychiatric Association (Stress in America Survey 1/2012) discovered that 81% of women say ...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

Triumph Over Trials Sermon Iv: Inexplainable Suffering Is Redeemable Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on May 13, 2020

In times like these, when answers are hard to come by and the extremity of pessimism has been reached, mature Christians renew confidence in the Lord God Almighty to redeem that which at the moment begs to be explained.

CHRISTIANS CAN BE CONFIDENT THAT INEXPLAINABLE SUFFERING IS REDEEMABLE Nothing hurts worse than the emotional experience of watching a child suffer . . . “being there” for someone whose loved one has committed suicide . . . holding the hand of a dying person ...read more

Scripture: Job 40:1-8, Job 42:1-6, Job 19:25

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

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