Sermons on Hard Knocks:

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

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

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

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

Assurance Of Our Life

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Nov 14, 2020

We are blessed with the assurance of life and Christ. Our lives are blessed and made anew. No matter how hard our situations may seem, we have the assurance that Christ is always by our side.

Assurance of our Life Ephesians 2:4-10 “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all day long!” Fanny J. Crosby wrote over 8000 hymns ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 2:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

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

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

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

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

Avoiding Costly Mistakes At All Costs: Our Plans Series

Contributed by Don Jones on Aug 20, 2006

Series focuses Biblical characters who made serious mistakes and what we can do to avoid them and better follow Christ.

Avoiding Costly Mistakes at All Costs - Our Plans Genesis 15-16 Pastor Don Jones West Glendale Baptist Church The word disciple occurs in the New Testament 261 times. Jesus called His disciples and Jesus calls us to be disciples. The Greek word for disciple is properly translated, "learner". ...read more

Denomination: Baptist