Sermons on Hard Knocks:

How To Endure Hardship

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Jul 10, 2014

The apostle Paul charges Timothy to endure hardship like a 1) Good Soldier 2) Striving Athlete & 3) Hard-working Farmer. And at the end of it all there will be a crown and a harvest if we do not give up.

How to Endure Hardship 2 Timothy 2:3-6 Introduction: Ill. The story is told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!" One day the king ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:3-6

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

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

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

Five Truths About Christmas Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 14, 2014

Life - real Life can be hard, but in the scale of eternity it is only for a moment and maybe if we spent more time seeking God’s guidance, if we spent more time trusting Him.

It’s the 2nd Sunday of Advent - it’s just 17 days to Christmas Day. So let me ask you: Are you ready for Christmas? “Are you ready for Christmas?” .... What question am I really asking you this morning.. When I ask are you ready for Christmas? Do you think I’m ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Hope Laid Up For You Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Apr 26, 2022

In the times and cultures of the Colossian church, hope was a commodity hard to come by. In his letter to them, Paul instructs them where they can find the kind of hope no one can rob from them.

I. Introduction A. There is a story about how the caverns north of Yellowstone National Park were discovered. As the story goes, one of the original explorers was walking along the top of that mountain and fell through a hole, and he dropped down several hundred feet into this cavern and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-8, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 10:17

Walk Worthy Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Apr 26, 2022

In the times and cultures of the Colossian church, hope was a commodity hard to come by. In his letter to them, Paul instructs them where they can find the kind of hope no one can rob from them.

I. Intro A. This is another of Paul’s “prison epistles,” written from the barracks in Rome (as he did with his letter to the Philippians) and in the company of Timothy B. Points out Epaphras (not Epaphroditus, a messenger for the Philippians), likely founder and pastor C. He expressed ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14, Romans 11:33, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 4:14-17, 2 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 3:18, Ephesians 3:16-20, James 1:2-4, Matthew 5:12, Revelation 2:10, Romans 8:17, Psalm 103:12  (view more)  (view less)

Hope For A New Year Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Apr 26, 2022

In the times and cultures of the Colossian church, hope was a commodity hard to come by. In his letter to them, Paul instructs them where they can find the kind of hope no one can rob from them.

I. Intro A. There is a poignant scene in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, where Jesus is carrying His cross down the Via Dolorosa. Upon seeing Mary, His mother, Jesus says, “Look, mother, I am doing a new thing.” B. For us, every day is a new thing, but some days have more importance than ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20, Philippians 2:6, John 1:14, John 8:58, John 10:30, Romans 8:29, John 1:1-3, Romans 11:33-36, Revelation 22:13, Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 2:19, John 5:28-29  (view more)  (view less)

The Onion And The Apple

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 3, 2017

In life we go through seasons. Some seasons are hard and bitter. Some seasons are sweet and wonderful. We must realize our choices, attitudes and words have consequences. Consider the apple and the onion.

THE ONION OR THE APPLE? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I have an onion and a sweet apple in my hands as I begin. In the 1929 ROSE BOWL, a man became known by a new name: WRONG WAY ROY RIEGELS WRONG WAY was hit so hard in the football game, he recovered a fumble and he ran the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Motivating The Complacent Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 7, 2022

When a ministry grows, there will be those who will hear of the great harvest taking place; but when they see the work that it entails, they will wait for someone else to do the job, hoping to benefit from the hard work of others.

When we communicate a compelling vision for our church and community, we will start seeing people join our fellowship. They will hear of the blessings of the Promised Land and want to become a part of it; however, not everyone will partake of the rewards. It won’t just happen automatically ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 18:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Your Savior? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 4, 2023

It might be hard to believe, but you and I could share our Jesus just like Peter did on the day of Pentecost. But what did Peter do that we can do to share our faith?

OPEN: Back in the days of the California gold rush, there were 3 prospectors who found a rich vein of gold back in the hills. They realized this was a great discovery and they decided, “We’ve a good thing going here - as long as no one else finds out about it.” So they made a vow to each other keep ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:22-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Prophetic Warning

Contributed by John Hardwick on Aug 25, 2016

As one reads news articles from around the Christian community, it is hard not to notice that many churches and denominations seem to stepping away from "controversial" biblical teachings in favor of a world view version of the bible.

Leviticus 26:1-17 Luke 4:16–21; 1 Corinthians 7:21–24; Galatians 6:7–10 I am Adonai your God. “‘Keep my Shabbats, and revere my sanctuary; I am Adonai. A Prophetic ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 26:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Greatest Man Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 15, 2021

Great men are themselves a testimony to the greatness of Jesus. It would be hard to find any famous person who has ever made a comment about Jesus who did not admit His uniqueness and greatness.

Ivan Maddox has pointed out that there have only been three perfect people in this world, and they were Adam, Eve, and Jesus Christ, who is called the second Adam. So two Adam’s and an Eve make up the total population of that mini list of people who were perfect. That list is quickly reduced to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:11-18

It’s Okay If I Say It! Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Apr 20, 2016

Meekness is a hard nut to crack because we tend to think that being a bully is the opposite of being meek, and nobody wants to bullied. (No one wants to be bullies so why do want to be meek?)

Beatitudes Sermon Series: “It’s okay if I Say It!” (4 of 9) Matt 5.5 July 12, 2015 CFBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker A Over the last several weeks the Beatitudes have challenged us to develop the attitude that Jesus demands for His disciples to posses. 1 The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Denomination: Baptist

Let There Be Light

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Mar 26, 2018

I this sermon I am going to use what we do know physical light and darkness to better explain what Christians often have a hard time understanding spiritual darkness and light.

Let there be Light Genesis 1:1-5 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist