Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Hard Work And Providence Series

Contributed by Christopher Lanham on Jun 18, 2011

It is funny how we think God should work. For some reason we seem to think that since God is the all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present Creator of the universe – and anything else in existence – that he should do everything on a grand scale.

Hard Work and Providence Ecclesiastes 11:1-8 Cascades Fellowship CRC, JX MI June 5, 2005 I am going to tell you one of my favorite stories this morning because it illustrates perfectly how many of us think about the relationship between what we do and what God does. Many of you have probably ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Seeds On The Hard Path Series

Contributed by Eric Lenhart on Aug 13, 2010

Being hardened by life, or free in Christ.

Seeds on the Hard Path (Matthew 13:1-23) 1st in a series on: “The Parable of the Soils” Introduction: An old farmer who was about to die called his two sons to his bedside and said, "My boys, my farm and the fields are yours in equal shares. I leave you a little ready money but the bulk of my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Church Of God

Calling You Series

Contributed by Phillip Smith on Oct 10, 2017

Jesus is calling you to his Kingdom. Are you hearing His calling?

We hear of many differing ideas of the concept of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit calling mankind from darkness or sin into the light or unto righteousness. Some people have a big disagreement to the idea of being called out and deny its existence. Others believe it is possible but differ in how it ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A King At Your Door

Contributed by Jesse Crooks on Mar 4, 2024

Our text comes at the end of the letters to the seven churches in Revelation. It simply says that someone is standing at a door, knocking.

The King at Your Door (Rev. 3: 20-21) 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and uknock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20-21

Knock More Than Once Lesson 6 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 12, 2023

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.

A. KNOCK MEANS YOU ANTICIPATE ENTRANCE “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7, NLT). 1. Definition: To strike a sounding blow, seeking admittance, calling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7, Acts 12:12, Matthew 18:20

Denomination: Baptist

Learning The Hard Way

Contributed by Sean Smuts on Jan 15, 2003

A Lesson on Forgiveness and repentance

Text: Psalm 51 Jim Smuts Subject: Forgiveness Theme: Divine Forgiveness "Learning The Hard Way" Introduction: Someone once said, "Forgiveness is like the violet sending forth its pure fragrance on the heel of the boot of the one who crushed it." Explanation: David’s sin ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17

Denomination: Mennonite

Praying The Hard Prayers Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on May 5, 2003

2d in the series "Patterns for Prayer." The disciples’ prayer in Acts 4:23 gives us a pattern for praying for boldness in the face of persecution.

Introduction Zig Ziglar story of boy that went with his mother to the old general store. He liked to sneak away from his mother and when no one was looking he would dip his finger into the large barrel of molasses. The storekeeper caught him doing this and decided to teach the boy a lesson. He ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Praying In Hard Times Series

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Dec 10, 2003

Learning to pray during the hard dry times of life.

Nov. 17 Praying in Hard Times Is God’s primary goal to make me comfortable or make me strong (comfort = make strong) - To mend my body or my spirit To whisk me out of every trial and danger or to walk by my side so I can discover how strong and good He is. Jeremiah in prison, David in the cave. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:8-10, James 1:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

David's Hard Heart

Contributed by Charles Andrews on Jan 1, 2004

David’s heart was hardened by sin. Only the death of his newborn son softened it. This sermon looks at three aspects of his son’s death and David’s reaction.

“David’s Hard Heart” Text: 2 Samuel 12:1-23 Introduction: Sin carries consequences! Some are immediate; others come much later in life and some last an entire lifetime. And, of course, any sin of which we do not repent and ask for forgiveness, carries with it the consequence of an eternity in a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"It's Hard To Be Humble" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 5, 2002

A. Humility (vs 1); B. Contentment (vs 2); C. Trust (vs 3)

“It’s hard to be humble” -Psalm 131, Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Outline: A. Humility (vs 1); B. Contentment (vs 2); C. Trust (vs 3) Introduction…some Country/Western theology I want to share a story I heard last week in our adult Sunday School ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 131:1-8, Psalm 131:1

Denomination: Congregational

It's Hard To Be Humble

Contributed by Eric Ledermann on Jul 23, 2002

Know the gifts which God has given you, these being three (purpose, prayer, and love) from a list of thousands, and go, do the work of God in your life, whatever God is calling you to do, always remaining humble in the presence of such extravagence.

HUMILITY: A pastor was asked to speak for a certain charitable organization. After the meeting the program chairperson handed the pastor a check. “Oh, I couldn’t take this,” the pastor said with some embarrassment. “I appreciate the honor of being asked to speak. You have better use for this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Hard To Learn Lessons"

Contributed by Dennis Deese on Aug 10, 2002

There are many hard to learn lessons in the Christian life.

"HARD TO LEARN LESSONS" Dr. Dennis Deese - Fan The Flame Ministries, Inc. EZEKIEL 24:15-27 ETS: Ezekiel and the Jews had to learn some hard to learn lessons ESS: There are many hard to learn lessons in the Christian life. Introduction: The August 1992 Hurricane Andrew left more than 50,000 ...read more

Fasting The Hard Way

Contributed by Cameron Horsburgh on Nov 5, 2001

God isn’t as impressed with our pious religiosity as he is about the way we live our lives.

Now the Israelites had a problem. They practiced their religion faithfully, and they did everything that was expected, but God didn’t seem to be listening to them. What was the problem? This is a good question. And it’s an important question to ask ourselves as well. God, through his prophet, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-9, Isaiah 58:9-14

Denomination: Holiness

Handles For The Hard Times Series

Contributed by Rich Young on Jan 18, 2001

First in a series of sermons for dealing with difficult times.

“Handles for the Hard Times” (Sermon #1) TEXT: I Thess 2 :17 - 3:5 INTRODUCTION · Army Chaplain had a sign on his door that said, “If you have troubles, come in & tell me all about them. If you don’t have troubles, come in & tell me how you do it.” · Regardless of who you ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Is This So Hard? Series

Contributed by Jake Kircher on Dec 28, 2005

Why is following Gopd so difficult sometimes?

***Tug-o’-war illustration*** • Start off with big kid and a small kid and tell them to pull the rope as far as he can • Slowly, continue to add people to oppose the big kid until he gives up As we continue to look at God’s call in our lives to go and change the world around us, I think this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational