Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Easter Makes A Difference

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Apr 18, 2009

Easter 2: Easter makes a difference. It changes cold, hard, self-centered people into a community that cares for one another. It gives boldness to weak hearts. It gives hope to suffering spirits. It provides a perspective.

Christ is Risen! He is risen, indeed – Alleluia! Life in the time of Jesus was hard – maybe even mean. There are plenty of examples of this. Justice was often quick and oftentimes harsh. Look at what happened to Jesus! He was celebrating Passover with his disciples on Thursday night, and by ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Mind Control 7 Series

Contributed by Clyde White on Mar 11, 2006

A mature Believer must have the hard steel of discernment and perseverance blended together with the soft steel of humility. True humility is not a groveling, self-despising spirit. It is a right estimate of ourselves, as God sees us.

Proper perspective brings assurance and confidence. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-17

How Close To Being Saved Are My Loved Ones?

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Jun 19, 2003

Every true Christian has concern for the salvation of loved ones. For some, it is hard even to imagine them being saved. So we raise the question: how close are your loved ones to salvation?

HOW CLOSE TO BEING SAVED ARE MY LOVED ONES? SCRIPTURE: Romans 10:8-11 [8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:8-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Danger In Asking

Contributed by Frank Jackson on Jan 10, 2003

Making a single nation out of a dozen tribes was not easy. Unity came hard for Israel; it also came for the United States. U.S. history may shed light on I Samuel’s story.

THE DANGER IN ASKING I Samuel 8:5 Pray Making a single nation out of a dozen tribes was not easy. Unity came hard for Israel; it also came for the United States. U.S. history may shed light on I Samuel’s story. Most people think George Washington was the first president of the United ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:5

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

Carrots, Eggs, And Coffee Beans

Contributed by Corey Arnold on Dec 2, 2003

A children’s sermon about how we deal with adversity. It includes the props of fresh carrots, cooked carrots, hard boiled eggs, coffee beans, water, pot of coffee and possibly coffee candy.

Carrots, Eggs, and Coffee Beans INTRO: Call kids up. “Does anyone know what adversity is?” It is when something comes into your life which is not fun. Like someone being mean to you for no reason. Or when bad things come into your life whether you expect it or not. Give out some ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dear God, Please Kick Me...

Contributed by Rick Young on Aug 4, 2004

Why do we sometimes wait for God to "punish" us if we mess up as Christians? We are not under the law any longer, but under grace. And sometimes it’s hard to remember that.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:14-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Dance Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Jan 31, 2006

Intimacy is one of the hardest things we are called to in this life. Because it’s hard, we engage in a dance - drawing close, backing away, drawing close, etc. Is there any way to stop the cycle?

The Dance Prt. 1 of series Life After the Wedding Wildwind Community Church David Flowers January 22, 2006 Video – What makes a good marriage? Almost everybody knows what makes a good marriage. Isn’t it amazing that there are so many divorces and bad marriages? Think about those two facts. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:20-23

Denomination: Free Methodist

Thanking Your Way To A Strong Family Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 28, 2005

According to one researcher, one of the characteristics of a strong family is "appreciation" or thankfulness for others in my family. Why do we find this so hard to do, and how do we train ourselves to be appreciative?

OPEN: Back in the 70’s, a woman wrote an article I found interesting. She said that her cousin had invited them to “Come for a thanksgiving dinner on Saturday, March 20th.” She wrote: “She was not celebrating an early Thanksgiving. She was saying that all was well with her husband, who had ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17, Colossians 3:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Greater Kindness Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Mar 18, 2013

Sacrificial love is willing to lay down its life, and do the hard things that love demands, on behalf of another. This is the love that we experience in Christ and this is the love that we are challenged to live out with each other.

A Greater Kindness - Ruth 3:10-18 - March 17, 2013 Series: From Heartache to Hope – The Redemption of Ruth - #8 Let me ask you a question as we start this morning: How many decisions do you figure you make in an average day? A hundred? A thousand? Ten thousand? Any ideas? Any ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:10-18

Denomination: *other

Overcoming The Problem Of Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Dan Proctor on Jun 20, 2013

Maybe you have unforgiveness against someone in your heart. Forgiveness is a problem in the Christian life because it is so hard to do. It is one of the most difficult things to do, yet one of the most needed.

Overcoming The Problem Of Forgiveness Genesis 50:15-21; 2 Corinthians 2:6-11 www.crbible.com/sermons Introduction: 1. Forgiveness is a problem in the Christian life because it is so hard to do. It is one of the most difficult things to do, yet one of the most needed. 2. In this lesson, we will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:6-11

Denomination: Bible Church

Living To Please God

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 17, 2008

The Bible is full of admonition on how to please God in life. We have three different admonitions in this text. 1- Avoid sexual lust 2- Adopt brotherly love 3- Ambitiously work hard

INTRO.- ILL.- The American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Big Is Your God?

Contributed by Robert Bravo on Dec 3, 2008

Sometimes life can give us lemons. It can get hard. But the reality is we serve an awesome and powerful God who can turn our lemons into lemonade. Do you trust Him?

How big is your God? Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV) 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Intro: Amen. How many ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21

Denomination: Nazarene

Sent With Power And Authority

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 29, 2009

it can be hard to see what something really is, so we have to back up and look at what it really is and what its really trying to say. we have to do that with scripture too.

Sent With Power And Authority: Breaking Boundaries Luke 9:1-6 March 22, 2008 Lent #4 Intro: (extreme close up pictures guessing game) Obviously, it can be hard to tell what something is when we get too close to it, so then what we need to do is back up a bit so we can see the bigger picture. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Dating And Relationships Series

Contributed by Jake Kircher on Oct 2, 2006

We are created as relational beings...so why is it all so hard. It all starts with treating one another like the holy creations we are. Here are four helpful questions to help in relationships.

Let me start out by just telling you guys that I am so excited about tonight. Dating and relationships is a topic that I have a huge passion for because I know how difficult they can be; especially during junior and senior high. Throughout my life I have had 3½ girl friends…yes 3½. The first came ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Can Explain The Trinity, Not I But … I Will Try?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 21, 2014

Who can explain the Trinity? Not I, and I believe nobody can, however there are some basis principles that help. This sermon attempts to do that, it is long and hard going, but it this the easy, the condensed version; with appendix.

Summary: Who can explain the Trinity? Not I, and I believe nobody can, however there are some basis principles that help. This sermon attempts to do that, it is long and hard going, but it this the easy, the condensed version. This sermon was delivered to the congregation in St Oswald’s, in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Episcopal