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

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

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

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

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

Lover Of Knowledge Or Plain Stupid. Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Nov 18, 2021

Wisdom seems hard to obtain. Wisdom is different than having knowledge. Knowledge is defined as having information through experience, reasoning or acquaintance. Whereas wisdom is the ability to discern or judge what is true.

Lover of knowledge or plain stupid. Prov. 12:1-10 The topic of wisdom comes up over and over again throughout the pages of Scripture. In fact one whole book (Proverbs) is devoted to the topic . Wisdom seems hard to obtain. Wisdom is different than having knowledge. Knowledge is defined as ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

To Mom And Dad With Love Series

Contributed by Wes Humble on Nov 11, 2006

Sermon on the Fifth Commandment

“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God will give you.” Exodus 20:12 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 ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12

Denomination: *other

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

Mission Impossible?

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Oct 3, 2019

This story looks at and applies Jesus' teachings in Luke 17:1-6 alongside the experience of Corrie Ten Boom.

There were many things that were once thought to be impossible, but are now considered to be quite common and ordinary. The idea of man landing on the moon or going to space was once thought to be impossible, but that notion was shattered in the 1960s. The idea of people surviving heart ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Sermon # 14 - Seeking God Sincerely Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Apr 17, 2023

There are always two categories of people anywhere – those who seek God for personal gain and the ones who seek God for who He really is. Which group do we belong to?

We remind ourselves that this series of messages are based on Act 11:21“And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” (KJV) The Lord’s hand is a powerful hand, a hand that helps, a hand that exalts us, and His hand is at work in all areas of our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:12, Mark 3:1, Matthew 18:20, 3 John 1:2, Psalm 53:2, Genesis 28:11, Genesis 28:13, Judges 16:28, Luke 23:42, Luke 23:39, Mark 3:2, Mark 3:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Favoritism In High Places Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 18, 2021

God is at least fair with everyone, but has the prerogative to be especially gracious with those He has chosen.

Favoritism in High Places? (Romans 9:14-21) 1.Penicillin was invented by Alexander Fleming in 1928. What Happened: Halfway through an experiment with bacteria, Alexander Fleming up and went on vacation. Slob that he was, he left a dirty petri dish in the lab sink. Big Discovery: When he got ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:14-21, Exodus 19:16, Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Let Go Of The World Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 9, 2001

"JESUS is ENOUGH!!" The first 2 chapters in Colossians hit hard the truth, now that we know this truth - HOW - should it effect our lives. This is what we’ll be doing the next 4 weeks... (Jesus is Enough - Part 4)

Jesus Is Enough - Part 4 "Therefore, LET GO Of the WORLD" Colossians 3:1-11 Okay, here we go....This is week four in our study of the book of Colossians, a study we are calling; "Jesus is enough." Remember, Paul wrote this letter to the church in Colosse because false teachers had come into ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Easter 2022

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Apr 13, 2022

"What God has shared with you in the Light, do not forget in the darkness." The is the overall message from this Easter sermon. When we have hard times, do not forget what Jesus has already spoken into our lives.

Easter 2022 Scripture: John 8:12; Mark 10:32-34; 16:9-11; James 1:2-3 I want to thank Pastor Cynthia for her continuing to cover for me as I travel back and forth to Tennessee for the next several months. It is a blessing to have someone that you can depend on when you need them most. Thank ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, Mark 10:32-34, James 1:2-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational